Scholarship applications accepted now

by Women of the ELCA

Recipient returns thanks for her scholarship

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Chris Suby, a 2014-15, a scholarship recipient from Rochester, Minn., wrote Women of the ELCA as she donated back to the scholarship fund for Lutheran laywomen in memory of her aunt Lois Groskreutz.

“I have been blessed by love and encouragement from family and friends as I pursued my goal, and the Women of the ELCA scholarship helped me to accomplish it,” wrote Suby who graduated in May 2015 from Winona State University, Winona Minn.

Suby said she graduated from LPN training at age 19, graduated with an associate degree in nursing at age 43, and graduated with a bachelor of science in nursing at age 54.

In April 2015, Suby said her Aunt Lois passed away. “She was always a loving and supportive person in my life and proud of me for going back to school.”

She was also a very strong supporter of her local Women of the ELCA and attended triennial gatherings, she said.

“Giving back in her memory is a perfect way to honor her.”

For the 2015-2016 academic year, $22,000 was awarded to 14 applicants, according to Valora K Starr, who oversees the scholarship award process for Women of the ELCA.  

“Every region except eight had at least one recipient,” she said. “The deadline to apply for scholarships for the 2016-17 year is Feb. 15.”

Scholarships celebrate gifts

Scholarships are available for women who are members of ELCA congregations. There are scholarships for Lutheran laywomen who are studying for a career other than ordained ministry as well as scholarships for those in their final year at an ELCA seminary. The other scholarships fall into two administrative categories: for women administrators and faculty at ELCA colleges and seminaries who are participating in leadership training or management training institutes and for women interested in reaching the top of their fields as administrators.

With a gift to our scholarship programs, you can live out our purpose statement while investing in the future of our church, our society and the world. Make a gift today online. For further information about including such a gift in your will, contact Audrey Novak Riley, director for stewardship, at 800-638-3522, ext. 2736.