Old Donation Church Family Supports NSU Beyond Dollars and Cents
In an era where diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and the history of Black and brown people are being eradicated, the Daniel and Nancy Ries family and their church family, Old Donation Church based in Virginia Beach, have acknowledged a shameful past in American history and have put their money toward an effort to support Norfolk State University and learn more about the Black experience in the United States.
Daniel Ries is a retired Naval officer and engineer with degrees in metallurgical engineering, solid mechanics and materials engineering and Naval architecture among others. His wife, Nancy, holds a bachelor’s degree in family and child development and an MBA from the Citadel. They both are retired and now devote their time and energy to pursuing social justice. The Ries family are members of Old Donation Church, which evolved from the historic Old Donation Episcopal Church founded by Adam Thoroughgood in 1637. “Buildings and the location have changed over the years, but the current church on Witchduck Road was erected in 1736 and restored in 1916,” said Nancy Ries providing a brief historical background. “Originally referred to as the Lynnhaven Parish Church, it was renamed Old Donation to memorialize Reverend Robert Dixon’s donation of his estate. Currently, our parish has about 800 people reflecting a broad range of ethnic and national backgrounds.”
Old Donation Church’s now retired rector, Rev. Robert J. Randall, Daniel and Nancy Ries and other church leaders elected to establish an endowed scholarship at Norfolk State University after recently discovered church records revealed a little known fact about the parish. Historical documents revealed an enslaved woman named Rachal was sold by the church in 1767 to raise money to purchase additional enslaved persons. Nancy Ries recollects what Rev. Randall said about the finding in the church records... “We contributed to some of the problems. We benefited from some of the problems. Therefore, we have a responsibility to make a difference in a positive way.” She continued, “We chose Norfolk State because it is an HBCU in our community. In some small way, we pray that it demonstrates our commitment to live into the beloved community by working to right systemic and generational wrongs. Although now retired, Rev. Randall is committed to spreading the story of Rachal to other Episcopal churches in southern Virginia, and we hope to encourage other congregations to also contribute to the endowment.”
Daniel and Nancy Ries have contributed $25,000 to the Rachal Scholarship of Episcopal Parishes which was established in 2024. “Once the scholarship was established, we became aware of the generous matching opportunity made by the Norfolk State University Foundation (NSUF), and we made an individual contribution to the endowment to take advantage of the match. It is not restricted to a specific academic discipline,” she added.
Old Donation Church and the Ries family have created more than an endowment at NSU. Their gift has nudged the university closer to its fundraising goal in the Now Is Our Time | The Campaign for Norfolk State University. They have also forged relationships that build a better understanding and community ties. “Old Donation is thankful for our continuing partnership with Norfolk State. Rev. Randall delivered the invocation and benediction during the fall 2023 commencement.” Clifford Porter, vice president for University Advancement, gave a sermon at the church, and Dr. Stephanie Richmond presented her research paper titled, Sold Down River. In addition, the NSU Concert Choir has performed twice at Old Donation Church. “We value this relationship. And, we recognize the value of higher education. We support NSU through the Rachal scholarship to help students who might not otherwise be able to continue their studies without the burden of financial stress.”
Nancy Ries ended our conversation quoting the Book of Acts 20:35. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”