Date: October 15, 2024
A rich day looms today. We start at 8:15am with a Eucharist and Bishop Emily Onyango, Ph.D., as our preacher. Then in the afternoon, we have the Inaugural Lecture for the Dodge Chair from the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D. Then at 5.15pm, we have the Convocation Evensong and Awarding of Honorary Degrees.
An Inaugural Lecture by a newly promoted professor goes back to the medieval period. It has its roots in the installation of a Cathedral Canon, which then evolved into the academy. In Sweden, at Uppsala University, they can trace the tradition back to December 1625; a new professor is invited to “profess” their vision of the Chair. So, the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D., will do this today.
Many an alum has had the privilege of learning from Judy. Many are here on the campus today. There is something wonderful about the student, who is now an alum, returning to watch their professor be recognized for their significant contributions to the Church and to the Academy.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary