Roger and Jeanne Schwarze Honor Legacy of Leadership

For Roger and Jeanne Schwarze, there wasn't one person who impacted their faith walk. There were a multitude of saints lighting the way. Between the two of them, the names flow freely: Schmidt, Bethel, Klyve, Youngdahl, Frost, Preus.

These individuals gave them something else: The conviction that ensuring strong church leaders for the future is essential. This is why they give to Luther Seminary.

An alum of Luther, Roger, '64, continues to have relationships with his former professors. And the Schwarzes see ongoing evidence of the quality education Luther provides in the grads that serve their congregation at Redeemer Lutheran in White Bear Lake, Minn. They have "a desire to learn and listen and look forward," says Roger. "I really believe in the future of the church—and the future of the education pastors need in a continually changing world. The seminary is on the edge in training pastors to be leaders in the world as it changes."

As part of their giving plan, the Schwarzes provide annual gifts for the Sustaining Fund and scholarships. Recently, they also decided to gift Jeanne's great grandparents' homestead in western Minnesota to Luther.

"It was a very emotional decision to make. We talked about it for a long time and finally decided that this is where it will do the most good," says Jeanne. "This is a good example for our children and a good legacy to leave for our children and grandchildren."