# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S191
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 189

schools during their student career. This situation might, in turn,
influence the curricular offerings at the Teachers Colleges.

It is hoped that such a plan might also offer an opportunity
to acquaint the future minister more specifically with the problems
and techniques of primary education and to give the future teacher
an understanding of some of the more perplexing aspects of
ministerial responsibilities.

It is difficult to see, however, how any appreciable direct contact
could be introduced into the already seriously crowded ministerial
program or how significant training in pastoral attitudes might be
injected into the normal courses without sacrificing essential
features of each. The personal contacts achieved under the plan
might well contribute to enhanced mutual understanding and good
will, but the possibility of a tendency toward greater emphasis on
rivalry, competition, and mutual exclusiveness typical of that
which now exists between pre-professional schools on university
campuses all over the world should not be overlooked.

The problems involved in any attempt to secure the most
desirable results from the ministerial training program on a campus
which supports co-education merit careful consideration. Yet
the Church continues to make demands for increased numbers of
female teachers and there is reliable indication that an even greater
supply must be made available for the future. Under these cir-
cumstances it may be found desirable to operate the present
Teachers Colleges as co-educational Junior Colleges and to ask
qualified male graduates to continue their studies toward a bach-
elor’s degree in the proposed Senior College. Such a system could
conceivably continue to produce a supply of average male and
female teachers, while at the same time providing more advanced
study and specialization for those whose qualifications and interests
warrant further training. Thus many of the advantages of joint
training of ministers and teachers might be preserved and one of
the less favorable features eliminated. |

Valparaiso

Another proposal of merit does not involve the physical proper-
ties of the Synod at all, but suggests that Valparaiso University be
requested to establish on its campus a school of religion under
a separate dean and faculty.

The geographic location of this campus is not ideal, but its
proximity to the city of Chicago makes extensive educational
facilities immediately available.

Although it would materially broaden educational experience,
the arrangement would not lend itself readily to the intensive
spiritual conditioning program which the Board holds to be essential