Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 269
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 269

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

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HIGHER EDUCATION 269

base of Operation. With approval of Concordia's Board of

for a Portland Lutheran High Schoo] Association. Principal
Donald Lorenz continues to give the project dynamic lead-
ership.

Conclusion

Numerous changes are taking place in higher education
today. They reflect the substantial changes currently shak-
ing the entire world. Educational institutions which are

College and Concordia Lutheran High of Portland, Oreg.,
aspire to openness. Yet, they insist that certain character-
istics are unalterable. These are its unique Christian dis-
tinctiveness and its priority concern for recruiting and edu-
cating professional workers for the church. We request the
continued prayers of the entire church.

E. P. Weber, Executive Officer

6-18

Alabama Lutheran Academy and College,
Selma, Ala.

In this the 50th anniversary year of the founding of Ala-
bama Lutheran Academy and College in Selma, Ala., we,
the administration, faculty, staff, and student body, mindful
of the blessings of God upon this institution, are pleased to
present this report of stewardship to The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod. We have experienced a half century of our
Lord’s grace, and we express our appreciation to Him and
to our church, and its members, which has supported ALAC
through the years.

From our beginning, we have tried to supply part of the
educational experiences which young men and women find
helpful as they prepare to assume a share of God’s great
command to go and teach all nations. This will continue to
be our main objective as we look to the future. We will try

motivation, based on the Word of God, to do what is right.
Many of our graduates have successfully transferred to one
of the terminal schools. A few have also been successful
after transferring to local 4-year colleges or universities,

Enrollment

Our enrollment picture for the past biennium has been
both good and discouraging. As the following table shows

School and College for the 1972—73 school year. Our goal
for the 1973—74 school year is an enrollment of 250.

1970—71 1971—72 1972—73
High School Students 72 89 130
College Students — 31 21 36

ALAC held its first summer session during the summer
of 1972. It was a success and served as a good recruitment
device. Forty-four high school students enrolled for the
summer session. Twelve of those who had not previously
been enrolled at ALAC stayed for the full academic year.
There were seven college students enrolled. We are looking
forward to bigger and better summer sessions.

Curriculum

ALAC continues to place emphasis on the church-worker
Programs. We have programs for preministerial, teachers,
social workers, and deaconess. We have extended our pro-
gram to include a general Liberal Arts Program and a secre-

Faculty

The faculty is the key to an excellent academic program,
We have promoted a policy of faculty improvement. Dur-
ing the 1972—73 school year, four faculty members were on
leave to study for an advance degree. During the summer of
1972, two other faculty members earned their masters de-
grees. Many faculty members will attend summer school
this summer.

For the past 2 years, we have experimented with faculty
exchange programs in the areas of chemistry and foreign

University while one of their instructors has been teaching
at ALAC. It has been a mutually enlightening experience
for both schools.

Plant Development and Facilities

We have been making great use of the last building con-
structed on campus. The gym has made possible a better
physical education program and particularly a better athletic
program. The gym has also been used by different organiza-
tions. The black pastors of the Southern region have used
the facility a number of times. It is used by the city as a
voting place. Some school convocations have been held in
the gym as well as lyceum programs. The Board of Direc-
tors of the Southern District plan to use the facility on
May 25, 1973.

Some of our other buildings need to be replaced. We are
in desperate need of a men’s dormitory. The present wood
frame building was built in 1929. It has seen its better days.
A new dorm would improve the appearance of the campus
and the morale of the young men.

We are in need of a Junior College classroom and ad-
ministration complex. This is needed to give the college an
identity since the present classroom building is used pri-
marily for high school classes. Presently administrative
offices are located in different buildings which at times is
mconvenient. This facility would give us space to hold col-
lege classes in rooms designed for that purpose.

The Board of Directors of the Synod has approved the
request for the above two buildings. At present plans are
being drawn and it is hoped that construction on at least
one of the buildings can begin during the summer of 1973.

Another need is for a student union. At present the stu-

We think we could improve our instructional programs if
we could offer home economics to high school students.
However, we do not presently have a place to put the equip-
ment if we had the equipment. Consequently, we would
like help to make this addition to our program.

Another need is a modern library. The present building

inadequate. Here, again, the proper kind of structure could
enhance the campus atmosphere. The present building could
be readily used as a band room, shop facility, or to house
other career education programs.

We have begun a concert band. The number of students
involved presently is smal] but interest is growing. It will
be difficult to encourage this program unless we can furnish
some of the basic, but expensive instruments.

Fund Raising

We joined hands with the Southern District this year in
an educational fund raising effort instead of doing our own.
The results were great as we received as our share about
$5,000 compared to $500 last year. Plans are under way to
continue this program,

In addition to this program, we are continually blessed
by individuals and groups throughout synod who have re-
membered our needs. Their gifts are appreciated especially
in this time of rising costs. Students are especially grateful
since most of the money we receive is used for scholarships.

Accreditation

As of April 1972 the high school department was fully
accredited by the State Department of Education.

We are presently seeking accreditation for both the high
school and junior college by the Southern Association of