LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 261

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HIGHER EDUCATION 261

of this program will be a step forward in the Synod‘s minis-
terial program without diluting the presently accepted stan-
dards for preministerial training.

The first president of Concordia Senior College, Dr.
Martin J. Neeb, officially retired in July of 1972. He had
previously served on the faculty of Concordia Lutheran
College of Texas and he was the first executive secretary
of the Board for Higher Education.

WHEREAS the Synod in the past has been richly blessed
through its system of colleges and seminaries for the train-
ing of professional church workers, and whereas these bless-
ings came from an integrated system in which the colleges
provided the seminaries with students well-trained for
seminary studies, who were deeply spiritual, socially com-
petent, and intellectually: competent and whereas the pre-
theological enrollment at Synod's Junior Colleges has been
steadily declining,

We recommend that the Synod reaffirm its confidence in
the Junior College-Senior College system in the training of
ministerial students and that it will support and promote it.

We have every confidence that the God Who has an-
swered the church's prayers for faith. vision, competence,
and strength to carry forward His work of preparing pastors
for the past 125 years will continue to supply our need also
in the challenging and rewarding future in which Concordia
Senior College will play a vital role, if the responsible
leaders and their fellow redeemed in the church remain
obedient to His Word and have the faith to accept, the
vision to see. and the courage to meet the challenge of the
opportunities that confront us.

Boarp or ContrRon
Herbert G. Bredemeier, Executive Officer

6-10

Concordia Lutheran Junior College
Ann Arbor, Mich.

1973—74 An Anniversary Year

Ten years is not a particularly long period as far as
history is concerned. The 10 years of existence of Concordia,
Ann Arbor, are brief when set beside the 125 years of our
Synod’s history. However, the Lord has blessed the work
at Ann Arbor richly, closing the decade of the college's
existence.

Careful reflection on the past demonstrates clearly that
God's goodness and mercy are written large over the vears
since the Ann Arbor campus was dedicated on Sept. 29,
1963. Since that time the doors of the campus have opened
wide to welcome and serve students and their families,
faculty and staff. visitors and guests. children and young
people.

In a very vital way the church has been the beneficiary
of the first 10 vears of Concordia’s life and progress. Grad-
uates now total 1.673. These young men and women came
and grew and moved on to other schools and many into the
church's ministries. Today in practical and meaningful wavs
they are a blessing to many as they live lives committed to
Christ and share His light with others.

At the encouragement of the Board of Control, the
1973—74 school year will recognize Concordia’s first decade.
The year will be marked by a series of special events for
the campus and the church community.

The Past Biennium

In the past biennium the Board of Control. faculty, and
staff, have attempted with diligence to carry out the charge
of the Synod given to all of its colleges and terminal schools.
We hold sacred our commitment to the Scriptures and the
symbols of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. It is
also a serious commitment of the college to achieve a high
degree of excellence in Christian education. We have worked
together toward the primary goal of giving meaningful prep-
aration to those who have a ministry of the church as their
goal and also to others who have come in quest of the
distinctive accents of a Christian academic community.

The Board of Control

Concordia has been blessed through the leadership and
guidance given by those who serve as members of the Board

of Control. Their vision, coupled with a genuine under-
standing and interest in Christian education, has made con-
tinued progress a reality. The board has demonstrated its
interest in the faculty and has been sensitive to the voice
of students. Provisions have been made for regular presen-
tations at meetings of the board by the president of the
student senate, and other student leaders.

The following are presently serving in the capacity of
board members: Rev. John C. Streit. Chairman, Mr. Ernest
C. Laetz, Secretary, Mr. Edwin A. Benz, Rev. Richard H.
Bernthal, Mr. William C. Gast, Rev. Richard L. Schlecht,
President — Michigan District, Mr. Walter E. Senne, and
Mr. Edward P. Staubitz.

The Faculty and Staff

An academic community must possess the resource of
a strong and dedicated faculty. Competence and concern for
individuals are characteristics of Ann Arbor's 36 full and
1 part time faculty members. Five faculty members com-
pleted graduate work toward the doctor's degree in the
past biennium.

The influence of the faculty reaches beyond the campus
through the participation of various members in the life of
parishes, District, and Synod. Faculty talents and expertise
are put to good use on a number of boards, committees, and
commissions.

A special word of commendation must be given to so
many others without whose efforts all campus activity would
be extremely difficult. Often they work quietly, frequently
they are not seen by many who come and go, sometimes
their recognition is limited, but no one will deny their im-
portant contribution. Secretaries and groundsmen, cooks
and custodians, maintenance men and student helpers are
in their number. We recognize their steady efforts with
gratitude.

Students

Concordia’s students continue to come in greatest num-
bers from Michigan and the neighboring states of Ohio and
Indiana. Students from other states, Canada, and some
foreign countries complete the enrollment. In spite of the
declining birth rate, the competition for students from state
universities and community colleges, and the fluctuating
predictions of the church's ability to use its graduates, Ann
Arbor’s enrollment has maintained its stability in the past
biennium,

Enrollment Comparison

1971—72 1972-73

Ministerial 106 223
Teaching ee 260 227
Deaconess . 9 22
Social Work _ a 27 44
Other 2 66 85
Total _ a 468 ATT
Men _ _. . 214 223
Women _ . a . 254 255

New Programs

In an effort to prepare those who have particular capa-
bilities in the areas of special education, home economics,
business education, and industrial arts, a cooperative pro-
fram was arranged with Eastern Michigan University. The
program was approved by the Board for Higher Education.
It allows students to begin their preparation on the Con-
cordia campus. transfer to Eastern Michigan University, and
graduate from Synod's Teachers Colleges at Seward or River
Forest.

As a part of a continuing study of the feasibility of Con-
cordia becoming a 4-year college. a detailed and careful
study regarding the preparation of students for sensitive
areas of service in the church and community was under-
taken by the faculty. The study Suggests new 4-year pro-
grams which implement the social ministry affirmations of
our Synod. Some of the curricula suggested by the study
are: early childhood education. church administration, direc-
tor of community services, legal assistants, community health
service careers.

The study was adopted by the Board of Control and the
faculty and has been submitted to the Board for Higher