LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 248

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248

Commitment

We are grateful to our heavenly Father for His many
blessings on the work at St. Paul’s during the past biennium
and to the Synod for its support. As we prepare to celebrate our
centennial year in 1983, we pledge ourselves to a continuing
commitment to the purposes of the Synod and the several tasks
required for the successful operation of an institution of
secondary and higher education. We are optimistic about the
future. Under the guidance and blessing of our God we are
determined to move “forward in remembrance’ and in the hope
of serving the Synod in the future as well as we have in the past.

Lester Golz, Secretary

6-14
Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wis.

Introduction

As one reflects back on the past year, the one word that
comes to mind immediately is “Thanks”: Thanks to our
almighty God for the many blessings that He has bestowed
upon us this past year; thanks to a dedicated faculty and staff
for their dedication and diligence in performing their tasks;
thanks for the blessing of new personnel who have joined the
Concordia community and have provided new insights to the
ongoing tasks of ministry; and thanks to students who have
grown in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Administration

The seventh president, Dr. R. John Buuck, was installed
during the past biennium. Along with the new president
developed a new administrative team. Through the blessings
of God, capable and dedicated individuals with a deep commit-
ment to the Kingdom and faith in Jesus Christ began their
responsibilities. These include: Prof. Ronald Berg, dean of
academic affairs, Mr. John Born, dean of college relations, Mr.
William Ebel, dean of admissions, Prof. Andrew Luptak, dean
of student life, and Mr. William T. Woodburn, dean of business
affairs. Through the efforts of these individuals, Concordia
was fortunate to experience new programs and an expanded
curriculum, a new image to the constituency, a rapid increase
in enrollment, an active student body, and a sound fiscal
policy.

Faculty

A prerequisite for members of the faculty include indivi-
duals who love their Lord and who are ready to share their
faith, and are faithful to The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod. Concordia, Milwaukee, is fortunate to have an entire
faculty composed of individuals such as this, including the
following individuals who were added to the faculty during the
past biennium: Prof. Lorna Mae Ehlert, Prof. Beverly Habeck,
Dr. Preston Huth, Prof. Kurt Krueger, Prof. Neil Lohmeyer,
Prof. Edward Meier, and Prof. Lawrence Sohn.

All faculty members are encouraged to pursue advanced
degrees. In 1980, Prof. Beverly Grottkau, Prof. John Parfrey,
and Prof. Kathy Simon each completed a master’s program,
while eight individuals are in the various stages of their
doctorate program.

Board of Control

Concordia College, Milwaukee, has an active, supportive
and dedicated Board of Control. Under the capable chairman-
ship of Dr. Karl Barth, president of the South Wisconsin
District, the Board of Control meets regularly to plan and
develop the endeavors of the institution. A loss will be experi-
enced when Mr. Gordon Fairbert retires at the end of this year:
however, Rev. Elmer Sedory, Mr. George Metzger, Mr. Richard
Maas, and Mr. Dale Korth will be continuing on the board,
while Mr. Leo Bordeleau and Rev. David Wallschlaeger will be
up for reelection.

Admissions

ee

Under the direction of a newly reorganized Admissions
Department, the enrollment increased from 416 in 1979 to 517

HIGHER EDUCATION

in 1980. A similar increase is projected for 1981. The primary
emphasis for recruitment is directed toward young people
interested in professional church-work programs, the pastoral
ministry, the teaching ministry, lay ministry, and social work
ministry, while the secondary emphasis is toward non-church- |
work vocations. _e

Accreditation

In May of 1980 word was received from the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools that Concordia College,
Milwaukee’s accreditation was extended to the baccalaureate
level. NCA stated that “the level of administrative staffing is
excellent, and the faculty is one of the great strengths in the
institution.”

With a newly formed Education Department with an
emphasis in elementary education, application was made for
state certification. In October 1980 the Department of Public
Instruction of the state of Wisconsin authorized teacher certifi-
cation at the elementary level. The educational program was
highly praised by the DPI for its innovation and its emphasis
on practical experience.

Curriculum

As a new four-year college, an expanded curriculum and
expanded programs became necessary. With the junior and
senior years added to the church-work programs, the first
baccalaureate degree students were graduated in May of 1980.
Recognizing the need for learned Christian lay people, Con-
cordia offers programs in business, court reporting, secretarial
science, and medical assistance. At the present time, coopera-
tive programs in secondary education and engineering are
being explored with other colleges and universities in
Milwaukee.

Capital Campaign

For the last 10 years the institution has been planning ona
capital campaign to coincide with its 100th anniversary. In
November of 1979 the Board of Directors authorized such a
campaign. The “Second Century in Christ” campaign was
launched in October of 1980, with a goal of $3,140,000. Of this
amount, $2,000,000 is designated for a new library, whichisa
requirement of the North Central Accrediting Association.
Under the capable leadership of many laymen in Milwaukee,
over $1,300,000 was already pledged by Feb. 1, 1981, from
business, industry, and foundations. In February of 1982
Lutheran congregations in Wisconsin will be contacted for
contributions to the campaign. Construction for the library is
scheduled to begin in late 1982 or early 1983.

Finances

Through sound fiscal management and an increase in
enrollment, Concordia College has been able to experience a
balanced budget, and to begin to remove the deficit of the past.
Congregational support and gifts from individuals and founda-
tions have been deeply appreciated and will need to continue in
an even greater degree to offset the rate of inflation, increased
needs of the institution, and decreasing synodical subsidy.

Conclusion

Concordia College, Milwaukee, enters the 1980s confident
that it will continue to experience a bright and glorious future.
While reports in private higher education indicate a decrease in
enrollment for many institutions, Concordia College, Milwau-
kee, is in a unique position to be one of the few institutions to
experience increasing enrollments. By maintaining its Chris-
tian distinctiveness and commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior, the institution will be able to provide programs to
attract students in professional church-work programs where
shortages occur, as well as to attract young people in programs
which will train them for various vocations in society but also
prepare them to witness the Gospel in these vocations. The
continued prayers and support of the Lutheran congregations
will enable the institution to move forward under the blessings
of the Lord, to prepare individuals to be of service to Him in His
kingdom.

R. John Buuck, Executive Officer