Beth Hoeltke

Dr. Beth Hoeltke is director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where she serves to advise and supervise its students, oversee the components of graduate education, and promote academic quality and integrity. She has served in this role since 2016.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, in Menomonie, Wis., Hoeltke earned a master’s degree in Systemic Theology and a Ph.D. in Doctrinal Theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. While attending Concordia Seminary, she served as a graduate assistant to Dr. Charles Arand and as a reference librarian for the Concordia Seminary library.

Hoeltke’s areas of special interest include natural burial options for Christians, a biblical connection between food and theology, understanding the role of women in the church from a biblical perspective, theology and ethics with a focus in environmental and ecological issues, and hymnody in worship. Additionally, she pursues research, writing and public speaking on the theology of creation and its intersection in daily life and communal practice. Hoeltke also serves as the production manager for The Gospel of Mark, the Seminary’s traveling dramatic presentation of the text by Saint Mark.

Before joining Concordia Seminary, Hoeltke worked as a secondary and post-secondary education teacher, as well as in the semiconductor test equipment and printing industries. In addition to her role at the Seminary, Hoeltke also serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University, Portland, Ore.