Hall Of Fame
Gary Bonnewell has been a steadfast advocate for Marlin Athletics, whose visionary leadership, generosity, and dedication have helped shape the future of Virginia Wesleyan's athletic programs and the student-athlete experience. A proud alumnus, he remains the only graduate to have served as Chair of the Board of Trustees. His enduring contributions include establishing the Bonnewell Sports Medicine Center in the Jane P. Batten Student Center and playing a pivotal role in the creation of the VWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Professionally, Bonnewell serves as Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at Morgan Stanley, where he has earned the prestigious Family Wealth Director designation. He has been named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for 2019, 2020, and 2021. He graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, later earning a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning. He is also a Certified Financial Planner professional.
Bonnewell's service to his alma mater has been extensive. In addition to his tenure as Board Chair, he is a past president of the Alumni Council and the Blue Marlin Athletic Club. He was the first recipient of the Alumni Community Service Award and is a member of Sigma Beta Delta and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies. As a student, he served as Vice President of the Student Government Association, an athletic trainer, founder of the Monogram Club, and a radio host for the college station WVAW. In recognition of his many contributions, Virginia Wesleyan awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2016.
Beyond campus, Bonnewell has been a dedicated leader in the Coastal Virginia community. His service includes roles as President of the Norfolk Jaycees, President of the D'Art Center, Chairman of NATOFest (formerly the International Azalea Festival), and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Norfolk Collegiate School. He currently serves as President of the Norfolk Sister Cities Association, President of Pack Training Team, Lay Leader at Ghent United Methodist Church, and a board member of both The Virginia United Methodist Foundation and the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation.
