On Friday, Sept. 3, at 10:00 a.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, began its 172nd academic year with a special worship service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Seminary campus. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary, served as preacher.

The incoming class is comprised of nearly 130 students, including all those newly enrolled in residential and distance programs: 62 residential M.Div. students; seven certificate students; four deaconess students; nine Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) students; 24 Specific Ministry Pastor Program (SMP) students; eight Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) students; and 20 graduate students.

In addition, three staff members were installed: Arthur “Andy” Bacon as provost; Richard Jostes as gift officer; and Michael Redeker as senior vice president for enrollment management.

Bacon previously served as professor of practical theology and director of curriculum assessment at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He retired from the Seminary in 2009. He acted as vice president for academic affairs in 2010. Bacon also served as chaplain for the U.S. Army Reserve from 1975-2007. He and his wife, Susan, have three children.

Jostes previously worked as director of development for Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Neb. (1997-2010). He has taught and counseled in Lutheran schools throughout the Midwest. Jostes has worked for both Concordia University Nebraska and Concordia University Chicago. He and his wife, Laura, have three children.

Redeker most recently served as pastor to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, Ky. He previously served as admissions counselor and director of admissions and ministerial recruitment at Concordia Seminary from 1998-2004. Redeker has served in many capacities for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving on several synodical committees in his career. He and his wife, Mary, have seven children.