Sam and Grace Pittman Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Criteria: Eligible recipients must be enrolled as full-time students, major in Christian Ministries, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, and represent the high ideals of the Mission, Vision, and Values of the University of Northwestern.

Scholarship Story:

The Sam and Grace Pittman Memorial Scholarship honors two lives devoted to Christian ministry, missions, discipleship, and the preparation of future servants of Christ. Through this scholarship, the Pittman family continues to encourage students who are preparing for ministry and leadership in the church.

Sam and Grace met while studying at Fuller Seminary and were married in 1953. United by a shared passion for missions, they served for seventeen years in Pakistan, where Sam trained pastors and eventually served as principal of the Karachi Institute of Theology. Grace ministered alongside him while raising their daughters, Janet and Joann, and building meaningful relationships with both expatriate and Pakistani women.

In 1973, the Pittmans returned to the United States when Sam joined the University of Northwestern – St. Paul (then known as Northwestern College) as chairman of the Bible and Missions Department. Over the next twenty-five years, he taught and mentored students preparing for ministry, missions, and Christian service. Known for his humility, sense of humor, and love for students, Sam challenged those around him to think deeply, serve faithfully, and make their lives count for Christ. During his entire teaching career, he never missed a class due to illness.

Grace shared fully in that ministry. The Pittmans opened their home to hundreds of students, offering hospitality, encouragement, and discipleship. Grace later served with World Venture, mobilizing missionaries and supporting those serving around the world. She also became known for her gift of hospitality, her ministry of encouragement, and her love for music, which she used to point others toward Christ throughout her life.

After Sam passed away unexpectedly in 2001, colleagues, former students, family members, and friends joined together to establish a scholarship in his honor. The scholarship reflected what brought Sam great joy: seeing students graduate from Northwestern and enter full-time ministry at home and abroad. Following Grace’s passing in 2023, the scholarship continues to honor both of their legacies of faithfulness and service.

Today, the Sam and Grace Pittman Memorial Scholarship supports Christian Ministries students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to ministry. It stands as a tribute to a couple who spent their lives investing in others and whose influence continues through the students they encouraged, mentored, and inspired.