For two nights, returning Friday during the day, I will join the team in Institutional Advancement for a retreat. Senior Vice President Nicky Burridge is bringing her team together to think about the important work of friend-making. We will be thinking about the shape of our messaging in the light of the affiliation. We will […]
I am delighted to share the news that Dr. Ellen Davis is our commencement speaker for May 2025. Ellen Davis is the Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School. She is the author of eleven books and numerous articles. She is best known for her pioneering work in […]
I returned from Japan on Sunday. It was one of those rare moments when one had a very long Sunday. I left Japan at 10.10am on Sunday and arrived in Dulles at 9.30am on Sunday. Despite being a long trip, it was also an important and interesting trip. The connection between Rikkyo University, in the […]
Happy Valentine’s Day to you all. I hope you remembered those you love and that you discovered today that you were loved. We had one more shout out from Kurt Ellison, who said this: “I will shout out to John Knight, Rachelle Sam, Caryn Cabaniss, Victoria Elie, and Dan Coleman for their welcome and friendly […]
Recent winters have been fairly mild. The winter of 2024-2025 is deciding to be the opposite. As one marvels at the beauty of the campus, it is worth taking a moment to be grateful for those who work so hard behind the scenes to keep the campus safe and services provided. Focus Data Solutions works […]
Today, Lorenzo Lebrija, Jenn Phillips Baker, and Wallace Benton take the opportunity to give a shout out. Lorenzo Lebrija says, “Special shout out to Terrell, Veena, and Gloria in the finance office. Because of the work I do for TryTank, I always seem to have “unique” requests of them and they don’t just say “no” […]
Given I am in Tokyo, I invited the staff to write the commentary for me today and tomorrow. They were invited to offer a shout out to someone they appreciate. Today, we will hear from Shauna Gonzalez and Reggie Gravina. Shauna Gonzalez says to the Butterfly House leadership and staff: “A great team thrives under […]
VTS celebrated our 200th in 2023. Rikkyo University celebrated its 150th year in 2024. These two institutions are connected through a remarkable alumus. Bishop Channing Moore Williams studied at VTS and then made his way to Japan where he started a prestigious university, a seminary, a hospital, and five congregations. He learned the language. He […]
I confess I do marvel at Dr. Sonderegger. She is an accomplished and remarkable scholar. On top of the literature, familiar with both the traditional canon and all the alternative ones, and a pioneering voice in the academy. She is both deeply committed to a progressive politics and simultaneously a fierce defender of the tradition. […]
It is important to remember that there are always two board meetings. The VTS Board meeting was first, followed by the GTS Board meeting. Board members take seriously their obligations to think through the interests of the institution that they are represent. The key decision is the budget parameters. The idea is that Board determines […]