Date: June 11, 2025
It is a great privilege for me to write today’s commentary and share my thoughts with you about our friend, The Very Reverend Ian Markham, Ph.D., Dean and President of The Virginia Theological Seminary.
Dean Markham’s leadership of Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) from 2007 to 2028 will be remembered as one of the most consequential and visionary periods in the institution’s more than two-century history. As someone who has served as a trustee and developed a close working relationship with Dean Markham, I have witnessed firsthand the depth of his commitment, resilience, and capacity to guide VTS through both adversity and opportunity.
From the outset of his tenure, Dean Markham faced formidable challenges. He assumed leadership just as the 2008 financial crisis struck, necessitating difficult budget and staffing decisions. His steady hand and transparent communication helped the Seminary weather that storm, setting a tone of integrity and collaboration that would define his administration.
The devastating fire that destroyed the historic 1881 Chapel could have been a moment of despair. Instead, under Dean Markham’s leadership, it became a catalyst for renewal. He spearheaded the capital campaign that led to the construction of the new Immanuel Chapel, a project that not only restored a sacred space to the heart of the seminary’s life, but the new Chapel also symbolized VTS’s resilience and forward-looking spirit. Thus, making it “The Chapel for the Ages”.
Dean Markham’s vision extended beyond crisis management. He oversaw the displaying of the Assyrian reliefs, which are remarkable antiquities available for cutting-edge scholarship, and have advanced our understanding of, and how to care for, these remarkable treasures. They are the centerpiece of the renovated Bicentennial Chapel.
His commitment to justice and reconciliation was most powerfully demonstrated in the creation of a $1.7 million Reparations Fund, the first of its kind among seminaries, to address VTS’s historic complicity in slavery and segregation. This initiative has set a national standard for theological institutions seeking to reckon with their past and foster genuine inclusion.
The Bicentennial Campaign, which raised over $60 million, enabled extensive campus renovations and the expansion of scholarship programs, resulting in increased enrollment, greater selectivity, and a more diverse student body. Under Dean Markham’s guidance, VTS not only celebrated its 200th anniversary with a series of meaningful events but also took deliberate steps to tell the full, complex story of its history, including the voices and experiences of African Americans at VTS, to include art, both visual and media.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to theological education. Dean Markham’s adaptive leadership ensured that VTS continued to fulfill its mission while prioritizing the health and safety of the community. Even in the face of economic uncertainty, he affirmed the Seminary’s commitment to its reparations program and to supporting students and staff.
Perhaps most notably, Dean Markham played a pivotal role in forging a historic affiliation with General Theological Seminary (GTS), creating a new model of cooperation and shared mission between two of the Episcopal Church’s oldest seminaries. This partnership, while preserving the distinct identities of both institutions, opens the door to innovative academic programs and greater sustainability for theological education in the 21st century. The new Hybrid M.Div. at GTS is cutting edge for affordable nonresidential theological education for the future.
On a personal level, working alongside Ian has been an extraordinary privilege. While serving as President of the VTS Alumni Association (AAEC), I experienced his unwavering encouragement and support of alumni, including his invitation to me to stand for election as the alumni representative to the Board of Trustees. And I am grateful for the invitation to participate in a memorable “Grace and Gardens” pilgrimage to England, a joint venture with Christ Church, Greenville, SC. This was a testament to his commitment to nurturing relationships and fostering spiritual growth across the VTS community.
Dean Markham’s leadership has always been characterized by intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and a profound sense of vocation. He has modeled what it means to lead with humility, vision, and courage, inspiring all who have worked with him to strive for excellence and faithfulness.
As Dean Markham’s retirement approaches, it is fitting to recognize that his legacy is not only about the milestones achieved or the crises overcome, but about the enduring impact he has had on VTS and now GTS, the wider Church, and the Anglican Communion. His tenure has been a celebration of the Seminary’s mission, a testament to the power of transformative leadership, and a beacon of hope for the future of theological education.
In honoring Dean Ian Markham, the entire VTS community celebrates not only an extraordinary leader but also the vibrant, faithful community he has helped to shape, a legacy that will continue to bear fruit for generations to come.
The Very Rev. Billy J. Alford ’92
Member of the Board of Trustees
Virginia Theological Seminary & The General Theological Seminary