CLS professor receives honorary doctorate

ST. PAUL, Minnesota – Rev. Dr. James Gimbel, Academic Dean of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton), has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP).

“This degree is awarded to individuals who have been active in philanthropy, community service, and leadership,” the university explains in a letter. CSP particularly commended Dr. Gimbel for his “faith, love for God and His people, and passion for God’s mission.”

The award was presented during CSP’s commencement service on May 3, 2024. Unfortunately, Dr. Gimbel was ill at the time and unable to participate in the ceremony. “We are thrilled and honoured as a university to award to Rev. Dr. Gimbel the degree Doctor of Letters,” said CSP President Brian Friedrich. “Dr. Gimbel has had a long, storied, and significant live of service to Concordia, St. Paul, to Concordia Publishing House (St. Louis, Missouri), and to Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.”

Dr. Gimbel expressed gratitude for the award in a post on social media: “Deeply humbled (keenly aware of my failures, faults, and sins, and in awe of others who seem more worthy), I only agreed with the understanding that by accepting the honour, I would be able to: 1) pay tribute to all the wonderful mentors who left their imprint on me throughout my formation; 2) affirm all the partners who collaborated with me along every step of my life and deserve shared credit; 3) uphold the value of the ‘letters’ (humanities and liberal arts) that help us all respond with thoughtful and informed living; and 4) testify that my life of service is in joyful response to the Saviour who served and sacrificed all to save me and sanctify me for a life of serving Him.”

“I want to say thanks to CSP and everyone else who shares in a life of service but may not be thus recognized,” Dr. Gimbel continued. “And especially, thanks to God who gives our lives meaningful opportunities to serve Him.”

In addition to his current service at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton as a professor and academic dean, Dr. Gimbel served the institution as president from 2014-2024. He previously served as a professor at Concordia University, St. Paul from 2002-2013, and as a senior editor for youth, family, and Sunday School materials at Concordia Publishing House. He studied for the ministry at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri) and earned his Ph.D. in 2002 from Regent University (Virginia Beach, Virginia).

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