Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2019 · 67th Convention, Tampa › Page 122

LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 122

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

122

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

ensure that faculty, staff, and students know what it means to
teach, work, and learn at an institution of Lutheran higher education. The following examples enumerate ways in which CTX
lives out its faithfulness to Lutheran identity:
••

A new mission statement was adopted by the Board
of Regents in the spring of 2018 that states the school
is rooted in the Lutheran tradition and affiliated with
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The mission
is very clear on who we are, what we do, and what the
outcome of our vocation should be.

••

The Richard J. Dinda Professorship of Lutheran
Identity and Mission was established in the Fall
of 2018 in which a faculty member is given time to
research, write about, and lead faculty in keeping the
Lutheran identity alive.

••

Engagement with and attendance at daily chapel
increased 17 percent after a campus-wide effort was
held during the 2017–2018 academic year. Concordia’s Cantor continues to provide a rich chapel
experience that is reflective of our Lutheran history,
theology, and practice.

••

Campus ministries has made an intentional effort
to engage student leaders in leading Bible study and
prayer groups, planning service opportunities, and
working closely alongside campus activities to build
relationships and witness to fellow students.

••

The Director of Christian Education (DCE) program
at CTX places between 15–20 interns each year and
is currently one of the largest DCE programs among
the schools of the CUS. Placements include churches
across the United States and in such diverse countries
as Tanzania, Chile, Slovakia, and Turkey.

••

Each year CTX sends one of its employees to
participate in LECNA (formerly Thrivent) Fellows,
a program that is preparing future leaders for our
schools. In the past triennium, four different people
have participated in this program that focuses heavily on Lutheran identity and what it means to be a
school of the church.

Operationally Sound
The phrase “no margin/no mission” is as true today as it
has always been—and in higher education, it may be even more
so now. In an environment that has increased competition,
where costs continue to rise, and in which regulations are always
increasing, CTX has done much over the past triennium to solidify its foundation so that it can remain viable long into the
future. Specifically these three items are noted:
••

Execution of the Strategic Plan: Concordia University Texas launched its five-year plan in the fall of
2016, with a focus on building a strong foundation.
Three years into the plan has resulted in the execution of 39 out of 62 initiatives, an understanding of
the hard work it takes to execute, and the knowledge
that the institution CAN execute when needed. A
new five-year plan will be launched in 2021 that focuses on future growth and impact on students.

2019 Convention Workbook

••

Predictable Financial Outcomes: One of the aspects
of failing colleges is that they lose control of their
financial outcomes and are regularly surprised by
lower than planned for revenue (and/or higher than
planned for expenses). Because of a robust budgeting
process and careful monitoring, CTX has been in line
with its planned projections over the past three years,
allowing the university to consistently provide raises,
fund strategic initiatives, and not make dramatic cuts
during the year.

••

Steady Enrollment: CTX understands that its business
model relies heavily on student tuition for continued
operations. While certain programs gain and lose
students over time, the overall growth of the university has been on a steady trajectory since 2016. With
a low of 2,568 and high of 2,730, CTX has managed
its enrollment to meet its funding needs.

Forward Focused
On June 27, 2026, Concordia University Texas will hold its
celebration of 100 years of ministry to the church, community,
and world. As CTX looks forward to the future, it is imperative
for it to remain academically excellent, faithful to its Lutheran
identity, and operationally sound. Several highlights accent
what the future might look like:
••

CTX will launch the first competitive E-Sports program in Central Texas in the Fall of 2019. Competitive gaming is gaining ground in universities across
the country and is being looked at by the NCAA as
a possible addition to its lineup of sponsored athletic
contests.

••

CTX was recently recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) after passing the 30 percent
Hispanic population threshold. CTX joins Concordia University Chicago in this designation which
provides access to additional funding and support of
multiple associations.

••

Plans are underway to begin construction on a new
residence hall that plans to open in the Fall of 2021.
This will put residential capacity at over 600 students
on campus.

••

A five-year plan for adding programs has been put
into place and will begin being executed in the Fall of
2019. This plan calls for additional programs in the
traditional and post-traditional programs, including
both face-to-face and online offerings.

••

Leadership development among employees has
become important and is being executed across the
university in all departments. Programs exist for
young leaders, new faculty, seasoned leaders, and
those identified as possible college administrators,
including university presidents.
Donald Christian, President