Search Institute

The story of Search Institute began in 1958. Search Institute’s founder, Merton Strommen, a young youth director, was asked to develop a survey for his doctoral dissertation to understand the concerns and needs of young people in a newly merging Lutheran denomination. The resulting survey was administered to 2,000 youth and 2,000 adults. It led to the establishment of Lutheran Youth Research in 1960 to continue scientific research on youth in religious institutions. The organization’s name evolved until it became Search Institute in 1977, reflecting a broadened research agenda.