wfn.org | ELCA Division Awards Founders Grants to Four Teachers

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

May 21, 2001

ELCA DIVISION AWARDS FOUNDERS GRANTS TO FOUR TEACHERS
01-127-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Four teachers serving in schools affiliated with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have been awarded
grants of up to $1,000 each that are intended to offer financial relief
from educational loans.
     This year's recipients and the schools they represent are Stacy
Hart, Our Saviour Lutheran Church and School, San Clemente, Calif.;
Rachel Rennegarbe, Christ Lutheran School and Preschool, Odessa, Texas;
Jennifer Vogler, St. Paul Lutheran School and Nursery, East Northport,
N.Y.; and Jamie Wade, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and School,
West Hills, Calif.
     This the first time "Founders Grants" were awarded by the
Department for Schools of the ELCA Division for Higher Education and
Schools, said John J. Scibilia, ELCA director for schools.  The grants
are awarded through the Lutheran Day School Endowment Fund, which is
maintained in the ELCA Foundation.
     The endowment fund, established when the ELCA was formed in 1988,
was created to assist teachers with repayment of college loans, Scibilia
said.  When the fund was established, it was agreed endowment proceeds
would be awarded only when the fund reached a particular amount, he
said.
     "Now that the fund has reached that level, the Founders Grant
program is being made available to all ELCA elementary and secondary
school teachers in their first three years of teaching," he said.
     "Founders Grant recipient nominations distinguish these teachers
in the vital areas of teaching effectiveness, Christian influence in the
spiritual formation of students and a positive witness in the school
community," Scibilia said. "Their schools and the students are blessed
by the presence of their teaching ministry."
     Founders Grants are given in honor of four school leaders who
established the endowment fund.  They are Glenn Bracht, Coon Rapids,
Minn.; Mel Kieschnick, Rancho La Costa, Calif.; Don Vetter, Cedar Falls,
Iowa; and the late Rev. Delbert Schulz.
-- -- --
     Information on the Founders Grant program can be found at
http://www.elca.org/dhes/schools/foundersgrant.html on the ELCA's Web
site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html