What are the Lutheran College Fairs? The Lutheran College Fairs were originally designed to connect Lutheran colleges and universities with parishioners in our Lutheran congregations nationwide. Students and their parents have an opportunity to meet with college representatives face to face to discuss the advantages of a Lutheran education. In this non-threatening, informal setting, high school
students and their parents can begin to establish relationships with Lutheran college and university admissions representatives nationwide.
Admissions, financial aid, college life, and academic areas of study are just a few of the issues discussed which are pertinent to the college experience. Fairs are held in hotels conveniently accessible by interstate, encouraging attendance from a wide geographic area.
Lutheran College Fairs include representation from colleges and universities related to Lutheran denominations (for example, ELCA and LCMS) in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the 28 ELCA colleges and universities, click here.
Who coordinates the Lutheran College Fairs?
The Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA), an association of forty-two Lutheran colleges and universities in the United States and Canada and one international affiliate member in Brazil, coordinates the Lutheran College Fairs. LECNA is the oldest existing inter-Lutheran organization which traces its history to 1910 through its predecessor, National Lutheran Educational Conference. A LECNA Lutheran College Fair planning committee made up of several chief admissions officers and representatives from ELCA and LCMS meets annually to oversee the implementation of the Lutheran College Fair program.
What makes the Lutheran College Fairs successful?
Each fair is sponsored by LECNA in collaboration with local pastors, youth directors, church members, guidance counselors, and local Lutheran College/University support. LECNA coordinates the physical arrangements for each fair, handles the registration, prints and distributes promotional materials, offers advice and support to the local leadership constituencies, and provides on-site management at the fairs.
What are Lutheran College Festivals?
Lutheran College Festival events began in 1993, enabling Lutheran colleges and universities along with local volunteers to facilitate a time for interaction and celebration among Lutheran congregations in a specific geographic region. This joint effort includes Sunday morning worship activities, alumni gatherings, special presentations, the Lutheran College Fair, and guidance counselor meetings.
Financial Aid Seminars Offered
Parents and students are clearly in search of a better understanding of financial aid and the “affordability" of Lutheran Higher Education. We will be offering financial aid seminars for students and parents at each of our events.