General and Virginia Finalize Affiliation Agreement

General Theological Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary Announce Affiliation Arrangements Focused on Cooperation

New York, New York, December 2, 2022 – Virginia Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary — the two oldest Episcopal seminaries in the United States -- have announced that they have entered into a new affiliation arrangement to support their important missions and to create opportunities for shared services. Also, on November 29, 2022, the Board of General Theological Seminary appointed the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham Ph.D. to serve as the new President of General Theological Seminary and the Very Rev. Michael DeLashmutt Ph.D. to serve as the Dean of the Chapel and Senior Vice President of General Theological Seminary.

Virginia Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary will continue as independent, degree-granting institutions with their own distinct missions.  At the same time, they will benefit from extensive cooperation.  “We are in a season of cooperation and partnership rather than competition,” President Ian Markham explained. “The mission and ethos of GTS is safeguarded thanks to this affiliation, which ensures mutual support and opportunities for program innovation,” Dean Michael DeLashmutt said. The faculty members at GTS and VTS will remain with their respective institutions, though a minority of the faculty members are expected to have positions at both institutions. 

Under the affiliation and President Markham’s leadership, GTS will continue to offer degrees, with a focus on development of an innovative low-residency MDiv and new programs driven by conversations with key Church stakeholders.  GTS will also focus on the repair and maintenance of the buildings on campus.  The future is bright.