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Concordia Seminary begins 186th academic year

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Updated with final enrollment numbers Sept. 4, 2024.

The 186th academic year for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis began Friday, Aug. 23, with the Opening Service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

The Seminary has an enrollment of 128 new students across its Ministerial Formation and Advanced Studies programs. The Opening Service concluded orientation for new students this week, and fall semester classes will begin on Monday.

During the Opening Service, Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger [1] preached on the 2024-25 academic theme, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,” based on Heb. 12:2 and Ps. 141:8.

“Lord God, open our eyes and lift our eyes continually to behold Your Son,” Egger prayed at the conclusion of the sermon. “As we begin this new school year together, grant, dear Lord, that we may be a people with eyes fixed on Jesus. And send Jesus forth, soon, we pray, that we may look upon His face, and behold His scars, and serve and praise Him in unending joy.”

During the service, new faculty and a new staff member were installed: Assistant Professor of Practical Theology Dr. Sam Eatherton [2], who also serves as kantor and director of music arts and the Kreft Chair for Music Arts; Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology Dr. James Fickenscher [3]; Associate Professor of Historical Theology and the Director of Research, Assessment and Academic Programming Dr. Jason Lane [4]; Assistant Professor of Practical Theology Dr. Ryan Tinetti [5]; and Interim Campus Chaplain Rev. Dan Gilbert.

In addition, three current professors and one current staff member were installed into new positions: Professor of Exegetical Theology Rev. Joel Fritsche [6] as the Buehner-Duesenberg Professor of Lutheran Missions, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology Dr. Kevin Golden [7] as director of Resident Field Education, Associate Professor of Practical Theology Dr. Ely Prieto [8] as director of the Center for Hispanic Studies and Admissions Officer Rev. Jesse Kueker [9] as interim director of recruitment.

In all, four new faculty and eight new staff were recognized, and 11 faculty and staff were recognized for new positions.

Also during the service, 43 distance students who received their vicarage and internship assignments were recognized.

The following Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) [10] students were assigned as vicars:                                                     

The following Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) [11] students were assigned as vicars:

The following Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) [11] students were assigned as deaconess interns:

The following Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) [12] students were assigned as vicars:

The following Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) [12] students were assigned as deaconess interns:

The following Cross-cultural Ministry Center (CMC) [13] students were assigned as vicars:

The following Online Deaconess Studies (ODS) Program [14] students were assigned as deaconess interns:

While the Seminary recognizes and celebrates calls throughout the year, its primary annual Call Day celebration is set for April 30, 2025.

After the installations and blessing of new students, Egger officially opened the 186th academic year.

“When we lift our eyes to Jesus, when we gaze upon the cross, what do we see? We see a Lord looking upon sinners in compassion and saving them. Even from that cross, His eyes were on His people,” Egger said, “When your eyes behold Him, when you fix your eyes on Jesus, you behold a Lord who has never stopped looking upon you in love. And He never will.”

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) [15]. To learn more, visit csl.edu [16].

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