LTSS Alumni

The Future of LTSS
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary moved to Lenoir-Rhyne's main campus in January 2025.

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LTSS Alumni Day

Alumni Day 2025 will take place on Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1. A tentative schedule of events is below. A printed and emailed invitation will be sent to all LTSS alumni in January. A block of rooms at a local hotel will be available.

Register

Wednesday, April 30
All-Alumni Reception 
Bears Club Pavilion | 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 1

Registration, Coffee, and Fellowship Time
Belk Centrum Lobby | 9 a.m.                    

Holy Eucharist Service
Grace Chapel | 10 a.m.           

Includes a memorial service for alumni who have died in the last year and recognition of classes. Bishop Phyllis Milton of the Virginia Synod will preside.

Yost Lecture: Savanna Sullivan, Lutheran World Federation Program Executive for Youth
Belk Centrum | 11:30 a.m.      

Alumni Day Barbecue Lunch
Shaw Plaza | 12:45 p.m.

Afternoon Forum
Belk Centrum | 2:15 p.m.

Presentation of Bedenbaugh Award to The Rev. Christine Stoxen* M.Div. '00 and a town hall discussion with ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on the future of theological education and LTSS. Followed by campus tours.

*The Rev. Christine Stoxen will share her remarks via a prerecorded message due to a previous commitment.

Alumni Board

The LTSS Alumni Board works to find opportunities for LTSS alumni to engage with the seminary and with one another and generally further the interests of LTSS.

The board meets regularly and is led by the president and governed by bylaws.

Terms expire in 2025

  • The Rev. Josh Tucker MDiv'13 (president)
  • The Rev. Stephen Mims '96, MDiv'00 (vice president)
  • The Rev. David Coffman MDiv'01
  • The Rev. David Drysdale MDiv'12
  • The Rev. Susan Thisell MDiv'15

Term expires in 2026

  • The Rev. Jackie Utley MDiv'09

LTSS Advisory Council

The LTSS Advisory Council provides advice and guidance on the seminary operations, shares information with the LR board of trustees and serves as a liaison between LR and the church.  

Current Members

  • The Rev. Dr. Richard (Rick) Goeres, ELCA (chair)
  • Bishop Virginia (Ginny) Aebischer, SC Synod of the ELCA, SC Synod Bishop 
  • Bishop Timothy (Tim) Smith, NC Synod of the ELCA, NC Synod Bishop 
  • Frederick (Fred) H. Black, NC Synod, ELCA 
  • The Rev. Dr. Kenneth (Ken) Blyth, FB Synod, ELCA
  • The Rev. Dr. Philip Bouknight, VA Synod, ELCA
  • Sandra Cline, NC Synod, ELCA
  • The Rev. Dr. Rachel L Connelly, SC Synod, ELCA
  • Carolyn Donges, SC Synod, ELCA 
  • Deacon Adrainne Gray, SE Synod, ELCA
  • The Rev. Dr. LaMont J. Johnson, Baptist – Ecumenical
  • The Rev. Dr. Kylon Jerome Middleton, AME – Ecumenical
  • The Rev. Angela Ford Nelson, UMC - Ecumenical 
  • Tom O’Reilly, FB Synod, ELCA 
  • The Rev. Michael Rhyne, ELCA
  • The Rev. Dr. David N. Young, VA Synod, ELCA