On Friday, Sept. 2, at 11:00 a.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, began its 173rd 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 133 students, including all those newly enrolled in residential and distance programs: 70 residential M.Div. students; four certificate students; one deaconess student; 10 EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) students; 19 SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor Program) students; one DIT (Deaf Institute of Theology) deaconess student; and five CHS (Center for Hispanic Studies) students and one CHS deaconess student. In addition, Concordia Seminary’s Graduate School has 22 new students: five M.A. (Master of Arts) students; eight Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) students, and nine S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology) students.

The nineteen new SMP students received vicarage assignments during the Opening Service as well.

Dr. Meyer spoke on the theme for this year, “Translation,” which was chosen to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. In addition, one staff member was installed: Bill Wrede as admissions officer for enrollment management.

Wrede has served as the Mission Field Developer for the Deaf in the Atlantic District serving Harlem, Queens, and Long Island (2000-2008) and pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church and School and Saint Matthew Lutheran Church of the Deaf in Queens, N.Y. (2008-2011). He also served as an interpreter for the deaf with Special School District of St. Louis County (1986-1995) and director of the Seminary’s Sign School (1990-2000). He received the B.A. degree from Concordia College (now University) Ann Arbor, Mich. (1982); the M.Div. degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. (2000); and holds the Certificate of Interpretation from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.