Cornelsen Family Foundation gift will create program fund and match employee donations
The Floy L. and Paul F. Cornelsen Family Foundation has pledged $400,000 to create an endowed program fund at LSTC to fund guest lecturers, faculty research, and teaching assistants. An additional gift of up to $25,000 a year over four years, will match any new gifts given to the seminary by its employees.
The Cornelsens are long-time supporters of LSTC and its ministry of preparing leaders for the church. They became well-acquainted with the importance of this ministry in the 1970s when they joined Living Word Lutheran Church in the St. Louis, Mo., area and met Dr. John H. Tietjen, who was president of Christ Seminary-Seminex and one of the founding members of the congregation.
Their generous gift endowed the Dean of the Chapel/Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation position at LSTC. With a vision for the future of the church that includes pastors who are well-equipped in every way, they continue to be generous partners in ministry with LSTC.
Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kadi Billman said, "The Cornelsen gift to strengthen the academic program will be of inestimable value to LSTC faculty and students. It will help LSTC strengthen its teaching assistantship program, which offers opportunities for students to develop their skills in educational ministry as well as faculty mentors who pursue excellence as teachers and co-learners. It will encourage the creativity of faculty members who already have projects waiting for program support dollars. Funding to launch dreams boosts morale, not least because it is provided by those who have confidence in what we can achieve together. Thanks to the Cornelsens for this heartening and challenging gift!"
“LSTC is grateful to the Cornelsen Family Foundation for giving its employees a wonderful incentive to contribute to Equipping the Saints for Ministry, our comprehensive campaign,” said President James Kenneth Echols. “While giving thanks for the skill and dedication each seminary employee contributes on a daily basis, this gift also puts a premium on financial gifts from those who work at the seminary.”
Under the theme “Always in my heart” (from Paul’s letter to the Philippians), faculty and staff (as a team) will seek to meet or exceed $25,000 in additional gifting each of the next four years.
The Rev. Dr. Herbert Chilstrom, the Rev. Dr. H. George Anderson, and ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, the presenters and respondent for the 2006 Hein-Fry Lectures at LSTC.
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from Winter 2008 Epistle ]
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