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First-Year Batten Honors College Students Receive Pins During Special Convocation Ceremony
Dr. Todd Mooradian Delivers Keynote Address to Newest Class of Scholars
University News | September 5, 2025
Virginia Wesleyan University officially welcomed the newest class of Batten Honors College scholars during a special convocation ceremony in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Each first-year student received a commemorative pin, symbolizing their induction into a distinguished community of scholars bound by camaraderie, leadership, and service.
What began in 2017 as a small recognition gathering has grown into a signature annual event, now drawing together Batten scholars, faculty, staff, and the wider campus community every September.
President Scott D. Miller opened the ceremony with remarks that underscored the historic significance of this year’s celebration.
“Today we formally induct our new class of Batten Scholars into this remarkable program—a community of learning, leadership, and service that continues to shape the character and reputation of our university,” said President Miller. “This year carries special significance: as you know, on July 1, 2026, Virginia Wesleyan University will become Batten University. This historic step honors the extraordinary vision and generosity of Jane Batten, whose enduring legacy has elevated this institution and enriched our community in countless ways.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Todd Mooradian, Dean of William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business. A respected scholar in marketing strategy and global business, Dr. Mooradian is widely recognized for his commitment to ethical leadership, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has held visiting appointments at universities worldwide.
In his address, Dr. Mooradian invited students to reflect on the meaning of a purposeful life and the virtues that sustain it—character, grit, courage, and gratitude.
“Am I spending my time making the impact on the world and the people I care about that I want to make? How will I be remembered?” he asked, challenging the students to carry these questions with them throughout their academic journey.
He also highlighted the power of a liberal arts education, describing it as preparation for both intellectual enrichment and practical problem-solving.
“Your liberal arts education is not just about being able to appreciate art in a museum or theater. It equips you to understand data, analyze scientific studies, and approach the world with many different ways of knowing,” he said. “You will gain not only knowledge but also the ability to add knowledge and to solve the ‘wicked’ problems that challenge our world today. The world is yours—go solve those problems for us.”
Following Dr. Mooradian’s remarks, the traditional pinning ceremony took place. Dr. Travis Malone, Anne B. Shumadine Dean of the Batten Honors College, introduced each student, who then crossed the stage to receive their pins from President Miller and Provost and Vice President Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson. The pinning marked the students’ full integration as members of both the Batten Honors College and the broader university community.
The Batten Honors College is recognized nationally for its selectivity and mission. Its scholars, drawn from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, share a unifying commitment to addressing some of the most urgent challenges of our time—particularly climate change and environmental sustainability. The program honors the vision and generosity of Virginia Wesleyan Trustee Emerita Jane P. Batten and her late husband, Frank Batten, Sr.
Learn more about the Batten Honors College and watch the convocation in its entirety on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network.