Continuing faithful formation: Concordia-Chicago senior receives CTSFW scholarship award

Evan Magness, a senior in Concordia University Chicago's Pre-Seminary program, recently received the Regents Scholarship Award from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. The merit-based scholarship is awarded annually to two students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, a strong proficiency in biblical languages, and leadership potential for future ministry. It provides full tuition coverage, room and board, and books and fees.

"I'm incredibly grateful and blessed to have received such a generous scholarship," said Magness, who will graduate this spring with a bachelor's in theology and a minor in biblical languages. An active Kapelle member and a prayer office volunteer, Magness said that Concordia-Chicago helped prepare him for seminary by keeping the Gospel at the center of his studies.

"All of my classes were geared towards reinforcing the understanding of the Gospel," explained Magness. "Even in classes that were primarily concerning Lutheran doctrine, everything was oriented around the Gospel of Christ, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension of Christ, the giving of Christ and the Sacrament, and our Baptism into his death… Everything has kept Christ at the center. And all that has worked together to shape me and help to nurture a pastoral heart."

Among faculty and staff at CUC, Magness thanked Rev. Dr. James Lee, associate professor of theology, and Rev. Dr. Robert Sorensen, professor of theology and foreign languages, among many others, for reinforcing his understanding of the Gospel and encouraging his calling.

"I am very pleased, but not at all surprised, to hear that Evan Magness has been awarded the Regents Scholarship at CTSFW," said Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, assistant professor of theology. "He is a dedicated and dependable student in all facets of his life at CUC. He has been a great blessing to our Pre-Seminary program, and I have great confidence that he will be a blessing to those around him at CTSFW and beyond that into the pastoral ministry."

"We celebrate the wonderful blessing of Evan being awarded the Regents Scholarship at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne," said Kathy Gebhardt, vice president for student success and dean of students. "Over the past four years, we have watched him thrive here at CUC, and we are delighted that God is calling him into the pastoral ministry. Evan is a wonderful young man with a bright future ahead of him!"

This fall, Magness will join the CTSFW community alongside Concordia University, St. Paul's Regent scholar Robert Finch, a longtime friend whom Magness met during CTSFW's Christ Academy High School summer program. Together, the two Regent twins will return to Fort Wayne to begin their studies.

Reflecting on his goals for the next four years, Magness said he seeks to "be a seminarian worthy of the scholarship that he has received."

He added, "I hope to be formed into someone who is equipped for the office of holy ministry-to preach the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins, and the comfort and peace which only Christ can give. I want to model Christ-like love and Christ-like behavior, and I am confident that Fort Wayne will be the place that forms me into a person who is suitable to model the way of Christ."