# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S23
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 28

Nearly all the men took the four-year diploma and Bachelor's
degree, and most of the women the three-year synodical teacher~
training diploma, from which point many will work on toward
the degree in summer sessions and correspondence courses while
they are teaching in the field. While the tabulation will not be
completed until the end of the summer session in August, it appears
that the total number of graduates granted diplomas at the four
graduation exercises of the current school year 1949-50 will be 81,
including 26 for the three-year teaching diploma and 55 for the
Bachelor’s degree. Within two years, when the effect of the dis-
continuance of the High School becomes fully operative, the num-
ber of graduates will be much larger. If Synod can grant our
request for additional dormitory space (Memorial C) and other
facilities, the number of graduates supplied will, by God’s grace,
be correspondingly increased. In the meantime we are urgently
requesting all pastors, teachers, and congregations of Synod, as
well as our Lutheran high schools, to help us recruit well-qualified
young Christians to enter freshman or advanced college classes,
Though we have often been forced to keep highly qualified young
women on our waiting list because of lack of space, we have never
yet excluded a male high school graduate whose official record
showed the proper physical, mental, and educational qualifications
and who had the recommendation of his pastor as to his religious
attitude and moral fitness for the teaching profession. We intend
to continue this policy.

The ten-year summary report of our Director of Student
Teaching and Placement shows that in the past triennium 99, 99,
and 70 supply teachers have been sent out, without counting a total
of about 100 who remained out for an additional year, for a grand
total of 368 supplies, or an annual average of over 120. The same
report lists a total of 1,510 teaching personnel of all kinds, including
emergency teachers, who have been supplied to Synod’s school
system by River Forest during the ten-year period 1939—49.

New Buildings and Facilities

The new Library and the new Dormitory for Women, allowed
by the 1944 synodical convention, were begun in 1947 and were
put into use during the school year 1948—49, the Dormitory in -
December, and the Library in March. The buildings have added
much to the appearance of our campus and have already rendered
effective service in our program of teacher-training. Through the
senerosity of congregations in northern Illinois and in Michigan
and many individual friends, the buildings have been adequately
equipped and furnished without direct cost to Synod. We grate-

y acknowledge the release of synodical funds for the most