In 2007, Dean Markham began writing a commentary for every weekday the Seminary is open. I made a personal commitment to read the commentary every day to stay informed of happenings on campus and enhance my understanding as a Trustee. Mission accomplished. I have read every commentary written by Dean Markham as well as every […]
Here is the Virginia Theological Seminary’s Class of 1981. I don’t know if VTS gives its graduates one of these nowadays, but my worn, stained and wrinkled copy is a repository of memories. When our class left the chapel with diplomas in hand, we were formed for ministry in a community whose daily rhythm was […]
The phenomenon of lay boards made up of volunteers who most often are not professionals in the field of the institution, is not unique to America. Its prevalence in the not-for-profit space, however, is peculiar to our country. Our founders and early leaders were wary of professionals and those who inherited leadership roles. There was […]
If one day you are have some time and little else to do, then you can go all the way back to August 1, 2007 and find that there is a daily commentary for every week day when the Seminary is open right up to today. It tells a rich story. From the Chapel Fire […]
The last commentary reporting out decisions of the Board of Trustees is the approval of the Budget for 2024-2025. This is the “must do” work of the May Board meeting. The total budget approved is $20,920,483. This works within responsible (and Board approved parameters): an endowment draw rate of 4% and an increase in the […]
At the May Board meeting, one of the busiest committees of the Board of Trustees is the Academic Affairs Committee. They are responsible for voting the degree recipients for Commencement 2024. So, the list of names needs to be approved by the Board of Trustees. Then we had the sabbaticals to approve for Dr. Mitzi […]
Over the next few days, I will share the results of the deliberations from the Board of Trustees. I will start with the plenary which was held on Tuesday May 7. The start of the plenary focused on our Accreditation visit. Although the result will not be confirmed until the Commission of the Association of […]
Today I want to recommend a fabulous podcast by our very own the Rev. Dr. Ross Kane. There are three podcasts now available: the first one provides an overview of the podcast; the second invites Dr. Lerone Martin to reflect on how the Civil Rights Movement was built on local congregations; and the third (and […]
One of the nicest rejection responses to the Dean’s Cross honor came from the manager of Liverpool Football Club (this is the world of soccer in the United Kingdom). After consultation with the Board Chair, we were eager to honor a person in a predominantly secular world who lives out his faith. Liverpool is a […]
It is about this time every year I remind our Seminary community that a healthy life needs some space away. We need that pause; we need the different rhythm. Even if it is a “staycation” – where the pattern is coffee, reading the newspaper, spending longer on Instagram or whatever – this is better than […]