Jacque Fleske graduated in August 1999 with a degree in history. Earlier this year, she decided to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Fleske found herself ranked in the top 14 percent in the nation and was offered a fully paid scholarship for three yearsof law school at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Law school seemed like the natural choice for Fleske. She said, "I always wanted to be a lawyer. My father was an attorney, my uncle was an attorney, my godfather was an attorney, and pretty much everyone I was ever around was an attorney."
However, once in college, Dr. Drees "sold" her on a ajor in history. Fleske also said that she did not want to be anything like her parents. She's grown up sice then and realizes it's about more than her parents. "I think they are good people, but I'm not doing it because my dad does it," said Fleske. "I'm doing it because it's what I want to do." Fleske's decision is to leave was also influenced by her husband's decision to leave the navy. She is looking forward to moving back to Kansas, spending more time with her family, and bringing her younger sister to see N'Sync in concert. Fleske's goal after graduating from law school is to work in a large law firm. She says that her dream would be to work as a political analyst and be active in litigation.
She has set high goaals for herself and said, "I have to be busy." Fleske said it will be hard to leave admissions, but is proud of her experiences and thankful for friendships in the communtiy and all over the nation. "I love working with the families," said Fleske, "and it's easy to be a representative for VWC."
Greg Freedland will be leaving Virginia Wesleyan College to start a new life with his fiancee, Shannon. Freedland became engaged to his "college sweetheart" in November 1999 and he will be married on July 29, 2000. Freedland graduated from VWC in 1997 with a degree in communications. He returned home to New Hampshire for a short time, but came back to Virginia and found work at WAVY-TV. When attending a luncheon the summer 1999, Freedland heard about an opening for the Wesleyan New England couselor position and decided his days at WAVY were over.
"I would not have taken it if it was not in New England," said Freedland. "I thought, what better than a kid from New England to work with students from New England." Freedland will be moving to Pennsylvania where Shannon has a job as a teacher. After much thought, he decided to hand in his resignation to VWC in the best interest of his relationship. Freedland said, "We decided it would be best for me to move to Pennsylvania instead of her moving here when I'd just be on the road." Freedland hopes to find a job in the areas of public relations, promotion, and writing. He is unsure of specific career plans, but said that his days in admissions are over.
"Although there are other admission counselors who work at other schools besides their almamater, I can not imagine working in the admossions office at another college." Freedland has enjoyed his time in admissions. He said that he loves working with the high school students and making relationships with colleagues from other colleges. Freedland also has value for the relationships he has re-established here at the college. He is excited about the growth of the campus with the additions of Clarke Academic Center, Godwin Hall, and the beginning of the new sudent center. "What a great time to be working at the college," said Freedland.
Steve Bruce has made Virginia Wesleyan his second home for the past ten years. He graduted with a Business Degree in 1994, spent the summer working in Financial Aid and moved right into his admissions position. "I feel like it's time to graduate," said Bruce. "I need to find out what else I'm capable of doing." Bruce left his position at VWC on April 1 to become Director of Marketing and Recruitment at Regent University. He is working in the School of Psychology and human Services. Bruce spoke highly of his experiences at VWC. He was especially appreciative of the relationships made within the college communtiy, Virginia, and even throughout the world.
"I feel like I've had an entire other education in the six years since I've graduated." While Bruce enjoyed working in the admissions department, his career was not without problems. He said the biggest frustration presented to him is that so many people want to be a part of VWC, but there is never enough money. "I don't know if that will ever change," said Bruce, "but we do as much as we can for being a young school." In addition to a new experience, Regent will be paying for Bruce's graduate schooling. He hopes that this oppurtunity will lead him to the career he can retire in, even if Regent is not it. Bruce also has thoughts of getting his Ph.D. and seeing college from another perspective-teaching.
Wherever his future may lead, Bruce is determined to be an active alumni. He plans to attend athletic and social events at VWC as time allows. Bruce also promises, "I will never not be a part of Wesleyan."
This spring, Dr. Betty Jefferson Harris and Dr. James Harris will retire after many years of dedicated service to Virginia Wesleyan College. Jefferson Harris has accomplished many milestones in her 25 years with the college. Among them, the professor of biology and chemistry was the first woman to recieve the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award, and the first professor to be honored twice She has also been a part of original committees that formed the foundation and guidelines for the college's Honor Code, Wesleyan Scholars program and curriculum for her division. Jefferson Harris' background includes a bachelors in biology from Longwood college, a masters in biology from the College of William and Mary and a Ph.D. in microbiology from Virginia Tech. She has taught biology at two Virginia high schools and biology courses at Virginia Tech.
Since Jefferson Harris came to Virginia Wesleayn in 1975, she has enjoyed the small school atmosphere."When you are teaching small classes you can look at the students and know they understand what are you talking about," she said. "I have enjoyed being a part of the policy making. People will sit down and share ideas. Virginia Wesleayn could not have progressed to where it is now if it didn't have that." She is very proud of the students her field has turned out and sent many of them to the netion's prestiogious gradute and medical schools. "Our graduates have done extremely well," she said. "They come back and tell me these science courses have prvided them adequate and excellent backgrounds. That is telling in any program, whether going to graduate school or onto work." Jefferson Harris' studetns appreciate her on both academic and personal levels.
They commend the professor on helping them nake the transition to college. Senior Lisa Meyer said: "D.r Jefferson Harris prepares you for more than a professional career or graduate school, along the way she toughens you up for the future. She has been a mento and a friend, and I value her in that respect." "Dr. Betty Jefferson Harris is demanding," said Junior Heather Crow. "She works hard, but when it's all over you leave feeling you know less and knowing you want more. She will be greatly missed."
Harris, a professor of Chemistry, came to the college after several years' experience in different teaching enviroments. His career began in 1957, teaching chemistry at a Virginia high school, then at Straford Colege a small female institution. Harris pursued his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech from 1970-1975, then taught at a community college before arriving at Wesleyan in 1986. Harris' students will most likely remember himm for his calm demeanor and style of teaching. "I use the chalkboard lecture with a lot of audio visuals to involve the students in the classroom activities," he said. "It's not easy to do in an information-type course where the subject matter doesn't lend itself to interpretation." Of his many accomplishments here at the college, Harris and his team of chemistry colleagues have improved the departments curriculum considerably over the years. Improvement in the major include an organic chemistry and bio-chemistry methods course.
A new and innovative microscale technique has been introduced into labs, and several signifigant pieces have been added to the chemistry program. "Our students are able to do experiments involving the most recent techniques in bio-chemistry," Harris said. Senior Heather Hansen, one of Harris' advisees, feels fortunate to have had the oppurtunity to know her professor. "Dr. James Harris has been the best faculty advisor I could ask for. From obtaining information on graduate school progams and my career choice, to helping me with scheduling a four-year major to be accomplished in three years, Dr. Harris always offered much encouragement and honest advice in my college career and future goals." Harris concluded: "I have enjoyed all these years woking with young people and students. When you recognize that they have understood a complicated idea, that's very rewarding."
Students may know Kerry Strnad from her little red Acura Integra or from her big, fluffy black cat "Goldie," but there is a certain phenomenal woman holding this structure together. She spends more than 70 hours a week balancing an internship and a full-time job as Assistant Director of Residence Life, in addition to taking classes at Norfolk State University to pursue her master’s degree in clinical social work. June 30, 2000 is the big day for Strnad because it’s not only graduation, but also a new step in her life.
"I never thought I was really believing it would happen, but now that it’s about to happen, I’ve realized that it’s not getting "there" that has been the most rewarding, but it’s the road I’ve chosen to get there that has been the most fulfilling." Her nine years at VWC started out like many of us. "Before we would go out on Friday and Saturday nights, my girlfriend Bronwyn and I would listen to "Up all Night (Sleep all Day) by Slaughter." She studied English as an undergraduate student with plans to be a lawyer right up until the LSATs. That March of 1995 she decided "no more law school" and now is less than two months from graduation.
From student, to Resident Assistant, to Professional Staff, Strnad admits that the transitions were not always easy. "The difficult part was earning respect of faculty and staff as a member. The advantage was that it was very easy to relate to the student body." Sophomore Michael Touhill agrees, "Freshman year when I lived in Eggleston we were an extremely close hall, the residents, the RAs and with Kerry. Her door was always open, welcoming us when we needed someone to talk to."
"The most valuable contribution that I made when I supervised in that village, was that I was there not just for RAs, but for the students as well because they all have different needs. I had a great hall last year. Every year each hall is different. Students offer different dynamics, but there was a lot of connection with the guys of Eggleston and a lot of respect between the RAs. It was hard to leave Village I." Strnad has been working with the RA staff for five years and considers "staff" family. "The Residents Life staff is our family creation. Home is not necessarily where you hang your hat, but where your heart is and who you’ve chosen to bring into your home. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve always worked with a strong RA staff, fortunate in that I’ve always had loyalty on my staff."
Heading into her final days at VWC, Strnad looks back, "I have no regrets, this is a great place to be. There are a lot of great people here." Her advice on life by M. Scott Peck, "So far life has been a journey at times, a difficult one but once you accept that it isn’t suppose to be easy, it becomes more manageable."
So what next? "A novel perhaps, a crash campaign for presidency and a lot of decisions to make." She may not have the "dream job" as soon as she leaves, but a bright future indeed. Her mixed feelings of trying to find a new home, worries this optimist. Her family here will always welcome her back with open arms. We love you Kerry. You’ve left a deep, positive in my heart along with many others. Follow your dreams into whatever you do, it won’t be too long ’til they start coming true. The faculty and staff, family and friends at VWC.