by Rhonda Dedyne
Spring time in Cambridge, England.
That’s the experience awaiting Daniel Gorby as he completes his senior year of pre-seminary studies at Concordia University, Ann Arbor.
Gorby has the honor of being the first student from Concordia-Ann Arbor selected to attend Westfield House, the Lutheran seminary affiliated with Cambridge University. This is the first year of a new studies abroad program with Cambridge for pre-seminary students. He was recommended by Concordia professor, the Rev. Charles Schulz, and was selected for the unique program following a detailed application and review process.
“We were very excited about this new opportunity for our students that allows them to sit in on classes of world-renowned scholars and grow in their experience of world-wide Christianity,” says Pastor Schulz, Pre-seminary Director at Concordia University, Ann Arbor.
It’s an understatement to say that Gorby is excited, too.
“Cambridge has such a rich history and there’s so much to see and learn – this is a wonderful opportunity and a privilege for me,” he says, adding he’s looking forward to the classroom learning and independent study that is part of the eight-week program. “I’ll be taking Greek, Hebrew, Christian Doctrine II and an independent study of the History of Christian Thought.”
Gorby’s active engagement in his studies at Concordia-Ann Arbor marked him as an excellent candidate for the Cambridge experience.
“Dan’s academic abilities in the classroom demonstrated that he could benefit from the challenging program,” Pastor Schulz says. “His ability to take initiative for his own learning will be important, too, as the “tutoring” system in England requires students to demonstrate a great deal of independence in their studies. The education takes place more through the student’s own research and small group conversations with a scholar than in the lecture hall.”
Engaging in that kind of one-on-one study with Cambridge scholars is particularly exciting for Gorby, especially as it relates to his classes in Greek and Hebrew.
“I’ve always loved languages, and my major at Concordia is Biblical Languages,” he says. “Being able to read Greek and Hebrew texts with the scholars at Cambridge will be quite an experience.”
Gorby leaves for Cambridge on April 11; classes run through June 15. Following completion of the program, he plans to spend time visiting sites in England and Ireland with his parents, Tom and Michelle Gorby, and his girlfriend, Kaitlyn Magsig. He will begin studies this fall at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, in preparation for the ministry.
Gorby is a 2008 graduate of St. Johns High School. He is a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church-Riley, St. Johns.