EXCELSIS
Dr. Larry Hultgren
Rising to the Challenge
As we celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s honors college class, we could not help but reflect on the overwhelmingly complicated pressures put upon this cohort. As first-year students, this graduating class spent their first semester socially distanced, locked down, and building relationships through virtual formats. In the wake of the 2020 pandemic, our students have demonstrated remarkable growth and adaptability, emerging stronger than ever. Despite the unprecedented challenges these new graduates faced, our students and the Honors College community have risen to the occasion.
Our graduates led the campus through their resilience demonstrated by creative problem solving to overcome the social distance and create indelible and endurable relationships. The students’ determination to learn and grow despite the distance is overshadowed by the inspired joy and sense of wonder they experienced through the reintroduction of global educational opportunities. This inspiration has reinvigorated the global residency program.
This past year, honors students studied around the world, including Australia, Morocco, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Malta, and our collaborative campus in Japan. The honors student’s excitement and intellectual curiosity have inspired other VWU students to follow in their footsteps and embrace the global education experience.
We are especially proud of our student’s development in conducting cutting-edge research and presenting that research at prestigious conferences around the country. This year’s winner for the Ryan Environmental Prize was Breana Mahoney for her work on “Broadening Awareness of Melanoma and Skin of Color on College Campuses.”
Our community adjudicators for the prize cited not only Breana’s strong research but also her commitment to putting research into practice through an on-campus awareness campaign. Breana received grant funding and implemented a melanoma awareness campaign targeting more than 40% of students of color on the VWU campus. The on-campus campaign is a model that could be used on college campuses across the country. That same week, Breana represented the BHC and VWU as a student leader-panelist for Generation Next, a national conference exploring issues affecting African-American students on college campuses.
The BHC is full of stories like Breana’s. Our students are working with top corporations, government organizations, internationally pre-eminent research labs, environmental non-profits, professional sports teams, and Coastal Virginia communities. This year’s cohort is providing strong mentorship and inspiring the other cohorts in our program to dream big, start local, and start changing the world now—for a stronger, brighter future.
Travis Malone, PhD
Anne B. Shumadine Dean of Batten Honors College of Virginia Wesleyan University
A Letter from the Dean
Breana Mahoney with Dr. Travis Malone, Anne B. Shumadine Dean of the Batten Honors College.
Wetlands Advocate
By Lucas Gordon
TThroughout the past semester, I have become increasingly involved with the local politics of Virginia Beach. I have advocated for the protection of Lake Conrad 2, a natural wetland resource in the Great Neck area which also doubles as a stormwater management system and attended numerous Virginia Beach City Council meetings. As a requirement for my State & Local Politics course in the fall semester I attended one of these meetings in early September, where I learned about the threat of environmental degradation as a result of realestate development at hand. Consequently, I reached out to assist with the NoBuildVBWetlands initiative. This led me to pursue my budding passion for political advocacy. From visiting the Wycliffe Presbyterian Church (near Lake Conrad 2) and taking notes on the parameters of the lake, to planning a course of action with the President of the Great Neck Civic League, I would prepare to ultimately speak at a City Council meeting. In October and November, I spoke about the issues of environmental degradation and the dangers of building expensive homes to address the housing crisis.
As a result of my attendance, I have learned quite a bit about how the Virginia Beach government system works. Despite being a life-long resident of the city, not once had the Virginia Beach City Council been explained to me. In retrospect, this shocked me because I believe that the local government is the most important form of government regarding citizens’ ability to contribute to grassroots change. Council members, the vice-mayor, and the mayor are the first line of policy between a city and the many tiers of government, and they hold the power to make the decisions that affect our everyday lives. By visiting these meetings and speaking on issues that affect our cities, the interests of the public are reflected in the policy that is eventually passed. Therefore, I plan to continue attending these city council meetings and supporting the community that has fostered my well-being.
Giving Back
By McKenna Howenstine
Volunteer work has always been a pillar of my life, with nurturing the community as the main aim. Through frequent volunteering and pulling my peers along with me, I try to spread this approach throughout the Batten Honors College and beyond. Volunteering with the Seton Youth Shelter, Virginia Beach SPCA, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Elizabeth River Project has helped me acclimatize to the Hampton Roads community and connect off-campus. Giving back to the community I was recently transplanted to allows me to connect deeply with it.
I also spend some of my service time doing photography for the BHC. While taking pictures at the BHC competitions I am like a professional fly on the wall, capturing possible incoming honors students experiencing their first moments on campus. I get to interact with the participants in a way no other current BHC students do. The moment a camera is directed toward them, their anxiety about competing reduces. Their focus switches and it often lets their personalities shine brighter, which I get to capture. Through these experiences, I am able to connect with others in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise.
A Demonstration in Certification
This year’s incoming BHC freshmen participated in the Chesapeake Bay Advocacy Certification program as part of their curriculum, HON 110: Contemporary Environmental Issues. Here’s what Haley Cummins, a BHC freshman and Dr. Hultgren, one of the HON 110 instructors have to say:
Haley Cummins
As a freshman at the Batten Honors College, I realized that the honors courses provide beneficial information that connects to my major and resume, not just extra class work. Through the HON 110 course, the freshmen class became a certified Chesapeake Bay Advocate with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Bay Advocacy Institute. As a student majoring in Earth and Environmental Sciences, this certification and the process of completing it was very beneficial to my studies. The certification process required every student to listen to an advocacy lesson given by a guest speaker from the CBF, complete an outdoor learning activity, finish a lesson on how CBF advocates for environmental justice, and develop an Advocacy Plan paper.
Most of the lessons were centered around CBF’s major project about oyster reefs and restoration in the Bay. All of these requirements allowed me to become an advocate for the health of the Bay. The certification process fits well with HON 110’s water conservation theme since oyster reefs play a significant role in keeping the Bay clean and filtering pollutants out of the water. Additionally, this certification process was personally very rewarding; not only did I have opportunities to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay watershed, but now I also have access to a portal which would allow me to continue exploring more information and potentially future opportunities with the CBF. Overall, this process was fairly straightforward and the benefits of this certification are absolutely helpful for everyone in the course.
Dr. Hultgren
This certification project, worked out by Dr. Malcolm with the CBF, allowed us to take a more applied approach to learning about contemporary environmental issues. BHC students were able to take their learning outside the classroom and develop practical, real-world problem solving skills. Their group projects emphasized community connections, by requiring them to be informed by and in dialogue with the broader community, and they developed new research and presentation techniques as they applied course materials to real world problems. I think this initiative allowed us to expand the space for our class and helped all of us to understand the reciprocal process of theory and practice.
Fundraising Opportunities
By Megan Setlak
The theme for this year’s Marlin Conference is The Marlin Conference: Building Careers, with an objective to emerge as a means for students to expand their networking opportunities. As the Chief of Staff, I have various responsibilities to handle, a prominent one being the Director for fundraising. In this role, I organize and schedule events to raise money for the conference. These events include bake sales, car washes, and concession stands at various sporting events. I try to get as much feedback as I can from these events so that the next one can be more efficient and consumer-focused. This allows for more community involvement from the school by allowing students and staff to have a voice in the events being held on campus. What they liked and disliked are taken into account so we can continue to grow as a fundraising committee. We also involve the community outside of school by inviting them to these events or by asking them to be our sponsors. Outside involvement is just as important as on-campus involvement because the more people we can reach, the more career opportunities there will be for the conference.
Hands-on Experience
By Rowan Stuart
What started with a series of 2 AM interviews from Japan resulted with me sitting in my cubicle at the Dollar Tree headquarters as a summer intern in the communications department. My name is Rowan Stuart, and I am currently a business major in the Batten Honors College at VWU. My internship experience first began when I returned from Japan. My first day in the office set an expectation, significantly higher than I have ever considered of a retail operation outside of Amazon. Each day, I found myself sitting in a large glass skyscraper overlooking the city of Norfolk and interacting with my team and other interns. My typical day consisted of carrying out various tasks for my department, some of which included drafting articles, public relations work, preparing for ongoing events, and reading mail. This experience was a rewarding look at the role played by the communications department in a Fortune 500 company, and my team offered an unparalleled experience with how hands-on they made the work. Two aspects that made the experience unique were having the chance to collaborate with other interns in their capacities and speaking with numerous executives of the company. I had a chance to speak with Vice Presidents and Chief Officers alike on a day-to-day basis; they were always enthusiastic at the opportunity to see what potential fresh recruits could bring to the company. I quickly learned that entrepreneurial operations depend on the collaboration of numerous moving pieces, some of which go unheard of before joining an organization. Thanks to my Dollar Tree experience and through the generous mentoring of Ryan Deluice and VWU alumna Courtney Mueller, I now have a more comprehensive understanding of the intricacies within the business world and have better direction as to what I would like to do with my career. It is through this positive experience that I will be returning to Dollar Tree as a finance intern specializing in risk this coming summer.
Developing a Foundation
By Stuart Reyes
This semester, I began working as a research assistant for Dr. Shirshak Dhali at Old Dominion University (ODU) in the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) department. This work is being conducted under the Office of Naval Research and Air Force Office of Scientific Research. This project is titled “Non-local Electron Kinetic Fluid Models for Development of Predictive Tools for Plasma Assisted Combustion/Ignition.” I am currently helping Dr. Dhali with the development of a plasma combustion model. The main substance of my work thus far has been creating a multivariable differential equation which will serve as the foundation for the plasma combustion model that we will develop. Most of my work is done through the use of MATLAB, a programming platform that has been used in my ECE classes at ODU. Although I have only been working on this project since the start of the new year, Dr. Dhali has inspired me to further my knowledge of the work we are doing. More specifically, I try to learn as much as I can about plasma combustion. He has also encouraged me to use modern technology to facilitate our work. For example, we have recently discussed the possibility of developing machine learning to aid in our modeling. During my meetings with him, I feel like I am in class again! Overall, I am learning a lot and I look forward to continuing my work as a research assistant. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Dhali for the opportunity and Alice Jones, the Director of Career Development at VWU, for her assistance during my application to ODU.
Felix Bevc
Supporting ACADEMIC RESEARCH
Sai Challagundla
Utilizing waste products from other industries and repurposing them into new products is highly beneficial for the planet. One of these waste products is lactose which is produced in the dairy industry. My research, “Polymerization of Lactose” focuses on converting lactose into polymer as a replacement for traditional plastics. While turning lactose into polymer is possible, it is much more difficult than one would expect as there are many problems to consider. The biggest obstacle is to maintain the delicate balance among the amount of resources, time and extraction. If any one of these three is not within the required range, there may be no tangible results. Unfortunately, the range that all three are supposed to be in is unknown, which makes the entire experiment quite difficult. While this research is very time-consuming and frustrating, it is preparing me for the professional world. I would like to thank Dr. Easter for guiding me through this research process and for always providing me with suggestions whenever I needed guidance.
Our chemistry research project “Towards the Total Synthesis of Methyl 2,3,3,3-tetraphenyl propanoate” falls under the fields of organic synthesis and chemical education. It addresses the problem that, historically, organic chemistry laboratories are taught in a one week/ one experiment model with minimum connectivity between the individual experiments by combining selected experiments into a multi-step synthesis of a target compound. To do so, Emma Wehr and I worked with Dr. Kittredge to develop and improve the procedures for each reaction step, aiming to make them bulletproof so that a sophomore can execute these experiments successfully. Dr. Kittredge and I traveled to San Francisco in August 2023 to present our research at the national ACS (American Chemical Society) conference. Participating in this conference allowed me to network and draw inspiration from the talks I heard and the research papers I saw. Overall, this experience motivated me to continue pursuing my education in organic chemistry. I want to thank Dr. Kittredge for his mentorship and support throughout the research project and during the conference. I would also like to thank Prof. John Rudel and the Lighthouse for funding both my research and travel to the conference.
Kainaat Trehan
As an international relations major, I am passionate about ethnic conflicts in South Asia. As a result, I decided to pursue an independent research project under the year-long supervision of Dr. Garrett Wood (Management, Business and Economics Department) and Prof. James Moskowitz (Political Science Department). My research, “Revolt of the Janata: Examining the Bureaucratic Responses to Separatist Movements in post-Partition India” explores the differences in bureaucratic responses received by the separatist movements in independent India. I presented this research at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference which was held at Chicago this year. I am utterly grateful for the guidance of both of my advisors who helped me navigate through a kind of intellectual challenge which was quite new for me, in addition to their support and patience with all the other graduate school related challenges that I was simultaneously managing. Additionally, I would like to thank Prof. John Rudel and Undergraduate Research to sponsor my travel and attendance for this prestigious conference.
Data-driven Mindset
By Katie Baker
Throughout my academic career as a biology major, I sought a research topic that spoke to my passion for wildlife conservation. While taking Conservation Biology with Dr. Postava-Davignon, I discovered the need for further on-campus research on bat species composition and activity. “The Effects of Artificial Light at Night on Bat Activity and Species Composition in an Old-Growth Urban Forest” delves into the bat species composition in artificially lit and unlit environments along the edge of the old-growth forest at Virginia Wesleyan University. Ultrasonic sensors were installed last Fall to detect bat vocalizations. I plan to present my research findings at VWU’s Spring 2024 Academic Symposium and the Virginia’s Collegiate Honors Council Conference at Radford University. In addition to collecting the data using ultrasonic sensors, I attended several online training sessions to navigate the Kaleidoscope bat analysis software. Kaleidoscope has proven to be a powerful and efficient tool in processing vast quantities of data and I was thankful for the opportunity to attend the online tutorials. I am thankful for Dr. Postava-Davignon for supporting me throughout the research process and to the friends who helped me carry a ladder into the forest to replace the batteries in the sensors.
Learning and Knowledge
By Kimberly Koscinski
One of my majors is psychology, and I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ariel in his SEA Lab last year on research about “The Effects of Self-Reference on Learning and Knowledge Application.”
We presented the project at the Psychonomic Society’s 64th Annual Meeting in San Francisco last November. This independent research and presentation greatly impacted my professional development. With Dr. Ariel’s guidance, I learned how to set up an experiment, recruit participants, score data, and interpret results. I also learned more about the field of cognitive psychology in general. I started working on this project when I was only a sophomore and was still pretty apprehensive about taking upper-level courses or even speaking up in class. I ended up traveling to the West Coast for the first time and presenting in front of experts in the field. Even though most presenters and attendees had many more years of experience than me, I felt confident standing in front of the poster that I had helped to create. It was such an amazing experience, and I am so grateful that I was able to have it.
A Whale of a Task
MBy Christian Palmisano
y independent research was completed within the history discipline and is titled “‘Human Derelicts of Every Description’ Whalemen and Victorian Values on Nineteenth-Century New England Whaleships.” In this research, I argue that the Victorian attitudes and expectations of nineteenth-century America regarding gender and religion had to be modified if not wholly replaced with actions and behaviors that were typically abhorred by American society. Despite attempts from Victorian society to force whalemen to adopt its traditional values surrounding gender and religion, whalemen were forced to adapt to their whaleship environment by altering or even abandoning those Victorian principles. I presented this research on April 13th at the Phi Alpha Theta Virginia Regional Conference which was held at the Virginia Military Institute. The process of independent research was, at times, grueling. The meticulous search for primary source documentation and the important information within, coupled with extensive scrutiny of secondary sources was a monumental task. The challenging nature of the assignment made completing my research highly rewarding. I was delighted to see that the caliber of my research was acknowledged at the conference; I received third place in the Best U.S History Undergraduate category. This endeavor has supplied me with a product that I can proudly present and use as a sample of my scholarly capabilities.
Sasha Saxon is a biochemistry major and currently serves as the President of the Chemistry Honors Society, Gamma Sigma Epsilon.
Favorite BHC memory?
In the early fall, forty of us BHC students occupied half of Chic’s beach together where someone taught a few of us how to surf. And I’ll never forget accidentally swimming during a bioluminescent algae bloom with some of my friends during freshman year.
A professor you will call to rant about adulting?
Dr. Malone, Dr. Lindvall, Dr. Howard, Dr. Easter, and Dr. Payne.
What creative or literary work has shaped you as a person Playing my character Roxie, in our campus’s production of Roe affected me more than I thought. My character came in for the last five minutes of the show, surprising the audience by delivering my shocking little monologue from the crowd. I was supposed to be a college student, newly pregnant, and utterly torn up about what I should do, morally and otherwise. I was wearing a fake pregnant belly and essentially pretending to be myself while standing amongst the audience–it was a little intense and vulnerable.
If you could change a campus rule, which one would it be?
Currently, SGA is pushing to have the rule regarding oppositely gendered overnight guests removed. This rule currently makes it illegal
for members of the opposite gender to be within someone’s dorm space–even communal areas–past midnight or 2 a.m. depending on the day.
Alex Moody studies biology and has a minor in chemistry. He is an integral part of the Men’s Soccer Team and is an active member of the StudentAthlete Advisory Committee , Beta Beta Beta Honors Society and Sigma Zeta.
What was the best class you took? Why?
The best class I took was Topics in Tropical Biology because we went to Belize and Guatemala to learn about tropical biology hands-on. We were able to go to historical sites and snorkel to identify marine organisms.
A professor you will call to rant about adulting?
Dr. G-J or Dr. Kittredge
Favorite BHC memory?
Going to Barcelona with the Honors College and immersing myself in the Catalonian culture.
A lesson on the field that you have adopted in your personal life?
Just win the day. Being productive or accomplishing something you have been procrastinating on for a while. Another one is to be a goldfish and keep pushing throughout the day if something doesn’t go your way!
Emily Moody is an early graduate who is a business major with a communications minor. She serves as the marketing director for the Marlin Chronicle. and previously served as the CEO of the Business Conference.
A professor you will call to rant about adulting?
Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne
Favorite BHC memory?
The many walks through the Honors Village. In the spring one of my favorite parts of the day was walking back from my afternoon class to see who was sitting in their hammock to have a conversation with. I truly felt like I was living in a neighborhood filled with old friends.
What was the best class you took? Why?
MBE 301 Principles of Management with Professor Futyma because it gave real real-life, hands-on experience through the Marlin Business Conference. I learned how to communicate professionally, time manage events and tasks, and have the opportunity to network with people in the business industry. This class opened my eyes to what organizing and managing is really like and opened the door to new opportunities.
How did BHC help and support you to graduate early?
I know that if I want to do something, then I can go to Dr. Malone
and he will help me get it done. He has been a great advisor in developing a plan and making it happen.
Felix Bevc is an international student from Germany with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. He currently serves as the captain of the Men’s Tennis team.
How did you surprise yourself in college?
I believe that I became a lot more outgoing over my time in college. My interpersonal skills in general, but especially in a professional/ educational setting improved tremendously and I am very proud of that.
Favorite BHC memory?
For me, all three of the Busch Gardens trips I was part of were a lot of fun and a great time. Unfortunately, we could not go during my freshman year.
A professor you will call to rant about adulting ?
Dr. Kittredge, Dr. Howard, Dr. Easter, Dr. Kennedy, and Professor Moskowitz.
How has coming to a school away from home impacted your view on life
While I very much enjoyed my time in the United States and made some great friends, being away from home also made me appreciate home more.
A ForceDriving
DR. HULTGREN’S 55 YEAR COMMITMENT TO HIS STUDENTS AND TEACHING
By Rhian Tramontana and Erika Eichelberger
Since 1969, Dr. Lawrence Hultgren, a professor and chair of Philosophy, has been fostering growth in his students. As he prepares to retire, his legacy will live on in the memories of students. Hultgren’s impact spans years, to current and former community members.
Dr. Craig Wansink, professor of Religious Studies and director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, has a collection of fond memories from his time getting to know Hultgren as a professor and person. Hultgren’s influence on Wansink extended into his family. “The fact that my son’s middle name is ‘Lawrence’ is no coincidence,” Wansink said. “For me no faculty person represents more the tenor, purpose, and meaning of Virginia Wesleyan than Dr. Larry Hultgren.” As a professor, Hultgren has been a driving force in growing the university’s philosophy department. “He offered applied philosophy courses (medical ethics, environmental ethics, the ethics of poverty) long before they were seen as important mainstays of the philosophy program,” Wansink said.
Hultgren’s joy for teaching shines, and his students see it. Batten Honors College alumna Divinity Richardson described Hultgren as “cheerful.” She said, “Dr. Hultgren was always positive, easygoing, and made everyone in his class feel valued.”
During his career at Virginia Wesleyan, Hultgren was also impactful in the development of the Batten Honors College. He brought years of expertise in education and encouraged philosophical and environmental perspectives in students. Dr. Joyce Easter, the previous dean of the Batten Honors College and current professor of Chemistry, worked closely with Hultgren in the BHC. “He has touched many lives during his 55 years at Virginia Wesleyan, but has had a lasting impact on all seven BHC cohorts who have a more informed perspective on their environment and the impact they can have on the world,” Easter said.
Hultgren’s impact on the BHC students spans from his time as a first-year advisor and professor of HON 110 to advising on senior capstone projects and beyond. “It was a very positive experience to collaborate with him in the classroom, but even more so in guiding each student as they developed and executed their senior project,” Easter said.
Students showed appreciation for how Hultgren’s lessons extend outside the classroom, and he emulates that extension by supporting students in all their endeavors. Recently, junior Philosophy major Evelyn Weaver was a part of a student mural exhibition in the Neil Britton Art Gallery of the Hofheimer Library. It was meaningful to her when Hultgren stopped by to support the students. “He isn’t an art professor, but Dr. Hultgren attended the event to support VWU students and the work we had done,” she said.
Hultgren isn’t just a supporter of art, he’s an enthusiastic fan of everything that students do. Wansink recalled joining Hultgren at various athletics events on campus. “At one point, when I was enjoying a soccer game, he said something innocuous like, ‘If faculty members are genuinely interested in their students’ activities, the students tend to have more investment in their professors’ class,’” Wansink said.
As a person, Hultgren embodies the liberal arts education and community feeling that VWU strives for. “He demonstrates so well--for me--how a professor at a liberal arts college should be conscious of the students’ entire development,” Wansink said.
June Richardson, a BHC senior, felt that Hultgren pushed students in important ways. “He’s taught me how important it is to believe in my abilities and to challenge myself,” Richardson said. “He was so encouraging, and I really think anyone who’s had a philosophy class with him came out of it a better person.”
As Hultgren prepares to retire, his lessons and support for students will continue to change students for the better.
The 2024 graduating class of the Batten Honors College.
Reflections on the 2020 BHC Cohort
By Scott D. Miller
Thank you for extending the invitation to share my reflections on the remarkable journey of the incoming class of 2020, affectionately known as “the Covid Class.” Your request prompted me to delve deep into the memories and experiences that have defined this extraordinary cohort, marking not only a significant chapter in their lives but also in the evolving story of the Batten Honors College.
In a word, “resilient” encapsulates the essence of the Fall 2020 cohort’s journey. Amidst the unprecedented challenges posed by the global pandemic, these students embarked on their college adventure under conditions no one could have anticipated. Masks concealed smiles and laughter, distancing measures kept friends and colleagues apart, and the vibrant life of campus activities was significantly muted. Yet, through these hurdles, their spirit of resilience shone brightly.
The Batten Honors College prides itself on nurturing leaders who are prepared to navigate a complex world, and the 2020 class exemplifies this mission. Their journey from the initial days of uncertainty to the culmination of their academic endeavors stands as a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to achieving their goals.
I am particularly proud of how this cohort has actively contributed to shaping the Batten Honors College experience. From collaborating with faculty to tailor the curriculum to their needs, to expanding their global and intellectual horizons, these students have played a pivotal role in enhancing the program for future generations. They are among the first to take advantage of the graduate programs offered as a part of their BHC scholarship, and their achievements and contributions reflect not only their individual excellence but also their collective spirit of innovation and leadership.
As “the Covid Class” moves forward, their experiences during the unprecedented times of their early college career will undoubtedly serve as a beacon, guiding them through future challenges and successes. It has been an honor to witness their journey, and I am confident that they will continue to make us proud as they embark on their next adventures.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Women’s Soccer Finishes 12th in the Nation
The Women’s Soccer team finished 12th in the Nation this year after a great season. The team went 17-4-2 during the season, and went undefeated at their home field. Being led by seniors Rachel Quigely and Rachel Wilson, the team was able to go to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Congrats to the team on a great season!
Alex Moody was named First Team All-Region, All-ODAC first-team honors after scoring 5 goals on the season. Alex was also awarded the ACCESS College Foundation Scholar at the 5th Annual Gala of the ACCESS College Foundation.
Cara Caruso was awarded All-ODAC Second Team Honors after being 3rd in the ODAC in digs with 477. Cara played in 105 out of the 111 sets during the 2023 season having scored 33 points on the team.
Emma Adams was named Pitcher of the Week for all of the ODAC after the first week of all spring sports. Leading her team towards victory, Emma set down 16 batters in a row before allowing a sixthinning two out single.
Felix Bevc, Sai Challagundla, and Alen
Curovich were all named Scholar Athletes for their performances while in the 2023 season.
Rachel Quigely was awarded USC Second Team Scholar All-American Honors for her performance during the 2023 season. Rachel also received ODAC Defensive Player of the Year and the ODAC/Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar Athlete award after only giving up 0.471 goals per game. She led the conference in shoutouts and had the second-highest save percentage.
Abby Mahoney was selected as the ODAC/ Va. Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year for her outstanding performance on and off the court. She also received All-ODAC First Team for the second year in a row after being 5th in the ODAC in hitting percentage. Abby also received one ODAC Volleyball Athlete of the Week in September after leading the team in kills for the 2023 season.
EVENTS
Ethics Bowl
BHC students Christian Palmisano, Casey Bennett, Abigail VIllacrusis, Elena Lichtenwalner (alternate) and Rowan Stuart ’24 represented VWU in the 24th annual VFIC Ethics Bowl held at Hollins University on January 28-29. Pictured with Jane Batten at the evening reception, the team won three of four matches during the intensive competition.
VFIC Women’s Leadership Development Summit
Juniors Abigail Villacrusis, Jessica Wilson, Kimberly Koscinski and Kaitlyn Duswalt attended the VFIC Women’s Leadership Development Summit in October 2023. The students spent time with women from many backgrounds learning about the socialization of leadership and their own self-perception as leaders.
Colson Whitehead
The BHC hosted two time Pulitzer Prize WInner Colson Whitehead, VWU Black Student Union representatives, President Miller and sponsors of the Norfolk Forum in November 2023.
Eurydice
Former Honors & Scholars alumna Amanda Battle along with the BHC students John Post, Amalia Houff and Kainaat Trehan performed in the fall VWU play, Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, from October 26-29th 2023. Junior Erin Andrews was the student director collaborating with Dr. Sally Shedd.
Fall Academic Symposium
BHC students Alex Cain and Sasha Saxon presented at the Premier Speaker Session during the Fall Academic Symposium 2023.
Bioluminescence Night
BHC students went out searching and exploring for bioluminescent algae, multiple students explaining how these phenomenons occur at the Brock Environmental Center in November 2023.
Anastasia
BHC students Elias Kenworthy, Erin Andrews, Kaza Dayton, Sasha Saxon, John Post, and Haley Cummins performed in the spring VWU production, Anastasia: The Musical by Terrence McNally in April 2024. BHC students Alyssa Lane and Katelyn Baines designed the costumes and BHC alumna Kacy McBride helped with technical theater.
Where are Our Seniors Going?
HIGHER EDUCATION
Masters in Business Administration & Master in International Business, Clemson University
Masters in Homeland Security, George Washington University
Masters in Mathematics, Virginia Tech University
Masters in Business Administration, Virginia Wesleyan University
Doctor of Medicine Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School
Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
MSc. Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University
Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute
Masters in Data Science, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Masters in Public Health, Rutgers University
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Masters in Sustainability Management, Southern California University
EMPLOYMENT
Hampton Roads AREC
Wall Einhorn & Chernitzer
City of Virginia Beach
National Security, US Government
New Day USA
Entomology Department, Hampton Roads Agricultural
Research Extension Center
Onslow County Schools, North Carolina
Opex Corporation