Luther Classical College (LCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Jacob Benson as director of admissions and assistant professor of humanities. Rev. Benson was ordained in 2019, served as Pastor of Zion Lutheran in Orange, Connecticut for two years, and has shepherded the flock of Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Lovell, Wyoming for the past four years. He has also served on the Ethics Committee of the North Big Horn Hospital District. “LCC is a breath of fresh air in the world of higher education,” Rev. Benson says. “It is such a joy to find a college that regards the Bible as the Word of God and holds the Book of Concord to be a faithful exposition of that Word of God. To be in an environment that is unabashedly Western, Christian, and Classical is nothing less than a blessing from God.”
Dr. William Lipke, who has faithfully served as director of admissions since May 2024, is handing off the position as planned so that he can focus on his role as Professor of Music and Parish Music Program Coordinator “I could not be more excited to pass the torch to Rev. Benson. His servant heart and commitment to our youth make him an exemplary choice for this role,” he reflects. “I look forward to seeing the admissions department flourish under his guidance, and I am grateful for the opportunity to now devote myself fully to teaching and developing the music program here at LCC.”
Rev. Benson earned an AA in Psychology from Northwest College and a BA in Religious Studies with a minor in Psychology from the University of Wyoming. During his years in the seminary, he was a teaching assistant in the department of Exegetical Theology and taught music courses at Wittenberg Academy. He earned both an MDiv and an STM from Concordia Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a PhD in English at Trinity College Dublin, where his research focuses on the role of fiction and hagiographies in forming virtuous men and women. “I always have striven to understand all branches of knowledge as intertwined,” Rev. Benson explains. “As an undergraduate student I tutored peers in astronomy, religious studies, and algebra. Though I did not know it at the time, I was laying the foundation to teach according to the classical model.”
As director of admissions, Rev. Benson looks forward to helping shape students not only as scholars, but as faithful sons and daughters of the Church. “Outside of the classroom, I am excited to be a part of the formation of the students at LCC,” he shares. “My wife and I are looking forward to hosting dinners with students and hope to provide a positive model of the Christian home to the young men and women of LCC.”
The college is grateful to benefit from the gifts of another faithful Wyoming District—LCMS pastor, as LCC regent and Wyoming District president Rev. John Hill expounds, “The Lord has bountifully supplied this district and this school with workers for His harvest. May the Good Shepherd continue to guard and guide us with his staff.” Rev. Benson will also serve as assistant pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Casper alongside LCC regent Rev. Jon Olson and LCC dean of chapel Rev. Joshua Hayes.
Rev. Benson was baptized and confirmed at Saint Luke’s Lutheran in Worland, Wyoming. He and his wife, Mary, were married in 2018 and have a three-year-old son, Henrik. “LCC faculty and staff welcome Rev. Benson and his family with joyful gratitude, confident that his leadership will enrich LCC’s mission to cultivate faithful, educated, and virtuous Christian men and women,” remarks LCC president Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau.
