Date: August 14, 2026
August term is a significant lift. It requires lots of work. Students arrive. Housing needs to be sorted. The Refectory needs to be ready. An orientation needs to be arranged. Swipe cards need to be printed. Class rosters need to be checked. Technology training videos need to be made. Ministry fair needs to be coordinated. Brightspace course pages need to be updated. Intercultural Competency is to be organized. And of course the Chapel rota starts up. While other staff are still enjoying the slower pattern of the summer, those involved in August term are already hard at work.
Associate Dean Rachelle Sam sent this lovely message to the community after the last Saturday move-in day. She wrote, “I extend my sincere thanks to Dan Coleman, Cynthia Rader, our proctors and facilities team, and everyone who volunteered for the move-in ministry. I am also grateful to those who assisted with food, cleanup, pick-ups, and pantry setup, and to everyone whose efforts helped make Saturday a success.”
And as we move through August, please let me add a special thank you to Renata Sachs, Reggie Gravina, Victoria Elie, Jenn Baker, Quinn Harkless, Laura White, Kordel Nelson, Ebonee Davis, Shawn Strout, Sharon Heaney, Cynthia Rader, facilities, and our library team. I am very grateful to Associate Dean Rachelle Sam who leads the various logistics and to Kathy Grieb, Rode Molla, Altagracia Perez- Bullard, and Susan Sevier for teaching. Thank you everyone.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.Â
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.Â