American Lutheran Church of Sun City Scholarship Fund

The American Lutheran Church of Sun City Trusts Annually-Funded Scholarship was established in December, 2007, by Mr. Elmer “Bud” Eckland on behalf of the American Lutheran Church of Sun City Trust Scholarship Committee. Bud serves as the Chairman for that organization. The American Lutheran Church of Sun City, Ariz., has benefitted from the leadership of several Luther Seminary graduates: their senior pastor, the Rev. Gary E. Benson, is a 1974 graduate of Luther Theological Seminary; their Interim Pastor of Care Ministry, the Rev. Ellis “Bud” Eskritt, is a 1965 graduate of Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary; their Pastor of Outreach, the Rev. Chuck Paulson, is a 1963 graduate of Luther Theological Seminary; and their Retired Visitation Pastor, the Rev. Wendell Shiell, is a 1958 graduate of Augsburg Seminary, a predecessor of Luther Seminary. This fund was established to express thanksgiving to God and to help prepare Luther Seminary students to strengthen and extend the ministries of Jesus Christ in the life of the church. It provides important support with first preference for ELCA members from Arizona, and second preference for any financially deserving student.