Virginia Theological Seminary Receives Challenge Grant for Racial and Ethnic Diversity Initiative

Virginia Seminary has received a challenge grant for a Racial and Ethnic Diversity Initiative from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, requiring the Seminary to raise $118,000 before March 31, 2005.

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) February 9, 2005 -- Virginia Theological Seminary has received a challenge grant for a Racial and Ethnic Diversity Initiative from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, requiring the Seminary to raise $118,000 before March 31, 2005. Meeting this $118,000 challenge will provide the necessary funding for this important initiative over the next three years.

Said The Very Rev. Martha Horne, dean and president of Virginia Seminary, "Contributions to meet this challenge by March 15 will enable the Seminary to continue its ongoing efforts to recruit and support students of color for positions of leadership in the Church, will provide enhanced educational opportunities within and outside the Seminary community, and will heighten our community's awareness of, and responsiveness to, the complex issues of racial, ethnic and cultural diversity, all of which are crucial in an increasingly diverse world."

VTS continues to make an explicit commitment to racial & ethnic diversity in the academic curriculum, worship & other aspects of community life. The members of the board of trustees, the faculty, the alumni/ae, and the student body are enthusiastically supportive of and play a role in the development of this initiative under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Margaret McNaughton-Ayers, Associate Dean for Admissions and Community Life.

A reflection of that deep commitment is the recent appointment of the Rev. Joseph Constant as VTS' Assistant for Admissions and Community Life. A native of Haiti and a graduate of the class of 2003, Constant's ministry will focus attention on the work related to racial and ethnic diversity. He will be actively involved in the work of the Racial/Ethnic Diversity Committee (REDC), in recruiting, and in working with students of color on campus.

The Racial/Ethnic Diversity Committee was formed to facilitate and oversee programs and initiatives related to racial and ethnic diversity on campus. The committee is co-chaired by Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd A. Lewis, and the Rev. Dr. Margaret McNaughton-Ayers.

The Board of Trustees, Dean Horne, the Faculty and the Alumni/ae Executive Committee of the Seminary all agree that renewed attention to issues of racial and ethnic diversity at VTS is a top institutional priority. Please support this priority initiative by sending contributions by March 30th to Virginia Theological Seminary c/o Dean Martha J. Horne, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22304. Online contributions can be made through our web site at www.vts.edu/support/.

Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest of the 11 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church and was founded in 1823. The school prepares men and women, representing more than 40 different dioceses and 9 different countries, for service in the Church, both as ordained and lay ministers, and offers a number of professional degree programs and diplomas.

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