May 6, 2011. School of Theology and Ministry student, Luke Black, has been awarded the Monsignor Edward J. Ryle Scholarship for Faith and Public Policy. The scholarship, valued at more than $50,000, is provided by the Arizona Ecumenical Council. Ryle, a Catholic priest and a former sociology professor, left a university teaching position to become a highly effective public policy advocate for social justice issues in the state of Arizona.

The Ecumenical Council hopes to “not only heal the wounds of the Church, but will also heal the wounds of our world.” By honoring Monsignor Ryle, the Council’s goal is to select candidates who seek to help lead the world to a place of greater justice and more abiding peace.

The Council stated that it selected Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry (STM) because “the school has a reputation for creative educational programming that helps young people blend their commitment to faith and spirituality with their commitment to create a more just and humane world.”

As the first full scholarship for an STM student, Black will pursue the Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership (MATL). The son of missionary parents, Black has traveled extensively and worked with Habitat for Humanity in Central Arizona as well as for the YWCA of King and Snohomish Counties.

“In conceiving the Ryle scholarship and partnering with a school like STM, the Arizona Ecumenical Council has devised a brilliant strategy for supporting the next generation of justice advocates working from a faith-based orientation,” said Mark Markuly, the dean of the school.