LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 317

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HIGHER EDUCATION 317

in 1973 Dr. Zimmerman accepted the call to serve his Lord and
the church he loves as president of Concordia Teachers College.
River Forest, Ill.

The church, those who were his students, and others who
worked with Dr. Zimmerman acknowledge with gratitude his
Christian commitment, loyalty, friendship. and dedication to
the educational task. In honor of the significant contribution
both he and his wife made to the Concordia community. the
Board of Control has named the library at Concordia. Ann
Arbor. the Paul A. Zimmerman Library.

During the intervening months Prof. Wilbert H. Rusch Sr.
was selected by the Board of Control to serve as acting presi-
dent. Professor Rusch served ably during the interim. and his
efforts are acknowledged by the faculty and board.

Dr. Zimmerman’s leaving began the process that was to
lead to the calling of a new president. The call was extended to
Rev. Merlin S. Pohl. superintendent of Lutheran High Schools,
Detroit, Mich. Guided by the Spirit, he accepted the call and was
installed as Concordia’s second president Oct. 20, 1974. Presi-
dent Pohl brings a persona! warmth and lively interest in stu-
dents to his office. He faces the crucial task of leading this young
synodical school through its second decade.

The Faculty

A college cannot rise above its faculty. The selection of
competent men and women who are committed to the principle
that “Christ must be first in all things” is extremely important.
Faculty members are involved in a wide range of activities.
Some are pursuing programs of advanced study, many are
involved with varied responsibilities that touch the campus
life of students, and some serve the Synod by using their gifts
as servants on District and synodical boards and committees.
The following faculty changes occurred in the past 2 years:

Leaving the faculty were Dr. Rudolph C. Block, Dr. William
J. Hassold, Prof. Gerhardt A. Jabs, Dr. Erich H. Kiehl. Prof.
Eric J. Meyer, and Prof. Norman C. Utech.

Added to the faculty were Prof. Harlan E. Burk and Prof.
John M. Fricke.

Added to the staff was Rev. William R. Ney.

Students and Student Life

Students are at the heart of the Synod's educational task.

We make a serious commitment to them and recognize that
those who lead and share the Gospel must rise from their ranks.
Predicted shortages of men and women for the church's varied
ministries force us to recognize that we must help motivate and
encourage students to consider their life's calling in the light
of the church's need. Enrollment for 1973—74 was 479, and 450
were enrolled for 1974 —75.

Students at Concordia, Ann Arbor. demonstrate ability and
competence. Over 2.000 graduates have moved on to other
colleges or universities. Today many of these graduates are
sharing Christ with many people in a number of situations and
ministries.

There is hope for the future in these young men and women.
We have noted their involvement in a wide range of student
activities. Their active participation in worship, their willing-
ness to witness through the Ambassador and Lutheran Youth
Encounter programs. their readiness to visit the lonely at a
training home for boys or a convalescent center for the aged,
are a source of confidence and encouragement.

The Second Decade

Time and history move forward under the hand of God. In
this awareness the Concordia community moves into the years
of the college's second decade. Impending shortages of men
and women for the pastoral office and the teaching ministry
indicate that vigorous efforts in recruitment are required. The
questions once posed by St. Paul are particularly appropriate:
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not be-
lieved? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have
not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
(Rom. 10:14)

Much of the shape of Concordia’s next decade will be de-
termined by the Task Force recommendations. At the direction
of the Synod the Task Force has visited Concordia, Ann Arbor,
and the other schools of the Synod. One of the important ques-

tions concerns the movement of Ann Arbor’s program to 4 years.
This question has been given careful study in past years by the
Board of Control and the faculty. Resolutions of the Ontario
and Michigan Districts requesting the Synod to grant 4-year
status have been submitted to previous conventions of the
Synod. The Michigan District has by convention action com-
mitted itself to a $400,000 library addition when 4-year status
becomes a reality.

Delegates to the convention of the Synod have vital deci-
sions to make regarding the future of higher education and of
Concordia, Ann Arbor. We trust they will see the merit and wis-
dom of the following resolve adopted by Concordia’s Board of
Control and faculty:

Resolved. That the Board of Control and the faculty of Concordia.
Ann Arbor. respectfully request the Synod at its convention in 1975
to authorize and direct. at the earliest date. the expansion of Con-
cordia Lutheran Junior College, Ann Arbor, Mich., to a baccalaureate
degree-granting institution for all such programs as are authorized
by the Board for Higher Education and are for ministry in The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod.

For long years of our Synod's history higher education, with
a distinctive Biblical and Christian accent. has been a blessing
to The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. Our system of col-
leges and seminaries has prepared many able and committed
servants of the Lord. New directions may be necessary today.
Let us face and meet them together with courage. faith, and
high resolve. Time and history still move forward under the
hand of God. Unafraid then. and trusting in our Lord, let our
Synod and its total membership commit itself anew to the neces-
sary and worthwhile task of Christian higher education in pre-
paring men and women for total ministry.

Board of Control

John C. Streit, Chairman
Ernest C. Laetz, Secretary
M. S. Pohl, President

Concordia Lutheran College
Austin, Tex.
Introduction

God has blessed Concordia in Austin over the past 2 years
with a period of energy and growth. Both are apparent in
faculty. administration, activities. and most notably in the stu-
dent body. Increase in numbers has been accompanied by
unusual enthusiasm and diligence throughout the campus
community. Under the blessing of almighty God, the present
health of the institution is the result of the cooperative efforts
of the fine people assembled on the campus. special friends of
the institution, the leadership and many congregations of the
Texas District. and the continued support of the Synod.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a significant
mission in providing Christ-centered higher education for
young men and women who are motivated to orient their lives
to Biblical values and to shape their vocations to be in service
to mankind. It is important for the Synod to keep this educa-
tional mission clearly in focus, for it is the principle to which
greater numbers of students and their parents are responding
in the area served by Concordia in Austin.

Board of Control

The Board of Control continues to distinguish itself with
very positive and dedicated Christian leadership. Present
board members are Dr. Fred Strieter, chemist (chairman):
Mr. Harold Kieschnick. teacher (secretary): Mr. Robert Bauer,
rice farmer: Rev. John Ellwanger. pastor: Rev. John Freed,
pastor; Dr. Carl Heckmann, District President: Mr. Howard
Klein, attorney.

Faculty

During the past biennium, changes in full-time faculty have
taken place as follows:

Those who left the faculty: Mr. Ronald Trampe. 1973: Mr.
Burge Smith, 1973: Mr. Jorg Kroner, 1973.

Those who joined the faculty: Mrs. Rose Ann Crockett,
1973: Mr. Laurence Meissner. 1973: Rev. D. R. Nelson, 1973: