BRISTOL — Robert Rainwater, dean of religious life at Virginia Intermont College, will never forget May of 2007. On the 16th day of that month he fell 14 feet from a ladder while doing home repairs and fractured his back. That same month, the Virginia Baptist-affiliated college, where he had taught 27 years, was within days of going under.
“We both have lived to fight another day,” Rainwater muses. “I believe we both have more work to do!”
In the college cafeteria where we enjoyed lunch, Rainwater spoke with the passion of an old-time evangelist. He emphasizes that while many colleges and universities are seeking to move away from their religious roots, “the trustees have actually voted twice to re-center VI on Christian values and beliefs.”
The college has long been known for its equine program and can boast several national championships in horsemanship. Building on the success of this and other programs, “We are trying to reach out to Christian students,” says Rainwater. “Instead of getting away from our roots, we are trying to get back to our roots and we are actually taking practical steps to get where we want to be. I'm hoping that VI can play a small part in providing ministers to the [Baptist General Association of Virginia].”
Rainwater gives VI president Michael Puglisi credit for the desired turnaround. “None of this could have happened without Dr. Puglisi. He has provided definite support to move in that direction.”
Proofs that his words are not mere public-relations jargon are abundant. One evidence that the religious life of the campus is moving to center stage is to be found in the renovations of the original chapel in the center of the campus. Maintenance on the building, constructed in 1893, had been deferred as other financial issues were more expedient. As a result, a great deal of work needs to be done. The remodeling costs have been set at $461,000, but incidentals could easily push the price tag to beyond the half-million-dollar mark.
Even so, this Baptist college is determined to push ahead with the project. “Every time students go into that room the cross will be there. We believe it will be making a statement. This is who we want to be,” Rainwater emphasized. Upon renovation, chapel services will be moved back to this historic location.
Ronda Cole is another indication that Virginia Intermont is serious about moving back to its religious roots. She is the campus chaplain and director of religious life. She was motivated to join the college staff after hearing administrators express their commitments to develop the spiritual dimension of the student experience. “The passion of the people who are here, from Dr. Puglisi on down, is impressive. I heard the commitment to return to their Christian heritage.”
According to senior art major Jon Bailey, the intimacy of the student body is one of VI's greatest attributes. “We have a teacher-student ratio of 12:1,” he noted. “Students here are not just numbers. Professors know us by name.”
Do the dated buildings on campus curb his enthusiasm? “I'm sure that given a choice, students would prefer brand new buildings. But what matters to VI students is relationships. When students leave here they are going to remember the people — the relationships.”
Bailey and fellow student Shane Mullins are involved in the Christian Student Union on campus and take active parts in leading chapel services on occasion. They believe the chaplain's office, which is funded 100 percent by VI, and Cole's open door policy are “very beneficial” for student life.
Through Cole's office, spring break mission trips are planned and once a month students have opportunity to participate in local mission encounters.
But, true to what Rainwater and Cole voiced, President Puglisi is the heart and soul of VI's emphasis on the religious life on campus. He emphasized that a crisis like the one VI faced in 2007 caused everyone to evaluate why they were doing what they are doing.
“In the spring of 2007, as we approached the end of the academic year, we were not sure the college would survive the summer and reopen in the fall,” Puglisi remembers. They needed $3 million to bridge the summer and Bill Gatton, a business leader in Bristol, stepped forward with a challenge. He said if the college could raise $5 million, he would contribute $1 million.
The community, alumni and others responded. “It was the Gatton challenge that kept us alive,” Puglisi asserts. “It was a catalyst for the outpouring of goodwill. The financial gifts were essential, of course. But we also received the goodwill and the prayers of people — and we would not downplay the significance of those.
“We feel a need to succeed and to demonstrate that their gifts and confidence were well placed,” he affirmed.
Puglisi is the first to admit that challenges remain to be addressed. “The crisis has passed, but we are still on probation triggered by the financial instability in 2007. I would not say we are out of the woods, but we have turned a corner. We still have a great many needs.”
Among the needs is for new students. Enrollment is a challenge, Puglisi concedes. Other needs include working to establishing endowments and increasing the “curb appeal” of older buildings.
However, the president, and everyone else on campus it seems, is confident that VI has a vital role to play in educating the next generation of leaders — including Virginia Baptist leaders. “We are consistent about our mission to demonstrate our Christian heritage and move toward the BGAV,” Puglisi stated. “This is one of the reasons I am so excited about the chapel coming back to the center of the campus. We want to establish a world view that includes service. We want to be known not only for our equine studies, but also for the spiritual, which is most important.”
Puglisi cannot be accused of moving toward the BGAV for financial gain. Financial support for institutions has dropped and, in the case of Virginia Intermont and Bluefield College, any money they receive from Virginia Baptists comes in the form of student scholarships.
“VI is a great place to be. I know this sounds trite,” the president shared. “But out of all the places I've been, I have never seen a greater commitment by faculty to a student's success. We are committed to providing students with what they need to be productive and effective.
“When our students leave VI, we want them to go out into the world regardless of major or degree, and make a difference.”
Dean Rainwater offered in summary, “After all those years of being here, to see it move to a higher plane of Christian influence is pretty amazing.” Rainwater is available to speak in churches or to fill the pulpit during a pastor's absence.