Category: Dean’s Commentary

Giving Tree 2022 Thank You

As our semester comes to a close, I want to thank each of you for your hard work and dedication whether you are a student, or faculty, staff, or family member. Your time and talent are an incredible blessing to those here on campus and off campus. Through the Salvation Army giving tree program the […]

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An amazing Dean’s Cross Service

The lecture delivered by Professor Jon Meacham was amazing. He was funny and relevant. He demonstrated his vast knowledge of President Abraham Lincoln and his relevance to our contemporary moment. Dr. Hannah Matis provided an introduction, which was perfect, and managed the questions with skill. Then we conferred on Professor Meacham the Dean’s Cross. The […]

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Connecting GTS and VTS Students

Yesterday I had some quality time with the students of GTS. They are thoughtful, engaged, and committed. Many are on the high-quality, low-residency MDiv (which I especially admire because many are combining school and work); others are part of residential programs. Our conversation ranged widely. One request which I hope we can make possible is […]

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In New York

Since being elected as President of General Theological Seminary, as well as Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, today I am making my first trip to New York to address the faculty, staff, and students there. It is an honor to be granted the opportunity to shape this remarkable institution. Back in 1991, I […]

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Guests on campus

One cool aspect of life at Virginia Theological Seminary is that we constantly have exciting guests on the campus. On Monday, I met with Bishop Chilongani from Tanzania; he was staying on the campus on the way to New York. He is the Bishop of the largest Anglican diocese in the world. The diocese of […]

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The Result of the Capital Campaign

The Bicentennial Capital Campaign was formally launched in February 2020. Naturally there had been a quiet phase before the formal launch. However, the public launch was literally one month before COVID closed the Seminary. We were not sure exactly what the impact of COVID would be: we imagined that it might make the campaign impossible. […]

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Senior Tea and the School House

Lesley and I enjoyed having the graduating seniors around to the Deanery for afternoon tea yesterday. It was lovely to see all the children. For the children, this was their chance to visit their “school house”. When the pandemic hit the campus, a group of parents organized a school where the children could participate together […]

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The mystery of the relic and the Rev. Dr. Tony Lewis

Along with several other Faculty, Faculty Emeriti, and students, I made my journey across to St. Paul’s K Street to participate in the service celebrating the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Tony Lewis. Tony was marking fifty years in ordained ministry. The occasion was beautiful and moving. The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached with passion […]

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Science and Religion

Thanks to Dr. John Knight, our director of research, we managed to obtain a grant from AAAS (American Association for the Advancement for Science) to explore the relationship between science and religion. A group of faculty will be on a 24 hour retreat to explore possible synergies and potential program initiatives. As students in my […]

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Board Meeting of General Theological Seminary

Last night, the first Board meeting of General Theological Seminary was held under the recently signed affiliation agreement. I was elected President of General Theological Seminary; and the Very Rev. Dr. Michael DeLashmutt became the Senior Vice President of General Theological Seminary and Dean of the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. It was a good […]

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