Coakley Brown addresses Michael K. Powell, Rector

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 12:44 PM
Subject: ATTN W&M Board of Visitors: Restore Cross; Reverse Nichol

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the W&M Board of Visitors:

Sometime in October 2006 Gene Nichol, President of William and Mary, ordered that the Wren Cross, which had been displayed on an ongoing basis on the altar in Wren Chapel since the 1930s, be removed and be used henceforth only for "appropriate religious services".

I disagree with this order to remove the Wren Cross from display on the Wren Chapel altar and have petitioned President Nichol to reverse his decision and return to the old policy, which allowed any group or individual using the Wren Chapel to temporarily remove the cross if so desired during their use of the chapel.

Right now, I believe the onus is on each of you, the individuals constituting the Board of Visitors, to clearly put issues involving the Wren Cross on the top of the agenda at your February meeting.

Finally, I urge you at your February meeting to reverse President Nichol's decision concerning the display of the Wren Cross and return to the old policy.

Sincerely,

Coakley Brown
W&M '88
______________________

Rector Michael F. Powell's reply:
-----Original Message-----

From: Judy Mann [mailto:Judy@mkpowell.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 3:08 PM
Subject: "Reply from Rector Michael Powell"

Thank you for your note regarding the Wren Chapel and the President's policy for displaying the cross on the altar within. This is an issue that understandably invokes a wide range of sincere and passionately held views. The Board has been working with the College administration and entertaining the thoughts of the entire William and Mary community. Be assured your views will be among them.

Regardless of one's view on this controversial topic, we all share a deep love for the College. I believe that truth, above all else, should be a source for coming together.

Sincerely,

Michael K. Powell
Rector
_________________________

Response:
Subject: RE: "Reply from Rector Michael Powell"

Dear Rector Powell,

I appreciate your prompt response.

I was wondering if you could perhaps clarify the statement "I believe that truth, above all else, should be a source for coming together."

You see, I believe that faith and reason are logical partners in the pursuit of truth. I also believe that many of the leaders of the college throughout its rich history would agree with me on that point. Our founding fathers, many with ties to W&M, clearly believed that faith and reason are partners in this 230 year experiment in democracy.

It would seem that W&M science Professor John Millington, in whose memory the cross was originally donated to Bruton Parish Church, was an example of one leading member of the W&M community who freely considered both reason and faith in his own personal pursuit of truth.

Claiming an affiliation with either reason or faith, while denying the other, constitutes extremism. With the removal of the Wren Cross, a Christian faith symbol, it sends the message that expressions of faith on campus are obstacles to people getting along with each other. In doing so, I would argue that this stance is not only a denial of faith but a denial of
reason.

Consequently, it is a denial of all those who take religion seriously, a right that we have as American citizens. My right to use reason and faith in the pursuit of truth comes from God. The state is the governing body charged with protecting these human rights. Before October 2006, never would I have imagined that a president of the college would position W&M to stand inprejudicial opposition to our rights as humans.

I am eager to see the BOV correct this error, so that individuals can begin to again feel free to openly consider faith and reason in their individual pursuits of truth. Before Nichol, the pursuit of truth at W&M was a flame that burned brightly. With a reversal of his Wren Cross policies, the brightness of that flame can be restored and protected at W&M. It is a light that has led our nation for over 300 years, and, with responsible leadership on the part of the BOV, can continue to do so.

So, is this what you meant by "I believe that truth, above all else, should be a source for coming together"? If not, clarification of your meaning would be greatly appreciated. A coming together would be a welcome change after the division caused in October 2006. But this coming together cannot happen under the umbrella of false tolerance espoused by the closeting of the Wren Cross against the will of so many who love W&M and who do not approve of Nichol's turning point in her history.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your prompt response. I also look forward to confirmation that this issue will be addressed on the agenda of the February meeting of the BOV. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Coakley Brown
W&M class of 1988