LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 256

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256 HIGHER EDUCATION

Library

Growing at a rate of 3,000 per year, our book collection
now numbers 66,000. In addition, however, the library’s
growth pains include much in the area of software and
hardware in media. All forms of media enjoy a healthy
rivalry with books. During the biennium our library was
evaluated by a consultant from the American Theological
Library Association. As a result we have incorporated our
media center (including video-tape) into the library. This
required an extensive remodeling of a lounge area in the
library to provide two “TV” studios and a control room.

Buildings and Property

Much upgrading, repair and building have been accom-
plished on campus. The projects include: (1) conversion
of the boiler plant from coal to gas and repair of the stack
to meet underwriters requirements: (2) new fluorescent
lighting in all classrooms: (3) extensive repair of faculty
housing; (4) repair and repainting of dormitory rooms;
(5) purchase of several older homes in the campus acquisi-
tion program (homes are rented to students): (6) purchase
of Immanuel Lutheran Church on campus. This property
has been leased to the Central Illinois District. The District
has built a new office building next to the church and will
use it as headquarters: (7) the gymnasium has been con-
verted into an all-purpose building. Henceforth to be called
Alumni Memorial Hall, it is completely air-conditioned and
has a new limestone lobby. The project provides added
beauty for the campus and integrates the property. It will
be used for a gymnasium, Auditorium, banquet hall, etc.
It is in demand for gatherings of various Lutheran groups
and will help make the seminary a focal point for area
churches.

Recommendations

The major recommendation of our Board of Control, we
feel, is a serious matter for the church to consider. We are
sure that a vibrant church body wants her seminaries to
provide excellent theological education for her future pas-
tors. The problem arises when the cost of the evident means
to improvement outstrips financial resources. For example,
the vicarage supervision and vicarage supervisor training
program has been pronounced highly beneficial throughout
the church. Nevertheless it is an expensive program, Despite
gifts from donors, addition of a vicarage fee and increased
student fees, we are simply not in a position to implement
the program fully. As we presently conceive our whole
Supervised Pastoral Education program, we would need
three more staff members and much more money to move
staff members around the country as needed.

Other exciting ways of improving the preparation of the
future pastors of the church beckon. Within a few years
we think that we should have a much more extensive media
center than we now provide in an embryonic way. It
should be professionally staffed. rather than rely upon part-
time personnel, Again, we see a growing need for profes-
sional counselling of both single and married students. We
anguish over our inability to provide as much counselling
as needed. Moreover, we see the development of a sound
Doctor of Ministry program. We should be recruiting more
black students and devising more appropriate educational
experiences for them. We should be giving greater attention
to preparing men for ministry in the expanding Hispanic-
American segment of our country. We should be offering
more effective Urban Training Centers. All these and other
developments in theological education confront us as oppor-
tunities and challenges.

Meanwhile student fees have been raised to the breaking
point. Student financial aid programs are skyrocketing in
demands. Meager cost-of-living increases in faculty sal-
aries drain away increases in synodical subsidy without
relieving the problems caused by inflation. Increasingly.
funds for experimentation and new projects in educational
technique are unavailable.

It is our conviction that we ought to be entering new pro-
grams joyfully and with vigor, rather than timidly nibbling
around the edges of them. For this reason, we feel that the
matter of the financing of theological education cannot be
left to separate and local Boards of Control. The training
of ministers is at the heart of the church's mission and de-

serves serious attention. Meanwhile, we assure our church
of our willingness to do all we can with the means at our
disposal to achieve the goal of “a more excellent ministry.”

Boarp OF CONTROL

Martin F. Wessler, Chairman
Harold Olsen, Secretary

Richard Schultz, Executive Officer

6-06

Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebr.

The Board of Control of Concordia Teachers College,
Seward, Nebr., submits the following report.

Type of Institution

Our main objective is the training of teachers for the ele-
mentarv and secondary schools of the Synod. The vast ma-
jority of our students are in this program. The scope of our
curriculum makes it possible for us to enroll also a number
of students heading for other ministerial vocations as well
as a few liberal arts students. The High School department,
which had been in operation since 1894, was closed May 31,
1972.

Board of Control

The membership of the Board of Control is as follows:
Rev. Frederick Niedner (chairman). Rev. Elmer Luessenhop
(secretary), Mr. Lee Lohrberg, Mr. Bill Baird, Mr. Raymond
Petersen, Mr. Robert Garmatz, Mr. Howard Doerr, Dr. Rob-
ert Herpolsheimer, and Mr. Don Kolterman.

Enrollment

College Regular Session

Year Full-time Part-time Total FT Equivalent
1971-1972 .. ....... 1,552 74 1,579
19721973 ... .. ... 1,412 62 1,433

College Summer Session
Year Undergraduate Graduate Werkshops Total
1971... . 327 271 107 705
1972 2 0. 255 289 237 781
High School Enrollment
Year Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Total
1971—1972 30 34 49 49 162

Academic Program

The Undergraduate Program: Our faculty has initiated
a new concept in teaching educational methodology. In place
of traditional methods courses it has developed a teacher
laboratory program which emphasizes individualized in-
struction. It promises to be a significant improvement in
a crucial area of teacher training.

To provide greater flexibility in relationship to student
need and desire the college, with the approval of the North
Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, now
offers the B. A. degree in addition to the B.S. in Education
degree.

The Graduate Program: Begun in 1966, the program to
date has conferred 48 master’s degrees and four 5-year
diplomas. We presently have 160 post-baccalaureate stu-
dents in the program.

Special Programs: The field experiences program
(IMPACT) continued to provide a variety of educational
experiences to a large number of students at all class levels.
Most of the activities are on a voluntary basis.

A Center for Indian Ministries and Studies (CIMS) was
established in 1972. It promises to provide an exciting com-
bination of student educational experiences and community
services. Most of the expenses of the program have been
underwritten by three synodical districts (Montana, Wyom-
ing, Nebraska), Synod’s Board of Missions (specifically
BIA), the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and the
Aid Association for Lutherans.

Plant and Property

Lack of funds has stymied much needed plant expansion.
The most urgent need is for a combination library-classroom