Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 334
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 334

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

334 HIGHER EDUCATION

Wuereas, The Michigan District has respectfully
petitioned the Synod at the Detroit and New York con-
ventions to extend the program at Ann Arbor to 4 years;
and

Wuereas, Expansion on the senior college level is
urgently needed because existing campuses are over-
crowded; and

Wuereas, Stewardship of the church’s resources
makes it imperative that future expansion avoid exces-
sive expense and unnecessary travel on the part of
students; and

Wuereas, Careful and detailed local study indi-
cates —

a) that a concentration of 518,159 baptized members
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod presently
resides within the Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario
Districts;

b) that recent demographic data strongly indicate
continuing extraordinary growth for the states of Michi-
gan, Ohio, and Indiana, which are the prime recruit-
ment area of the school;

c) that the 234-acre Ann Arbor campus provides
adequate space for expansion at no expense for land
acquisition;

d) that the proximity of many parochial elementary
and secondary schools affords excellent opportunity for
student teaching under careful guidance and close su-
pervision at minimal cost and limited travel;

e) that urgent requests from students and parents
for a program which will not require transfer to another
institution after 2 years indicate that expansion to
a 4-year institution will greatly facilitate recruitment
of potential students;

f) that present graduating classes in excess of 200
will assure an appropriately sized student body for
a 4-year college;

g) that the constituency of the Michigan, Ohio, Indi-
ana, and Ontario Districts, together with English Dis-
trict parishes in the area, have evidenced their interest
in supporting campus expansion by providing loans and
gifts in excess of $675,000 for dormitory construction;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Michigan District respectfully
requests The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod at its
convention in 1969 to authorize the expansion of Con-
cordia Lutheran Junior College, Ann Arbor, Mich., to
a 4-year college for teachers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Michigan District express its sup-
port for an expanded program and its willingness to
work with the college staff in the pursuit of additional
funds beyond the regular support given through the
synodical budget. Micuican District

Epwin H. Roeurs, Secretary
(6-80)

To Commend and Expand Ann Arbor

Wuereas, Concordia, Ann Arbor, has achieved a com-
mendable enrollment in a short time of operation; and

Wuereas, The campus is one that lends itself excel-
lently to expansion; and

Whereas, The large concentration of Lutheran con-
gregations in its area have sincerely exerted them-
selves to excellence in their respective educational fa-
cilities; and

WuereAas, The faculty of Concordia, Ann Arbor, con-
sists of dedicated shepherds in Christ, with the result
that we need not fear the belittling of God’s Word in the
presence of our youngsters who are enrolled; and

Wuereas, Concordia, Ann Arbor, has been approved
by the North Central Association of Colleges and Sec-
ondary Schools; and

Whereas, St. Paul's Congregation of Bremen, Ind.,
has directly experienced the commitment of a fellow
teacher and, too, a sister who is preparing to be His
servant in the teaching ministry, and this we believe is
the doing of God’s Spirit at work in the “at one with
God” environment that they experienced at Ann Arbor's
Concordia; therefore be it

Resolved, That Concordia, Ann Arbor, be commended
for its whole training of God’s servants; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention at Denver authorize
the expansion of Concordia Lutheran Junior College,
Ann Arbor, Mich., to a 4-year college for teachers.

St, Paut’s LUTHERAN CONGREGATION
Bremen, Ind.

MarsHaLt E, STINE, President
Extpon Roeper, Recording Secretary

(6-81)

To Authorize Development of Bronxville
into 4-Year College

The Board of Control of Concordia Collegiate Insti-
tute requests the convention to authorize the develop-
ment of its institution into a 4-year Lutheran college.
This should be accomplished in the shortest possible
time and with the assistance of the Board for Higher
Education. In support of this request, the board notes
the following:

1. A 4-year program would greatly increase the col-
lege’s attractiveness to students preparing for full-time
church vocations, especially those preparing to become
teachers or directors of Christian education. For these
students, transfer to colleges in other areas of the coun-
try after their sophomore year has been a major obstacle
in their choice of a college or of a vocation. The pre-
theological program would remain as presently consti-
tuted,

2. The extension to 4 years of present programs for
the general student would offer the benefits of a soundly
Lutheran college education to students preparing for
other fields of service. During the past 30 years Bronx-
ville Concordia has accumulated valuable experience
in the conduct and financing of such programs.

3. Concordia is the only synodical college in the East
and is located in an area with a substantial Lutheran
constituency and a large population mass.