# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S62
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SYNODICAL REPORTS 61

year-end goal. Of the amount reported, about 40 percent is cash in
hand, 10 percent cash pledged, and 50 percent estate gifts. About
$54 million of the total was reported by campaign teams at the
schools, with the rest reported by the national team. Each school
set its own enrollment and endowment goals for the campaign. The
endowment funds will support educational services and programs,
including scholarships, but do not include capital needs like build-
ing construction or acquisition of property. Endowment funds are
invested and the interest is used to support academic programs and
scholarships.

In November 2000, the LCMS Board for Higher Education an-
nounced a 7.5 percent increase in the number of synodical students
enrolled at its schools in the fall, compared with fall 1999. While
there is a great need for church workers, a Lutheran college educa-
tion also prepares men and women for lay vocations and for Chris-
tian leadership in communities and congregations.

A National Cabinet of volunteers has been established to lead
this effort, chaired by General John W. Vessey Jr., former Chair-
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Betty Duda and Gloria Edwards,
past presidents of the LWML, are currently serving on the Cabi-
net. Teams at each of the ten campuses, national staff, and most
important of all, more than 2,500 volunteers have been assembled.

As a result of the For the Sake of the Church efforts, there are a
number of potential benefits for all concerned:
¢ Expanded educational and career opportunities for students
* Lutheran higher education that is high quality and affordable
* More church workers and lay leaders for the Synod
* Revitalized congregations with well-prepared leadership
¢ Financial viability for the colleges and universities
¢ Wider awareness of the schools among LCMS families

Significant Achievements: Individual Campuses

Concordia University System

Concordia, Ann Arbor—James Koerschen, President

¢ Since the last convention we have been blessed with a 13 percent
increase in full-time traditional student enrollment, including a
120 percent increase in pre-seminary enrollment, a 28.6 percent
increase in professional church work enrollment, thus achieving
the highest level of enrollment in church work programs and in
total enrollment since the 1980s. 75 percent of traditional students
are members of Lutheran congregations.

* By God’s grace, on December 31, 1999, the college successfully
completed a major resource development initiative by raising
$14,000,000 in cash and cash pledges.

¢ A new student union and a central campus beautification project
were completed.

Concordia, Austin—David Zersen, President

¢ Entered largest building program in its history with $11 million
invested in Harms Residential Suites and Beto Academic Center.

* Led technology initiative in higher education by being the first
university in Texas to provide laptop computers for all faculty
and students.

* Raised $7.6 million in the ongoing $11 million Gateway for Gen-
erations capital campaign to complete the first of three phases of
the Campus Plan.

Concordia, Bronxville—Viji George, President

* Installed President Viji D. George on April 18, 1999, replacing
retiring President Ralph C. Schultz.

* Developed and implemented a new strategic plan—A Journey of
Promise—to increase enrollment, particularly enrollment of
Lutheran students, and ensure a sound fiscal future.

* Reaffirmed and strengthened relationships with our local Districts
and regional church constituency as well as the surrounding com-
munity through relational and programmatic efforts.

Concordia, Irvine—J. A. O. Preus III, President

* Developed a five-year Strategic Plan which charts the growth of
the university while reaffirming the institution’s commitment to
remain faithful to Lutheran theology and to strive for excellence
in teaching and learning.

Experienced exceptional growth in student enrollment over the
past five years, going from 827 to 1,172 full-time students. This
represents a 42 percent growth in student body during that period
of time.

Redesigned all church work preparation programs to more effec-
tively identify, develop, and nurture church work students begin-
ning in their freshmen year. This, together with our “Heart for a
Noble Task” scholarship program for Lutheran students, has led
to a 47 percent increase in church work students over the past five
years.

Concordia, Mequon—Patrick Ferry, President

Continued 20-year trend of extraordinary enrollment growth with
a 2000-2001 enrollment of over 4,600, including positive initial
results from For the Sake of the Church recruitment initiatives
with over 900 church work students in 2000-2001—an amazing
66 percent increase since 1995-96.

Achieved many significant improvements to Mequon campus, in-
cluding May 1999 dedication of new state-of-the-art Regents Hall
residence hall, housing 265 students in suites; computer network,
telephone, and other infrastructure upgrades.

Established four institutes—Cranach Institute; Christian Center
for Culture, Morality, and Bioethics; Institute for Financial Man-
agement; and Concordia Biblical Studies Institute—and hosted
many noteworthy national and international conferences and
events.

Concordia, Portland—Charles Schlimpert, President

Provided a model for LCMS congregations in delivering religious
instruction to high school students through a unique combination
of “released time” from public school instruction and religious
instruction provided through CUENet distance learning services.

Completed construction of new and remodeled residence facili-
ties for 400 students. Upon opening in the fall of 1999 all facili-
ties were filled to capacity as a result of the university’s continued
dramatic growth.

The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges announced
that Concordia University, Portland, has been moved to self-sus-
taining status. This elevates the University to a more trusted po-
sition with the accrediting association and requires less in the way
of accrediting association approvals for programs.

Concordia, River Forest—George Heider, President

New degree programs, including Doctor of Education degrees in
early childhood education and in educational leadership (the first
academic doctorates offered by a Lutheran university outside of
Europe).

Capital improvements, including a five-level, 584-space parking
garage, a new eight-lane, all-weather track and football/soccer
field, and initial work on the Walter and Maxine Christopher Cen-
ter for Learning and Leadership, a 75,000 sq. ft. facility for the
College of Education, and Early Childhood Education Center.

¢ Partnerships, including these:

a. A partnership with the Department of Catechetics of the Uni-
versity of Ostrava, Czech Republic, to enable the Lutheran
pastor/professors who make up that department to do research
in teaching the faith to the young

b. Partnerships with the Lilly Foundation and several colleges
and universities to foster faculty reflection and conversation
on the future of church-related higher education

2001 Convention Workbook