Marlin Alumni

09/17/2026

Remembering Our Marlins 🤍

•Dr. John “Pat” Lang
The University mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Dr. John “Pat” Lang, who passed on September 6, 2026. Dr. Lang served the University for 27 years, from 1980 until his retirement in 2007. A dedicated teacher, colleague, and mentor, he was remembered by generations of students for his knowledge of mathematics, as well as the encouragement and personal attention he brought to their college experiences.

Dr. Lang earned his B.S. from the University of Washington and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Florida State University. Throughout his career, he was committed to helping students discover their academic interests and recognize possibilities they may not have considered. His influence extended well beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on the many students he taught and mentored.

Dr. Lang also valued the friendships and camaraderie he shared with colleagues, including fellow professor Tom Fanney, with whom he was often found playing racquetball on campus. His legacy lives on through the students he taught, the colleagues he worked alongside, and the many lives he touched during his years at the University.

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•Victor “Vic” Dorsey
The Marlin community mourns the passing of Victor “Vic” Dorsey, who passed on August 29 following a brief illness. Vic retired in February after 21 years of dedicated service to the University, including nine years as the Director of Campus Safety and Security.

A 20-year veteran of the United States Navy, Vic brought a deep sense of service, steady leadership, and care of others to his work at the University. Over more than two decades, he became a familiar face and valued member of the campus community, forming connections with generations of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Vic will be remembered with great appreciation for his service to his country and to the University, as well as by the many Marlins who had the opportunity to know him.

09/16/2026

We’ve received word from PCI that if you purchased the Virginia Wesleyan University Marlin Memories Oral History publication, your copy is expected to ship in October! For questions about your order, please contact PCI at 1-800-982-1590 or [email protected] 🐟

09/15/2026

We are excited to spotlight one of our newest Alumni Council members, Melina Cabral Taylor ‘23, MBA ‘24!

Melina currently serves as a Commercial Relationship & Loan Specialist at TowneBank, where she is also participating in the bank’s LEAD program. A dedicated Marlin, Melina was actively involved across campus during her time as a student, including working in Student Engagement and participating in a variety of student clubs and organizations.

Since graduating, Melina has continued to make an impact in the Hampton Roads community. She was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for Tidewater Collegiate Academy, adding another opportunity to share her leadership and experience with the next generation.

As she begins her service on the Alumni Council, we are thrilled to have Melina bring her enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment to the Marlin community back to campus.

08/25/2026

We hope our new and returning Marlins had an excellent first day of classes!

08/07/2026

Save the date! 🎉

Join us for Homecoming on October 2-4, 2026! Reconnect with old friends, make new memories, and celebrate our Marlin traditions. Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, there’s always a place for you on campus.

Additional details and registration coming soon!

07/07/2026

Since graduating, Eric Rowland ‘24 has turned his Marlin experience into a successful career in accounting, combining technical expertise with meaningful client relationships.

Eric’s journey began when he secured an internship with Stewart & Company, an accounting firm in Virginia Beach, through the University’s career fair. That experience helped launch his professional path and provided valuable hands-on experience in the field.

After graduation, Rowland returned home to Maryland and joined Thompson, Hughes, & Trollinger, a small accounting firm in Alexandria, Virginia. There, he continued developing his skills and building a strong foundation that led him to his current role as an accountant with CBIZ, a nationally recognized firm based in Washington, D.C.

In addition to advancing his career, Rowland recently earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA), further strengthening his knowledge and expertise in the business world.

In his current role, Eric works closely with clients on financial closes, audits, and ongoing accounting needs. His clients are primarily mid-sized nonprofit organizations with annual revenues ranging from $10 million to $100 million. While accounting is often viewed as a behind-the-scenes profession for used solely on numbers, Eric has found that advisory accounting is highly relationship-driven.

“The most interesting part of my career has been the people I’ve met along the way. From clients to team members, it’s always exciting to connect with other professionals”, says Rowland.

One of the most rewarding aspects of his work has been the opportunity to engage directly with clients and help organizations navigate their financial needs.

For current students interested in pursuing a similar career path, Rowland encourages them to take full advance of opportunities like the University’s career fair.

Looking back on his time as a Marlin, Eric credits experiences like the Marlin Business Conference with helping him build confidence and professional skills that continue to serve him today.

07/01/2026

06/11/2026

Invites are o-fish-ally in the mail 🎉😉

John Wesley’s birthday is June 28, and we’re honoring him with a party that gives back!

Support the Excellence Fund and help provide current and future Marlins with opportunities worth celebrating, including internships, undergraduate research, study away programs, and service-learning experiences.

As a thank you, alumni who make a qualifying gift can claim a Virginia Wesleyan party favor from our collection of campus keepsakes and treasures.

No birthday cake required, just a commitment to student success! Check out our party favors and start celebrating through the link in our bio! 🎂

06/08/2026

We are proud to announce the newest members of the Alumni Council, beginning July 1. This group brings experience across customer success, banking, mental health counseling, medical sales, and graduate research, and represents alumni living in Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio. We remain deeply grateful for the dedication and involvement of our alumni leaders.

Top row, from left: Emily Amland, MBA ‘21, Melina Cabral ‘23, MBA ‘24, and Andreas Combos ‘20.

Bottom row, from left: Brandon Foster ‘19, Zac Green ‘09, and Juwon Seaborne ‘22, MEnvs ‘25

05/21/2026

Good luck to our Marlins as they take the field in the NCAA DIII Super Regional at TowneBank Park! Let’s pack the stands and bring the energy! 💙