Hope College junior Anna Finger of Anderson, Ind., has been named a 2007 "Undergraduate Fellow" by the Fund for Theological Education (FTE).

Finger is one of only 49 juniors and seniors at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada to receive the awards for the 2007-08 school year.  FTE awards the fellowships to college students who demonstrate superior academic achievement and exceptional promise for ministry, with the aim of encouraging them to consider vocations in ministry and teaching and nurturing them in their exploration and study.

The recognition includes a $2,000 award for educational expenses or for an experience relating to exploring ministry.  In addition, Finger also attended the FTE's 2007 summer Conference on Excellence in Ministry, held on Wednesday-Sunday, June 20-24, at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill.

Finger, who is majoring in sociology and minoring in religion and dance, is currently planning on attending seminary after Hope.

She is spending the fall semester studying at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.  She is a member of the college's CrossRoads Project Lilly Scholars Program for students interested in seminary, was vice president of the Ballet Club during the 2006-07 school year and volunteers with the middle school youth group at Third Reformed Church.  Her activities at Hope have also included the spring break mission trip program coordinated by the Campus Ministries Office, Sacred Dance and serving as a volunteer with New Student Orientation.

Finger is a 2005 graduate of Highland High School in Anderson.  She is the daughter of Mark and Susan Finger of Anderson.

The Fund for Theological Education is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship.  Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to creating a pipeline of quality leadership for the church and the academy.  The fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching.