LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 315

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HIGHER EDUCATION 315

third president by designating the comparatively new adminis-
tration building as the Poehler Memorial Administration Build-
ing. Dr. Willy A. Poehler was president from 1946 to 1970.

On Oct. 6, 1974, a 43-rank Schlicker organ was dedicated
in the relatively new Buetow Memorial Music Center. This was
a capstone event for the college and the music center, made
possible by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Schilling of
St. Paul, who provided the total funds for the organ.

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Edwards of St. Paul presented a gener-
ous gift to pay for a large outdoor mobile sculpture which high-
lights the main entrance to the new College Union. The base is
triangular to represent the Holy Trinity; the upper structure is
a large cross with appended colorful pieces. The cross and the
appendages are mobile to reflect the life and activities of the
campus as a Christian community based on faith in the Triune
God.

Conclusion

With appreciation for all the goodwill and good gifts of the
Synod, with thanksgiving to God for His manifold and manifest
blessings, Concordia College in St. Paul continues the task of
Christian higher education. We can be sure of God's continued
blessings. As the Synod reflects on and rejoices in the mercies
of God, which have given the Synod so rich a heritage. Con-
cordia College in St. Paul will be filled with peace and joy in
believing and serving.

Board of Control
Harvey Stegemoeller. Executive Officer

6-11

Concordia Senior College
Fort Wayne, Ind.

With deep gratitude to our heavenly Father for the many
blessings He has showered upon students, staff, and Board of
Control and for His gracious protection, we at Concordia Senior
College submit this report.

Concordia Senior College was established by The Lutheran
Church-— Missouri Synod to form the upper link in a system of
preseminary liberal arts education culminating in an accredited
B. A. degree. As the specific needs of the church change and as
changes in educational patterns and changing factors of cost and
of student enrollment impinge upon the Senior College. it is
continually necessary to assess the college’s role in the Synod’s
program of higher education, including both the college’s
present program of preseminary education and the college's
potential for expanded service to the church.

Since its beginning the primary purpose of Concordia Senior
College has been to provide a preseminary education with an
integrated and articulated predominately single-purpose pro-
gram specifically designed for the student preparing for the
pastoral ministry. The program is characterized by: a curriculum
specifically designed for the preseminary student, an up-to-date
liberal arts program with basic introduction to theology and
development of professional language skills; a faculty itself
ministerially trained and committed to preseminary education
as its primary though not exclusive task: a student body com-
posed primarily, though not exclusively, of students intent upon
the pastoral ministry: an institution equipped with the physical
and administrative resources for the task of preseminary
training.

Board of Control

The following persons served as members: Dr. Elwood
H. Zimmermann, chairman: Rev. Allen H. Fedder, vice-chair-
man: Herbert C. Moldenhauer, secretary; Rev. Cecil H. Skibbe.
Robert C. Moellering, Carl A. Heldt, Walther D. Fenner, Richard
D. Hercamp, Leo W. Gross, Rev. Louis A. Brighton. Rev. G.
Schaper replaced Rev. Louis Brighton when the latter accepted
a call to the faculty at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The board
carried out its responsibilities in a very conscientious manner.

Faculty

The faculty has worked conscientiously to carry out the
objectives in ministerial training. During this biennium the
following completed doctoral programs: James Childs, Robert
Holst, Paul O'Connor, Curt Peters, and Ted Westermann.
Several others are nearing this goal. Rev. Herman A. Etzold

asked to be released from his administrative position as dean
of student affairs to return to the parish ministry. Dr. John Klotz,
academic dean, was given permission to accept a similar post at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Dr. Robert Stade was retired
for health reasons.

Dr. Edgar Walz was appointed dean of administration, Dr.
David Schramm as academic dean, Prof. Stephen Mazak as
dean of student affairs, Dr. M. Zilz as registrar, and Dr. R. Braun
as dean of worship.

The faculty continues to bring its talents and resources to the
service of the church at the local, District, and synodical levels.
One particularly valuable contribution is a continuing education
program for pastors, which has attracted participants from
a wide geographical area.

The Interim Term and special enrichment courses provide
the students and faculty with relevant on- and off-campus
learning situations.

The college has continued its cooperative program with the
Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing. This venture has proven
mutually profitable.

Student Life

A variety of activities have given students many opportuni-
ties for participation and growth. Student government affords
many leadership possibilities. Convocations, music, drama,
athletics, publications, religious and community service provide
for a variety of interests.

The chapel and dormitory devotions give a special dimension
to campus life and are carried out in traditional and contem-
porary forms.

As costs rise, more and more students need financial aid. In
1973-74 approximately $200,000 in various forms of student
financial aid and jobs was made available.

Special mention might be made of the financial assistance
given by the Aid Association for Lutherans in the form of
student, faculty, and institutional support. Scholarships are
also made available by Lutheran Brotherhood and various
individuals.

The Future

Two faculty committees, the Academic Policies Committee
and the Plans for the Future Committee. have been very busy
reviewing the curriculum and planning how the college could be
of greater service to the church. The primary interest has been
the type of education that would best prepare a person for
ministry, more specifically for seminary training. The college
views itself as particularly equipped for the task of preministerial
training.

The preministrial training program provides the following
benefits to the church: academic—an education generally
recognized as a most thorough sort of training in the attitudes,
skills, and knowledge valuable for the seminary student and
pastor: theological and spiritual_a means of appropriate in-
doctrination in spiritual formation; social —a common experience
that has proven to be a source of identity and loyalty in the
Missouri Synod. The program possesses the following resources:
momentum and identity —it has the commitment of many who
have experienced it and has the ability to attract students into
preparation for the ministry: commitment and experience of
faculty members resulting in a high degree of competence and
know-how: an integrated and articulated curriculum and co-
curriculum uniquely capable of fulfilling its purpose: institu-
tional and administrative means of implementation (facilities,
worship programs, skilled administrators, counselors, staff).
The preseminary education offered by Concordia Senior College
can meet the following needs of the church: continue to provide
seminaries with students possessing unique capacities and
characteristics: provide a centralized means of responding to
the changing needs of seminary education: strengthen its
graduates’ commitment to the Synod: deepen the theological
understanding of ministerial students: insure that our pastors
are truly educated men and not merely trained technicians in
limited fields.

During the years since the establishment of Concordia Senior
College in 1957 a gradual series of changes have occurred in the
synodical system of higher education. In 1957 recruitment came
primarily through the synodical high schools. Gradually those
high schools have been phased out both by choice and by
necessity, but alternate forms of recruitment have not com-
pletely succeeded in recruiting the same number of presemi-