Letter from the Dean

Dear Truett Family and Friends,

John V. Upton, Jr., who recently retired as the Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, suggests that healthy institutions need both “deep roots and green shoots.” As a relatively young seminary (est. 1991) embedded into a comparatively old university (est. 1845), Truett’s roots are growing deeper and stronger year after year. With strong enrollment (367 this fall), successful placement (eclipsing 90%), and a growing endowment (ranked first among embedded, evangelical schools according to our accrediting agency), Truett is trending “up and to the right.” Furthermore, with roughly 1,800 Truett alumni fanned across our state, nation, and world, our seminary is having an increased and heightened impact both near and far for gospel good. 

With that being said, our school is not content to rest on self-fashioned laurels. We want to be humble and hungry, innovative and proactive. While deeply appreciative of the past, in the present moment we must continue to focus on the ongoing and future needs of the Church. This edition of The Cord highlights some of the “green shoots” emerging from the seedbed that is Truett Seminary.

Herein, you will read about three new Master of Arts programs being offered by our school even as you will meet two new Truett faculty members. Additionally, you will meet a Truett in Houston student, learn of our Truett in San Antonio Prayer Team, and discover some of what our seminary is doing to facilitate “lifelong learning.” Finally, in addition to catching up on some of the latest news from Truett, the 2022-2023 edition of The Cord highlights our growing Doctor of Ministry program, the newly-launched Program for the Future Church, and a giving initiative begun by Truett alumni.

As you open The Cord, allow me to close this letter by thanking you for all that you have done, are doing, and will do to support our school. In order to develop both “deep roots and green shoots,” we will need your ongoing interest and involvement. May our—and your—roots grow deep in the soil of God’s love.     

Serving and growing together,

Todd D. Still, PhD

Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean
William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures