Philip and Ruth Friest Family Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Philip and Ruth Friest Family Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Philip Friest and his children in 2004. The Friests are active members of their respective congregations; Philip was the business manager and office administrator at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minn., and his son Gerald is a 1976 graduate of Luther Theological Seminary. The fund was established in memory of Ruth, the loving wife and mother of the donors, and provides important support for financially deserving students in any degree program, with first preference going to students from Tanzania, Namibia, Madagascar, or other African country; second preference for students from China, Japan, Taiwan, or other Asian country; and third preference for students from any country where the ELCA has a mission interest.