Council seeks new ways to reach prospective students
by Christy Kincade

The newly formed Communications Council is working to make Virginia Wesleyan more visible to prospective students and the media. Currently the Council is in an organizational mode, compiling the data from survey research conducted over the past year.

“We have to work at making ourselves visible and at acquiring name recognition,” said Dean of Students and Special Assistant to the President David Buckingham.

Members of the Council were invited by President William T. Greer to set and review the college’s public relations and marketing agenda. These members are: Mary Bruner, News and Media relations; Kevin Clary, Alumni relations; Nan Edgerton, College relations; Linda Ferguson, faculty; Don Forsyth, athletics; Rick Hinshaw, dean of admissions; Diane Hotaling, magazine editor; and Steven Mansfield, and dean of the college. Dean Buckingham is the acting director of the Council and Ben Edwards from Art & Science Group, Inc. will serve as a resource to the group.

“We need to talk about the strengths of our institution,” Buckingham said.

The Council will focus on the faculty, the success of graduates, and students’ noteworthy achievements as strengths of this institution the public needs to be aware of.

Dr. Linda Ferguson, marketing professor, would like to see the college speak with one voice.

“I’m very interested in integrating our communications,” Ferguson said.

The Communications Council is moving forward to promote Virginia Wesleyan regionally and nationally.

“We know who we are in the eyes of others,” said Greer in his memo to the campus community, “and what we can do to be more competitive.”