Concordia Seminary Newsroom
The Meyer Years
2005
President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, left, installs Meyer as Seminary president during the Opening Service in 2005. Meyer became the Seminary’s 10th president since its founding in 1839.
Photo: FOCUS magazine
2007
Sept. 18, 2007, Concordia Seminary dedicated a newly renovated space on its campus, the commons in Wartburg Hall. More than 250 students, faculty, staff and guests gathered to participate in the rite of dedication. Meyer offered words of thanks for all who had been involved in the design and construction work. He then cut a large red ribbon at the entrance to Wartburg Hall, and participants streamed into the renovated space.
Photo: FOCUS magazine
2010
Oct. 1, 2010 — five years into the Meyer presidency — was a historic day for Concordia Seminary when the campus became debt-free for the first time since 1987. Here, Dean of Chapel Dr. Kent Burreson, center, presides over a special celebratory service held on Chapel Plaza during which the mortgage document was burned.
Photo: Emily (Boedecker) Perino
2012
Renovation of the Seminary’s dining hall complex, the Johann Hinrich Benidt Seminary Center, was completed in 2012 as part of the How Will They Hear? campaign (2005-10) that raised more than $80 million. The center includes Wartburg and Koburg halls, the Food Bank, Re-Sell It Shop, meeting rooms and a community room and kitchen. The renovation benefited immensely from the generosity of the Charles E. Benidt Foundation. Here, Meyer, center, cuts the ribbon outside the Benidt Center.
Photo: Nancy Olson
2013
Since 2013, a group of six alumni and faculty members, including Dr. Dale A. Meyer, have presented The Gospel of Mark in 28 performances throughout the country. The troupe shares Mark’s vivid depictions of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection orally — the way many believe it was meant to be shared. Here, troupe members gather for a photo, from left, Dr. David Schmitt, Dr. Kent Burreson, Meyer, Dr. Michael Zeigler, Dr. James W. Voelz and Dr. Ron Rall.
Photo: Jill Gray
2014
In 2014, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) reaffirmed the Seminary’s accreditations with no notations. The organizations praised the Seminary’s exceptional faculty, commitment to quality education, positioning for the future and strong commitment to biblical exegesis. Here, former Provost Dr. Jeff Kloha, left, and Dr. Dale A. Meyer measure the materials submitted in support of the lengthy accreditation process.
Photo: Emily (Boedecker) Perino
2015
Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer raises a toast to the public launch of the largest campaign in the institution’s history, Generations: The Campaign for Concordia Seminary, Sept. 25, 2015, in Koburg Hall. The campaign (2012–17) raised more than $200 million toward endowment, annual support, the library renovation and enhanced learning technology. It was one of three fundraising campaigns during the Meyer years, the third one being the current Generations 20/20 Campaign.
Photo: Jill Gray
2016
For the first time, a Concordia Seminary, St. Louis student was selected as a recipient of a Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) in 2016. Second-year student Paul Flo, right, shown here at the 2019 Call Day service, was selected from 175 applicants to receive one of 12 FASPE fellowships. In subsequent years, two other students also were selected for the prestigious fellowship.
Photo: Jill Gray
2017
During the Meyer presidency, tables and benches were placed throughout campus to remind the students, faculty and staff that “it’s important to sit down and talk with one another,” Meyer says. They are “symbols that the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ means being a servant involved with the people.” Here, students enjoy the benches near the fountain in March 2017.
Photo: Kendra Whittle
2018
“Word and Work: An Intersection,” an informative program on ministry and the Gospel, debuted on KFUO in 2018 with Meyer as program host. The program also is featured on the faculty blog, concordiatheology.org. “Word and Work” provides a behind-the-scenes look at ministry where everyday life and God’s Word meet. Here, Meyer, right, interviews several alumni for the program in 2019.
Photo: Sarah Maney
2018
Throughout his presidency, Meyer has kept a focus on the need to recruit enough seminarians to serve the needs of the church and has emphasized the important role the entire church has to play in recruitment. Here, Meyer visits with prospective seminarians in chapel attending the Seminary’s visitation event known as Taste of the Sem Feb. 21, 2018.
Photo: Sid Hastings
2018
The ribbon is cut on the renovated Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library Aug. 24, 2018. The Generations Campaign resulted in the $6-million transformation of the Seminary’s library in Fuerbringer Hall. The renovated library is named in memory of Glenn and Kay Hasse’s daughter, who died in a car accident at the age of 17. The Hasses provided the lead gift for the library’s yearlong renovation. Here, Meyer, left, is joined by the Hasses to cut the ribbon.
Photo: Jill Gray
2019
Major renovations to the original 12 faculty houses, constructed when the Seminary’s campus was developed in the 1920s, began in 2019 with a goal of preserving the historic brick houses and making them comfortable by modern standards.
Photo: Bridgette Sharp
2019
The Meyers have taken the beautification of the campus grounds to a new level, helping install community gardens, hanging flower baskets, fish ponds and flower beds. Here, Meyer drives a skid steer to level the ground for a garden near the president’s house.
Photo: Courtesy Diane Meyer
2019-20
A total of 12 of the current 32 full-time faculty members were called during the Meyer presidency. Above, Meyer, center, is surrounded by many members of the 2019-20 faculty, who are held in high esteem throughout the LCMS.
Photo: Jill Gray
