LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 264

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264 HIGHER EDUCATION

for 2-year general, business, and transfer programs and also
provides the basis of integrated 4-year bachelor-degree pro-
grams in teacher education and liberal arts. A 4-1-4 calen-
dar, featuring a January Term when each student pursues
a single course in depth in one of a variety of on- and off-
campus studies, was introduced in 1972—73. The January
Term also enables students to take greater advantage of the
rich cultural resources and learning opportunities available
in New York City. Student and faculty response to the
new basic curriculum and the January Term has been posi-
tive.

Student Life. In the past 2 years, the student-adopted
keynote themes were “Alive in Christ” and “Rejoicing in
Mercy.” the latter in recognition of the Synod's 125th anni-
versary, These watchwords give direction to campus life
and to the program of daily corporate worship in a variety
of traditional and contemporary forms.

The college’s cocurricular programs have continued as
effective resources for student participation and growth in
a wide variety of music, drama, art, intercollegiate and in-
tramural sports, student government, publications. clubs and
interest groups, and religious and community service or-
ganizations and activities. In addition. the college sponsors
a program of cultural events featuring resident and guest
musicians, visiting lecturers and performing groups. and
cinematic offerings. The development by student leadership.
under the guidance of the dean of students, of a revised
constitution and structure of student government and life
appropriate to the new 4-year college also is noteworthy.

Student Financial Aid. In 1971—72 approximately $260,000
in various forms of student financial aid was awarded to
Concordia students. The greater part of this aid (scholar-
ships, grants. loans, work-study) came from New York State
and federal government sources, with $35,000 from Districts,
the Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brother-
hood, various individual donors. and the college. In 1972—73,
with fewer eligible students leading to a reduction in fed-
erally funded student financial aid programs, the amount of
financial assistance available was $238,000. Since the Board
of Control has had to raise student fees each year, the need
to find additional sources of student financial aid is a critical
one. To assist students and their parents. the director of
financial aid is making available a variety of deferred pay-
ment and insured tuition payment plans.

Development for Expanded Service

An intensive and extensive program of institutional de-
velopment, undertaken to implement the Synod’s decision
that Concordia become its fourth 4-year college, has had
two main components: (1) a capital funds campaign, the
Concordia Advance! Program, to provide $1,800,000 for con-
struction of a new library and a new music-fine arts facility,
with additional funds totalling $2,250,000 for a new dormi-
tory, dining hall expansion, and renovation of existing build-
ings to be provided through long-term loans, grants, and
bequests, and (2) development of academic programs and
instructional resources.

1. Concordia Advance! Program

Planning and Organization. After completion of a finan-
cial feasibility study conducted throughout representative
congregations in Concordia's service area, the Synod's Board
of Directors approved a campaign plan which was endorsed
and to be carried on by the Atlantic, Eastern, Southeastern,
Florida-Georgia, and eastern regions of the English and
SELC Districts. In the fall of 1971 a steering committee of
26 lay and clergy leaders was appointed, with Robert E.
(“Buffalo Bob”) Smith as honorary chairman, Dr. Norman
Temme as campaign chairman, Dr. Albert E. Meyer as ma-
jor gifts chairman. and Dr. Richard Engebrecht as education
committee chairman. Responsibility for detailed campaign
organization and administration in all Districts except the
Florida-Georgia District, where other arrangements were
made, was assumed by Professor Clyde Kaminska and a
professional consultant. In addition to preparing all cam-
paign publicity materials and congregational workers man-
uals and assisting Dr. Albert Meyer and his volunteers in
organizing the solicitation of over 400 prospective major
gifts donors, these two staff executives organized and con-

ducted three series of meetings in 15 geographical regions
(45 meetings in all) to train congregational campaign leaders
and workers. Approximately 800 pastors and laymen from
200 different congregations were represented at one or more
of the 45 regional meetings.

Campaign Operation. Immediately after the campaign
was officially launched at a kickoff event held in conjunc-
tion with the presidential inauguration in February 1972 the
major gifts committee began solicitation of persons identified
as potential special donors. Following the series of regional
training meetings, local congregations were to begin their
campaigns. A goodly number of congregations did get their
local campaigns under way. but the majority were not able
to proceed so quickly. As a result, Professors Kaminska
and Meyer devoted full-time effort throughout the balance
of 1972 and into 1973 in guiding and assisting congregations
not yet “in” the campaign. In the fall of 1972 the Alumni
Association, through its executive board, with assistance by
Dr. Eric Walle in organizing volunteer workers, launched
its own Advance Program campaign directed toward a goal
of $100,000 and a “challenge goal” of $125,000. The Board
of Control also conducted a special meeting in December
1972 to which presidents and vice-presidents of the Atlantic,
New England, New Jersey, Eastern, and Southeastern Dis-
tricts were invited; District officers present resolved to place
the full weight of their offices and District organizations
behind the campaign effort in order to help congregations
complete their local campaigns or, where they had not yet
begun, to initiate local Advance Program efforts.

Campaign Results to March, 1973. The Lord has blessed
the efforts of the hundreds of persons involved in conduct-
ing the Concordia Advance! Program. In March 1973 within
13 months of the kickoff, 123 congregations had made formal
pledges and an additional 263 congregations had made con-
tributions but had not adopted final goals or made formal
pledges. Total amount pledged to date. including contribu-
tions, is approximately $1,150,000. Of this amount, $280,000
was pledged or contributed through major gifts, $121,000 by
alumni, $33,000 by parents of Concordia students, over $40,000
by college faculty and administration, and the balance by
congregations. These results to date are a cause of rejoicing
and thanksgiving. Especially encouraging has been the par-
ticipation and often sacrificial support given by thousands
of persons and scores of congregations. pastors, and lay vol-
unteers. Particularly noteworthy has been the capable and
dedicated leadership of Clyde Kaminska, ably assisted by
Professors Meyer, Walle. and others. Known now through-
out the East as never before, Concordia is making genuine
progress in its expansion efforts. The campaign is two thirds
of the way to its goal. However, even though only five
congregations formally declined to participate in the cam-
paign, the 123 congregations which have made fixed pledges
comprise less than 20% of the total number of congregations
in Concordia’s service area, with the 263 congregations
that have made contributions but have not adopted a fixed
goal or made a formal pledge constituting an additional 45°
of potentially participating congregations in the college’s
service area. We believe that ways will be found by cur-
rently contributing congregations to adopt fixed goals and
make formal pledges and by other congregations not yet
participating to support Concordia’s expansion in some way.
The fact that congregations and Districts may also earmark
gifts to the Synod's 125th Anniversary Thankoffering for
Concordia’s expansion provides significant opportunity for
them to advance the cause of the Synod and its college at
Bronxville, N. Y.

2, Development of Academic Programs and Instructional
Resources

Development of academic programs and instructional re-
sources has proceeded simultaneously along three fronts:
(1) building up the library collection and instructional re-
sources; (2) developing integrated 4-year curricula, and
(3) continuance of the college's faculty development pro-
gram.

Expanding Library Resources. With a special appropria-
tion by the Board of Control from bequests in hand. the
faculty, through director of library services and his staff,
have carried forward accelerated acquisition of books and
other library resources to support the new 4-year academic