Goshen College student awarded ministry undergraduate fellowship

GOSHEN, Ind. – A Goshen College student, Stephanie Hollenberg, was awarded a 2010 Fund for Theological Education (FTE) Undergraduate Fellowship, which recognizes students who have gifts for leadership and are exploring ministry as a vocation.

Hollenberg is a junior Bible and religion and music double major from Elkhart, Ind. She is the daughter of Stephen and Kathy Hollenberg and attends College Mennonite Church in Goshen. She is participating this summer in Goshen College's Ministry Inquiry Program at the Mennonite Church of Normal (Ill.).

The FTE is a leading advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry. As an FTE Undergraduate Fellow, Hollenberg will receive $2,000 for tuition, other educational expenses or a self-designed experience related to ministry. She also will attend the 2010 FTE Leaders in Ministry Conference at Boston University School of Theology.

Goshen College Campus Minister Bob Yoder nominated Hollenberg for the fellowship award, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. Goshen College students have now been chosen for this program several years in a row.

FTE Undergraduate Fellows are selected by a national committee of theological educators and church leaders. Students must be nominated by a professor, school administrator, pastor or campus minister; hold a minimum 3.0 grade point average; have an interest in pastoral ministry and demonstrate leadership in a church or school community. FTE awards the fellowships to help ensure quality leadership and inclusive excellence in pastoral ministry. Fewer than 7 percent of clergy in most denominations today are under age 35, and interest among seminary students in congregational ministry has declined in recent years, underscoring the need for leadership development among students from diverse backgrounds.

"These exceptional students see ministry as a compelling path to serve others, to renew the church and to create change in the world," said Kim Hearn, director of FTE Ministry Fellowships. "They bring intellect and compassion to community challenges of every type – spiritual, educational, social and economic."

FTE supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually awarding $1.5 million in fellowships and offering a network of support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Since 1954, FTE has awarded more than 6,000 fellowships; its alumni serve congregations, schools and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.fteleaders.org.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.