LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 245

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HIGHER EDUCATION 245

6-11

Concordia Teachers College
Seward, Nebr.

The Board of Control issues this report to the Synod in a
spirit of thankfulness to God for His continued abundant
blessings on the work of the faculty, the staff, and the students
at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebr. For the past
several years Seward has enjoyed the distinct privilege of
having the largest number of students enrolled on any synod-
ical campus, of which more than 80 percent are preparing to be
church workers. This fact is reported giving all praise and
glory to God, who graciously showers on us His undeserved
blessings.

Board of Control

The members of the Board of Control are Rev. Harold
Stelzer, chairman; Louis Herring, secretary; David Krohn,
vice-chairman; Donald L. Bauer; F. William Chandler; Robert
Herpolsheimer; Albert Hokamp; Rev. Eldor Meyer, president of
the Nebraska District; and Richard Stauffer.

Professional External Evaluations

Several significant professional evaluation visits occurred
during the past biennium. The first was a visit by a committee
representing the Nebraska Department of Education. We are
pleased to report that once again Concordia, Seward, has
received official recognition and approval of its programs of
elementary and secondary teacher training by the state of
Nebraska.

The second visit was by a committee of Lutheran educators
representing a national organization, the Lutheran Educa-
tional Conference of North America. Its visit was designed to
determine how well our college was achieving its stated
purposes, especially in terms of its religious objectives, ‘from
the viewpoint of the college’s own highest expectations of
itself.” In its summary report the committee said, ‘““The team
has little doubt that Concordia’s graduates are among the best
products of Christian vocationalism anywhere in church-
related higher education.” Since the preparation of church
workers for our Synod is the prime objective at Seward, we are
understandably pleased with this appraisal by the visiting
team.

Another independent survey at 44 Lutheran colleges and
universities in the United States produced an article that
appeared in the November 1979 Cresset magazine. It classified
Concordia, Seward, as one of only three Lutheran colleges in
the U.S. that are “national” in character. This evaluation
reflected the fact that more than 75 percent of Seward’s
students come from outside Nebraska and that more than 40
states are represented in the student body.

New Programs: Preseminary and Business

In response to the continuing shortage of pastors in our
Synod a preseminary program was formally begun during the
past biennium. In its first year 70 students enrolled. This year,
the second, began with 101 men enrolled in the program.

This fall courses leading to a business major and a computer
science minor will be offered for the first time. This new
program results from a year-long survey of students at
Lutheran high schools of the LCMS and of public high schools
and businesses of Nebraska. Because of “retooling” by several
faculty members, no new faculty will be added to teach these
courses in 1981—82.

New Library Addition Completed

We are pleased to report the completion of a large new
addition to our library. The new three-level brick building adds
35,000 square feet of space. Total cost of the project, including
equipment, furnishings, and architect’s fees, was kept under
the original estimate of $1,750,000. None of this amount was
provided by synodical subsidy.

The biggest unmet building needs remaining are the
following: (1) Adequate space for indoor physical educational
activities is needed now that equal time and opportunities for

women students are mandated by law. (2) Art department
classrooms are still scattered in several buildings and should
ideally be consolidated under one roof. It is hoped that
renovation of an older building can serve this purpose and
might be made possible by the “Forward in Remembrance”
offerings. (3) The auditorium facility used for daily chapel is
likewise in need of major redecoration and improvements.

Special Minority Programs Continue

Concordia, Seward, continues to function on behalf of the
LCMS asthe Center for Indian Ministries and Studies (CIMS).
This program seeks not only to provide Christian education for
native Americans but also to provide limited field services and
consultative visits to reservations as funds permit. The pro-
gram is financed largely through major support from the
Montana District and through some gifts from other Districts
having significant Indian populations. Synod’s Department of
North American Missions has also provided counsel and aid
for this program. Six Indian students are scheduled to graduate
during the current school year.

The Micronesian Students Program (students from the U.S.
trust territory of Micronesia in the South Pacific) also con-
tinues and makes an important contribution to multicultural
awareness on our campus, as well as providing a Gospel
outreach to some who do not know Christ as their Savior. This
program has been funded generously during the past biennium
by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, by the Aid
Association for Lutherans, and by donations from interested
individuals and congregations.

Faculty Changes

During the past biennium, the following faculty members
completed their doctoral programs: Judith Preuss and Ronald
Vahl.

Prof. Herman Etzold, Prof. Louis Heider, Prof. Willis
Laetsch, and Gary Heinicke retired from full-time service.

Additions to the faculty during the past biennium included
Rodney Baker, development officer; Barbara Chandler,
assistant librarian; Lorraine Demarest, assistant professor of
social work; Kent Einspahr, instructor of science; David Held,
assistant professor of music; Paul Koehnke, admissions coun-
selor; Wayne Rasmussen, assistant professor of education;
Tom Zelt, admissions counselor; and Marlin Zobel, develop-
ment officer.

The following individuals left the faculty for other fields of
endeavor: Robert Baden, Don Burch, Barbara Chandler, Carl
Christian, Johnnie Driesner, Harry Giesselman, Don Hart-
mann, Richard Jostes, Lorna Lieske, Susan Loudenberg,
Paula Lovekamp, Roger Meyer, Kristin Shields, Ron Wagoner,
Hal Whelply, and Tom Zelt.

Dr. Walter Hardt was called to his eternal rest on May 3,
1980.

Student Statistics

Enrollment Summer School 1979 1980
Undergraduate students............... 397 386
Graduate students .................... 163 174
Workshop students.................... 322 182

Total summer school ............... 884 742

Enrollment Regular Sessions 1979-80 19R80— 81
Full-time students..................... 1,049 998
Part-time students .................... 115 87

Total regular sessions .............. 1,164 1,085
Total students served (regular sessions

and summer school graduate

students)..........000 0.00.0 0e cea 1,329 1,259

Full-Time Workers for Synod
Type of Placement 1978-79 1979—x0)
Elementary .................0......00. 154 125
Secondary .................... 0.00005. 33 29
DCE... cee eee 12 9
College ...............00 0c eee 3 1

Total 2000.0 202 164