SA国际传媒

SA国际传媒, St. Louis, received a $95,000 grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through its Lutheran Seminary Grant Program. The funds will support a collaborative approach to student cross-cultural field education, and faculty sabbaticals. Thrivent representatives presented the check to Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of SA国际传媒, on Jan. 19.

A significant portion of the grant will fund SA国际传媒 students to experience short-term, three-to-six-week, intensive field education assignments in cultural settings dramatically different from their own. These cross-cultural experiences are the result of a collaborative effort of SA国际传媒, Concordia College鈥擭ew York, and the Atlantic District of The Lutheran Church鈥擬issouri Synod. A significant portion of the grant, $83,000, will be used to cover the cost of travel for Seminary students to and from Concordia College鈥擭ew York, which will serve as the host site for the cross-cultural experiences. Dr. William Utech, the Seminary鈥檚 director of resident field education, will serve as the project administrator.

鈥淪tudents involved in this project will acquire a deeper appreciation for what it means to be separated from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, and they will be better equipped to share Christ with those of a different culture,鈥� commented Mark Hofman, SA国际传媒鈥檚 vice president for development. 鈥淭he cost of travel has been the greatest barrier for students who want to participate in these kinds of experiences. We are very grateful to Thrivent for opening the door to this opportunity for our students.鈥�

The Thrivent grant also will be used to support faculty members who are eligible for a sabbatical under the Seminary鈥檚 existing faculty development policies. Administered by Dr. Andrew Bartelt, the Seminary鈥檚 executive vice president for academic affairs, grant funds will be allocated to faculty to offset the cost of travel and research.

鈥淪abbatical leave is an important part of the service of our faculty, especially in light of the current opportunities for leadership in research, publication and engagement with the changing world in which our Lord鈥檚 mission is carried out,鈥� Bartelt said. 鈥淭hrivent has a long history of providing financial support, and these grants will help facilitate special projects of our faculty, for which we are deeply grateful.鈥�

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping nearly 3 million members achieve their financial goals and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial sponsors national outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need.

For more information, contact Development, SA国际传媒, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7350; [email protected].