CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Grants totaling $307,230 were recently awarded by the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation board of trustees to the Council of College and University Presidents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The funds are designated for two new leadership development programs aimed at identifying, recruiting and training potential ELCA college presidents, vice presidents and deans.
The new programs -- the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation Fellows program and the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation Associates program -- were created to address concerns that a small number of qualified candidates are available to fill senior-level vacancies at the 28 ELCA colleges and universities, said Arne Selbyg, director for colleges and universities, ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools. Identifying qualified candidates beyond those currently in Lutheran schools is a significant goal, he said.
"To ensure a strong future, all industries -- including Lutheran colleges and universities --strive to attract and retain a talented workforce," said Bruce J. Nicholson, president and chief executive officer, Lutheran Brotherhood, Minneapolis. "By supporting the ELCA's leadership development programs, the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation is helping to secure the future of Lutheran colleges, as well as the welfare of its current and prospective employees."
"The ELCA Council of College and University Presidents is deeply grateful for all the assistance that Lutheran Brotherhood has given to the colleges and universities of the church through the years," said Dr. Leonard G. Schulze, executive director, ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools. "That assistance has made a huge difference in strengthening our schools, especially in helping them clarify and pursue their Lutheran identity with renewed understanding and hope."
The new leadership program was developed by a team led by Dr. Paul Dovre, former president, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and Selbyg. Dovre is currently serving as interim president at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. Concordia College and Capital University are ELCA higher education institutions.
For potential senior leaders such as college presidents and chief academic officers, the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation Fellows program will begin with a two-week seminar for up to 12 participants nominated by ELCA bishops, higher education associations, college alumni offices, search firms and others, according to the grant application. The seminar will include at least three key elements:
+ assessments of the leadership capabilities of seminar participants and development of those skills to serve as Lutheran college presidents or in other senior leadership positions;
+ a thorough review of the history of Lutheran higher education, the Lutheran theology of vocation and the special characteristics of Lutheran colleges and universities; and
+ presentations and discussions on higher education management issues, such as academic planning, financial planning, marketing and governance.
After the initial seminar, participants will work for a year on special projects developed in conjunction with the program director, the grant application said. Current Lutheran college presidents will serve as mentors. During the year Lutheran Brotherhood Fellows will also participate in other professional development activities. The program year will end with another seminar for participants.
The Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation Associates program will train faculty and administrative personnel for mid-level leadership positions in Lutheran colleges, according to the grant application. The associates program will include a one-week seminar, a one-week visit to a Lutheran college campus, leadership development workshops and opportunities to meet and work with peers across the country.
Lutheran Brotherhood will award the grant in two installments. In 2001, $180,500 will be made available, and in 2002 the remaining $126,730 will be made available.
Lutheran Brotherhood is a fraternal benefit society based in Minneapolis. The Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation is a private foundation funded by Lutheran Brotherhood. -- -- -- [*Barbara Stemson assistant manager of public relations, Lutheran Brotherhood, Minneapolis, provided information for this story.]
Additional information about Lutheran Brotherhood is available at http://www.luthbro.com on the Web. The ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools is at http://www.elca.org/dhes on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
