# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S117
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Report of Board for Higher Education 115

students’ traveling expenses would be accompanied by substantial
savings to Synod.

A marked overlapping of areas from which Concordia, Win-
field, and Seward draw their students supports the belief that two
schools could accommodate the students of three schools without
hardship to students.

The union of two schools in this instance involves the transfer
of one. Which of the two it should be depends upon an objective
evaluation of pertinent factors rather than the conclusions of per-
sonal preference, sentiment, and regional loyalty, much as the
latter are recognized and respected as influences in the decisions
and actions of men. ;

Excellent reasons can be advanced for the retention of either
one of the schools as headquarters of consolidation. The faculties

are composed of able men, a right spirit pervades the student-.

body, the management is efficient, the local people are loyal to their
school, the location is in fair proximity to potential students, and
so on for many a favorable estimation. .

However, since a choice must be made, the following reasons
weigh more heavily for the retirement of the Concordia plant:

1. The buildings at Concordia are less serviceable than those
at Winfield. A new Administration Building was requested and
needed six years ago and longer. This appropriation would have
to be made unless Concordia’s students are transferred elsewhere.

2. Concordia’s enrolment has steadily declined during the past
ten years, indicating that there is not so pressing a need for an
institution in this section as formerly.

3. Concordia draws a considerable number of students from
Nebraska and Illinois, who, together with the scattered few from
other States, could attend Winfield, Seward, and other schools.
(The present number from Missouri is 45.)

4. The proximity to Missouri homes of the four-year Seminary
in St. Louis would compensate in part for the extra distance some
students would be compelled to travel if Concordia were no longer
available for the high-school and college years.

5. Sufficient respect is held for local sentiment to anticipate,
on the one hand, a keen regret to see a time-honored institution
removed from synodical operation; and, on the other hand, the
realization that the Western District is the only District in Synod
which heretofore harbored two synodical schools in addition to the
influence and service of Concordia Publishing House. Even
though St. Paul’s College would be removed, Concordia Seminary
and Concordia Publishing House wil) remain in the Western
District.

!
]
i
}
4
H
i
:
f
|
: