The massive sign in front of Aspinwall Hall as you arrive from Quaker Lane is very impressive. It is not simply in the new Seminary colors, it includes the Seminary logo. The idea is to make sure that you know that you have arrived. You are at Virginia Theological Seminary. It is inescapable. Giving the […]
There is so much that I admire about the hardworking staff of the Seminary. Every department has exceptional, hardworking staff who are making a difference. And today, I wish to recognize the staff in the Butterfly House. Caring for children is complicated. Appropriately enough, there are code requirements, regulations, and inspections. We do not simply […]
My last commentary on my trip to Tokyo is a short reflection on the Sunday worship. I made my way to St. Alban’s-by-St. Andrew’s Anglican-Episcopal Church. It was a full and very diverse congregation. The Rector is the Rev. Canon Michael Moyer. The worship was moving, careful, and done well. The 1982 Hymnal was part […]
There are some moments when one is honored to be the dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary. The extraordinary event of Saturday May 11 in Tokyo, Japan was one of those moments. I was the living reminder of the founder of Rikkyo University. Channing Moore Williams, our alumus, made the journey in the middle […]
With the Board meetings and Commencement over, we can all enjoy a pause. Today is a day when I am simply grateful. It takes a village to do this work. Facilities made sure that the campus looked stunning; the Chapel department organized some fabulous liturgical occasions; AASL did the hard work of organizing everything; Faculty, […]
The classes have been taught; the papers graded; hundreds of chapel services attended; numerous meals consumed; many a moment of laughter with friends; and the inevitable questions, doubts, and of course occasions of sadness shared. And suddenly (and it almost always feels like “suddenly”) graduation is upon us. This season for our graduates is over. […]
As we went through the Board members being honored last night, I was conscious of the extraordinary people who were departing the Board after such significant service. Our practice until 2012 was to permit Board members to serve for as long as they were willing. In 2012, we changed the system and Board members moved […]
“An Outward and Visible Sign: The Senior Class Crosses” exhibit at the Bishop Payne Library invites visitors on an informative exploration of this treasured Virginia Theological Seminary tradition. The exhibit delves into the historical context surrounding the creation of the tradition, and the collaborative process behind the design of the crosses is highlighted, emphasizing the […]
It was a lovely evening. Last night, we gathered in Bicentennial Hall. The seniors had decided that as their thank you, they would like to provide dinner for the Faculty. The food was lovely; and the paper plate awards were totally appropriate. My award was ‘person most likely to say marking the moment’ – and […]
Last night, we had the Thesis and Summative Capstone Projects Presentation Evening. It was a delightful occasion. The largest number of students for many years had either completed a thesis or a capstone project. Rapidly, it became apparent that gratitude was a primary theme. And slowly the climax of the evening was reached as Dr. […]