Baptist General Convention of Virginia President Dr. Gregory Howard named interim Dean of Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at VUU

February 01, 2019

Contact:  Pamela Cox
AVP, Brand Marketing & Strategic Communications
Virginia Union University
Office: (804) 257-5856
Cell:  (804) 937-7936
phcox@vuu.edu

(Richmond, Virginia) - Virginia Union University announces the appointment of Dr. Gregory Howard as interim Dean of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology (STVU), effective February 4, 2019.

“Dr. Howard’s knowledge, experience and expertise reinforces STVU as a national leader in graduate theological education,” said Dr. Hakim Lucas, president and CEO of Virginia Union University. “I believe his vision and influence during this time of transition will inspire faculty and students. I am thrilled to welcome him.”

Howard, a 2004 STVU graduate and current university trustee, serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church East End in Newport News. He has served as part-time instructor within the Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy at Virginia Union as well as adjunct instructor of Homiletics at STVU. Dr. Howard is also president of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia with a membership of more than 1000 churches and nearly 30 associations. He is the author of two books, Black Sacred Rhetoric: The Gospel According to Religious Folk Talk and Voices Crying Out in the Wilderness: Theological Reflections Where Context Matters.

“I am truly honored to accept this role at my alma mater,” Howard said. “I am looking forward to working and serving this institution. It’s no secret I have an affinity and a great deep love for this school. I am a firm believer in that God has a way of shaping our path in matters and ways that in the midst of it, we have no idea of where it’s leading to”

Howard, along with interim Assistant Dean Dr. Deborah Martin, will lead the day-to-day operations for the school while a national search for a new STVU leader is launched. The search committee is co-chaired by Dr. Boykin Sanders, Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies and Greek, and Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church and VUU Board of Trustees member. The next leader of STVU will continue to build on the school’s strong legacy, both locally and globally, as it continues to serve the black church and communities and organizations committed to social-justice.

###