Virginia Wesleyan University
Motto | Coastal Virginia's premier private national liberal arts college |
---|---|
Type | Private liberal arts college |
Established | 1961 |
Religious affiliation | United Methodist Church |
Endowment | 57.1 million (2015) |
President | Scott D. Miller |
Provost | Tim O'Rourke |
Academic staff | 109 full-time35 part time |
Administrative staff | 199 full-time136 part time |
Students | 1,442 (2015) |
Location | , , 36°52′4.8″N 76°11′15.4″W / 36.868000°N 76.187611°W |
Campus | Suburban, 300 acres (1.21 km2) |
Colors | Blue and Silver |
Nickname | Marlins |
Affiliations | |
Mascot | Bob Marlin |
Website | www.vwc.edu |
Virginia Wesleyan College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1961 by the Virginia United Methodist Church, the school’s enrollment is approximately 1,400 students. The college offers bachelor's degrees in 33 major disciplines. Virginia Wesleyan College is a member of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
Academics
Virginia Wesleyan College offers a broad-based liberal arts curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving skills and independent learning. Undergraduate degrees include a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of social work with 33 major disciplines, 30 minors and seven pre-professional programs. The school's two most popular majors are biology and business.
In 2011, the college introduced a new curricular model based on a four-credit rather than a three-credit course system. Students take fewer total courses to meet graduation requirements, but most courses are worth four credits each. The fourth credit is designed to include independent research, out-of-class experiences or interdisciplinary activities that complement the content of the course.
Students may participate in the Honors and Scholars Program or the PORTfolio Program. The college's academic calendar consists of a fall and spring semester as well as an optional three-week winter session during which students can take a traditional class or a faculty-led travel course. The college's average class size is approximately 13 students.
Greek life
North-American Interfraternity Conference Fraternities:
National Panhellenic Conference Sororities:
National Pan-Hellenic Council Sororities:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha
- Delta Sigma Theta (Dormant)
- Zeta Phi Beta
Campus
Virginia Wesleyan is separated into four different villages over a 300-acre (1.2 km2) tract. Villages I and II offer combined living-learning environments on the Jeffersonian model, in which dormitory space, classrooms, and faculty and staff offices share the same buildings. The campus is within both Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Athletics
Virginia Wesleyan competes in Division III of the NCAA, as a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The men's basketball team won the national championship in 2006, and the following year returned to the championship game, which they lost. The women's soccer team made it to the final four in 2006 after winning the ODAC tournament for the first time in program history.
Notable alumni
- Matthew H.C. Ryan – Cinematographer, director of photography
- Randy Peele – head coach of men's basketball at Winthrop University
- Sam Presti – NBA executive; current general manager for the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Bob Valvano – American sportscaster
- Keller Williams – Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter
References
External links
- Virginia Wesleyan College
- Universities and colleges in Virginia
- Liberal arts colleges
- Educational institutions established in 1961
- Education in Norfolk, Virginia
- Education in Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- 1961 establishments in Virginia