Andersons Match Scholarship Gifts

Janet and Brad Anderson’s challenge gift matched scholarship dollars given through June 2007

As the chair of the Luther Seminary Board of Trustees, Janet Anderson is well informed about the issue of rising student debt—and the impact that debt has on seminary students and the larger church. Because the need for scholarship dollars is great, Janet and Brad Anderson matched scholarship gifts through the end of the seminary’s 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Janet first became aware of the issue of student debt while serving on the Student Life Committee. She also observed that the Board of Directors has taken note about the issue in the last couple of years. “This is an area of great need where your gift will make an immediate difference,” Janet said, noting also that helping reduce student debt now will help the church in the long run, both in the United States and globally.

Students accrue debt due to tuition costs, as well as living expenses. Nearly 70 percent of Luther Seminary students graduate with educational debt, and their student loans average more than $41,000 by the time of graduation. Scholarship support is important to help students reduce this high debt level.

Through her close relationship with Luther Seminary, Janet has been able to get to know many of the students. “It has been a joy to meet and get to know the variety of people who want to dedicate their lives to the church,” she said. One alumnus in particular caught Janet’s attention. She spoke of a young pastor who is in his first call in a mission development setting. This alumnus, for whom Janet is a prayer partner, had to take on a lot of debt during seminary. “This debt affects his ability to give. Now as a pastor in his first call, he faces the frustration of not being able to give as much as he and his wife would like to give back to the church. He would like to model tithing but can’t do so at this point in his career,” Janet said.

Unfortunately, this pastor’s situation is not unique. Through their scholarship matching gift, the Andersons helped make a difference for current students through reducing their debt and giving them the ability to be good stewardship leaders.

Janet and Brad Anderson became aware of Luther Seminary through Rolf Jacobson, associate professor of Old Testament, who was at that time serving as their pastor at Como Park Lutheran, St. Paul, Minn. Rolf challenged the Andersons to begin financial support for the institution that educates faithful Biblical preachers. They have been Leadership Circle members since 1998. Janet joined the Luther Seminary Board of Trustees in 1999.

Scholarship gifts continue to be an important need for Luther Seminary students. Please contact the Office of Seminary Relations at 888-358-8437 or semrel@luthersem.edu. You may also make a gift online at www.luthersem.edu/gifts.