Date: January 24, 2022
The Faculty all got tested for COVID, and I am pleased to report that we all tested negative. So we started our traditional January retreat. It is an opportunity to think about our work together. We were blessed with the presence of Dr. Roger Nam from Emory (a consultant on teaching whose visit was made possible by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning). He opened up the retreat with a short presentation on the challenges of teaching in this moment. We did a lovely exercise where we had to reflect using just seven words on the question: What do our students need now?
Gathering as a Faculty is important. Our strength as colleagues and friends is that we take time to be present to each other. So we received with delight news from those returning from sabbatical – Dr. Kimball, Dr. Thompson, and Vice President Ballou. We welcomed our Sprigg Visiting Professor and director of research, Dr. John Knight. And we simply appreciated each other.
The Faculty of VTS are a major strength of this place. The grant-funded research and the books, articles, and lectures are a result of a group of Faculty colleagues who are determined to provide the best possible educational experience by staying on top of their fields. I am grateful for them all. Thank you Faculty colleagues.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President