VUU’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology Reaffirmed by The United Methodist Church
May 23, 2018
Contact: Pamela Cox
Interim AVP for Communications
Virginia Union University
(804) 257-5856
(804) 937-7936
(Richmond, Virginia) – The University Senate of The United Methodist Church reaffirmed The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University (STVU) for the education of United Methodist clergy at its January 2018 meeting. A letter that confirmed the reaffirmation, read that STVU is “approved for listing for the preparation of candidates for ordination in The United Methodist Church without Qualification.” The University Senate is an elected body of professionals in higher education. It is tasked with determining which schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools meet the criteria for listing as institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church. The senate has served the denomination since 1892.
“The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology is pleased with the reaffirmation by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church,” said Dr. Corey D. B. Walker, Dean of The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology and Vice President of Mission Integration. “We remain steadfast in our historic partnership with The United Methodist Church and our commitment to providing a high quality graduate theological education to students who plan to serve The United Methodist Church in a dynamic and ever changing society.”
Virginia Union University (VUU) alumna Bishop Leontine Turpeau Current Kelly '60 (1920-2012) was the first African American woman and the second woman elected to the episcopacy in The United Methodist Church in 1984. She served in the Virginia Conference as pastor of Galilee United Methodist Church and Asbury-Church Hill, Richmond, VA. She provided distinctive leadership to several positions, nationally and globally, in the denomination including development of Africa University in Zimbabwe, and as Bishop of the Cal-Nevada Conference in the Western Jurisdiction. Prior to her ministry in the Church, Bishop Kelly inspired hundreds of students as public school educator in Richmond and in North Umberland County.
“STVU’s impact in forming clergy and church leaders across many denominations and congregations, nationally and internationally, is tremendous,” said Dr. Lynne Caldwell, Coordinator of United Methodist Relations at STVU. “For nearly 25 years, STVU has produced graduates who have gone on to serve as pastors, Christian educators, chaplains, district superintendents, and conference leaders in The United Methodist Church. Knowing the relationship between The United Methodist Church and STVU will continue to produce extraordinary leaders for extraordinary times brings great joy and pride in our school.”
For more information, please contact Pamela Cox at phcox@vuu.edu or (804) 257-5856.
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Located in historic Kingsley Hall on the picturesque campus of Virginia Union University, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology (STVU) is a leader in graduate theological education. Formally established in 1941 as the School of Religion, STVU’s origins extend back to the founding of the university as the Richmond Theological Institute in 1865. Named after the late Samuel DeWitt Proctor (1921-1997), distinguished pastor, scholar, educator, and civic leader, STVU is grounded in the rich traditions of African and African American religious life and culture. STVU offers signature graduate theological programs taught by one of the leading faculties in the field. STVU students come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, but share a common quest—to uniquely and authentically answer their call to Christian ministry. Visit us online at www.vuu.edu/theology.