NOMINATION SOUGHT FOR
THE LIFETIME OF SERVICE AWARD
in memory of
Donald A. Vetter
Granting recognition to people who highly support Lutheran education is a way for the ELEA to honor outstanding accomplishments. Toward this goal, ELEA established The Donald A. Vetter Educational Service Award in 2004 and renamed it in 2024. It is designed to identify persons who have provided extraordinary achievements and contributions distinguished by a long-standing commitment to the values of ELEA. The award may be granted annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Lutheran education consistent with Dr. Vetter’s own career. The recipient will be deemed a worthy model for those committed to exemplary service in Lutheran education. The award is intended to draw attention to the value of Lutheran schools and early childhood education centers, identify high standards of excellence, and inspire others to minister in such a setting.
Words from the citation for Dr. Vetter’s L.L.D. degree provide a benchmark for the award: “He has been the one person most responsible for the quality, promotion, and development of the Christian Day Schools and Preschools within the church.” He displays “. . . a great love for his Lord and his family, and a personal warmth and spirit easily overlooked in his humble supportiveness of others.”
Donald A. Vetter (1919-2002) devoted his adult life to the ministry of Lutheran schools. His education began in Fort Wayne, IN, at his parish’s Lutheran elementary school. He later received a bachelor’s degree from Capital University (an ELCA institution of higher education in Columbus, Ohio) and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. He served as teacher/principal/organist to Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Marysville, Ohio; Zion Lutheran Church and School in Appleton, Wisconsin; and First Lutheran Church and School in Blue Island, Illinois. Dr. Vetter had the foresight to see the need for a national organization to represent the needs and values of Lutheran schools while an administrator at First Lutheran in Blue Island. He was instrumental in establishing the American Lutheran Education Association (ALEA), the predecessor of ELEA. He served as the founding Executive Director of the organization. His office was based at Wartburg College, where he held a faculty appointment and developed a teacher preparation program for Lutheran school educators.
The award will be presented to the recipient at the ELEA National Administrator & Pastor Conference.