Date: March 28, 2022
It took considerable time, but it was fabulous. On Saturday, we held our Embracing Inclusivity conference. The director of admissions and housing, Mr. Derek Greten-Harrison, wants to see more applications from students of color. So he asked for help from the leadership of SOCU and the multicultural advisory committee. Janettarose Greene ’23, Omar Rodriguez ’23, Herschel Wade ’23, and Luis Hernandez Rivas ’23, along with Derek, put together an extraordinary program. Distinguished guests came and participated – the Very Rev. Kim Coleman ’10, the Rev. Ricardo Sheppard, the Rev. Yoimel González Hernández ’19, the Rev. Cornelia Eaton ’18, and the Rev. Oscar Rozo ’12. Key people in the Church came, including the Rt. Rev. Carl Wright ’90, bishop suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. And a significant number of students who have already been accepted for the fall and students considering VTS in the future were also present.
The program was rich and varied. Different perspectives were shared. It was moving, interesting, and challenging. Conversations across the lunch and supper tables were acts of intimate sharing. Seeds were planted; I am confident this will bear much fruit.
I am deeply grateful to all those who worked so hard to bring this together. Thank you. It was important kingdom work.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President