Dear William & Mary Community,

We write to you today with heavy hearts as we grapple with the news of our cherished campus minister Max Blalock's impending termination from the Williamsburg Wesley Foundation. Max is not just a campus minister. For fourteen years, he has been an integral part of our community, epitomizing the values of belonging and service that we hold dear.

Last month, leaders of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church informed Rev. Max Blalock that Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson had decided that he will no longer serve as Campus Minister of the William & Mary Wesley Foundation beginning July 1, 2024. This decision marks the end of Max’s 14 years serving at William & Mary Wesley. In making this decision, Bishop Haupert-Johnson did not appoint Max to any other position in the Virginia Conference, which has led Max to look for employment outside of the United Methodist Church. This petition serves as the appeal of William & Mary students, alumni, parents, and friends to ensure Max remains at William & Mary in some capacity in the next step of his career, ideally as a staff member at the college.

Max's excellence is palpable in the relationships he has cultivated, ensuring every individual feels valued and respected. Belonging and service are not just principles for Max but actions he lives out in his work and life on our campus and in the greater Williamsburg community. He is a constant source of support, always just a text away at any hour of the day for his many campus and community partners and students.

Max's impact extends far beyond individual acts of kindness. Through his love and outreach, he creates a space of radical inclusivity at the Wesley House and Campus Ministry, where students of all backgrounds find solace and support, especially those of marginalized backgrounds. Students often find a sense of belonging through Max’s compassion, surpassing even that of their own families.

Max's dedication knows no bounds. He goes above and beyond, answering the call at all hours, whether it is going with a student to court, offering emergency housing to students in need, or feeding over 90 students staying on campus for spring break. He has also helped establish the first on-campus food pantry for students and staff, mentoring a new generation of student leaders through initiatives such as Food for All and the Wesley Leadership Team. Truly, Max has dedicated himself to the student body and the Greater Williamsburg Community. 

Max's advocacy for equity and justice extends beyond our campus borders. He serves on the Basic Needs Task Force and partners with community leaders to find sustainable solutions. Max has been a core component to our campus’s community, serving as a great advocate for many important issues on campus, and a powerful ally to students of all ethnicities, races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Max is far more than a campus minister, serving as mentor, counselor, and friend to students of all backgrounds, earning the trust, respect, and love of the entire campus community. 

He is every student’s champion.

The loss of Max would leave a significant void on our campus, depriving countless students of a source of comfort and guidance. We implore the administration and the wider community to recognize Max's irreplaceable contributions and to prioritize retaining him. The students hope that he will be considered for other roles at our institution. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Max who embody the very best of William & Mary and tirelessly advocate for the well-being of our students.

Together, let's ensure that Max's legacy of compassion and service continues to shape and enrich our campus for years to come.

In solidarity,

The Students of William & Mary