Date: September 12, 2022
As we navigate the complexities of the affiliation between Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) and General Theological Seminary (GTS), communications have become key. We need to invest in our messaging. In addition, both VTS and GTS have unfilled vacancies in their respective departments of communications. Even before the affiliation with GTS became a certainty, communications was a major theme of the Board approved Strategic Plan. There was a commitment in that plan to a Communications Audit.
We did a targeted search for the person to do our communications audit. We wanted someone with a responsibility for communications at another Seminary; we wanted someone with theological literacy; we wanted someone familiar with the Anglican tradition; we wanted someone with extensive media contacts and preferably had published in international newspapers and media outlets.
We were delighted to find Ms. Nicky Burridge who was willing to do this work. She ran the communications department at Ming Hua Theological College in Hong Kong; she had written for the London Times and the Financial Times; she had a degree in Theology; and she was widely acquainted with current trends in communications.
The audit went very well. She met with all the key departments both here and at General Theological Seminary. After a conversation with Dr. David Charlton, our Board Chair, there was a growing feeling that we should invite Nicky to consider joining us in July 2023. The appointment went to the Executive Committee of the Board (who handles issues between Board meetings). Last week, there was a unanimous vote in favor to appoint Ms. Nicky Burridge as the Vice President for Communications at both VTS and GTS. This is a staff position.
I am delighted that Nicky has accepted this position. Mr. Curtis Prather was really pleased to learn about this appointment and is looking forward to working with Nicky. And over the next six months, there will be a variety of opportunities to get to know Nicky before she formally arrives next summer.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President