LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 234

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234 HIGHER EDUCATION

Daniel H. Pokorny, practical theology. Rev. A. Frederick
Grothe has served as visiting professor of Old Testament
theology. Eleven persons have accepted appointments to the
seminary’s executive and professional staff: Rev. Richard
Benke, admissions and recruitment; Mr. John T. Drews,
physical plant; Rev. William Engfehr, educational media
services; Rev. Immanuel R. Janssen, vice-president for sem-
inary relations; Mrs. Betty Ann Knackstedt, nurse; Mr. Ralph
C. Kuenker, controller; Mr. Roger A. Meyer, development; Mr.
Marvin M. Miller, business manager; Mr. Thomas F. Nahnsen,
athletic director; Mr. Walter Umbach, publications; and Rev.
Mark Wangerin, library. Four members of the faculty and staff
left the seminary: Miss Julie Bartell, Mrs. Lorraine Esala, Prof.
Frederick R. Harm, and Mr. Richard Herzog. Mr. Eldon E.
Pederson, former athletic director, retired in 1979, and Dr.
Martin H. Scharlemann, graduate professor of exegetical
theology, will retire at the end of the 1980—81 academic year.
Mr. Alvar L. Lindgren retired in 1979 and died in the Lord on
Feb. 6, 1981. Professor emeritus Alfred M. Rehwinkel was
called to his eternal home on Oct. 15, 1979. Dr. Roy Suelflow,
professor of historical theology, fell asleep in Jesus on Feb. 2,
1981. Two professors, W. Larry Bielenberg and William J.
Schmelder, were granted permanent tenure. Seven members of
the faculty were advanced in rank: W. Larry Bielenberg, Louis
A. Brighton, Arthur F. Graudin, Robert G. Hoerber, Horace D.
Hummel, William J. Schmelder, and Quentin F. Wesselschmidt.
Prof. Clyde W. Kaminska received a sabbatical leave in 1980 to
pursue projects related to his responsibilities.

As of Feb. 1, 1981, the plenary faculty consists of 4
professors emeriti, 32 regular professors, a guest instructor, an
adjunct professor, 14 executive and professional staff persons,
and 5 part-time faculty members. They are supported in their
responsibilities by a graduate assistant, 2 Walther Fellows, a
speech consultant, and approximately 70 full-time employees.
Although the total work force at Concordia Seminary has been
increased in order to provide better services to our growing
student body, the total number of seminary employees today is
considerably lower than it was with a student body of com-
parable size several years ago.

Enrollment. The seminary’s enrollment increased by more
than 160 students during the past biennium, thus continuing
the remarkable growth of the seminary since the 1974 walkout.
The following table illustrates God’s remarkable blessings
during that period.

Concordia Seminary Enrollment Growth

97475 wc eee eee 194
L97TSB—76 oo eee eee 284
VO7T6—77 oo cee eee 354
L977 —78 oo eee eee 432
1978 —79 oo eee ee 561
1979—80 . 1... eee eee 669
1980—81 2... eee ee 724

With its present enrollment of more than 700 students,
Concordia Seminary has regained its prewalkout size and is
today one of the two largest Lutheran seminaries in North
America. The official enrollment statistics for the past two
years are as follows:

Regular Session 1979—x0 1980—81
IV Year .............0000.0000- 53 86
III Year ....................0.. 121 153
I] Year .............. 00.2 115 105
TYear .............0000 0.0000 206 204
Special ...................004- 13 10
Subtotal ................... 508 358
M.LA.R. 2002 eee 6 9
S.TLM. 00. cece eee 63 56
Th.D. oo... eee eee 25 24
Special ...............2....... 6 6
Subtotal ................... 100 95
Colloquy .........-..000 scenes 61 71
Total ..................0.05. 669 724

Summer Sessions 1979 19a
611 623
Degrees Awarded 197980 19x0—"1
Theological Diploma .......... 73 106
Colloquy Certificates .......... 23 32
M.Div. 2.0.0... cece cece eee 75 115
M.LA.R. 00.00 eee ee 3 1
S.TLM. o0 0c ccc eee Fs) 13
Th. D. oo... eee eee 3 6

*Estimated

The majority of students in the master of divinity program
continue to come from the preministerial programs of our
synodical colleges; for example, of the 128 new first-year
students in the present school year, 93 are from synodical
colleges, 6 are from other Lutheran colleges, and 25 are
graduates of secular colleges and universities. The number of
students attending the seminary as part of the Svnod’s colloquy
program has also increased in recent years. The rich and
varied backgrounds of our students, including a significant
number of foreign students enrolled in various degree pro-
grams, contribute much tothe academic and community life of
the seminary.

Dual Accreditation Continued

Since 1978 Concordia Seminary has been fully accredited
by the Association of Theological Schools and the North
Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In
1980 official representatives of both accrediting agencies
conducted a focused visit at the seminary to review various
matters pertaining to accreditation. In considering the impact
of the seminary’s rapid growth in recent years, the team noted
that the seminary seems to have made “appropriate organiza-
tional responses to the rapid expansion of the school and has
given careful thought to future developments.” It further noted
that the seminary is taking ‘‘a variety of constructive steps” to
strengthen the faculty, including the recruitment of additional
teachers, the commitment of both time and money to help staff
members gain their doctorates, and both extramural and
intramural forms of professional development. After reviewing
faculty teaching loads, the visiting team concluded that ‘“‘the
teaching load at Concordia is heavy but does not seem
excessive.” A number of observations and suggestions were
made about the seminary’s doctor of theology program, includ-
ing the statement that this program seems to need “more
resources of personnel and curricular offerings if it is to reach
the level of excellence which the seminary seeks.” The board
and administration of the seminary have found the suggestions
of the accrediting agencies to be helpful as we continue to strive
for increased excellence in all academic programs.

Honorary Awards

During the past biennium, the seminary faculty continued
its tradition of recognizing excellence and faithfulness in the
service of the church by awarding a number of honorary
degrees and awards. During 1979 and 1980, honorary doctor of
divinity (D.D.) degrees were given to Bishop Wladyslaw Fierla,
Albert Marcis, Paul Michael, Clarence Peters, Jacob A. O.
Preus, Edmund Weber, and Albert Ziegler. Mr. Eugene Fincke
was awarded the doctor of laws (LL.D.) degree and Mrs.
Dorothy Rosin and Rev. Hilton Oswald were honored with the
doctor of letters (Litt.D.) degree. Dr. Edwin C. Weber, First
Vice-President of Synod and vice-chairman of the Board of
Control, was honored with the seminary’s Distinguished
Alumni Award in 1980. The seminary has also continued its
practice of awarding certificates of recognition to veteran
pastors as they celebrate anniversaries of service in holy
ministry.

Forward Fund Successful

A major effort during the past two years has been the
Forward Fund campaign, launched in the spring of 1979, to
raise $2,200,000 for a number of pressing programs and
projects. The campaign was completed in 1980 with approxi-
mately $2,380,000 received in gifts and pledges. The seminary
is deeply grateful to the thousands ofits friends and supporters