Virginia Wesleyan College is pleased to welcome to campus today the
review committee from the University Senate of the United Methodist
Church. The committee is comprised of three distinguished individuals in
the Church: Dr. John Russell, Immediate Past President of McMurray
University; Dr. Mark Hanshaw, Associate Dean, School of Arts and
Letters, at Texas Wesleyan University; and the Rev. Laura McMasters,
College Chaplain at Martin Methodist College. They will be on campus
through Friday, November 18.
The United Methodist Church has more
colleges, universities, theological schools, and preparatory schools
related to it than any other Protestant church. With so many affiliated
institutions, the UMC established the University Senate in 1892 to be
certain that these institutions are worthy of bearing the name of the
Church. As such, the University Senate will be reviewing the ways
Virginia Wesleyan College meets the four criteria for UMC affiliation as
specified in The Book of Discipline: institutional integrity,
well-structured programs, sound management, and clearly defined Church
relationships.
I am confident that Virginia Wesleyan College, as a
community of faith, learning and service, will be successful during our
review given the College’s excellence and commitment to our founding
denomination across all four criteria. Underlying all that we do is our
deep commitment to the United Methodist tradition of education. Our
mission takes inspiration from that heritage, preparing students for
global citizenry, service to their communities, personal and
professional leadership, and lives of continual learning and meaning.
I
would like to thank the many faculty, staff, students, alumni, and
Board of Trustees members who are involved with the University Senate
visit for their time and testimony. Our planning for the visit of the
committee members for the University Senate has resulted in a
comprehensive internal assessment of our values, programs, and
traditions as a Methodist institution.
We are excited to share
with the University Senate all the ways Virginia Wesleyan College is
worthy of bearing the name of the United Methodist Church.
