FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Seminary Communications, (260) 452-3153, seminary.communications@ctsfw.edu |
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CTSFW Board of Regents Report Strong Position while Planning for Future |
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FORT WAYNE, IN, September 29, 2022— The Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) Board of Regents held its first meeting of the 177th academic year on September 16, 2022. A key component of this annual meeting is a review of the previous academic year and the setting of goals for the year ahead. “CTSFW had a great year,” reported the Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray, chairman of the Board. “We are thrilled with the way our Seminary has navigated the challenges of the past several years and has positioned itself to build on this strong foundation for the future.” |
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| Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, director of Admission, along with CTSFW Admission officers Rev. Brian Stark, Rev. Chad Schopp, and Deac. Katie Aiello, shared the good news that enrollment in CTSFW’s residential programs remains strong and steady. This fall, the incoming class includes 51 men in the MDiv and A.R. programs, five women in the residential MA in Deaconess Studies program, seven women in the distance MA in Deaconess Studies program, and eight men in the SMP/SMP to A.R. programs. |
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The Board expressed its thanks to the Admission team for their hard work in guiding prospective students through the discernment process. Rev. Wietfeldt responded that “the Church still needs more pastors. We must continue to partner with our Synod, the districts, and our congregations to raise up the next generation of church workers.” |
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Another highlight of the meeting was the news that CTSFW has paid off its last loan and is now debt-free. The Board applauded President Rast and his team for the good stewardship that enabled the Seminary to pay off the library loan last year and the HVAC loan this year – both ahead of schedule – thus saving just over $900,000 in interest. “It is amazing and a bit humbling to see the way our Lord and his people have and continue to provide for their Seminary,” said Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. |
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| As reported earlier, the Board was delighted to participate in the dedication of The Reverend Doctor D. Georg Williams Collection of Rare Books. The impressive 378 volume collection includes a 1523 Wittenberg printing of a Martin Luther sermon for Pentecost, a 1552 Johann Brenz Catechismus Pia et Utili, the 1560 Philip Melanchthon Corpus Doctrinae Christianae (Summary of Christian Doctrine), and six 1580 first editions of the Book of Concord, including four Dresden editions, one Tuebingen edition, and one Magdeburg edition. |
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Following a luncheon with the Williams family and friends, the Board had the opportunity to tour some of the construction and renovation projects currently underway in the two main classroom buildings. Wyneken 1 (also known as the Welcome Center) and Loehe 1 (previously used as the Distance Learning Lab and temporary Rare Books Room) have been gutted and are being redesigned as multi-purpose spaces on campus where various workshops, seminars, breakout sessions for conferences, and classes can meet. |
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Each space will have new bathrooms and will be accessible with new ADA-compliant ramps. “We are looking forward to having these projects completed and available for use by our campus community,” said President Rast. “CTSFW is a beautiful place to live, work, study, and receive our Lord’s gifts in worship. We are incredibly thankful for our generous supporters who enable us to update and improve our campus so that we can continue to form servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all long into the future.” If you are interested in helping with these or other future projects, contact advancement@ctsfw.edu. |
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About Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort WayneFounded in 1846, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, forms servants of Jesus Christ in a vibrant, Christ-centered theological community that engages and resources the church and the world, domestically and internationally, with distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship. To learn more, visit ctsfw.edu. |
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