Members of the Board of Regents of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, gathering on campus for Commencement activities, had productive meetings May 18-19 as they approved the Seminary’s budget, advanced two professors, thanked campaign leaders and embarked on a new strategic planning process. The discussions and actions had a positive look to the future.

Noting a new website not connected with Concordia Seminary, the regents issued the following statement: “Concordia Seminary has no ties with or support of “Congregations Matter” and the Seminary does not support any political organizations in the Synod as the Seminary is apolitical.”

The regents approved the operating budget of almost $23 million for the coming fiscal year and advanced two professors, Dr. David R. Maxwell and Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez M., to the rank of full professor.

The regents also thanked representatives of the National Campaign Council (NCC) for their excellent work after NCC members shared the history and progress of Generations: The Campaign for Concordia Seminary. Generations, the largest campaign in the Seminary’s history with a $180 million goal, has three components: $110 million for endowment funds and estate gifts, $60 million for annual support and scholarships, and $10 million for library and learning technology. The intent is to achieve a balanced funding model to sustain Seminary operations for many years to come. To date, more than $177 million has been raised and projections for the campaign’s success are positive.

The regents began a strategic planning process to determine priorities and plans for the Seminary in the coming years. A new strategic priorities document, which will replace the current one covering 2013-17, will be available early next year.

Related to strategic plans are plans for the grounds and buildings of campus. Board of Regents Chairman Rev. Shawn Kumm and Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer presented to the LCMS Board of Directors the “Campus Master Plan,” which the Seminary regents approved last January. The plan is a prospectus of projects that the regents will consider in coming years. The LCMS Board of Directors approved the plan and also approved the Seminary’s request to demolish the unoccupied Fritz and Metzger dormitories, which are in disrepair and not needed in the future.

The regents engaged Lynchburg Stained Glass to install stained glass windows in the narthex, nave and transepts of the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. This comes as the result of a generous bequest given specifically for new windows. The work is anticipated to take about 18 months. Watch for more details on the Seminary’s website at www.csl.edu.

In other actions, the regents commended the Seminary for the 10 awards recently given by the Associated Church Press and the Evangelical Press Association for communications and published works in 2016.

The regents participated in all the public activities of the joyous days of Commencement: A reception for graduates and families at the President’s House, the Theological Diploma Service and Commencement. A highlight was groundbreaking for the extensive renovation of the Seminary’s library, the Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library in Fuerbringer Hall. The renovations will take about a year. Learn more about the library transformation here.

The 178^th academic year ended with Commencement May 19 and profound thanks from Meyer, who shared the words of Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.