News from LSTC  

LSTC announces Advanced Studies fellowships and awards

Sixteen students in LSTC Ph.D. programs were awarded fellowships totaling more than $50,000 for the 2011-2012 year. LSTC provided financial aid scholarships totaling $146,421 for 36 students to support their coursework and continuing studies. Five international students received ELCA Global Mission Partnership Fellowships for both tuition and living expenses. [Read more] 

Nine LSTC students receive prestigious national fellowships

Eight first-year and one second-year LSTC master of divinity students have received Fund for Theological Education Fellowships (FTE). LSTC has more FTE fellows than any other seminary or divinity school, including Princeton (eight), Vanderbilt (seven), Duke (six), and the University of Chicago (five.) [Read more]

Barbara Rossing receives Yale Divinity School Distinguished Alumni Award

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament, is the recipient of the 2011 Yale Divinity School Alumni Award for Distinction in Theological Education. She was chosen for the award from a field of international candidates. The awards ceremony will take place during Yale Divinity School Convocation on October 11, 2011. [Read more]

Keith Hampton to direct LSTC Gospel Choir

Conductor, composer, educator, and church musician Dr. Keith Hampton has been re-appointed as director of the LSTC Gospel Choir. Dr. Hampton served as director of the LSTC Gospel Choir from 1997 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2009 and is credited with the success of the LSTC Gospel Choir. His appointment began July 1, 2011. [Read more]

Boleyn, Wynard join LSTC staff

Julie Boleyn (2010, M.Div.) and Lucy Wynard (middler, M.Div.) have joined the LSTC staff to support teaching and learning in two different, but essential ways. Boleyn is serving as LSTC's Teaching and Learning Technologist, a position established in 2010 to support faculty, staff, and students' use of technology for teaching and learning more effectively. She will also coordinate LSTC's Stewards of Abundance Financial Education Project. Wynard is assisting both the Dean of Students and the Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation. [Read more] 

October Seminary Sampler  

Do you know someone who is considering applying for seminary or should be? Encourage them to attend the October 23-25 Seminary Sampler at LSTC. It's a great way to get a taste of classes, meet faculty, students and others discerning a call to leadership in the church. [Learn more] 

SYS- support your students     

Congregations across the ELCA provide crucial direct financial assistance for students from their parish who are attending LSTC.

"It is immensely affirming to know that the people who know me well, believe in me and God's work in me as an ordained pastor. That affirmation has been both financial and emotional and through it God has been generously and graciously revealed," said Jeanine Reardon, a Lutheran Year student and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Evanston.

Last year, a dozen congregations in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod with students attending LSTC provided them with direct financial assistance. Five congregations went a step further and affirmed their commitment to those students by signing a Covenant of Support.

The Covenant of Support with LSTC invites congregations to choose ways to support their seminarian: "pray regularly for our student," "encourage our student with regular communication from the congregation," "hold an annual 'seminarian Sunday' and take a special offering to benefit our student," and "budget annual support" in a specific amount.

Dorothy Dominiak, director of financial aid and admissions, says, "Every dollar of financial support students receive reduces the need for students to take out loans to get through seminary."

While the Covenant of Support has typically been for congregations that have a member attending seminary, any congregation may choose to support students in this way.

To learn more about the Covenant of Support and how your congregation can assist an LSTC student, call the LSTC Office for Advancement at 773-256-0712.