Pastor and Husband's Bequest Establishes Professorships in Music and Religion

The Rev. Dr. Lois D. Martin '90 has said that she feels "a sense of gratitude to Susquehanna."

Lois was a nontraditional student and a mother of four children — one daughter still at home — when she began her college education in the 1980s. During her me as a student, her mother died and other family challenges made her education complex. During these challenges, Lois said that the faculty and staff at Susquehanna always supported her.

"Whenever I thought I was coming to a dead end, a way forward was made possible," she says.

A church organist, Lois graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1990 with a degree in church music with a concentration in organ. She continued her education at the Colgate Rochester Divinity School and the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, receiving a master's degree in church music and a master's degree in divinity. She later was ordained into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She earned a Doctor of Ministry degree at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, now United Lutheran Seminary.

Today, Lois serves Susquehanna University as a member of the university's Board of Trustees. Growing up in nearby Shamokin, Pennsylvania, Lois has lived and worked near Susquehanna for much of her life. "The campus becomes more beautiful each year," she says.

In 2012, Lois and her husband, Dr. Thomas J. Martin, MD, made a legacy commitment to establish The Reverend Dr. Lois D. '90 and Dr. Thomas J. Martin Music Professorship, in recognition of Lois' appreciation to the music faculty for their guidance during her academic career at Susquehanna. Again in 2016, they committed to establish The Reverend Dr. Lois D. '90 and Dr. Thomas J. Martin Religion Professorship, which recognizes Lois's appreciation to the religion faculty for their guidance during her academic career at Susquehanna.

Both Martin Professorships will be awarded to faculty members from Susquehanna's Department of Music and Department of Religion for three-year terms and provide financial resources to support their research or scholarly activity. As endowed funds, the Martins' gift will benefit Susquehanna faculty, and, in turn, Susquehanna students, in perpetuity.

In addition to their legacy gift commitments, the Martins make annual gifts to the music and religion departments, supported the construction of the university's Admission House, and made a gift of property which is now recognized as The Rev. Dr. Lois D. Martin '90 and Dr. Thomas J. Martin, MD Retreat Center. The Martin Retreat Center is a 50-acre property in Cooper Township, Montour County, which is used as retreat space for the university's academic and extracurricular programs, including for religious and spiritual life student clubs such as Susquehanna's pre-ministry club, which offers mentorship and community to students who are considering a call to ordained ministry.

"Tom and I believe it is important to give back," Lois says. "I chose Susquehanna because of the reputation of the music department, the support I received from faculty and administration, the welcoming safe environment on campus and the open acceptance of non-traditional students."

"Tom and I are both grateful, and we want to help give to others the opportunity that was given to me," she adds.