UE Lands Theology Institute Grant
The application period for fall 2018 begins August 1.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe University of Evansville has received assistance from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish a summer theology institute for high school students. The $545,000 grant will help create Open Table, which is slated to begin in the summer of 2017.
Up to 30 sophomores, juniors and seniors will be able to take part in the program. UE says Open Table aims to "empower a new generation of theologically judicious young people" to serve in their communities.
"As an institution of higher education grounded in the United Methodist tradition, the University of Evansville, since its founding, has labored to help young people think critically and theologically about their faith," said Tamara Gieselman, university chaplain. "Our proposal avows that now, more than ever, the world needs theologically astute young people who aspire to be responsible leaders in a global society."
The grant is part of Lilly Endowment’s High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative. UE is one of 92 schools from 30 states and the District of Columbia to take part in the initiative.
"These colleges and universities are well-positioned to reach out to high school students in this way," says Christopher Coble, vice president for religion at Lilly Endowment. "They have outstanding faculty in theology and religion who know how to help young people explore the wisdom of religious traditions and apply these insights to contemporary challenges."
Lilly Endowment is giving a total of $50 million in grants to schools to create theology institutes.