Higher education scans

• Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, will offer renewable scholarships of $17,000 a year to outstanding Lutheran students. Lutheran pastors nationwide were asked to nominate students by Oct. 31 to receive one of the 50 Lutheran Scholar-Leader Awards. Students must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average, be active members of their congregation and be admitted to the university. For more information, e-mail Robert White, director of church relations.

• Based on Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan., started a peer ministry program “to create a culture of students helping students,” said campus pastor Noni Strand. Those who are new or struggling can “see the community around them and be a part of that community,” she added. Peer ministry leader Barbara Varenhort trained staff and students at Bethany. Varenhorst, former president of the National Peer Helpers Association, worked with Lyle Griner to write the Peer Ministry Basic Curriculum Manual used by The Youth and Family Institute, Minneapolis.