Luther Seminary’s president, Robin Steinke, has been awarded the 2026 Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The award honors an individual whose work has profoundly shaped theological education in the U.S. and Canada.

Steinke was recognized on June 24 at a ceremony in Chicago during the biennial meeting of the ATS member schools, whose leaders submit nominations for the award. The ATS Board of Directors selects one recipient every two years based on exceptional service to ATS or other organizations committed to improving theological education; significant contributions to the structures and forms of theological education; advancement of scholarship in theological disciplines; and/or unique influence on the understanding and advancement of theological education. An ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Steinke is only the fourth Lutheran to receive the award since its inception in 1988. Previous recipients include David Tiede (2010), Martin Marty (1998), and Krister Stendahl (1988). 

“Receiving the Distinguished Service Award was a delightful surprise, and I share it with so many who have walked the road with me,” said Steinke. “It is and continues to be the privilege of my baptismal vocation to work alongside colleagues who care deeply about the flourishing of theological education, both today and for future generations.” 

Steinke joined Luther Seminary as president and professor of systematic theology in 2014. In 2023, she was reappointed to an additional five-year term as president effective July 1, 2024. Previously, she served as dean of the seminary and associate professor of theological ethics and public life at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary). She holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (now part of Capital University) in Columbus, Ohio, and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in England. 

“Educate, witness, and serve” have been guiding themes in Steinke’s leadership in theological education and the global church. Since 2002, she has served the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in multiple roles, including as a member of the LWF Council and Executive Committee; a representative of the LWF International Consultation on Diakonia in Malawi and South Africa; a member and chair of the LWF Committee on Theology and Ecumenical Relations; as a consulting scholar on hermeneutics Nairobi, Kenya, and Eisenach, Germany; and as current chair of the LWF task force to develop the theological grounding and practical strategy for working together across deep differences in the global church. In addition, she has served as a member of the ELCA Ecclesiology Task Force, co-chair of the ELCA Theological Education Advisory Council, and a commissioner for the ATS Commission on Accrediting. 

“Dr. Steinke has contributed to theological education through teaching, preaching, mentoring, and public engagement. Her leadership is distinguished by theological depth, ecumenical vision, and an ability to lead institutions with clarity in times of change,” said ATS in a statement conferring the award. “For her faithful stewardship of theological education, for her generosity in leadership, and for her enduring contributions to the work of ATS and the theological community, we offer our deep gratitude.”