Campus Events

Jan 3 - 25

Winter Session

Jan 24

Cheers in Greer
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

During Winter Session, on Thursdays (January 10, 17 and 24), INTEL and the Winter Session director will co-sponsor this time in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center Atrium, celebrating VWU Winter Session Course experiences. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, snacks and cookies while learning about the engaging activities that are taking place in Winter Session courses.

Jan 28

Classes Begin for Spring Semester

Jan 31

Alumni Gathering: Richmond
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Jan 31

VCIC Diversity and Dialogue Facilitation Training
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

On January 31, from 7 - 9 PM, in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center- Room 155, there will be two distinct training sessions. Paula L. Bazemore prepares participants for more active roles as agents of change. The first session provides a framework for understanding the cycle of prejudice and how prejudice arises and builds, sometimes leading to life-threatening acts. The second session focuses on best practices in facilitation. Open dialogue about tough issues is crucial, but it also requires proper facilitation. This training discusses the conditions for effective dialogue and equips participants with tools needed to lead conversations in a manner that is inclusive, informative, and effective. Paula L. Bazemore is the Hampton Roads Program Manager at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion. Free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, contact Kelly Jackson at 757-455-3129 or kjackson@vwu.edu. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom.

Jan 31

VCIC Diversity and Dialogue Facilitation Training
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

During two distinct training sessions in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center Room 155, Paula L. Bazemore prepares participants for more active roles as agents of change. The first session provides a framework for understanding the cycle of prejudice—how prejudice arises and builds, sometimes leading to life-threatening acts. The second session focuses on best practices in facilitation. Open dialogue about tough issues is crucial, but it also requires proper facilitation. This training discusses the conditions for effective dialogue and equips participants with tools needed to lead conversations in a manner that is inclusive, informative, and effective. Paula L. Bazemore is the Hampton Roads Program Manager at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), an organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion.

Free and open to the public, however space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Kelly Jackson at 757-455-3129 or kjackson@vwu.edu. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom.

Feb 6

American Red Cross Blood Drive
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The American Red Cross and Wesleyan Engaged are hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, February 6, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the CMAC in the Batten Student Center. Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org using code VWU. Walk-ins are also welcome on the day of the event, but donors must arrive before 3 p.m.

Feb 7 - Mar 7

Neil Britton Gallery Exhibition - Abstraction: Invitational Group Show

Abstraction: Invitational Group Show

Opening reception: February 7, 2019 (6:00-8:00 p.m.)

Feb 7

Ethical Issues and Social Justice
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

As the Virginia Wesleyan Ethics Bowl team prepares to compete at the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges’ (VFIC) Ethics Bowl, the CSRF hosts a debate demonstration in the Monumental Chapel, with the audience having the opportunity to interact, critique, and discuss. Please come to  help students prepare for the VFIC competition, hosted this year by Roanoke College on February 10-11. The Virginia Wesleyan 2019 VFIC Ethics Bowl Team members are Brandon Foster ’19, Anitra Howard ’24, Morgan McDonald ’21, Alex Powers ’21 (team captain), Brianna Sandy ’21, and Joni Challenor ’19 (alternate), with VWU Professor of Communication Dr. Kathy Merlock Jackson as faculty coordinator. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Feb 9

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon

The eleventh class of Virginia Wesleyan University's Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducted during the annual luncheon on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Registration is $45 per person. For additional information, please contact Suzanne Savage at ssavage@vwu.edu.

Feb 10 - 11

VFIC 20th Annual Statewide Collegiate Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl at Roanoke College

Virginia Wesleyan’s Ethics Bowl Team  competes in The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) 20th annual statewide collegiate Wells Fargo Ethics Bowl. The 2019 VWU team includes: Brandon Foster, Anitra Howard, Alex Powers, and Brianna Sandy. Faculty coordinator is Professor of Communication Kathy Merlock- Jackson. The team will deliberate ethics and social justice in the form of case studies, as they compete against other highly qualified teams from Virginia's 15 leading independent colleges and universities. Notable individuals from career fields including business, law, finance, education, and journalism will serve as judges, listening to presentations and offering reactions. While the location rotates among the VFIC institutions, this year's event will be held at Roanoke College, February 10-11.

Feb 14

On Deck Speaker Series: ELIZABETH KAUFER BUSCH - Title IX The Transformation of Sex Discrimination in Education
11 a.m.

Elizabeth Kaufer Busch, Associate Professor and Director of American Studies at CNU, examines the evolution of Title IX, a 1972 landmark law prohibiting sex discrimination at educational institutions receiving federal funding. Her talk will consider the impact of Title IX on athletics, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and transgender discrimination. The event will be held in Blocker Auditorium. Sponsored by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery.

Feb 14

How People Use Fake News in Social Media to Fuel Divisiveness (and What We Can Do to Stop It)
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Fake news always has existed. However, the use of social media in sharing that news has resulted in increased personal, social, and political challenges. School boards, regulatory agencies, Congress, and even NATO have recognized the crucial need for conversations that address healthy and civil use of these media. In this program held in Blocker Hall, Dr. Leslie Caughell, author of the forthcoming book, Politics in the Era of Fake News: The Damage and Effects of Fake News and What We Can Do to Stop It (University of Toronto Press, 2019), highlights specific examples of how social media sometimes fuels divisiveness, and how we might respond. Dr. Caughell is a political communications scholar and Associate Professor of Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom.

Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Feb 16

Marlins Day Open House
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Future Marlins and their families are invited to visit Virginia Wesleyan University on Saturday, February 16, for Marlins Day Open House. Prospective students will have the opportunity to tour our beautiful 300-acre campus, meet VWU faculty and staff, and learn about academic offerings, scholarship opportunities, and the financial aid process. Register today: www.vwu.edu/marlinsdays

Feb 21

Let Heaven and Nature Sing Series - An exploration of the nature of sound
11 a.m.

I’m Picking Up Good Vibrations - Dr. Katrina Henry, VWU Assistant Professor of Physics, and Henry Faivre, Registered Piano Technician, explain and demonstrate the physics of sound through strings, bars, salt, and the inner workings of the harpsichord, upright and grand pianos. In Fine Arts Building, Room 9.

Feb 21

Jerusalem as a Case Study for the Challenges of Mediating Religious Conflict
11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim Jerusalem as a spiritual home. Such claims result in political challenges, sometimes between these religions, sometimes—in a more general sense—between Israelis and Palestinians. When President Trump declared that the U.S. embassy would be moved to Jerusalem, the response—sometimes positive, sometimes negative—was deeply emotional. In this lecture in Blocker Auditorium, Dr. Jonathan Schanzer highlights how many different challenges in the region can be understood by focusing on the symbolic importance of Jerusalem. Dr.  Schanzer is a scholar in Middle Eastern Studies, senior vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and is a frequent media commentator on issues regarding the Middle East. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom in partnership with the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater as part of the Israel Today 2018-2019 series. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Feb 25

An Evening of Bach
7:30 p.m.

Chorale cantatas, Johann Sebastian Bach’s gift to the Christian Church, fill an evening where the audience becomes the ‘congregation’ to sing the chorales. The Wren Masters, the faculty baroque ensemble of the College of William and Mary, join soloists Billye Brown Youmans, soprano, Charles Humphries, counter-tenor, Douglas Lynch, tenor, and Jeremy Yoder, bass, with VWU’s Vox Vera and Camerata; Dr. Bryson Mortensen, conductor. Cantata78 – “Jesu, der du meine Seele“  (Jesus, you are my soul), Cantata 54 – “Widerstehe doch der Sünde“ (Resist the Sin), and Cantata 140– “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”  (Awake, the Voice is calling us). Co-sponsored by the Center for Sacred Music. Hofheimer Theater. Free and open to the public.

Feb 28

The Journey from Rage to Radical Empathy and Realistic Hope
7 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Peace literacy frames peace not merely as a goal, but as a practical skill-set that allows us to increase realistic peace in our personal lives, communities, country, and world. In this workshop in Blocker Hall Auditorium, Paul K. Chappell provides an empowering framework for understanding the root causes of violence and rage, and for more fully developing our human capacity for empathy, conscience, reason, and realistic hope. Paul Chappell is an international peace educator, author of the seven-book Road to Peace series, and serves as the Peace Leadership Director of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. He graduated from West Point, was deployed to Iraq, and left active duty as a captain. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Feb 28

Protecting Ourselves and Our World from Our Five God-like Technological Powers
8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

In this discussion held in the Batten Student Center Pearce Hospitality Suite, and geared to clergy and people of faith, Paul K. Chappell explores how technology has evolved faster than our competency in our own humanity. He looks at the challenges we face from the “world of electric light” (i.e., interactive digital mass media, virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the 5g network), and shows how Peace Literacy can escalate our competency in being human and give us the skills we need to navigate our inner world, outer world, and the world of electric light in both its current and future forms. Paul Chappell is an international peace educator, author of the seven-book Road to Peace series, and serves as the Peace Leadership Director of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. He graduated from West Point, was deployed to Iraq, and left active duty as a captain. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. *Free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Kelly Jackson at 757-455-3129 or kjackson@vwu.edu.

Mar 4

Nexus Interfaith Dialogue: Divorce, the Bible, and Religious Faith
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Rabbi Michael Panitz, Rabbi of Temple Israel in Norfolk, Father Jim Parke, Roman Catholic Priest, retired, and Rev. Christa Springstead ’07, Pastor of The Garden United Methodist Church in Norfolk, serve on a panel in Pearce Suite in the Batten Student Center and lead discussions on how people within their respective traditions understand the passages in scripture that condemn divorce. With divorce affecting over 50% of marriages in the U.S., and with religious individuals not unaffected by those dynamics, how do people understand scripture that seems unequivocally against divorce? Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom in partnership with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and Hands United Building Bridges. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu. 

Mar 5

On Deck Speaker Series: ABBIE BETINIS -Justice Choir Stay Local, Stay Vocal
11 a.m.

Two-time McKnight Artist fellow, Abbie Betinis, is listed by NPR Music in its 100 Composers Under 40. Betinis is the co-editor of The Justice Choir Songbook, a collection of new and re-purposed protest songs for use in chapters and community events across the country. This event is held in Hofheimer Theatre. Sponsored by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery.

Mar 7

On Deck Speaker Series: AUBREY WESTFALL- The Politics of the Headscarf in the United States
11 a.m.

Assistant Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College, Aubrey Westfall specializes in identity and minority politics in Europe and North America. She examines the practice of Muslim American women wearing a headscarf
and focuses on how wearing a headscarf accentuates Muslim identity in uniquely American ways, engaging with ideas of democracy, civil rights, and feminism. This event is in Blocker Auditorium. Sponsored by The Lighthouse:Center for Exploration and Discovery.

Mar 7

Cookson Lecture: America’s First Freedom Conflicts Then and Now: Musical Theatre and the Founding Fathers
7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

“Never discuss religion or politics.” Given our current political divisiveness, this time-honored adage seems truer than ever. Or is it?  Could such discussions actually make for fun-filled, thought-provoking musical entertainment? In 2003, award-winning playwright Rob Lauer was commissioned to write “First Freedom”—a musical play depicting the events leading up to the passage of Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Music videos and a reader’s theatre presentation from “First Freedom” is incorporated into this year’s Cookson lecture in Blocker Hall Auditorium. Rob Lauer is an award-winning playwright, theatrical and television director, and the host of two TV shows in Coastal Virginia. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Mar 12 - 14

Art Majors Portfolio Review

In Neil Britton Gallery

Student Discussion Event: Thursday, March 14, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Mar 12

Taking Back the Bible: Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Scriptural Battle On Behalf of Slaves and Women
11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

The 19^th-century abolitionist Elizabeth Cady Stanton was not a religious person, but she recognized how people in her day frequently used the Bible to justify slave hunting and the suppression of women’s rights. Using scripture then as a leverage point, she wrote two visceral and provocative works: The Slave’s Appeal” (1860) and The Woman’s Bible (1895, 1898). Join Dr. Craig Wansink in Blocker Hall Auditorium as he examines how Stanton controversially used scripture, in ways that both led to a permanent schism with Susan B. Anthony, yet also fought both slavery and the suppression of women’s rights. Dr. Craig Wansink is the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at Virginia Wesleyan University. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Mar 12

Life Matters: Dave Garraty
12 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

In “Life Matters,” members of the Wesleyan community offer autobiographical reflections on their emotional, intellectual, and spiritual experiences. These deeply personal talks create meaningful opportunities for greater understanding and connection, encouraging each of us to think about what has shaped us and given our own life meaning. Join VWU Professor of Management, Business, and Economics Dave Garraty in Pearce Suite of the Batten Student Center for his talk. The series is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, the Chaplain’s Office, and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL) at Virginia Wesleyan University. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Mar 14

Women in the Arts
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Mar 14

Religious Ways to Justify Genocide
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

If religious ideals represent appeals to people’s best instincts, how and why do religious instincts sometimes become distorted in ways that lead not only to hatred and murder of others, but even to systemic genocide? In the 20^th and 21^st centuries, examples of such genocide are not limited to places like Nazi Germany and Myanmar. Join Dr. Sara Sewell in Blocker Hall Auditorium as she highlights the complicated relationship between religion and genocide, and points us to concerning trends and the need for crucial conversations. Dr. Sara Sewell is Professor of History and Executive Director of the Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery at Virginia Wesleyan University. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Mar 15

21st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Ceramics Designers Association, Virginia Wesleyan University, Boyd Dining Center, and Wesleyan Engaged are sponsoring the 21st Annual Empty Bowls on March 15 starting from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Boyd Dining Center.  Wesleyan Engaged is seeking volunteers to help with various aspects of the event.  If you wish to attend as a participant, tickets can be purchased in the Scribner Bookstore or online at http://cdava.com/empty-bowls_2019.html.  All monies raised aid local food pantries to help feed the Hampton Roads community. 

Mar 18 - 22

Spring Break

Mar 20

Model NATO Challenge

Mar 25 - Apr 5

Student Juried Exhibition

The work of VWU student artists, regardless of major or media

Artists Reception: March 28 (12:00 - 1:00 p.m.)

Mar 26

Conflict and Peace in Jordan: From International Geopolitics to Individual Identity
11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Studying away in Jordan creates many opportunities for reflection and examination on peace as it relates to identity, exploitation and alliances within the international community. Within that scope of development, identity, peace and geopolitics is a mini lesson on life. Join VWU Senior Selena Chambers ’19 in Pearce Hospitality Suite in the Batten Student Center. Selena is majoring in International Relations, with minors in Business, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. During fall 2018 she studied international politics at the School for International Training in Amman, Jordan. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Mar 28

In Search of One Big Union: Folksongs and Social Movements in the United States
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Corey Dolgon, a Ph.D. in American Culture and Professor of Sociology at Stonehill College, brings his "singing lecture" to Virginia Wesleyan on Thursday, March 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Blocker Auditorium. Dolgon has been a folksinger, activist and organizer for 25 years. His words and music bring both history and theory to life through a focus on the role that folksongs play in the U.S. labor movement. This singing lecture covers labor history from a multicultural perspective and examines the function of folk songs in workers' lives, labor, and organizing. Free and open to the public.

Mar 28

On Deck Speaker Series: COREY DOLGON- In Search of One Big Union Folk Songs and Social Movement in the United States
11 a.m.

Corey Dolgon is a professor of sociology, a folk singer, and a labor activist. Through his “singing lecture,” Dolgon brings history and theory to life. His presentation will focus on U.S. labor history, examining the role of folk songs in workers’ lives, labor, and organizing from a multicultural perspective. This event is in Blocker Auditorium. Sponsored by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery.

Mar 28

Meet the Author/Book Signing: Corey Dolgon
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Corey Dolgon, Ph.D., author of "Kill It to Save It: An Autopsy of Capitalism's Triumph over Democracy" will greet guests and sign copies of his book on Thursday, March 28, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. in The Lighthouse Commons. Dolgon has been a folksinger, activist and organizer for 25 years. His words and music bring both history and theory to life through a focus on the role that folksongs play in the U.S. labor movement. Free and open to the public.

Apr 1

Aura CuriAtlas
7:30 p.m.

Aura CuriAtlas will perform in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center on Monday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series. Blending dance, theatre, and acrobatics to tell stories, the company keeps the qualities of lightness (Aura), strength (Atlas), and play (Curiosity) at the center. Lightheartedness, athleticism, and physical storytelling mark their delightful performances. $15 for general public; $10 for military/seniors; free to the VWU community with ID. Reservations: 757.455.2101.

Apr 4

Let Heaven and Nature Sing Series - An exploration of the nature of sound
11 a.m.

Don’t Stop the Music - Becky Watson, Board Certified Music Therapist, explores the therapeutic effects of music in various populations and the differences between listening, performing, and teaching in Fine Arts Building, Room 9.

Apr 4

Life Matters: Brandon Elliott ‘03
12 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

In “Life Matters,” members of the Wesleyan community offer autobiographical reflections on their emotional, intellectual, and spiritual experiences. These deeply personal talks create meaningful opportunities for greater understanding and connection, encouraging each of us to think about what has shaped us and given our own life meaning. Join VWU Head Softball Coach Brandon Elliott ’03 in the Pearce Hospitality Suite in the Jane P. Batten Student Center for his talk. The series is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, the Chaplain’s Office, and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL) at Virginia Wesleyan University. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Apr 4

Two Stories of Immigration: Challenges Past and Present
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

'Whosoever saves one life...': The SS Quanza and the Battle Over Jewish Refugees, 1940

One man—who lost a “turf war” against fellow government officials with whom he disagreed—is all that stood between millions of people facing internment or death simply because of who they were and the United States of America where they could be free of persecution and danger. The man was Breckinridge Long; the “turf war” was the Portuguese ship SS Quanza; and the year was 1940. Join VWU Gloria and David Furman Professor of Judaic Studies Dr. Eric Mazur in Blocker Hall for his talk.  

A Look into the Lives of Resettled Refugees in Coastal Virginia

Since 1932, Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia has resettled thousands of refugees, from many different countries. They often arrive with very few possessions, having fled their home countries in fear of persecution and death. Currently, many refugees are coming from the Middle Eastern countries of Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.  The arduous, often years-long, journey from refugee camps to the Virginia Peninsula is daunting, but their challenges don’t stop when they arrive in the U.S. Join Dr. Rabia Jafri and Saher Mirza in Blocker Hall as they offer insights into the challenges faced by resettled refugees. Dr. Rabia Jafri works as a psychiatrist in Newport News, VA and is founder of the Hampton Roads Refugee Relief organization. Saher Mirza is a community volunteer and founder of the “Coffee with a Refugee” program. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Apr 8 - May 10

Senior Art Exhibition

This annual exhibition highlights the work of VWU senior art majors.

Dates and reception TBA

Apr 11

On Deck Speaker Series: JULIO CARRASCO BRETON - Life in the Arts, A Retrospective View of an Artist
11 a.m.

Julio Carrasco Bretón is a Mexican painter and author whose murals around the world have received significant praise. His formative years in the natural sciences, his dedication to the humanities, and a lifetime as an advocate for art and the artist make him an influential voice for the importance of the Liberal Arts. This event is in Blocker Auditorium. Sponsored by The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery.

Apr 11

Cookson Lecture: Presumed Guilty: Why We Shouldn’t Ask Muslims to Condemn Terrorism
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

In this year’s Cookson Lecture in Blocker Hall Auditorium, Dr. Todd Green argues that asking Muslims to condemn terrorist attacks is wrong for a variety of reasons, including that it misunderstands the role of religion in terrorism and it ignores the many instances in which Muslims already condemn terrorism. Most important, asking Muslims to condemn terrorism functions as a distraction. It prevents majority populations in the U.S. and Europe both from facing their own violent histories and from asking critical questions about how their countries' national security initiatives and foreign policies contribute to a violent world order. Dr. Green is Associate Professor of Religion at Luther College. A nationally recognized expert on Islamophobia, he served as a Franklin Fellow at the U.S. State Department in 2016-17, where he analyzed and assessed the impact of anti-Muslim prejudice in Europe on countering violent extremism initiatives, refugee and migrant policies, and human rights. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

More (http://www.vwu.edu/center-for-the-study-of-religious-freedom/)  

Apr 12 - 13

Spring Alumni Weekend

Come home for Spring Alumni Weekend April 12-13 to enjoy the Pig Pickin' Picnic, Pie Eating Contest, and much more.

Apr 13

Marlins Day Open House
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Future Marlins and their families are invited to visit Virginia Wesleyan University on Saturday, April 13, for Marlins Day Open House. Prospective students will have the opportunity to tour our beautiful 300-acre campus, meet VWU faculty and staff, and learn about academic offerings, scholarship opportunities, and the financial aid process. Register today: www.vwu.edu/marlinsdays

Apr 15

Nexus Interfaith Dialogue: Same Sex Relationships, the Bible, and Christianity
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Same-sex relationships are legal in the United States, but for some people of faith, such relationships still raise questions. Rev. Brandon Nichols ’12, Pastor of Jolliff United Methodist Church in Chesapeake, and Dr. Craig Wansink, Senior Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, discuss how they read the Bible -- and how Christians in general read the Bible -- when thinking about the role scripture plays in discussions of same sex relationships in the church. In the Pearce Hospitality Suite in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom in partnership with Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and Hands United Building Bridges. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu. 

Apr 16

Wild Men of the Seicento
7:30 p.m.

"Wild Men of the Seicento" will take place Tuesday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center as Red Priest's Piers Adams (recorder) and David Wright (harpsichord) focus on the extraordinary, trailblazing music of the Seicento—the 17th Century. Frequently overlooked nowadays in favor of the baroque ‘household names’ who followed, the musicians of the Seicento were truly innovative—surprising, expressive, quirky, and often demonically virtuosic. Adams follows historical precedent adapting the music for his arsenal of recorders. $15 for general public; $10 for military/seniors; free to the VWU community with ID. Reservations: 757.455.2101. Part of the Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series.

Apr 18

Public Policy and Healing Through Prayer: Christian Scientists’ Practice in 21st Century Perspective
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

In the 1880s and 1890s, the emergence of Christian Science as a new religious denomination raised significant issues at the border between religious practice and public policy. Much has changed in the last 130 years, but questions about the relationship between faith, science, healing, and medicine still stand out: What is the place of serious religious, or Christian, healing in today’s high tech world? Do Christian Scientists recognize public health concerns such as vaccination? Can common ground be found on care of children and similar deeply universal values? How do Christian Scientists relate to Medicare and other government programs? Join Richard Geiger and Dr. Thomas Johnsen, both Christian Science practitioners who serve in the denomination's ministry of healing through prayer, in Blocker Hall Auditorium, in discussing the relation between public policy and religious practice in the life of a distinctly American faith, Christian Science. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Apr 24

duoJalal
7:30 p.m.

duoJalal will perform in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series. Classically trained Australian violist Kathryn Lockwood, a member of the renowned Lark Quartet, embodies a gypsy violinist one minute and a Middle Eastern reed flute in the next. Lebanese Yousif Sheronick, percussion, has been hailed by the New York Times for “dazzling improvisations,” and his “wizardry on a range of humble frame drums.” Tickets: $15 for general public; $10 for military/seniors; free to the VWU community with ID. Reservations: 757.455.2101.

Apr 25

Let Heaven and Nature Sing Series - An exploration of the nature of sound
11 a.m.

All the Better to Hear You With - Dr. Stephanie Moody-Antonio, Associate Professor of Otology and Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at EVMS, explores the hearing apparatus and how to keep it functioning for a lifetime. In Fine Arts, Room 9.

Apr 25

Life Matters: Dr. Mavel Velasco
12 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

In “Life Matters,” members of the Wesleyan community offer autobiographical reflections on their emotional, intellectual, and spiritual experiences. These deeply personal talks create meaningful opportunities for greater understanding and connection, encouraging each of us to think about what has shaped us and given our own life meaning. Join VWU Professor of Hispanic Studies Dr. Mavel Velasco in Pearce Hospitality Suite in the Jane P. Batten Student Center for her talk. The series is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, the Chaplain’s Office, and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL) at Virginia Wesleyan University. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the CSRF at 757-455-3129 or csrf@vwu.edu.

Apr 25

From Dialogue to Action: An Interactive Workshop
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

*Registration required for this event.

Susan Feit and Teresa Stanley, practitioners in community organizing and conflict resolution, highlight important ingredients for moving from dialogue to action. Hear real-life success stories of diverse groups who have found common ground and taken action together, and participate in an interactive exercise designed to demonstrate this transformative process. Susan Feit is a Social Justice Strategist and a former Executive Director of the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad. Teresa Stanley coordinates the Interspiritual Empowerment Project, a Joint Plan of Work Program of Virginia Organizing. The event is in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center (Room 155) and is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom. *Free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact Kelly Jackson at 757-455-3129 or kjackson@vwu.edu.

Apr 29

St. Petersburg Piano Quartet
7:30 p.m.

The Grammy-nominated piano quartet, winner of numerous top prizes at chamber music competitions in Melbourne, Tokyo, and Florence, and praised throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia, features Alla Aranovskaya, violin; Boris Vayner, viola; Thomas Mesa, cello; and Tao Lin, piano. ($20; $15)  Part of the Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series, the event is in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

“Sparkling, elegant, and flawlessly performed.”   (Palm Beach Daily News)

“You might think that discipline, passion and impetuousness inhabit different universes, but the St. Petersburg Quartet has morphed the three into a powerful musical persona.  Unassailable technique and intonation . . . an astonishingly calibrated range of voicings and dynamics with breathtaking assurance and laugh-out-loud wit.”  (Washington Post)

“Bliss, for this listener, doesn’t get much more unequivocal than this quartet’s performance.” (Toronto Globe and Mail)

“Virtuosic and sumptuous-toned.”  (London Sunday Times)

May 2

Port Day

Port Day is a signature Virginia Wesleyan event that demonstrates and promotes the academic achievement of students completing capstone research, internship, and semester study away experiences. During the conference-style event, held on the VWU campus, students share their work with either an oral or poster presentation. Port Day also features Virginia Wesleyan’s own Pathway to See Change Panels in which students reflect upon their experiences and offer advice about preparing for capstone research, internship, and semester study away experiences. Student presenters should visit the Port Day page on Virginia Wesleyan’s Portal (located under The Lighthouse) for deadline information, presentation suggestions, and poster design tips. View the schedule for the Fall 2018 Port Day.

May 3

Spring Honors Convocation

May 3

Jimmy Greene Quartet
7:30 p.m.

One of the most respected saxophonists of his generation, Greene’s quartet performs regularly in jazz venues worldwide including NYC, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Israel, Uruguay, and Brazil, and Greene appears on 75 albums as both sideman and featured artist.  Grammy nominated saxophonist, composer, and arranger, Greene’s two most recent albums “Beautiful” and “Flowers” celebrate the life of his 6-year daughter, Ana, who was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 with 25 other children and educators. ($20; $15)  Part of the Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series, the event is in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

“He’s good for a couple body chills every time you see him. He’s got a big barrelhouse sound, and a way of negotiating changes that make academic moves seem natural.”  (Village Voice).   

May 8

Sonatas and Stories
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

WHRO 90.3-FM and WHRV 89.5-FM present an evening of classical music, poetry, and storytelling featuring outstanding local writers and performers, with hosts Barry Graham and Wayla Chambo. Part of the Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series. (Refreshments, Cash bar; doors open at 6:00pm.) Event is in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.

May 9

Reading Day

May 12

Pioneering Voices: Celebrating Women Composers
4 p.m.

The Virginia Chorale with Charles Woodward, artistic director, celebrates its 35th anniversary with a tribute to women composers  including works by Hildegard von Bingen, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Lili Boulanger, and the legendary Alice Parker.  Flautist Debra Wendells Cross, and pianists Stephen Coxe and Rebecca Raydo collaborate.  Tickets ($25; $10-students):  757.627.8375 or info@virginiachorale.org.  Performance in Hofheimer Theatre.

May 17

Baccalaureate Service

May 18

2019 Commencement Ceremony

May 20 - Aug 23

Summer Session