On Friday, Aug. 31, at 11:00 a.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, began its 174^th 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 122 students, including all those newly enrolled in residential and distance programs: 80 residential M.Div. students; eight residential alternate route students; three deaconess students; seven EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) students; 21 SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor Program) students; and three exchange students. In addition, Concordia Seminary’s Graduate School has 13 new students: three M.A. (Master of Arts) students; three Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) students, and seven S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology) students.

The 21 new SMP students received vicarage assignments during the Opening Service as well.

In addition, two new staff members were installed: Mr. Philip Ebeling as executive director of communications, and Rev. Wayne Knolhoff as director of placement and alumni relations.

Three current faculty members and one current staff member were installed in new positions: Dr. Charles Arand as director of the Center for the Care of Creation; Dr. Victor Raj as occupant of the Buehner-Duesenberg Chair in Missions; Dr. Jeffrey Kloha as director of the Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts; and Rev. Jeffrey Thormodson as director of the MissionShift Institute.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call 314-505-7379.