5 facts to know about Kamala Harris' VP pick Tim Walz

5. Walz is Lutheran, attended a Catholic university

The Pew Research Center compiled a list of the religious affiliations of the members of the 114th U.S. Congress, of which Walz was a part. The list identifies Walz as a Lutheran. In an X post Tuesday, noted religious scholar Ryan Burge identified Walz as a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

The Biographical Directory of Congress notes that Walz attended St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minnesota. St. Mary’s describes itself as an institution that strives to provide “human and Christian formation in the spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Patron Saint of Teachers.” 

“A Lasallian education is student-centric, dedicated to serving the poor, and promoting the common good in Jesus Christ. We believe education has the capability to transform lives, evangelize, and be the conduit for one’s vocation/calling in life,” the school states on its website. 

Maintaining that “Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota possesses the necessary essential [characteristics] of a Catholic higher education institution,” the school details how “Our Catholic mission and identity are experienced through tangible signs and symbols on campus (e.g., crucifixes, sacred art) and the lived expression – celebration of the Mass, Campus Ministry programming, and accompaniment.”

In addition to attending St. Mary’s, Walz attended several state colleges as well: Chadron College in Nebraska and Minnesota State University. He received a bachelor of science degree from the former and a master of science degree from the latter.