The Rev. Dr. Robin J. Steinke

The Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke joined Luther Seminary as president in June 2014. She is the first woman in the seminary’s more than 150-year history to be named to the position.

Prior to joining Luther Seminary, Steinke was the dean of the seminary and professor of theological ethics and public life at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary). She is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; previously served as a training manager and financial planner at American Express Financial Advisors; and was a middle school band director in Marietta, Georgia. Steinke is a graduate of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in England.

Steinke is known for her strategic leadership and passion for sharing the gospel. She is involved in important church and academic initiatives and has served on a number of church and academic committees. She recently completed 10 years of service as the ELCA representative to the Lutheran World Federation as chair of the endowment fund. Steinke serves on the executive committee and is chair of the committee on ecumenical relations. She also recently served as a member of the ELCA Ecclesiology Task Force and co-chaired the national ELCA Theological Education Advisory Council that presented recommendations for the future of theological education. She previously served a six-year term as a commissioner for the Association of Theological Schools’ Commission on Accrediting.

Presidential Inauguration

On October 12, 2014, the Luther Seminary community celebrated the inauguration of Robin J. Steinke at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton presided.