LTSS Alumni

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

Learn More

LTSS Alumni Day

Wednesday, April 15

All-Alumni Reception
Alumni House | 6 p.m.

Thursday. April 16

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

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. Southeastern Bishop Kevin Strickland will preside.  

Alumni Day Barbecue Lunch
Shaw Plaza | 11:30 a.m.

Yost Lecture
Belk Centrum | 1 p.m.
Hear from Vance Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, ELCA Director for Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations. 

Break
Belk Centrum Lobby | 2 p.m.
Enjoy coffee, cookies and fellowship before the afternoon session.

Afternoon Forum
Belk Centrum | 2:15 p.m.
Includes presentation of Bedenbaugh Award to the Rev. Brad Bellah ’03 and a conversation with LTSS faculty that continues the topic from the Yost Lecture.  

**Due to a personal conflict, Bedenbaugh Award winner Brad Bellah will appear in a pre-recorded video. The Bedenbaugh Award winner will be announced in advance of Alumni Day.

Registration will be open in early 2026.

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