In Praise of the Seniors at GTS

I have had the privilege of spending two evenings with many of the seniors at GTS. A group made the journey to the Empire Diner for dinner. And then last Wednesday (four seniors and one junior) had an interesting conversation about “how prayer works”.

I am impressed by the seniors. This has been a season of significant change at GTS. Although everyone tries as hard as they can to maintain a quality student experience, it is hard. Various Board decisions - from the suspension of residential education to the affiliation with VTS to the reduction in Faculty - have been difficult. But the Seniors show resilience, deep affection for each other, and depth of compassion and care that is impressive.

As the President of GTS, I also want to take this opportunity and offer a heartfelt apology to our students, and not just our seniors but everyone on a GTS program. We are designing a reality for the future; but for those in the present, this can be hard. So, I am sorry. Please continue to be in conversation with me as to how we can make things as good as we can.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary