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Marlin Alumni Virginia Wesleyan University is Coastal Virginia's premier private national liberal arts college.

The Office of Alumni Engagement connects alumni of Virginia Wesleyan College, Virginia Wesleyan University, Sentara College of Health Sciences, and Batten University through events, networking, volunteer opportunities, and lifelong relationships. When you graduate from Virginia Wesleyan, you take a little bit of us with you but also leave a little behind to enrich the university life and experience for those who follow. This page is dedicated to all VWU alumni, family, faculty and friends, and provides a space to keep in touch and up-to-date on ALL things MARLIN.

President Miller and Kim Brown ‘16 (Scribner University Store Manager) had a nice visit with Dr. Crystal Jacobs-Beatty ‘...
10/16/2026

President Miller and Kim Brown ‘16 (Scribner University Store Manager) had a nice visit with Dr. Crystal Jacobs-Beatty ‘01 today. Her newly published book, Mystery at the Museum, is now available in the University Store!

Marlin alumnus Mark Butts, Class of 1979, is the Featured Artist for the 70th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, p...
10/09/2026

Marlin alumnus Mark Butts, Class of 1979, is the Featured Artist for the 70th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, presented by Atlantic Union Bank this weekend, October 9-11. The honor is a full-circle moment for Mark, whose first art show after earning his B.A. in Art Education was the Boardwalk Art Show.

A retired Virginia Beach City Public Schools educator, coach, artist, and mentor, Mark was also a Marlin men’s basketball standout and was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. His distinctive “building portraits” combine pop art influences with architectural forms and vibrant geometric shapes.

Save the date for Marlins on the Vine - Sunday, November 8 from 2-4 PM! Join faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for an ...
10/08/2026

Save the date for Marlins on the Vine - Sunday, November 8 from 2-4 PM! Join faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for an afternoon of refreshments and Marlin camaraderie at Williamsburg Winery, where our own Dr. Michael Weatherly ‘02 serves as CEO.

Email [email protected] to reserve your spot or through the link in our bio! 🍇

Hope to see you there!

Congratulations to alumna Roberta Halmond-Walters ‘08, known professionally as Roberta Lea, who was recently named the 2...
10/06/2026

Congratulations to alumna Roberta Halmond-Walters ‘08, known professionally as Roberta Lea, who was recently named the 2026 Artist of the Year in Americana/Folk at the Josie Music Awards.

A Virginia native and accomplished singer-songwriter, Roberta Lea has built a distinctive sound blending country, pop, and folk with her signature storytelling. Her debut album, Too Much of a Woman, received critical acclaim, with The Nashville Scene praising her “catchy, textured, and beautifully sung originals.”

Roberta Lea continued to make her mark in the music industry as a touring member of the Black Opry, a member of CMT’s 2024 Next Women of Country class, and a voting member of The Recording Academy.

We’re proud to celebrate Roberta and this exciting recognition of her artistry. Congratulations, Roberta!

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Dr. William “Bill” Ruehlmann, Professor Emeritus of Journalism and Commu...
09/24/2026

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Dr. William “Bill” Ruehlmann, Professor Emeritus of Journalism and Communication, who died peacefully on Monday, September 21, at the age of 80.

Dr. Ruehlmann taught at the college from from 1993 until his retirement in 2011. During his tenure, he was a dedicated professor and adviser to the Marlin Chronicle student newspaper. He was a tireless advocate for the First Amendment, the journalistic profession, and his students. Bill was deeply committed to helping students find their voices and understand the responsibility that comes with telling the truth.

A respected journalist and author before and during his academic career, Bill worked as a reporter, feature writer, and columnist for numerous news outlets and published a biweekly literary column called “By the Book” in the Virginian-Pilot. Bill’s commitment to journalism, his students, and the pursuit of truth remains an important part of his legacy. Dr. Ruehlmann earned his B.A. from American University, M.A. from the University of Arizona, and Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati.

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 is almost here and it’s time to make more Marlin memories!Whether you’re celebrating wi...
09/24/2026

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 is almost here and it’s time to make more Marlin memories!

Whether you’re celebrating with us on campus or reconnecting with fellow Marlins in your own way, your spirit is part of what makes this weekend so special.

For more details, visit batten.edu/alumni/homecoming 🐟

Remembering Our Marlins 🤍•Dr. John “Pat” LangThe University mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Dr. ...
09/17/2026

Remembering Our Marlins 🤍

•Dr. John “Pat” Lang
The University mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Dr. John “Pat” Lang, who passed on September 6, 2026. Dr. Lang served the University for 27 years, from 1980 until his retirement in 2007. A dedicated teacher, colleague, and mentor, he was remembered by generations of students for his knowledge of mathematics, as well as the encouragement and personal attention he brought to their college experiences.

Dr. Lang earned his B.S. from the University of Washington and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Florida State University. Throughout his career, he was committed to helping students discover their academic interests and recognize possibilities they may not have considered. His influence extended well beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on the many students he taught and mentored.

Dr. Lang also valued the friendships and camaraderie he shared with colleagues, including fellow professor Tom Fanney, with whom he was often found playing racquetball on campus. His legacy lives on through the students he taught, the colleagues he worked alongside, and the many lives he touched during his years at the University.

——

•Victor “Vic” Dorsey
The Marlin community mourns the passing of Victor “Vic” Dorsey, who passed on August 29 following a brief illness. Vic retired in February after 21 years of dedicated service to the University, including nine years as the Director of Campus Safety and Security.

A 20-year veteran of the United States Navy, Vic brought a deep sense of service, steady leadership, and care of others to his work at the University. Over more than two decades, he became a familiar face and valued member of the campus community, forming connections with generations of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Vic will be remembered with great appreciation for his service to his country and to the University, as well as by the many Marlins who had the opportunity to know him.

We’ve received word from PCI that if you purchased the Virginia Wesleyan University Marlin Memories Oral History publica...
09/16/2026

We’ve received word from PCI that if you purchased the Virginia Wesleyan University Marlin Memories Oral History publication, your copy is expected to ship in October! For questions about your order, please contact PCI at 1-800-982-1590 or [email protected] 🐟

We are excited to spotlight one of our newest Alumni Council members, Melina Cabral Taylor ‘23, MBA ‘24! Melina currentl...
09/15/2026

We are excited to spotlight one of our newest Alumni Council members, Melina Cabral Taylor ‘23, MBA ‘24!

Melina currently serves as a Commercial Relationship & Loan Specialist at TowneBank, where she is also participating in the bank’s LEAD program. A dedicated Marlin, Melina was actively involved across campus during her time as a student, including working in Student Engagement and participating in a variety of student clubs and organizations.

Since graduating, Melina has continued to make an impact in the Hampton Roads community. She was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for Tidewater Collegiate Academy, adding another opportunity to share her leadership and experience with the next generation.

As she begins her service on the Alumni Council, we are thrilled to have Melina bring her enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment to the Marlin community back to campus.

We hope our new and returning Marlins had an excellent first day of classes!
08/25/2026

We hope our new and returning Marlins had an excellent first day of classes!

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5817 Wesleyan Drive
Virginia Beach, VA
23455

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+17574552135

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