# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2010_S89 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNOD REPORTS tionally, Concordia’s student body is more than 30 percent minority and international. • Talbot House, the first president’s residence, built 100 years ago, was converted into the new admissions building in 2008. Complete remodeling, renovation, and furnishing of this beautiful structure was made possible by a generous gift from Regent Jack Pietruski in honor of his wife, Roberta Talbot Pietruski. • In 2009, Concordia and Valparaiso University established the Center for Global and Professional Studies, through which programs will be developed for both campuses in areas of high synergy, capitalizing on the strengths, resources, and locations of the two institutions. These include business, media/communications, law, nursing, social sciences, and humanities. In addition, the Center will facilitate international study and faculty development on both campuses. • Concordia’s Tour Choir’s Palm Sunday and Easter services were featured in 2009 on the Christian Television Network’s “Service for Shut-Ins.” • In 2009, a Concordia graduate was honored as the New York State Social Work Student of the Year, the fourth time in the last eight years that a Bronxville-trained social worker has been recognized with this prestigious award. • Recent facilities improvements included the complete renovation and refurnishing in 2007 of Feth Hall, the original administration and classroom building, with ten completely renovated classrooms, many with state-of-the-art educational technology. The Liberal Studies Hall opened the following year in remodeled space, providing a huge new art studio and much-needed faculty offices. • In 2007, Concordia again received accreditation from Middle States Commission on Higher Education. • In 2007, Concordia launched the Business Breakfasts at Concordia networking and lecture series to enthusiastic response from members of the surrounding communities, the campus community, and alumni. Noted speakers in this and other campus lecture series included former Nebraska Senator and Governor Bob Kerrey, television journalists George Stephanopoulos and Cokie Roberts, and David Westin, President of ABC News, as well as many other leaders of media, finance, and business in the New York City metropolitan area. • The OSilas Gallery, an exquisite exhibition space in the Donald A. Krenz Academic Center, has been firmly established as a preeminent art gallery in lower Westchester County. The Academic Center itself was honored by American School & University magazine in August 2009 as one of the nation’s most outstanding learning environments. It was cited for its ability to integrate current and future technology, its “timelessness” with the flexibility to update to meet evolving standards, and the enhancement of an engaged educational mission. • At its annual Community Dinner, the College celebrated the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of President Viji George. The event drew a record crowd and record fund-raising support from the local community, area alumni, and Concordia’s regents. Concordia University, Irvine, CA—Loren Kramer, Interim President • The Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration program continues to grow rapidly, offering both face-to-face and online versions of the program. As of spring 2010, 346 students are enrolled—the vast majority of them online. • A revised core curriculum, approved in 2009 by the faculty, includes paired courses in philosophy/mathematics, biology/theology, and 89 history/literature, and is required of all incoming students during their first two years. Classes begin fall 2010. • Enrollment grew to 2,564 in 2009 from 2,317 in 2006. Traditional undergraduates in 2009 numbered 1,253. The university also enrolled 1,311 graduate and adult students. • Athletics: • The athletic department finished in the top five in the nation the last three years in the Directors Cup Competition: second in 2009, fifth in 2008, and third in 2007. • Women’s volleyball finished in the final four in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. • Men’s soccer played in the NAIA championship game in 2007. • Men’s basketball won the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) championship and tournament in 2008. • NAIA national quarterfinal finishers for spring also included men’s basketball (sixth appearance in past seven years) and men’s tennis, making their first appearance at the national tournament. • The Second Degree Accelerated BSN program, which began in August of 2008, was granted full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education in October 2009. As of spring 2010, 48 students have graduated from the program. • A forensics program was initiated in the fall 2007. The 2009–10 squad includes 13 students, 8 of whom competed in the national championships. • Concordia initiated the “Faithfulness and Excellence” program, a year-long seminar that provides education to new faculty and staff by addressing the following questions: _ “What does it mean to work at a Lutheran institution?” “How does my understanding of vocation affect my work at Concordia?” “What does excellent teaching/leadership look like?” • The Foolish Proposal, written and directed by Professor Lori Siekmann, was one of 10 college plays from the southwest US selected for the Region 8 festival of the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival in February 2010. • Since 2007, music ensembles have toured to 14 states and five foreign countries (Italy, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Canada), performing for over 45,000 people. CUI currently fields 21 music ensembles, ranging from the Concordia Choir, the Concordia Wind Orchestra, and Concert Handbells to the Jazz Combo and four contemporary worship bands. • Attendance at annual Faith and Business Forums average 1,000 per event. Speakers have included Hugh Hewitt, John Maxwell, and Ken Blanchard. • Faculty approved an 18-week “Around the World Semester” for fall 2010, during which two faculty members will lead 24 students on a study tour of all six inhabited continents, earning a full semester of course credit and engaging in short-term mission activities. • Since 2007, CUI has organized seven mission trips to South Africa; China; Hungary; Biloxi, Mississippi; Mexico; Costa Rica; and Israel. In summer 2010, the Concordia Choir tours Italy, Concordia handbell choirs travel to Hungary and Austria, and a faculty-led group of students travels to India. Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI—Patrick Ferry, President • In 2008, the administration announced plans to establish a School of Pharmacy, only the second school in Wisconsin to offer a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The focus of the pharmacy school, which should be built on campus in time for the 2011–2012 academic 2010 Convention Workbook 2010 Convention.indb 89 4/15/10 2:38 PM