Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has announced that Dr. R. Reed Lessing, assistant professor of exegetical theology, will serve as the Seminary's interim vice president for student life, and that Mr. Mark Hofman, senior development director, will serve as the Seminary's interim vice president for development.

Lessing will serve while a replacement is sought for Rev. Larry W. Rockemann, who accepted a call to serve as chaplain at Lutheran Home and Services in Arlington Heights, Ill. Rockemann has served as the Seminary=s vice president for student life and director of placement since 1998. Lessing's service as interim vice president for student life will begin Nov. 13.

In addition, the responsibilities for director of placement, formerly associated with the vice president for student life, will be handled by Dr. David Peter during the vacancy period. Peter is assistant professor of practical theology, director of the D.Min. program and placement counselor at Concordia Seminary.

Hofman has been serving as interim vice president for development since August. Mr. Leonard Fiedler, who served as the Seminary's vice president for development since 1995, accepted a call in July to serve as the senior vice president for ministry resource development for The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Foundation. The search process for a new vice president for development continues at the Seminary.

"God has blessed Concordia Seminary with a gifted faculty and staff," commented Dr. Andrew Bartelt, the Seminary's vice president for academic affairs and executive assistant to the president. "We are confident that Drs. Lessing and Peter will serve with distinction as they assume these added responsibilities, and that Mr. Hofman will continue his exemplary service to those who support the formation of our future pastors."

For more information, contact Seminary Relations, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.726.0882; SemRelations@csl.edu.