Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 303
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 303

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

HIGHER EDUCATION 303

this through its developments out of Africa; Literature
II, which deals specifically with the writings of black
authors. The courses in theology offered to college stu-
dents were also revised to remain consistent with the
revision suggested by the Board for Higher Education.
In addition a number of courses were made available to
college students as electives.

During the summer of 1967 an extension program
was established in cooperation with Concordia Teachers
College, River Forest, Ill., to provide in-service training
experiences for Lutheran teachers serving pupils in
parochial schools of the Southern District. Consequently
the campus of Alabama Lutheran Academy and College
was utilized as the location of the program. Prof. Ralph
Reinke led the workshop in 1967 dealing with reading
and religion. He was assisted by Prof. Ralph E. Droege.
In 1968 a workshop dealing with social studies was led
by Prof. Elmer Arnst. Plans are now being made for
the continuation of this program during the summer of
1969.

Personnel

In the past 2 years the following changes were made
in the faculty. Rev. Dr. Walter H. Ellwanger, president
emeritus, elected to retire from active faculty service.
He has since been serving vacant Lutheran congrega-
tions in the central Alabama area. Rev. Donald L. Kas-
par accepted a call to Huntsville, Tex.

Also Mrs. Myrtle G. Ephraim and Mr. James E.
Gildersleeve resigned from the faculty. Mrs. Lydell P.
Cosby resigned and accepted a teaching position at
St. Stephen’s Lutheran School, St. Louis, where her hus-
band is a student at Concordia Seminary. Mrs. Ruth R.
Thompson also resigned but has been serving in a part-
time capacity during the past year.

Additions to the faculty include Mr. Ralph E. Droege,
M. Ed., division of social sciences and director of the
developmental reading and enrichment program; Mr.
Kenneth J. Waibel, B. A., instructor in physical educa-
tion and boys’ dorm counselor; Mr. Dale Schulz, B. A.,
instructor in art and literature. Miss Audrey L. Swazer,
B.S., has accepted the position as dean of women. With
the appointment of Mr. Melvin H. Good to the position
of business manager, Rev. Varnes J. Stringer, B.S.,
M.A., has returned to full-time teaching in the division
of social sciences.

Educational Program

In order to improve the reading skills and to give
students wider cultural experiences, a developmental-
enrichment program was instituted for the high school
students during the 1967—68 school year utilizing both
the S.R.A. Reading Laboratory and the Tachomatic
Reading Improvement Programs on a nongraded ap-
proach. The results achieved have been encouraging.
Members of the faculty have observed a significant
growth in general reading abilities among the students.

This program has been further refined and improved
during the present school year under the direction of
Prof. Ralph E. Droege.

Intensive study has also been concentrated on the

inclusion of a developmental English program for college
students. It is public knowledge that the state of Ala-
bama ranks 50th among the states in expenditures for
education. Consequently many of our College I stu-
dents, having graduated from separate and unequal
Alabama high schools, have definite deficiencies as a
result of educational and cultural deterioration. Urgent
effort is being expended by the faculty as it seeks to
help students bridge a gap that was involuntarily given
to them and that must not remain an insurmountable
obstacle in their pursuit of excellence.

Having identified and pinpointed some of the edu-
cational problems present at our school in Selma, the
faculty and Board of Control urgently request funding.
to provide the additional staff necessary to adequately
respond to these needs. We hold that such resolution
and implementations of the proper compensatory pro-
gram will justly enhance the gift our young students
will ultimately be to the church.

Faculty Personnel Improvement

During the past two summers nearly all members of
the staff have been actively engaged in programs of con-
tinuing education. It is now projected that more than
half of the faculty will hold advanced degrees in their
individual teaching field within the next 2 years. The
president, Paul G. Elbrecht, has been on sabbatical leave
of absence completing his doctorate in educational ad-
ministration. Rev. Peter R. Hunt, dean of students, has
been serving in the capacity of acting president. Rev.
Wesley H. Wilkie, on leave from Concordia Teachers
College, River Forest, has been serving as executive
vice-president and instructor in theology.

Student-Aid Scholarships

The Board of Control wishes to acknowledge with
thanks the support which the Synod has given to the
financial-aid programs of Alabama Lutheran Academy
and College. The Rosa J. Young Scholarship Fund, en-
dorsed by resolution of New York, is receiving growing
interest and attention. These funds have been set aside
primarily for recruitment purposes; however, the under-
girding principle remains — “‘student aid as needed.”

We thank also the constituency of the Southern Dis-
trict for the grant-in-aid made possible through the
District budget. During the past school year the school
received from the Southern District in the aggregate of
$5,000, which was used to support in part the academic
programs of 33 students.

We thank also a wide variety of generous patrons
who have provided gifts and grants for student-aid pur-
poses. Among these we note especially certain synodical
Districts who made direct grants, the international Lu-
theran Laymen’s League, the Aid Association for Lu-
therans, the Lutheran Brotherhood, several districts of
the international Lutheran Women’s Missionary League,
and numerous individuals and congregations.

Let no one, however, conclude that the financial-aid
problems of the school are for all time settled. Recent
meetings of the board and administration of Alabama