Campus Events

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March

Mar 6 - Apr 28

Rising Tides, Rising Tensions Art Exhibit

Barclay Sheaks Gallery, Hofheimer Library

Many neighborhoods in Coastal Virginia that have long suffered from the effects of redlining, exclusionary zoning, discriminatory lending, public housing policy, highway construction, hotter summer temperatures, and underfunded public schools are now some of the same communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of recurrent flooding. As flooding in these marginalized communities increases, so do tensions surrounding socio-economic inequalities. Created by local artist Renee Calway, the Rising Tides, Rising Tensions exhibit seeks to engage the Hampton Roads community in conversations about how race has shaped and continues to shape the landscape of the region.

 

Mar 28

Operating a Feminist Business: Erin Dougherty

Brock Commons

12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

During Women's History Month, Erin Dougherty will speak on operating a feminist business in Brock Commons at noon.
Erin Dougherty is the owner of Eleanor's Norfolk: Your Intersectional Feminist Bookstore. Dougherty will speak about how and why she opened an intersectional feminist bookstore in Norfolk in 2021. Dr. Kathleen Casey will introduce her with brief comments on the history and renaissance of feminist bookstores. Co-sponsored by the GWSS Program, Business Dept, and History Department.
 

Mar 30 - Apr 2

VWU Theatre Department Presents Airness by Chelsea Marcantel

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

VWU Theatre Department Presents "Airness," by Chelsea Marcantel, a comedy about competition, completion, and finding the airness inside yourself.
When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there's more to this art form than playing pretend; it's about finding yourself in your favorite songs, and performing with raw joy. Will Nina be able to let go and set herself free onstage? Following her mission to shred or be shredded, Airness is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us. A comedy about competition, completion, and finding the airness inside yourself.
The production runs from Thursday, March 30 thru Sunday, April 2.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
$15 Adult/$10 Senior/Student/Military/First Responder
Free for VWU Faculty, Staff, Students
 

TICKETS/Guestlist

Mar 30

Equal Pay Day

Harbor Grille

11:00 a.m.

In honor of Women's History Month, Wesleyan Engaged and the VB American Association of University Women will host a "Equal Pay Day" popcorn event in the Harbor Grille.

 

Mar 30

A Slice of the Liberal Arts: Psychology

The Lighthouse

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Learn more about Marlin Majors during this panel discussion. Join faculty from the Psychology Department for a slice of the liberal arts (and a slice of pizza!) Topics such as declaring a major, possible careers for this major, securing an internship and pathways available for graduate school with this major, will be discussed.

For more information, contact Nancy Rechkemer in the Learning Center, Clarke Hall: nrechkemer@vwu.edu.

Mar 30

The Swastika and Extremist Iconography Today

Zoom (please register by calling 757.455.3129)

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Presenter: Steven Heller

For this discussion, please read “The Swastika and Extremist Iconography Today” (Allworth, 2019), and join us on Zoom as we have the opportunity to ask questions of noted writer and design historian Steven Heller. What happens when a spiritual symbol—one that has been used for thousands of years—is transformed into an icon for hate? Is it beyond being redeemed? How do symbols and icons function in the world? Steven Heller, author and editor of over 130 books on graphic design, satiric art, and popular culture, is the co-founder and co-chair of the MFA Designer as Author program at the School of Visual Arts, New York.

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu to register for the Zoom event.  

April

Apr 2

23rd Annual Empty Bowls Event to Feed the Hungry

Jane P. Batten Student Center

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort that raises money and awareness in the fight to end hunger. For 20 years, Virginia Wesleyan has hosted this Ceramic Designers Association (CDA) event which supports six local organizations that provide food for those that are food challenged in the Hampton Roads Area. Funds raised at the event will be donated to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia; Judeo-Christian Outreach Center; Help and Emergency Response Shelter (H.E.R.); Oasis Social Ministries; Samaritan House; and the Union Mission. Attendees will be able to choose from more than 1,000 handmade soup bowls which have been made and donated by local artists. The bowls range in price from $10 - $25. In addition, there will also be a gallery sale of other handmade items. Donations are also welcomed at CDAVA.COM, Empty Bowls! The event is free and open to the public. 
 
 

Apr 6

Broken Worlds: Music to Heal or to Divide

Blocker Hall Auditorium

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Presenter: Bob Shoup

In a world that seems to be defined by conflict and seemingly endless divisions, music continues to function as a steady thread through our individual and shared experiences. While music’s capacity to heal is well-known, is it possible we unwittingly contribute to the climate of divisiveness by the ways we listen, sing, or play? From political and religious animosities to racial and cultural contentions, music has long had a role in both binding and opening of wounds. In environments as varied and perhaps surprising as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and The Norfolk Street Choir Project, Bob Shoup has long sought to deploy music as a vehicle for meaningful human connection. 

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu for more information.

Apr 6

Carnegie Hall Homecoming Concert

Susan S. Goode Fine & Performing Arts Center

7:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Virginia Wesleyan Choirs third performance in Carnegie Hall and the Vocal and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School’s Carnegie Hall debut as they present Ola Gjeilo’s "Sunrise Mass" two weeks after they performed it in New York City. 
Free Admission.

Join the Guestlist

Apr 13

Israel, Palestine, VWU Students, and the Art of Waging Peace

The Lighthouse, Clarke Hall

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Presenters: Kelly Jackson, Carley Tantlinger ’23, and Kai Trehan ‘24

With an eye toward the street art of Banksy, art major Carley Tantlinger discusses the power of art to inspire social change. Kai Trehan, a political science and international studies major, looks at groups such as the Parents Circle Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestine organization that brings together in dialogue people on both sides who have lost a family member due to the conflict. Kelly Jackson examines how Bethlehem Bible College, a Christian Palestinian institution, equips students to work for peace and justice.

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu for more information.

Apr 14 - 15

Spring Alumni Weekend

VWU Campus

From alumni socials and concerts in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center to the Marlin Family Picnic and athletic competitions and alumni games, Spring Alumni Weekend is the perfect time to come back to campus. Please make plans to join us on April 14-15.

View the schedule of events

Apr 14 - 15

VWU Music Department Presents JukeVox!

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

7:30 p.m.

Wesleyan Vox Vera presents their annual JukeVox concert, featuring songs by James Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Chicago, Otis Redding, and more. 

Performances: Friday, April 14 & Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Free Admission

TICKETS/Guestlist

Apr 17 - 21

Spring 2023 Marlin Business Conference: A Greener Tomorrow

Virginia Wesleyan University’s student-led business conference is scheduled for April 17-21. The theme for the spring 2023 semester’s conference is “A Greener Tomorrow.” During this eventful week, members of the community are invited to participate in free workshops, presentations and interactive panels, all planned and organized by students in Lecturer of Management, Business and Economics (MBE) Frank Futyma’s “Principles of Management” course. 

Apr 17 - 21

Earth Week 2023

VWU will host speakers, panel discussions, presentations, an Arbor Day Tree Campus recognition and the Marlin Business Conference during this weeklong tribute to Earth Week. 

Earth Week Schedule

Apr 20

Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries

Blocker Hall Auditorium

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Presenter: Greg Melville

What American cemeteries say about race, politics, sustainability, hero worship, and unspoken values is stunning at times. With a nod to three Virginia cemeteries (Jamestown, Monticello, and Arlington), Melville explores how, where, and why we bury our dead, and the ways in which cemeteries reflect so many conflicting values. Greg Melville has worked as an environmental and outdoor journalist, a crime reporter, and a former editor at Men’s Journal and Sports Afield magazines. Melville is a decorated veteran who served in Afghanistan and is an award-winning instructor at the United States Naval Academy.

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu for more information.

Apr 20

Virginia Wesleyan Orchestra Concert

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

7:30 p.m.

The Virginia Wesleyan Orchestra, under the direction of Justin Stanley, presents works by Mozart, Beethoven, and more!

Free Admission

 

 

 

 

 

Join the Guestlist

Apr 21

Greasy Rider: Two Dudes, One Fry-Oil-Powered Car, and a Cross-Country Search for a Greener Future

Blocker Hall Auditorium

11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Presenter: Greg Melville

Is it possible to drive coast to coast without stopping at a single gas pump? Journalist Greg Melville, who's in love with the idea of free fuel, sets out on an enlightening road trip with his friend, seeking to be the first people to drive cross-country in a car powered on vegetable oil collected from restaurant grease. Join us for an upbeat, funny story about sustainability in the United States, about what we can do and where we’re going, through the lens of a very unusual journey.  Greg Melville has worked as an environmental and outdoor journalist, a crime reporter, and a former editor at Men’s Journal and Sports Afield magazines. Melville is a decorated veteran who served in Afghanistan and is an award-winning instructor at the United States Naval Academy, where he teaches English and writing.

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu for more information.

Apr 21

Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Around the globe, people are joining scientists, governments, and environmental organizations to understand and address climate change. VWU’s Robert Nusbaum Center and Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences are partnering with The Gunn Group and the City of Virginia Beach to host Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change, a symposium to prepare our community for our changing environment. Activities include two panel discussions: a panel of experts from scientific and political backgrounds discussing the climate crisis’ evolution and impacts; and a panel with a variety of individuals who are making a difference. A career and volunteer fair featuring local environmental organizations is being held in the lobby of the Goode Center throughout the symposium.

The symposium is free and open to anyone looking to be inspired by changemakers from across the generations. For more information, visit vwu.edu/climatesymposium

Apr 21

Virginia Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble Concert

Susan S. Goode Fine & Performing Arts Center

7:30 p.m.

 

The Virginia Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Cory Franklin presents works by Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, and more. 

Free Admission

Join the Guestlist

Apr 27

Spring Honors Convocation

Apr 27

Academic Symposium

Apr 27

Climate Choices: How Should We Meet the Challenges of a Warming Planet

Brock Commons

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

While Americans are divided about some aspects of the climate-change issue, there is growing agreement that action is needed. In this deliberation, facilitated by trained VWU students, participants discuss the pros and cons of three options for addressing climate change that are based on the views and concerns of people from across the country. The three options offer a framework for deliberations that tackle tough questions: What should we do? What are the risks and potential trade-offs? What steps can we support and what might we be willing to give up? Where do we share concerns and priorities that point the way toward more effective action?

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu for more information.

Apr 27

Louis and Prudence Ryan Research Symposium

Brock Commons

6:00 p.m.

The Louis and Prudence Ryan Research Symposium, featuring presentation of the Ryan Prize for Excellence in Research, will take place Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at Brock Commons (parking at Godwin Hall). Gratefully named for longtime Virginia Wesleyan friends and benefactors, the Ryan Research Symposium explores complex environmental challenges in a global context. Three Batten Honors College students will be selected to present their research, and one will be awarded a cash prize. 

Apr 27

Noisy Religion as a Public Nuisance: Church Bells, the Muslim Call to Prayer, and the Challenges of Negotiating Sound

Blocker Hall Auditorium

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Presenter: Isaac Weiner

Walking down the street, you might hear church bells ringing, ISKCON followers chanting, the Muslim call to prayer, or hymns played over digital synthesizers. In American society, religious individuals rarely keep quiet; they practice their religion out loud. This lecture focuses on how religious pluralism isn’t just about different beliefs but about how those beliefs are expressed in public in ways that inevitably impact others. Weiner discusses how conflicts about religious sound can be negotiated, and how those conflicts and resolutions affect us. Isaac Weiner, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Ohio State University. This lecture focuses on his groundbreaking work, Religion Out Loud; Religious Sound, Public Space, and American Pluralism (NYU Press, 2014).

Free and open to the public. Contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@vwu.edu for more information.

May

May 2 - 9

Final Examinations

May 4

Reading Day

May 5

TCG Showcase Concert Featuring Tidewater Guitar Orchestra and Guests

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

7:30 p.m.

The TCG Showcase is the backbone of our concert season: a concert that brings together artists from our region for a powerful concert experience devoted to the community. This year’s concert will feature works commissioned by TCG over the years, including music by Andrew York, Thea Musgrave, Adolphus Hailstork, and a newly commissioned work by Andrew Zohn!

$30 General Admission
$25 Seniors,Military, and Educators
$10 Students

Free to VWU community

TICKETS

May 12

Batten Honors College Capstone Ceremony

May 12

Baccalaureate Service

May 13

Virginia Wesleyan University Commencement Ceremony

June

Jun 23

Marlin Nation Orientation

Jun 26

Marlin Nation Orientation

October

Oct 6 - 7

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023