Category: Dean’s Commentary

Welcome Doctoral Students

We’d like to welcome our doctoral students to the VTS campus today! We last had an on campus residency in 2019, and we couldn’t be happier to see students’ faces again. Having summer intensives online was worthwhile, but we have missed the rich fellowship of being together. Around 45 students will be on campus over […]

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The VTS Launch Pad

VTS encourages learning and professional development for all staff and faculty. Those who embrace that encouragement can find new career opportunities. So it is that Wendy Bermudez, Development Associate for Database and Gift Processing, is moving on to be Database Manager at The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, MD. Her last day at […]

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Jack of All Trades

Development Services Director Jeff Harre calls himself a “Jack of all Trades.” His self-appointed title doesn’t do justice to his role in Institutional Advancement (IA) as Development Services Director! Jeff joined IA two years ago, coming from his position as Director of Hospitality and bringing considerable skills and talent with him. He also is a […]

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Alumni, Gatherings, and Placement – Oh My!

In the earlier commentaries this week, we mentioned the importance of relationships with those who claim VTS as their Seminary and those who support VTS’ mission and ministry. Much of this relational work goes beyond the Holy Hill. Ideally, it takes the form of in-person visits, parish and diocesan visits, and presence at ordinations and […]

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The Detail is in the Data

No advancement office can operate without good data and excellent data management. The VTS Institutional Advancement (IA) office is no exception. We are only as strong as the data in our system and our ability to retrieve it in meaningful and valuable ways. The two people who do extraordinary database work in IA are Wendy […]

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Institutional Advancement at VTS

Sparrow Hall is home to Institutional Advancement (IA), two Dean’s Advisors (the Ven. Jennifer McKenzie ’04 for new initiatives and the Rev. David Beckmann for policy and economic justice); the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) headed by the Very Rev. Kim Coleman ’01; and Mary Kostel, Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop. IA is honored to […]

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Thank You

The past two years have been difficult with the losses we had in our family. I hope that this year is better for everyone. Thank God we are getting better regarding the pandemic. A very special thank you to the VTS community for all the services that were provided and precautions that were taken during that […]

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Looking Ahead: A Personal Perspective

As the school year comes to an end and summer approaches, I am looking forward to all the family outings we have planned. God-willing, we will take the kids to Myrtle Beach to enjoy Ripley’s Believe It or Not Aquarium and Pavilion Park. I am also excited to take the kids on their first camping […]

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A Busy Time of Year for the Facilities Department

As students begin to leave VTS for the summer, the campus can feel empty. During this time of vacant rooms and apartments, the Facilities Department becomes very active. We must prepare for returning students and for new members of the VTS community. As soon as buildings become available, Facilities performs scheduled preventive maintenance, capital projects, […]

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Growing The Butterfly House Community

The Butterfly House has welcomed many new families and children over the years. This year we enrolled more children than ever, and with an extensive wait list next year, we plan to reach capacity! Our teachers have enjoyed gaining more knowledge of our Reggio Emilia-based approach to learning. The premise of this approach is that […]

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