Resident Scholars Program for Washington, D.C. based Theology and Public Life Program

So that more students can take full advantage of a semester or year of study in the Washington Theological Consortium and Lutheran ministry settings in the nation’s capitol, the Seminary has announced a new program for Theology and Public Life Resident Scholars.

In announcing the Resident Scholars program, President Michael Cooper-White said “As an alumnus who 30 years ago took full advantage of Gettysburg Seminary’s Washington program, I am excited about our new partnership with the Washington Theological Union. As in my student days, there will again be opportunity for rich ecumenical dialogue and fellowship for those who choose to live at WTU. And, of course, all our students continue having full access to the other schools of the entire Washington Theological Consortium. In addition to a concentration in Theology and Public Life, through our Washington presence as the Lutheran Center for Theology and Public Life, opportunities abound for learnings in ecumenical relationships, urban parishes and ministries of service and advocacy.

The program is available to all full time degree seeking students of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg who desire to participate in a rich ecumenical residential arrangement at the Washington Theological Union for one or two semesters and take the majority of their courses at schools in the Washington Theological Consortium. In addition to the rich ecumenical resources of the Consortium, students will also enjoy access to the Lutheran and public institutions, ministries and agencies operating in the greater metropolitan area.

The Seminary also announced a change in the venue for student housing in its Washington program. The living quarters for the Theology and Public Life scholars program will take place at the Washington Theological Union, 6896 Laurel Street, NW in Washington, D.C.

In recent years, the seminary-owned house in northeast Washington had fallen into disrepair and disuse by our students. Its sale is generating a fund set aside by our board to make it possible for a select group of students to have the “Washington experience” without added financial burdens. As in the past, Gettysburg will encourage the other seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to support and send students who may wish to join our LTSG folks in the nation’s capital.

Annually, up to four Scholars will be supported with stipends for a semester or for the full academic year beginning fall 2004. After research of student expectations and appraisals of the seminary’s existing property in Washington and the limitations in the Monroe Street house for multiple students, the seminary decided to sell the house and redeploy the resources to enhance the overall Theology and Public Life program. The sale of the house is pending at press time.

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