CNU hires executive director of new fine arts center
Holly Koons has been named the inaugural executive director of the Christopher Newport University Fine Arts Center, which is scheduled to open next year, the Newport News-based university announced Wednesday. Koons was most recently executive director of the Arlington Arts Center and will start her new position Oct. 15. “I am [...]
VCU study: COVID-19 accounted for 67% of March-Aug. U.S. deaths
For every two deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the U.S., a third American dies as a result of the pandemic, according to a study led by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study shows that deaths between March 1 and Aug. 1 increased by 20% when compared […]
ODU Batten College dean appointed
Ben Stuart will be the eighth dean of Old Dominion University’s Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, effective Oct. 25, the university announced Friday. Stuart has served as interim dean since June 2019, during which time the university conducted a national search. “Ben Stuart is a thoughtful leader an[...]
Va. to expand networking program to new regions
During the next two years Virginia will invest $1.7 million to expand the Network2Work workforce development initiative, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The commonwealth will partner with the Virginia Community College System to pilot the Network2Work model in the Shenandoah Valley, Hampton Roads and greater Richmond regions. Network2Work was established by Piedmont Virginia Community College […][...]
George Mason names new law school dean
George Mason University announced Thursday it has named Kenneth Randall as the new dean of its Antonin Scalia Law School in Arlington, effective Dec. 1, replacing Henry Butler. Randall previously served as dean of The University of Alabama’s law school for 20 years and as special counsel to UA President Robert Witt. During[...]
ODU launches School of Cybersecurity
Old Dominion University on Thursday became the first research university in the country to launch a cybersecurity school offering interdisciplinary degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. The university is expanding its existing Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research (CCSER) into the ODU School of Cybersecurity. The school will operate under ODU’s Office of […][...]
ODU will build tool for wind energy site planning
Old Dominion University will develop an online tool for the placement of wind-energy projects so they don’t interfere with military installations, with a Department of Defense grant of $775,000. The DoD’s Office of Economic Adjustment awarded the Military Installation Sustainability program grant to the state, according to a news release from Gov. Ralph Northam’s office […][...]
Liberty pays Falwell two years’ base salary in severance deal
Liberty University announced Tuesday that it has paid Jerry Falwell Jr., its embattled and controversial former president and chancellor, two years’ base salary as severance. Falwell resigned on Aug. 25 under a barrage of international media coverage of his alleged role in a sex scandal involving his wife’s admitted [...]
Fall enrollment down nearly 10% at community colleges
Early estimates indicate that fall enrollment at Virginia’s community colleges is down nearly 10% compared to fall 2019, and down by 6.6% at private four-year universities, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in a study released Tuesday. However, public four-year universities are holding steady,[...]
The mother of innovation
Don’t try to be something you’re not. That’s one way to sum up the approach that Troy Paino has taken to guiding the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg since assuming the school’s presidency in July 2016. “I knew as an outsider that Virginia had a crowded and competitive marketplace for higher education,�[...]
Executive Insights
David C. White Executive vice president, Virginia Maritime Association What do you consider the most pressing issue facing the Hampton Roads region? The maritime industry is in the best position to drive the economic growth and job creation for the region. Capacity at the container terminals has been increased to move an additional 1 million […]
Workforce development
From customized apprenticeship programs to professional development courses, various organizations in Hampton Roads are working to ensure employers have the right workforce. Below is an overview of workforce development resources. The Apprentice School Having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, The Apprentice School in Newport News has trained 10,800 shipyard workers over its long history. […][...]