# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S763
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 65

his recommendation. When in 1948 the new library and dormitory
’ allowed by Synod in 1944 were under construction, the college was

- again thoroughly examined by Dr. M. G. Neale, Professor of Edu-
cation at the University of Minnesota and an experienced North
Central evaluator, and Dr. Paul Lange, Principal of the St. Louis
Lutheran High School. Over a period of two trienniums the
teaching and administrative staff, the accounting system, the cur-
riculum, library, classrooms, commissary, dormitories, and other
facilities were adapted to meet the expanded needs of Synod’s
teacher-training program, while at the same time conforming to
recognized collegiate standards. Following the formal application
for accreditation, President Irwin Lubbers of Hope College, Hol-
land, Mich., and Dean Robert White of Kent State University, Kent,
Ohio, conducted the official examination and visitation in Decem-
ber, 1949: Their twenty-five-page report was the basis of the.
favorable action by the North Central Association.

The examiners emphasized eight specific elements of strength
at Concordia Teachers College. The first of these concerns itself
with the purpose of the institution. Here the evaluators stated:
“There is no mistaking the purpose of Concordia Teachers College.
The institution knows exactly what it wishes to achieve and states
its purpose in unequivocal terms. ... There is no evidence of
dilution of that purpose. ... The control, administration, faculty,
and students possess a common background and objective. ... The
morale of all personnel at Concordia Teachers College is: appro-
priate to an educational institution. ... It is obvious in all the
activities of the college that its purposes are the determining
factor.” Among the other elements of strength were: loyalty and
devotion by all to the college; deliberate and effective study of
educational policy by the faculty; a student body of above-average
mentality and achievement, which at the same time is highly moti-
vated and sincere; the demonstrated ability of the school to conduct
rigid self-study and to make the necessary improvements; strong:
financial support from the Church; effective student personnel and
placement service; and administrative officers and faculty competent
to staff an institution with the purposes of Concordia Teachers
College.

To overcome the three elements of weakness noted by the
examiners, a re-study and clarification of the synodical control
of the institution were recommended, as well as the strengthening
of the authority of the local board, an increase in the number of
board members with longer and overlapping terms of office to
insure continuity of policy and effort; clarification and strength-
ening of the positions of the academic administrators; and a broad-