Virginia Theological Seminary Announces Martha J. Horne Visiting Professorship Fund

On June 20, 2007, the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, bishop of Virginia and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Virginia Theological Seminary, announced that the Board of Trustees had authorized the creation of and financial support for a Visiting Professorship Fund in honor of the distinguished service of the Very Rev. Martha J. Horne, the thirteenth dean and president of Virginia Seminary (1994 to 2007).

(PRWEB) June 22, 2007 -- On June 20, 2007, the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, bishop of Virginia and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Virginia Theological Seminary, announced that the Board of Trustees had authorized the creation of and financial support for a Visiting Professorship Fund in honor of the distinguished service of the Very Rev. Martha J. Horne, the thirteenth dean and president of Virginia Seminary from 1994 to 2007.

"The Seminary is honoring the extraordinary tenure of the Very Rev. Martha J. Horne as Dean and President of the Virginia Theological Seminary. We thank God for her competence, her leadership, her grace and her remarkable combination of compassion and strength," said Bishop Lee. "Under Martha's leadership, the faculty of the Seminary has been strengthened. Her capacity to recruit and encourage gifted faculty is a hallmark of her time at the Seminary. The facilities have been improved. The Seminary's commitment to diversity has never been stronger. Her tenure embodies the tradition of generous orthodoxy that is one of Virginia's most valued characteristics"

The purpose of the Martha J. Horne Visiting Professorship Fund is to increase the international, racial, ethnic, or cultural diversity of the seminary community and its academic curriculum by providing funds for a Visiting Professor who will teach at least one course while in residence at the Virginia Theological Seminary for a full semester. The Martha J. Horne Visiting Professorship Fund, therefore, will be used to appoint scholars and teachers from other countries, or from racial, cultural or ethnic groups that are under-represented in the United States, as a Visiting Professor at Virginia Theological Seminary. The Visiting Professor may engage in his/her own sabbatical project or research while in residence, but will be expected to participate on a regular basis in the life of the Seminary community, including worship in the Seminary Chapel, meals in the Refectory, and fellowship with members of the community.

Applicants for this Visiting Professorship should be natives of a developing country, or should represent a racial, ethnic, or cultural group under-represented in the United States. The Visiting Professor will normally remain in residence for a full semester. If circumstances warrant a longer stay, and if funds are available, the term may be extended, but not to exceed one year.

Guidelines related to applications for the position, and the responsibilities and residency of a Visiting Professor, shall be established at the direction of the Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, in a manner consistent with the purposes of the Martha J. Horne Visiting Professorship Fund, as set forth above.

Individuals wishing to support The Martha J. Horne Visiting Professorship Fund may send contributions to Virginia Theological Seminary, c/o Edwin K. Hall, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22304. The Seminary's fiscal year ends on June 30. You may contribute on line at www.vts.edu/support

Founded in 1823, Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest of the 11 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The school prepares men and women for service in the Church worldwide, both as ordained and lay ministers, and offers a number of professional degree programs and diplomas. Currently, the Seminary represents more than 55 different dioceses and 7 different countries, for service in the Church.

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