# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S190
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

188 SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

College and the Ministerial College in each school. It is to be
noted that this plan does not propose two separate schools on the
same campus, but that joint training under an integrated dual pro-
gram is contemplated.

It appeared to the Board that it would be unnecessarily difficult
to build a successful Senior College if its program were controlled
by dual objectives: one pre-professional, one terminal. The report
of the North Central Examiners which declined to accredit our
Seward Institution seven years ago indicates that the accrediting
agencies would require very clear classification of these objectives
and commensurately broad programs for each. The Church would
be even more vitally interested in the adequacy of the two programs.
Another administrational hazard would be created by the short
term during which the Teachers Colleges would retain the minis-
terial students. It is difficult to gauge the effect which existing
traditions created by four-year students at such a school would
have upon the two-year ministerial students or to estimate the
potential extent of a program of spiritual conditioning for minis-
terials under the circumstances involved.

The fact that the plan would involve adjustments in all of the
present Preparatory Colleges because of the necessity of making
high school departments available for preliminary teacher training
need not be regarded as a negative factor. Additional music train-
ing staffs and space should probably be added to the present pro-
gram of these schools regardless of any decision on a Senior College.
It is apparent, also, that the present eight-year program at the
Teachers Colleges merits careful study.

On the positive side it should be noted that a well-located,
attractive, and suitable campus would be made available. The
advantages of a great metropolitan and Lutheran center could find
effective application. Although extensive remodeling and adjust-
ment expenditures would be involved, the cost is comparatively
moderate — under one million dollars.

Another resultant advantage would be the creation of an
excellent opportunity to exercise effective guidance and thus to
channel students into the profession in which they could best
serve the Church,

The plan algo has the advantage of leaving the Preparatory
Schools physically intact, although the curriculum in the first two
years of all Junior Colleges would be conditioned by the new plan.
Enrollments at Synod’s two largest schools might also be affected
since students who reside in or between Milwaukee and Fort
Wayne might well wish to spend all of their four college years on
the River Forest campus instead of attending three or four different