David L. and Martha G. Tiede Fund for Theological Teaching

The David L. and Martha G. Tiede Endowed Fund for Theological Teaching was established by Dr. David and Martha “Muffy” Tiede in April, 2006. This fund combines two previous funds, the Christus Lux Mundi Endowed Fund, which was created by the Tiedes with gifts made throughout the time of David’s presidency of Luther Seminary, and the David L. and Martha G. Tiede Endowed Scholarship Fund, which was created with the gifts of friends, colleagues, and family of David on the occasion of his retirement in 2005. The newly combined fund was named the David L. and Martha G. Tiede Endowed Fund for Theological Teaching with the purpose of providing a significant fellowship for one or more Ph.D. students. David began teaching in 1967, when he served as a summer Greek instructor at Harvard Divinity School, and has taught at Harvard University, Northeastern University, Scripps College, Claremont Graduate School, and Yale Divinity School. He also has served as a parish pastor in Minneapolis. David served the Luther Seminary community for sixteen years as Professor of New Testament until he was named President of the seminary in 1987. Muffy has also been an active educator, working for many years with the Mounds View and Wayzata Public School Systems in Minnesota, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Plymouth Christian Youth Center, an outreach organization dedicated to teaching young people in North Minneapolis life skills and providing a loving, supportive environment in that neighborhood. This fund provides important financial support for deserving Ph.D. students based on the following criteria: notably high academic achievement; commitment to theological teaching at a college or seminary upon completion of the degree; evident promise to be an excellent teacher; and endorsement through a nomination process led by the Academic Dean with involvement of selected faculty on admission and for continuation.