LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 252

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and Keitha Murray. Administrative appointments included
Viji George, dean of students: David Jacobson. registrar:
Gerald Coleman, director of residences: Hans Springer. director
of development: and Janet Jockwer, director of admissions.

A Supportive Constituency

High on the list of Concordia’s blessings is a supportive
constituency: the East Coast Common Endeavor. which
includes the six synodical Districts serving the states from
Maine to Florida and the regional portions of the English and
the Slovak Districts: the East Coast Association of Congrega-
tions, which is comprised of those churches which include
Concordia College in their annual budgets: the Ambassadors,
a network of individuals pledged to assist their pastors in
promoting Concordia and its mission: and support organiza-
tions such as the Lutheran Educational Society. Concordia
Guild, and the Alumni Association. All of these are blessings
from God.

Another plus comes in the form of growing enthusiasm for
and involvement with Concordia on the part of members of the
community. Evidences of the fine support from friends and
neighbors include the various cooperative educational
endeavors such as the gifted and talented programs based at
Concordia, attendance at the annual Community Dinner,
membership on the Business Advisory Council, financial
contributions for special needs. adoption of campus improve-
ment projects such as lighted campus maps by the Rotary
Club, landscaping promoted by the Chamber of Commerce,
and area participation on the college's Advisory Council.

A century-long blessing comes in the form of subsidy from
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. In the vear ended
June 30, 1983, this amounted to 12.4'". of the expense budget.
Although this subsidy has been declining slowly in amount
and purchasing power, Concordia is grateful for this support
without which it would not exist.

Meriting special mention is the program of capital improve-
ments made possible through Forward in Remembrance.
Thanks to the generous outpouring of gifts from the members
of the Synod. Concordia has been helped from this fund to
carry out a number of necessary energy-related maintenance
tasks such as the installation of new boilers, conversion to a
dual-choice heating system. replacement of 1909-vintage
windows with insulated ones, and the repair and insulation of
several leaky roofs.

Dedication of Sommer Center

After more than 70 years of holding chapel and worship
services in classroom and gymnasium facilities on the Bronx-
ville campus, Concordia now has a worship center of its own.
The culmination of the centennial celebration was the construc-
tion of the Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing
Arts. A standing-room-only crowd joined in the rite of dedica-
tion on Nov. 7, 1982.

In that audience were more than half of the presidents of the
synodical districts who were gathering for their historic, first-
ever conference held on Concordia’s campus during the week
following dedication. Also present was Mrs. Martin Sommer,
who with her late husband made the largest individual contri-
bution toward the building which has converted another of
Concordia’s visions into reality.

The availability of the chapel andthe lecture recital hallin
the Sommer Center has rejuvenated both the worship and the
cultural life at Concordia. An Inaugural Guest Artist Series is
attracting noted concert musicians. Handel's Messiah, pre-
sented before a sellout audience in early December 1982, was
videotaped and replayed on cable television two days after
Christmas. Various other musical and educational features are
attracting hosts of new friends tocampus. People from the area
are inquiring about renting the facility for performances and
recording purposes.

The choir’s annual concert in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln
Center in midtown Manhattan continues to attract apprecia-
tive audiences. On Dec. 26 the International Lutheran Hour
program was built upon the presentation of Bach's Christmas

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Oratorio performed by the Concordia Festival Chorus and
Orchestra. In the Spring of 1982 the NBC-TV network released
a program, ‘Priceless Treasure, ’ filmed on campus and featur-
ing the viability and vibrancy of the small, church-related
college campus.

Reaching Out for Service to Others

Blessed to be a blessing. Concordia has been expanding its
service to the people, schools, and churches of the Eastern
Seaboard. Biblical seminars. family counseling workshops.
touring groups for music and drama are offered off-campus in
addition to on-campus continuing education for pastors and
teachers. The Kretzmann Lecture Series in liturgy and music
and “Books and Coffee” are annual presentations of general
interest.

Two new centers have been established. The Center for
Advanced Studies in Social Sciences. co-directed by Professors
Viji George and David Jacobson, brings together representa-
tives from selected colleges for in-depth investigation of
scholarly topics. The Center for Urban Education Ministry.
under the direction of Professor Lester Bayer, provides 11
programs specifically designed to assist those who minister to
the special needs of God's city people. Concordia’s Program of
Field Services. coordinated by Professor Alan Steinberg.
responds to requests from near and far for Concordia’s contri-
bution to a variety of programs and projects.

Throughout the summer months Concordia’s campus is
utilized in a variety of revenue-producing ways: summer
camps. institutes, conferences, convocations, workshops, elder-
hostels, etc. In addition to two summer school sessions of three
weeks each, especially designed for teacher education students
and graduates. there are classes for gifted and talented children
of the community.

The Financial Picture

For the past several years Concordia has been narrowing
the gap between income and operating expenses, the bane of
most private schools during the past inflationary period. It has
every hope of achieving a balanced budget with the 1983—84
school year. Were it not for interest payments on past loans, it
would be there now.

The improvements in energy-related equipment will help
significantly in reducing utilities bills, which have almost
doubled during the 1977—1983 period. A continuing concern is
the growing need of students for financial aid—more than 70".
of Concordia’s students are in this category—at a time when
financial aid from government is declining. Who will supply
the necessary scholarships and grants so that deserving
students who choose Concordia can find it possible to enroll?

In Proverbs we read, ‘‘Where there is no vision, the people
perish.” To succeed we need a vision that leads us into a future
that has responded to the challenges not only of the past but
also of today, into a future that sees Concordia, Bronxville,
ever growing in its mission of ‘‘providing for the equipping of
God's people for service to Him in church and society.”

Board of Regents

Concordia College, Bronxville
Henry G. Appel. Sr.. Chairman
Ralph C. Schultz, Executive Officer

6-07
St. Paul’s College, Concordia, Mo.

Centenial Year

One hundred years ago German Lutheran settlers in
America’s western territories were being lost to the church for
lack of pastors and teachers. A preparatory school was needed
in the heartland of the United States to qualify voung men to
assume the Lord’s work in the West. Rev. F. J. Biltz of
Concordia, Mo.. and other men of vision founded St. Paul's as
an academy to prepare young men to become ministers of
God’s Word.