When Mary Sue Dreier, associate professor of congregational mission and leadership, looks back on her career, she has one particular person to thank.
“I am here today because someone cared about this seminary and gave me a scholarship more than 30 years ago. Gen Stelberg died in 1988, but her gift made it possible for me to become a pastor in the ELCA for more than 25 years, eventually returning to Luther for my Ph.D. and becoming a member of the faculty.”
Stelberg established an endowed scholarship fund at Luther Theological Seminary in 1978 and also remembered Luther in her will. “The full impact of donors’ gifts will live on long after they do,” says Dreier. “I can’t fully thank Gen for her gift, but I can thank today’s donors in her name and on behalf of the future they’ll make possible.”