Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 273
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 273

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

HIGHER EDUCATION 273

nior high and high school students in depressed urban
areas. Examples of other services are: assisting the
pastor in a deaf congregation, teaching Sunday school in
a state hospital under the direction of the Protestant
chaplain, and providing recreational leadership in com-
munity organizations.

At a time when student activism is frequently criti-
cized for being destructive, we believe River Forest
students are to be commended for their social concern
and creativity in their approach to helping their fellow-
man and to gaining preservice professional experiences
that will be of inestimable value in their service to
the church.

c. Student Government. During the school year
1968—69 the Student Association of the college began
to operate under an innovative form of self-government.
The Student Association government is constructed on
three levels of leadership: an executive committee of
seven elected officers. nine coordinators of student ac-
tivities, and a series of committees called into existence
according to the student needs to be served.

It should also be noted that membership on the two
major policy committees of the faculty is open to stu-
dents and that they have worked very closely on com-
mittees with faculty and administration for special
purposes.

Students have proved themselves worthy of the con-
fidence and trust placed in them in ordering their cam-
pus life. They have shown themselves to be reasonable
in their judgments, sensible in their counsel, stimulat-
ing to the academic enterprise, and dedicated to the
service of mankind.

D. The Academic Program

The basic programs of the college lead to the bache-
lor’s degree (elementary and secondary teacher educa-
tion programs, and the director of Christian education
program) and the master’s degree with concentration
in elementary school curriculum or in educational ad-
ministration. The undergraduate program of the col-
lege is unique in that all students in the secondary
teacher education program must meet the requirements
for both elementary and secondary certification. Stu-
dents desiring this dual certification are required to do
at least one extra quarter of academic work.

1. Director of Christian Education
In its concern to be servant to all congregations of
the Synod (not only congregations with schools), the
college continues to emphasize its program for the
preparation of directors of Christian education. Con-
cordia believes that the special preparation of such
persons can contribute significantly to the enrichment
and expansion of Christian education in almost every
parish in the Synod. It appears that many more par-
ishes should avail themselves of the opportunity to in-
clude a director of Christian education as part of their
multiple ministry and also assist in the recruitment of

qualified candidates for this special vocation.

2. The Graduate Program

During the last 2 years the college has initiated sev-
eral changes in its program of graduate studies in an
effort to meet the needs of the Synod’s elementary
schools. Program options are now available in two areas:
curriculum and administration. Since the awarding of
the first graduate degrees by the college in 1959, a total
of 256 Master of Arts in Education degrees have been
granted. A total of 283 students enrolled in the graduate
program as of April 1, 1969.

3. The Summer School Program

The college has continued in its efforts to make full
use of its plant and facilities by conducting an extensive
program through the summer months. In addition to
the 10-week summer school program, which has served
not only our regular students but also teachers in the
field, the college has offered various institutes to meet
the needs of pastors and teachers.

4. Special Programs for the Disadvantaged

The college has also responded to the needs of the
disadvantaged by conducting during the past two sum-
mers “Project Push-Up” for elementary and junior high
school students from the inner city. This program on
our campus is a Community Action Program of the Chi-
cago Committee on Urban Opportunity and is supported
by federal funds made available through the Economic
Opportunity Act. The children were instructed in
mathematics, reading, and social studies as well as pro-
vided with an opportunity to participate in activity pro-
grams and take field trips and tours to various places of
interest in Chicagoland.

5. The College's Involvement in Consortia

The college is a participant in two consortia, the
Associated Colleges in the Chicago Area and the Chi-
cago Consortium. The first is a grouping of colleges
and universities associated for the use of the Argonne
National Laboratory. This provides access to faculty and
students for use of this rich facility. The Chicago Con-
sortium has been involved in the National Teacher
Corps as well as the Urban Teacher Corps and other
programs. During the last 2 years the National Teacher
Corps program, which prepares teachers for inner-city
schools, has utilized the college facilities at the North
Riverside Center.

The college also participates with Rosary College,
River Forest. in several joint academic activities. Stu-
dents from both institutions are permitted to take
courses at the other institution. Certain courses in
foreign languages, theology, and the sciences, offered
at one institution but not the other, are thus made
available to the students of both colleges. Beginning
in 1968—69 the colleges are conducting a joint graduate
program in teacher education and library science.
Graduates of liberal arts colleges enrolling in this gov-
ernment-sponsored program are able over a period of
two academic years to become certified as elementary
or secondary school teachers and as school librarians.