Doctorate for STS Head, Meryl Jennings

ALC lecturer and Head of the School of Theological Studies Meryl Jennings had her doctorate confirmed this month, after 6 years of research into Lutheran education. Her thesis is entitled: ‘Nurture, outreach and beyond: reconceptualising Lutheran education for the contemporary Australian context’.

‘This is a very valuable study for consideration by those who are involved with Lutheran schools in Australia and also overseas,’ explains colleague Dr Malcolm Bartsch.

Dr Jennings, who has spent more than 40 years in Lutheran education, has been working on her Doctor of Education degree through the Melbourne [St Patrick’s] Campus of Australian Catholic University.

Dr Jennings began her teaching career with the Education Department at Darwin High School in 1963 and Unley High School in 1964. She then went with her first husband, Pastor John Hartwig, to his first placement in Menyamya, PNG. After John’s untimely drowning, she returned to Australia and taught at Concordia College, Adelaide. After 20 years at Concordia, where she taught English to at least two of ALC’s current teaching staff, she went to Immanuel Lutheran College, Maroochydore, as Director of Studies and Head of English.

After 13 years on the Sunshine Coast, Dr Jennings came to ALC as lecturer in education and Lutheran Strand Coordinator at Flinders University.

‘Meryl’s dedication and service to Lutheran education in Australia is remarkable,’ said ALC Principal Rev John Henderson. ‘We are very blessed to have her knowledge and experience here as a lecturer and Head of STS, and we are all so proud of her most recent achievement. Meryl’s research will benefit so many schools, teachers and students over the coming years.’

Updated: 08/02/2010 [1.00]