LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 242

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242 HIGHER EDUCATION

for its generous support of higher education, the percentage of
its contribution to Concordia, Portland’s budget is gradually
becoming less, from a high of 77 percent in 1967 to 34 percent in
1979 and 23 percent in 1980. Since dollars and control generally

—‘march side by side, the church would do well to examine its

fiscal policies. Concordia, Portland, for many reasons deeply
cherishes its strong relationships with a strong institutional
church, not the least of which is the assurance of a strong,
mutual commitment to Jesus Christ, both Lord and Savior.

Short-Range Plans

Concordia, Portland’s immediate concerns are the
following:

1. Careful monitoring of the educational function as the
college continues to move from a two- to four-year educa-
tional operation.

2. Remodeling of the space vacated by the Library Resource
Center, which will be moved to the new structure, as well as
complying with government regulations to accommodate
the handicapped.

3. Concentrating and improving admissions and development
functions, both of which are absolutely essential for growth
or at worst survival.

4. Adding instructors in education, responsible for the director
of Christian education program; in theology, with speciali-
zations in Old Testament and Hebrew; and in business.

5. Praying our faithful God that His Spirit may enrich the
entire community in Jesus Christ as Concordia strives for
excellency in teaching and learning.

Conclusion

Concordia has learned much from its past 75 years. Con-
cordia courageously faces a more productive future. But this
only because its past and future are in the hands of a present,
living God, who not only rules the world, but serves it and His
people with both His Law and His Gospel.

Board of Control
E. P. Weber, Executive

6-09
Concordia College, River Forest, Ill.

Concordia College, River Forest, Il., has served The
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod for 117 years. During these
many years the college has educated thousands of consecrated
teachers who by their faithful service have been a great
blessing to the kingdom of God. The college remains dedicated
to that high purpose also today. However, along with the other
colleges of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Concordia,
River Forest, has broadened the scope of its offerings. This
expansion in offerings has received major emphasis first with
regard to church professions. Concordia now also educates
young men in the four years of their preseminary education. In
addition, the Synod has assigned to the college the deaconess
program of the Synod. Beyond this there is a strong program
for the training of social workers who will be engaged in the
church’s social agencies. The liberal arts program of the college
also continues to grow steadily in response to the interest of
young men and women in coming to a Christian college. The
liberal arts offerings of the college are limited to those things
which the college can do well and which may be linked with
Concordia’s liberal arts approach to the teacher education
program. It is possible for young people to come to Concordia
and to do work in many fields of study, including prelaw,
premedical, business administration, and computer science.
The college operates a large computer science center that
serves many areas outside the college and that provides an
exceptionally strong laboratory experience for young men and
women who are interested in computer science.

The college is dedicated to service both of the church and of
the nation. It recognizes an obligation to those objectives that
were in the minds of the founding fathers, as well as the
broader area of service that comes from the needs of the
changing community and the varied interests of those who
come to Concordia because it is a Christian college. For
example, the educational offerings have an appeal not only for

future parish school teachers but also for those individuals
who are interested in public school work. This is particularly
true at the level of the master’s degree program where the
college is widely recognized in the Chicago area as providing
excellent master’s degree programs in the areas related to
teacher education and church music.

Concordia, River Forest, is best described as a mature
college with a size and capability large enough to provide
in-depth studies for the students who come to the college. Its
programs are well grounded in sound educational policy. Its
teacher training program particularly is one which is broad,
spreading over a wide spectrum of preparation for teacher
education that starts with the early childhood major and
ranges through the various age groups up through teaching at
the secondary level. Administration also is an important part
of the offerings. Strong departments in music and psychology
are allies in this endeavor. Thus Concordia provides a wide
range of educational experience, which appeals to the student
who realizes that teacher education today is a highly special-
ized field.

The college continues to remember its Lutheran heritage
and is committed unswervingly to remaining a thoroughly
confessional Lutheran school, loyal to God and to the work
that He has given us to do for the church and for our nation.

Physical Plant

Concordia is well located in a lovely suburban area west of
Chicago with ready access both to arterial highways and to
local transportation. The 23 buildings provide superb facilities
for the student body. In May 1980 the physical plant was
supplemented at no expense to the Synod with the addition of
The Chapel of Our Lord and The Clara and Spencer Werner
Auditorium. This multipurpose building is used for student
worship services, as well as dramatic and musical productions.
The facility is also equipped with a fine concert and teaching
organ. The cost of the structure was covered with a major
amount collected by the Lutherans of the Northern Illinois
District in the early sixties at the time of the centennial
celebration of the college and a major gift in 1979 from the
Clara and Spencer Werner Foundation. The Schoknecht
Foundation of Libby, Mont., contributed the chapel organ.
Many other donors contributed to the chapel windows, pews,
chancel furnishings, etc. It is appropriate that at this conven-
tion the Synod take formal recognition of this fact and by
resolution thank the donors. Without the support of these many
dedicated Christians the college would be without this splendid
facility which contributes so much to student life and worship.

Some older buildings on the campus go back to 1913 when
the college was moved from Addison, Il. They are sound
structurally, but are in many instances in need of renovation,
remodeling, and provision for energy conservation. The funds
requested by the college from the ‘‘“Forward in Remembrance”
thankoffering are calculated to put these buildings also into
superb condition and represent sound investment in preventive
maintenance.

Finance

The Synod needs to pay earnest attention to the financial
plight of all of its colleges and seminaries. This need is evident
also at Concordia, River Forest, where professors and staff
serve at salaries which are sacrificial. The St. Louis convention
of 1979 took some recognition of this fact. However, cuts in
synodical subsidy experienced by the college in the last two
years have more than nullified any positive effect and have
placed an increasing burden upon the staff and faculty.
Various corporations, foundations, and private individuals ~
have assisted the college in striving to maintain financial
stability. However, it is clearly evident that within a few years
the level of synodical participation in support of this institution
will be at the 15 percent level if present trends persist. Thisisa
dangerous situation in which Concordia, as well as other
institutions of the Synod, may well go the way of other church-
related colleges in this country which, because of neglect,
eventually became entirely independent. This is in our opinion
a crisis situation which calls for the Synod to take immediate
and vigorous action to reestablish its commitment of support of
its colleges and seminaries. Continuing neglect will produce -
irretrievable damage to the entire system of schools and will