Date: November 12, 2025
Yesterday evening, we celebrated the affiliation between Virginia Theological Seminary and The General Theological Seminary. It was a lovely evening. We were joined by James Kellerhouse from Vanderbilt University, along with all the key participants in the affiliation.
It was an opportunity for the Board to pause and recognize this milestone. The temptation, of course, is always “not to bother.” VTS didn’t need GTS; we could have easily carried on in splendid isolation. But the Board cared too deeply about the ecology of theological education. And so, we committed to the journey of affiliation.
The Hybrid MDiv program was already in place, and our responsibility in the affiliation was to provide shared services to make it both viable and effective. That came together quickly. Finding a way forward for the campus was more difficult, but at last, the lease was signed with Vanderbilt University.
This was a good moment. VTS did something important. Together with GTS, we are creating something beautiful for God.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary