Luther Seminary has received the largest single donation in its history: a $21.4 million grant to pilot an accelerated master of divinity program. The program, which will cover tuition and some living expenses for students, will launch in fall 2019.
Dean Buntrock, founder and former chairman and CEO of Waste Management Inc., made the donation covering the five-year pilot. It will include a year of planning and resources to add faculty and staff. The accelerated master of divinity program will include a year-round curriculum, concurrent part-time congregational paid internships, full-tuition scholarships and stipends for living-expenses, books, software and travel expenses.
Buntrock’s gift comes just as the seminary launched a new curriculum and, starting this fall, its new Jubilee full-tuition scholarship for all master of divinity and master of arts students.