Share this Story
Pastor R. Perez Gatling to Serve as 2024 Baccalaureate Speaker
Renowned clergyman and educator has served Coastal Virginia for more than 20 years
University News | January 25, 2024
Virginia Wesleyan University is pleased to announce that R. Perez Gatling, President of the Virginia Beach Interdenominational Ministries Conference and Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, will be its 2024 Baccalaureate speaker. 
Before answering the call to ministry in 2011, his professional journey began in education. Pastor Gatling was an English teacher and coach at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake and Heritage High School in Newport News. Following that, he held administrative roles in Virginia Beach City Public Schools. He has also co-authored notable works in education, including “Teaching Hope” and “An Inexcusable Absence: The Shortage of Black Male Teachers.” In addition to serving as an educator for 20 years, he served as Minister of Music for several churches in the Coastal Virginia area for more than 20 years.
Pastor Gatling earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Fayetteville State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Regent University. He is married to Dr. Veleka S. Gatling, who has also been a good friend of the University. Together, their life is guided by a deep faith and commitment to service, and the VWU community is excited to hear his message of hope for the Class of 2024.
Baccalaureate will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17 in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center as a part of the Spring 2024 Commencement exercises. This prelude to Commencement is a service of worship in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom. All graduates and their families are encouraged to attend.