Youth Theological Studies
St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Pinkard Scholars is the cornerstone of Youth Theological Studies at SMSU. The high school juniors admitted to this challenging course, RLST235: Foundations for Dialogue: Theology and Culture, explore and increase their understanding of:
- The Theology of God;
- The Person and Work of Jesus Christ;
- Humanity, Sin, Grace, and Hope;
- Cultural realities of today, with a specific focus on where God, Christ, Sin and Grace interact.
Pinkard Scholars learn to articulate and grapple with complicated contemporary themes in a thoughtful and discerning way as individuals and as a small learning community. This course will broaden their capacity:
- to engage thoughtfully in the dialogue between theology and culture.
- to develop and deepen skills of critical thinking, theological reflection, and dialogue necessary for engagement with the culture of today from a Catholic Christian perspective.
- to contemplate the concept of call and how they might make a difference in the world and in their present sphere of influence.
- to open doors to ecumenical and interfaith engagement and dialogue.
- to reflect on the concept of “call” and how one can make a difference in the world and in one’s own spheres of influence.
- to envision how to live in hope, cultivate a culture of hope, and spread positive energy in the midst of a world marked too often by suffering and manifestations of evil.
Pinkard Scholars Program Celebrates its 23rd Year!
Information for Nominating Parishes and Schools
If you have a student or students that you’d like to nominate to apply to the Pinkard Scholars Program, share the following Nomination Letter with them. This letter explains that you have nominated them to apply to this exciting program and also gives them information on what is needed to complete the application process. Applications are due by May 18, 2023 and students will be notified by May 31, 2023 if they have been accepted to participate in the program. Applicants are only accepted through nomination. If you have any questions, please direct them to Victoria Gaunt at vgaunt@stmarys.edu.
Information for Nominated Students
If you are a student and have been nominated to apply to the Pinkard Scholars Program, please submit the following forms before May 18, 2023 for consideration. Please follow the directions below:
- Complete the Application Form—remember, you can only apply if you have been nominated. Submit as instructed in #6 below.
- Write two essays (as noted on the application) and submit them in a PDF as instructed in #6 below. Remember to put your name on the Subject Line and also on each of the essays.
- Get two people to complete the Recommendation Form below. You can direct them to the form on this site and have them submit as instructed in #6 below.
- Have your school counselor submit the Academic Record Form as instructed in #6 below.
- Have your school counselor forward a PDF copy of your transcript as instructed in #6 below.
- All forms and material should be submitted by email to Ms. Gaunt at vgaunt@stmarys.edu.
Complete List of Forms/Documents
- Pinkard Scholars Nominee Letter
- Pinkard Scholars Application
- Pinkard Scholars Recommendation Form
- Academic Record Form
- Transcript Request Form
- Poster
There is a checklist on the application form. Please check that you have all of the forms filled out and submitted. All forms are to be submitted via email to vgaunt@stmarys.edu. Please contact Ms. Gaunt by email or call 410-864-4102 if you have any questions.