NEW FACILITIES

FUNDED BY TRANSFORMATION NOW!

Greer Environmental Sciences Center. Organized thematically around the earth’s four spheres—atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere—this Gold-certified LEED building opened in 2017, featuring sophisticated indoor and outdoor learning spaces that embody “science on display” and promote hands-on experiences, interactive learning and interdisciplinary research.

Greenhouse. Since 2017, VWU’s greenhouse has served as a laboratory for courses in botany and contains an extensive and diverse collection of plants, supporting courses that investigate the diversity of life on our planet. The Greenhouse also supports student and faculty research and provides work opportunities for students interested in botany.

Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center. This 400-meter facility, featuring an eight-lane track, discus and hammer throw, high jump, long jump/triple jump, pole vault, shot put, steeplechase and digital scoreboard, opened in 2017.

Frank Blocker, Jr. Youth Center at YMCA Camp Red Feather. Built in 2017, Blocker Youth Center is used during the academic year by Tidewater Collegiate Academy—the University’s laboratory school and early enrollment partner—and in the summer months by YMCA Camp Red Feather.

Tom and Betty Broyles Field at TowneBank Park. Broyles Field features seating for 400, a climate-controlled press box, modern dugouts, bullpen and an auxiliary building. It’s been home to the three-time NCAA National Championship softball team since 2019.

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. This facility features the impressive glass-enclosed Eleanor and Henry Watts Grand Lobby and Gallery and the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre. Support spaces ring the stage, including a scene shop, dressing rooms, green room and costume, prop and equipment storage. A plaza for outdoor programming overlooks the Susan Beverly Grand Terrace and Pond. The grand opening was held in 2019.

The Beacon. Since 2019, the Beacon has symbolized Virginia Wesleyan’s United Methodist heritage and represented the passion of those who laid the University’s foundation. The structure lights up with school colors after Marlin athletics wins and plays the VWU fight song “On, Virginia Wesleyan!” at noon, followed by the alma mater at 5 p.m. Symbolizing Virginia Wesleyan’s bright future, the Beacon invokes a strong sense of belonging for all who visit campus.

Coastal 61. This nine-building, 244 luxury-apartment community opened in 2020 on the north side of Wesleyan Drive. A publicprivate partnership between Virginia Wesleyan and The Franklin Johnston Group, the community is open to the public and is available to provide living space for upper-level and graduate students, faculty and staff.

Malbon Center for Technology. Located in Pruden Hall, the Malbon Center is named for Trustee John Malbon H’22 to honor his strategic leadership of technology initiatives at Virginia Wesleyan. Since 2020, the Malbon Center has been home to campus Information Technology Services.

DeFord Manor. A private on-campus residence of the University’s president, DeFord Manor opened in 2021 and was named in honor of longtime Trustees and benefactors Bob and Nancy DeFord. It features extensive indoor and outdoor entertainment areas on the ground level and the president’s private residence on the second floor. It is fronted by The Shelhorse Lawn and Ponds, named in honor of Trustee Emeritus Bill Shelhorse ’70. The home’s garden and pool area is named the Virginia Oveda Williams DeFord Terrace in honor of Bob DeFord’s mother. Just outside the terrace is a Japanese Garden named in honor of David R. Black H’21, a university president for nearly 30 years and executive-in-residence at VWU.

Tassos Paphites Soccer Complex. This multifaceted complex, which pulled together the existing Foster Field and Trinder Center, was completed in 2022. It not only serves men’s and women’s soccer but men’s and women’s lacrosse and field hockey programs as well.

Brock Commons. When it opened in 2022, Brock Commons completed the renovation and expansion of VWU’s dining facilities. The project includes the addition of the outdoor dining area facing the University Quad, main serving area and Joan P. Brock Room for groups of up to 135 guests.