History ==
=== Founding and early years ===
The institution was founded by Benjamin Kurtz, its first president. Having already assisted in the founding of Gettysburg Seminary, Kurtz wanted to create another institution to serve American Lutheranism.
Kurtz's mission was to "educate men for the gospel ministry ... who cannot take a full course of training adapted to their age and circumstances." The American Lutherans of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, provided 50 students, pledged $22,000, and offered the provisional use of its church facilities. However, they stipulated that the institute be expanded to a junior college and that a sister college for women also be formed.
On September 1, 1858, the Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Susquehanna Female College were established and legally recognized 23 days later. It had two departments: the theology department and the classical department. In 1873, the sister college disbanded and the institute became co-educational.
The …
