Local university hands out 12 diplomas

Staff

Published Thursday, May 27, 2004

Suffolk News-Herald

The Virginia University of Lynchburg, Suffolk Teaching Site held its 12th commencement recently for 12 graduates at Pleasant Union Baptist Church.

The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Beale, vice president of Student Affairs at the Virginia University of Lynchburg delivered the commencement address and Dr. Millard Boone III presided during the program.

The following students received degrees: Master of Religious Studies - Barbara Butler, Rose Cooper, Vivian Cummings, and Terry Norman; Certificate in Ministry - Bobby Bowser, Alberta Chalmers, Tracey Eley, Linda Gardner, Bernard Hurdle, Karl Marshall, Tracey Shambley and James Urquhart.

Other participants on the program were the Rev. Dr. Fred Boddie, the Rev. Dr. Vaurice T. Chambers, the Rev. Dr. Naomi P. Chambers, the Rev. Monica Morse and the Rev. Eldridge Lucas III; Gracie King, Elder Valerie Johnson, Professor Rev. Florence Reynolds, and Professor Olivia Crawley.

Dr. Naomi Chambers is the director of the Suffolk site and also the associate pastor of Pleasant Union Baptist Church.

"We are proud of our very capable faculty consisting of Dr. Paige Chargois, pastor of First Baptist Church, Franklin; Dr. Robert Barnes, pastor of Caanan Baptist Church; Dr, Isaac E. Williams, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, Mahan St., Suffolk; Dr. Fred Boddie, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church, Newport News; Dr, Millard Boone III, pastor of Corinth Chapel UCC; and Dr, Vaurice T. Chambers, pastor of Pleasant Union Baptist Church," she said.

The Suffolk site also joined other graduates at the home school in Lynchburg at 11 a.m. on May for its 114th commencement at 11 a.m. on May 8.

Chambers also said that the commencement in Lynchburg was very historical because the first Doctor of Ministry, School of Religion, Ralph Reavis, fellows nine students their earned Doctor of Ministry degrees.

In addition, The Rev Alvin Pierce, pastor of Jones Grove Baptist Church, Windsor, was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

The Virginia Seminary and College, Suffolk Site had its beginning in 1985 at Metropolitan

Baptist Church under the direction of Dr. Melvin R. Boone. After Dr. Naomi Chambers preached her initial sermon in 1988, she became a student at Metropolitan.

The site closed in 1989 before she completed her studies and in 1991, Dr. Ada Palmer, then president of Virginia Seminary asked if she would consider re-opening the Suffolk Site. Chambers then accepted the responsibility and on August 25, 1992, without finances or a place to house the school and without any students except herself, her husband, the Rev. Vaurice T. Chambers, pastor of Pleasant Union, her church members granted them permission to hold classes there.

At that time 25 students enrolled and blessed the university with a very capable faculty.

The Virginia University of Lynchburg was founded in 1886 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning among blacks in the nation. It is the official educational mission of the Virginia Baptist State Convention and is supported by personal supporters and local business establishments throughout America.

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