The celebrated faculty, emerti and staff gather for a photo. Dr. Francis Rossow, professor emeritus, front left, joined the photo at the request of Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer in recognition of his 71st ordination anniversary. Front row, left to right: Dr. Francis Rossow, professor emeritus, Dr. James Marriott, director of Musical Arts, Dr. Erik Herrmann, associate professor of Historical Theology and chairman of the Department of Historical Theology, Rev. Jerrold Eickmann, professor emeritus, Dr. John Loum, director of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology and Dr. Thomas Manteufel, professor emeritus. Back row, left to right: Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president and professor of Practical Theology, Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, professor of Exegetical Theology and Dr. Gerhard Bode, associate professor of Historical Theology and dean of Advanced Studies. Not pictured: Dr. Charles Arand, professor of Systematic Theology and dean of Theological Research and Publication and Dr. Paul Raabe, professor emeritus.

With combined service equaling a third of a millennium, the significant ordination and commissioning anniversaries of five faculty, three emeriti faculty and two staff members were recognized in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus Dec. 4. In total, the men have served a combined 330 years.

Each man – and his spouse – was recognized individually, followed by a time of prayer, thanksgiving and celebration.

“The way to gain respect in the Office of the Holy Ministry is through service – service that is infused with the living Word of God, leads with the Gospel and seeks not status but service to God’s people,” President Dr. Dale A. Meyer said. “The men before us have done that, and they’ve done it with the support of spouses who are the ones who … do more to keep our feet grounded than anybody can ever know.”

The campus community gathered for a reception following the chapel service to celebrate and thank the honorees for their service to the church.

Those recognized for their ordination anniversaries were:

• Dr. Charles Arand, professor of Systematic Theology and dean of Theological Research and Publication – 35 years
• Dr. Gerhard Bode, associate professor of Historical Theology and dean of Advanced Studies – 15 years
• Rev. Jerrold Eickmann, professor emeritus – 55 years
• Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, professor of Exegetical Theology – 40 years
• Dr. Erik Herrmann, associate professor of Historical Theology and chairman of the Department of Historical Theology – 15 years
• Dr. John Loum, director of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology – 20 years
• Dr. Thomas Manteufel, professor emeritus – 50 years
• Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president and professor of Practical Theology – 45 years
• Dr. Paul Raabe, professor emeritus – 40 years

In addition, Dr. James Marriott, director of Musical Arts, was recognized for his commissioning anniversary of 15 years.

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 csl.edu.