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St. Olaf assumes leadership role in promoting Lutheran Academy of Scholars

By David Gonnerman '90
November 26, 2003

St. Olaf College has assumed the post of lead partner in advancing the Lutheran Academy of Scholars and its goals over the next five years. The college's contribution in this role will include personnel and financial resources. Associate Professor of Religion L. DeAne Lagerquist, who chairs the religion department, has been appointed executive director.

The academy, which arose out of ecumenical discussions concerning the role of religion in higher education, began as a project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Division for Higher Education and Schools. "Phase I" of the academy generated conversation, publications and a group of scholars both conversant with the Lutheran heritage and active in national discussion of faith and learning in higher education.

"'Phase II' will build on the work of the past five years, remaining a program for Lutheran higher education -- addressed to all the schools, open to many scholars, and encouraging Lutheran participation in ecumenical contexts," says Lagerquist. "We'll lead a cultivation of scholarship that investigates views of the Lutheran world."

St. Olaf will act in partnership with other ELCA colleges and universities, with the Division for Higher Education and Schools, with various foundations and with other church-related agencies in this project.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-646-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.