Here we are in the middle of Lent. Lent is about preparation and reflection—which is where we are as an institution.
It’s hard to do one without the other. As a seminary, we’re constantly assessing how we are doing while preparing for the future. For us, that future always means students. From Feb. 22-23, we welcomed a number of Presidential Scholarship applicants during Scholarship Weekend. It was such an exciting time—both for the students and for the faculty and staff who got to host them. It gave us a glimpse into the future, and reminded us to prepare.
Our number of scholarship applicants this year was at nearly 60 going into Scholarship Weekend, which far exceeded our goal. This is great news, but it also causes me to reflect on the last few years in the seminary world. Like many seminaries, Luther Seminary saw a declining enrollment over the last few years. But the inquiry pool for 2015-16 is off to a solid start. We’ve seen a significant increase in applications and admits over last year for both the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity programs.
And, in another Lenten theme, we are hopeful that these are positive indications that prospective students have confidence in the recent curricular innovations, which prepare our students to be pastors, teachers and leaders in the church.
Thank you for your continued partnership with us—especially by sending us promising students like those we met last month. I hope the rest of your Lenten season is filled with reflection, preparation and, most of all, hope.
Peace,
Robin Steinke