Campus Events

Keynote Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient: Dennis Matheis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sentara Health

Emerita Status Recognitions:
Dr. Angela Taylor, President Emerita of Sentara College of Health Sciences
Dr. Cynthia Banks, Dean Emerita of Academic Affairs of Sentara College of Health Sciences

The Jane P. Batten Honors College welcomes its newest class of scholars to campus.

During this annual celebration, President Scott D. Miller highlights institutional growth, financial milestones, and strategic transformations.

An in-person orientation that includes student check-in, picking up your student ID, trip to local store, interactive games for prizes, and more.

Founders Day is an annual academic-year kickoff tradition established to reflect on the institution’s origins, honor distinguished alumni, and look ahead to the future.

This ceremony represents the completion of the scholars' orientation, matriculation, and full integration as members of the University community.

What does faith look like when it moves beyond belief and into action? Dr. Lewis Brogdon, Executive Director of JustFaith Ministries, explores how faith can inspire ordinary people to confront injustice, strengthen relationships, and build communities of hope. Also hear stories of local JustFaith participants whose experiences have deepened their faith and transformed their communities. The evening concludes with an opportunity to learn about upcoming JustFaith small groups and explore how you can put faith into action alongside others in our community.

For more information, contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@batten.edu. This opportunity is offered in partnership with Sowers of Justice of Hampton Roads and Virginia Catholics for Racial Justice.

Most college students today were not alive on September 11, 2001. As we mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this brief outdoor gathering explores a different question: When does someone else's story become our story? Together, we reflect on the tragedy, the extraordinary ways people came together in its aftermath, and the shared memories that shape our communities across generations.

For more information, contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@batten.edu.

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in this lively online conversation. Professor Terry Lindvall explores how Twain used humor, humility, and satire to expose hypocrisy, bridge differences, and strengthen community. Part of the Nusbaum at Night series with Batten University faculty, this 30- to 40-minute Zoom discussion examines classic works celebrating milestone anniversaries and their continuing relevance today.

Registration required by noon on the day of the program. Register by contacting the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@batten.edu.

As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, what can the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution still teach us about citizenship, self-government, and finding common ground? Political scientist Tim O'Rourke explores how these founding documents continue to provide an enduring—though imperfect and amendable—framework for addressing America's challenges. In recognition of Constitution and Citizenship Day, this timely conversation considers how the principles of the nation's founding can help strengthen civic life and encourage more constructive disagreement.

For more information, contact the Robert Nusbaum Center at 757.455.3129 or NusbaumCenter@batten.edu.