Productive quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of the HR Chamber of Commerce. Special thanks to Keith Martin, President/CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, for the keynote presentation. Great social afterwards with many wonderful Coastal Virginia business colleagues.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a familiar face at VWU through the Army ROTC consortium. Based at ODU, he worked with many of our students. We extend condolences to his family and pray for the swift recovery of those injured.

Donald Robertson, Superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, was the featured presenter at the March meeting and social for the Virginia Beach Vision Board of Directors. With Dr. Robertson and Brad Martin, Chair of the VBV Board; and Eric Keplinger, Vice Chair.

Delighted to host NPR White House Correspondent Tamara Keith (center) for the Democracy Series event organized by the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads with VWU’s Batten Honors College and WHRO. Also with US Rep. Bobby Scott; Susan Bore, WACHR; and Bert Schmidt, WHRO.

Closing session for the elite Batten Honors College spring competition. With Gabrielle Barnett, BHC Scholar and Student Government Association president; Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Provost & VP; Travis Malone, Shumadine Dean of BHC; and Nikki Nieves, BHC Director of Enrollment.

The platform party at the opening night of the third round of the Batten Honors College competition in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center.  With Travis Malone, Shumadine Dean of the BHC; Jill Sturts, Assistant Dean; and Sara Richards, BHC Scholar.

Congratulations to Tim Lockett, General Manager of Sodexo Dining Services, and Matt “Smee” Smith, Operations Manager. Tim will be retiring in May after 25 years of dedicated service to VWU. After 8 years on campus, Smee will serve as Chef with Sodexo at ADP. Thank you both!

Enjoyable lunch with friends at the VB Convention Center for the 2026 State of the City address. Thanks to Mayor Bobby Dyer and City Manager Patrick Duhaney for their leadership. Nice to also visit with Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and Chesapeake Mayor Rick West.

Wonderful hybrid meeting of the Alumni Council, led by Council Chair Bill Gobble ‘03 with Kayleigh Poggioli (MBA ‘23), Director of Alumni Engagement, and Sarah Guzzo (MBA ‘21), Director of Stewardship.

Productive meeting of the VBV Executive Committee. My first time sitting at this end of the table in several years after serving as President/Chair—thanks to my good friend Brad Martin for his strong leadership moving forward.

We were delighted to welcome faculty and staff from Sentara College of Health Sciences to DeFord Manor last Friday. As we look ahead, we're excited about the opportunity to welcome this group into the Marlin Family and our next chapter in health sciences education.

On Thursday, Aondover Tarhule, Ph.D., President of Illinois State University, will share his perspective and leadership insights in our next chapter of this year's President to President series. Enjoy the video preview of his chapter here: https://t.co/AkTC6fbHWY

Another timely program of the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads, “America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy.” With speakers Ambassador Piper Campbell (now at American University) and Susan Colbourn of Duke University. Richard Maass of ODU was the moderator.

We’re proud to welcome Tamara Keith, NPR White House Correspondent, to campus on March 10 in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Hampton Roads. Join us for this timely conversation on democracy and public affairs. Get tickets and learn more at

Always a pleasure to take part in the Virginia Beach Public Schools Superintendent’s Roundtable. Grateful to my good friend, Donald Robertson, for consistently convening an outstanding program that highlights the people and strength of Virginia Beach Public Schools.

Great to visit with my good friend Dr. Valeka Gatling and learn about her run for the Ward 2 School Board seat for Norfolk Public Schools. Her husband is Rev. Perez Gatling, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church located near campus. Valeka is also AVP for Community Relations at ODU.

Before today’s game vs Averett University, we proudly celebrated Senior Day for Meadow Dyke of Chesapeake, a guard who has worn the Marlin uniform with pride for all 4 years of her collegiate career. Joined by her mother, Marjorie, Coach Megan Belo, and AD Andrea Hoover-Erbig.

Looking forward to July 1 and the full integration of Sentara College of Health Sciences into the Marlin Family. With Megan Hunsinger and Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson, Provost and Vice President; and with faculty and leadership from the program.

A full house in TowneBank Arena for Marlins Day. It’s a Great Day To Be A Marlin!

Annie and I enjoyed lunch at DeFord Manor today with some of our international students who are new to campus this spring. This group joins the Marlin family from Germany, France, Ecuador, Vietnam, and Turkey.