Concordia University, St. Paul pre-seminary senior Robert Finch, ‘26 has received the Regents Scholarship Award from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Ind. for his studies beginning in fall 2026. This scholarship covers four years of tuition, room & board, student fees, and books. The scholarship is awarded annually to two students who are proficient in the Biblical languages, have a 4.0 GPA, have submitted a theological paper, and are active leaders within their vocations.
Finch was, in his words, “overwhelmed with excitement” at the news he received this award. “I first heard about this scholarship in the Fall of 2024, and since then, I have been working extremely hard to qualify for it,” he shares.
Since he first came to CSP as freshman, Finch has been deeply involved in academics that have deepened his faith and prepared him to receive this scholarship. He specifically credits two faculty members for investing in his growth. “Dr. Reed Lessing offered to work with me one-on-one to help me master Biblical Greek and Hebrew. Because of his care and expertise, I was able to spend all four years learning the languages and even reading through the entire Greek New Testament twice,” he says. “Dr. Joshua Hollmann likewise read through the entirety of Augustine’s City of God and other works of theology one-on-one with me. Through the mentorship of these and other professors, I feel equipped to learn how to study and read more theology for myself.”
Finch is also actively involved in chapel leadership and started a student club focused on studying theology called Appetizers and Theologianizers. “I have been able to learn how to lead and discuss theology with a wide range of people,” he explains.
With a firsthand experience in the transformative power of a CSP education, Finch recommends other prospective pre-seminary students look at the university. “Any student who wants to dive deep into theology, receive one-on-one mentorship from the incredible theology faculty, grow in leadership skills, experience the formation of God’s Word and prayer through daily chapel, and learn how to engage in theological conversation in a dynamic and diverse community will thrive at CSP,” he details. “This school gives pre-seminary students every opportunity to grow, excel, and pursue proficiency not only in theology, but even more so, in knowing Jesus Christ.”