Category: Dean’s Commentary

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

During a Policy Administrative Meeting, Dr. Mitzi Budde made a plea: “I understand the Dean’s Commentary highlighting the difference between the pre-Thanksgiving campus and the post-Thanksgiving campus,” she observed. “I get that much of the campus is now closed. However, could you please do a Commentary highlighting the many departments that are still working post-Thanksgiving […]

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Tuesday, December 8, 2020

As we move into December, some have already started thinking about the New Year — maybe even making some resolutions. If there’s one thing we can say for certain about 2020, it proved that leaders need to be adaptive and nimble. But what else? TryTank Experimental Lab, our joint project with General Theological Seminary of New […]

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Monday, December 7, 2020

In 2002, Tami Shepherd joined the VTS staff as Registrar. As the spouse of a recent graduate, Tami was already familiar with the Seminary — which was a real asset for her, as well as for the faculty and students. There is so much to admire about Tami as a person and as a professional. […]

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Friday, December 4, 2020

Yesterday I viewed the recording. It is outstanding. The music is really good; even with all the musicians behind masks and physically distanced. The acoustics of our chapel work so well for singing, even in these conditions. It is lovely to see the class of 2020 given due prominence. The D.Min. recipients are all recognized; […]

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Thursday, December 3, 2020

For fifteen years Monina Pangan has been a member of the Institutional Advancement team, providing administrative support for daily departmental operations and for major events such as Convocation and the VTS dinner at General Convention. Anyone who contacts Monina by phone or email knows that they will receive a quick response and the assistance they […]

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Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Please join me in celebrating the Service of Light with awarding of the Dean’s Cross and honorary degrees this Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.     The Dean’s Cross is the highest award that the Seminary can confer. Past recipients of this award include Barbara Bush, Madeline Albright, and Wendell Berry. This year the Dean’s […]

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Virginia Theological Seminary is blessed to have a remarkable Board of Trustees. One of these remarkable Board members is William G. Thomas, III. His new book A Question of Freedom: The Families Who Challenged Slavery From the Nation’s Founding to the Civil War is a triumph. Dr. Thomas traces “the stories of several enslaved families in Maryland’s Prince George’s County through the generations.”    […]

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Monday, November 30, 2020

As part of our safety protocols, determined long before the Fall semester started, we will find the campus a little quieter today. The Refectory has closed until February. All lectures are now online. Chapel is back to Zoom. The residence halls are largely empty. Dr. Fauci has warned that with the movement of people over […]

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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Today the Seminary closes early, at 2:00 p.m. It is a small gesture of gratitude to our employees as they prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving. We want them to have a little extra time to make their way to their destinations for this delightful holiday. Living life with a sense of gratitude is a basic Christian […]

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Tuesday, November 24, 2020

We recognize that the closure of the Residence Halls during this season has been a challenge for our students. Finding somewhere to land for over two months (especially when there are still two weeks of the semester left) is hard. Normally our dormitory housing is offered with a nine-month contract, and students know ahead of […]

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