June 2008 E-Newsletter 

Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
3401 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Claire Mills
Phone: 804.278.4265
FAX: 804.355.5648
E-mail: cmills@union-psce.edu

Belk Foundation Makes $100,000 Grant to Union-PSCE

Union-PSCE has received a $100,000 grant from The Belk Foundation to support the work of charting a new strategic direction for Union-PSCE.   

 The gift comes just after the inauguration of Brian K. Blount as President of Union-PSCE on May 7 and as the seminary embarks on a planning process to examine its mission and identity in this new chapter of its history.

 "Union-PSCE is deeply grateful to the Belk Foundation for their assistance.  Strategic planning is one of the most critical endeavors in the work of any school when a new president begins work. Their partnership with us in this process will ensure that we have resources necessary to develop a strong, visionary plan for the seminary’s future," said President Blount.

"This is an important time in the life and history of Union-PSCE and The Belk Foundation is pleased to provide this gift to support the critical strategic planning process that will help determine its future direction," said Paul Wyche, trustee of The Belk Foundation.

The grant will support the work of two agencies that will steer the seminary through this change of direction. One consulting firm will help define the seminary’s key strengths and facilitate the strategic planning process.  Another consultant group will help chart the institution’s identity, its “brand” and related marketing plan.

Consultants from both agencies will work closely with seminary stakeholders and a steering committee chaired by William L. Rikard, Jr., the vice chair of the Union-PSCE Board of Trustees. The committee is comprised of the executive staff, members of the board of trustees, faculty and students. The integrated work of the two consulting groups will continue over the next year. 

Union-PSCE invites the participation of all members of the community in this process. There is a link on the Union-PSCE website about "The Future of Union-PSCE." This website invites you to share what you think is distinctive about our school and your thoughts about how we should be perceived. This is the first step in a process to examine what we are to be called.

The mission of The Belk Foundation is to support deserving educational, religious, cultural, social, health and human services causes and organizations located in markets served by Belk department stores. Grants are awarded to support the goals and programs of community organizations.