Beenken-Olson Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Beenken-Olson Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 to acknowledge the great impact that Luther Seminary has had on Beth Olson Beenken and Mark Beenken. Beth’s father, Pastor Gary L. Olson, graduated from Luther Seminary in 1963 and served the following congregations: American Lutheran Church in Billings, Montana; First Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota; and a congregation in Grand Forks, North Dakota; and a three-point parish near Adams, North Dakota. His ministry has had a profound effect on many. The lives of Beth and Mark have been blessed by the pastors of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and of American Lutheran Church in Billings and by the work of the teachers and pastors at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Christikon Bible Camp shaped their lives as Beth and Mark became part of the Christikon staff family. They thank Bob Quam, as well as the host of pastors, advisors, and speakers at camp. Many of their friends experienced their call to ministry at Christikon. The ministries of all of these amazing leaders have touched their lives. Mark’s parents, Kenneth and Margaret Beenken, have been deeply influenced by and committed to the mission of Luther Seminary for many years. And their daughter, Mary Beenken, began her Masters work at Luther Seminary in 2013. This endowed scholarship provides important support annually for deserving M.Div or M.A. students at Luther Seminary.