# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S252 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Wo wu hme and Keitha Murray. Administrative appointments included Viji George, dean of students: David Jacobson. registrar: Gerald Coleman, director of residences: Hans Springer. director of development: and Janet Jockwer, director of admissions. A Supportive Constituency High on the list of Concordia’s blessings is a supportive constituency: the East Coast Common Endeavor. which includes the six synodical Districts serving the states from Maine to Florida and the regional portions of the English and the Slovak Districts: the East Coast Association of Congrega- tions, which is comprised of those churches which include Concordia College in their annual budgets: the Ambassadors, a network of individuals pledged to assist their pastors in promoting Concordia and its mission: and support organiza- tions such as the Lutheran Educational Society. Concordia Guild, and the Alumni Association. All of these are blessings from God. Another plus comes in the form of growing enthusiasm for and involvement with Concordia on the part of members of the community. Evidences of the fine support from friends and neighbors include the various cooperative educational endeavors such as the gifted and talented programs based at Concordia, attendance at the annual Community Dinner, membership on the Business Advisory Council, financial contributions for special needs. adoption of campus improve- ment projects such as lighted campus maps by the Rotary Club, landscaping promoted by the Chamber of Commerce, and area participation on the college's Advisory Council. A century-long blessing comes in the form of subsidy from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. In the vear ended June 30, 1983, this amounted to 12.4'". of the expense budget. Although this subsidy has been declining slowly in amount and purchasing power, Concordia is grateful for this support without which it would not exist. Meriting special mention is the program of capital improve- ments made possible through Forward in Remembrance. Thanks to the generous outpouring of gifts from the members of the Synod. Concordia has been helped from this fund to carry out a number of necessary energy-related maintenance tasks such as the installation of new boilers, conversion to a dual-choice heating system. replacement of 1909-vintage windows with insulated ones, and the repair and insulation of several leaky roofs. Dedication of Sommer Center After more than 70 years of holding chapel and worship services in classroom and gymnasium facilities on the Bronx- ville campus, Concordia now has a worship center of its own. The culmination of the centennial celebration was the construc- tion of the Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts. A standing-room-only crowd joined in the rite of dedica- tion on Nov. 7, 1982. In that audience were more than half of the presidents of the synodical districts who were gathering for their historic, first- ever conference held on Concordia’s campus during the week following dedication. Also present was Mrs. Martin Sommer, who with her late husband made the largest individual contri- bution toward the building which has converted another of Concordia’s visions into reality. The availability of the chapel andthe lecture recital hallin the Sommer Center has rejuvenated both the worship and the cultural life at Concordia. An Inaugural Guest Artist Series is attracting noted concert musicians. Handel's Messiah, pre- sented before a sellout audience in early December 1982, was videotaped and replayed on cable television two days after Christmas. Various other musical and educational features are attracting hosts of new friends tocampus. People from the area are inquiring about renting the facility for performances and recording purposes. The choir’s annual concert in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in midtown Manhattan continues to attract apprecia- tive audiences. On Dec. 26 the International Lutheran Hour program was built upon the presentation of Bach's Christmas PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION Oratorio performed by the Concordia Festival Chorus and Orchestra. In the Spring of 1982 the NBC-TV network released a program, ‘Priceless Treasure, ’ filmed on campus and featur- ing the viability and vibrancy of the small, church-related college campus. Reaching Out for Service to Others Blessed to be a blessing. Concordia has been expanding its service to the people, schools, and churches of the Eastern Seaboard. Biblical seminars. family counseling workshops. touring groups for music and drama are offered off-campus in addition to on-campus continuing education for pastors and teachers. The Kretzmann Lecture Series in liturgy and music and “Books and Coffee” are annual presentations of general interest. Two new centers have been established. The Center for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences. co-directed by Professors Viji George and David Jacobson, brings together representa- tives from selected colleges for in-depth investigation of scholarly topics. The Center for Urban Education Ministry. under the direction of Professor Lester Bayer, provides 11 programs specifically designed to assist those who minister to the special needs of God's city people. Concordia’s Program of Field Services. coordinated by Professor Alan Steinberg. responds to requests from near and far for Concordia’s contri- bution to a variety of programs and projects. Throughout the summer months Concordia’s campus is utilized in a variety of revenue-producing ways: summer camps. institutes, conferences, convocations, workshops, elder- hostels, etc. In addition to two summer school sessions of three weeks each, especially designed for teacher education students and graduates. there are classes for gifted and talented children of the community. The Financial Picture For the past several years Concordia has been narrowing the gap between income and operating expenses, the bane of most private schools during the past inflationary period. It has every hope of achieving a balanced budget with the 1983—84 school year. Were it not for interest payments on past loans, it would be there now. The improvements in energy-related equipment will help significantly in reducing utilities bills, which have almost doubled during the 1977—1983 period. A continuing concern is the growing need of students for financial aid—more than 70". of Concordia’s students are in this category—at a time when financial aid from government is declining. Who will supply the necessary scholarships and grants so that deserving students who choose Concordia can find it possible to enroll? In Proverbs we read, ‘‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.” To succeed we need a vision that leads us into a future that has responded to the challenges not only of the past but also of today, into a future that sees Concordia, Bronxville, ever growing in its mission of ‘‘providing for the equipping of God's people for service to Him in church and society.” Board of Regents Concordia College, Bronxville Henry G. Appel. Sr.. Chairman Ralph C. Schultz, Executive Officer 6-07 St. Paul’s College, Concordia, Mo. Centenial Year One hundred years ago German Lutheran settlers in America’s western territories were being lost to the church for lack of pastors and teachers. A preparatory school was needed in the heartland of the United States to qualify voung men to assume the Lord’s work in the West. Rev. F. J. Biltz of Concordia, Mo.. and other men of vision founded St. Paul's as an academy to prepare young men to become ministers of God’s Word.