Campus renewal plan adopted by Lutheran Seminary's Board of Trustees

PHILADELPHIA (November 2001)– A campus renewal plan was approved by the Board of Trustees of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia during its recent fall meeting. The Trustees gave priority in the plan to construction of a new Learning Center and renovations to the Krauth Memorial Library. The Trustees also voted to begin planning for a capital campaign to support the renewal plan. A precise timetable for construction and initiating the campaign has not been determined.

"We badly need a building dedicated to classroom space on this campus," said Seminary President Philip D. W. Krey. " Our current classroom space is both spread out and limited." Currently seminarians meet for classes in the Library, in the Hagan Administration Building Amphitheater and in the Seminary's high technology classroom in the Wiedemann Center, the Seminary's residential facility constructed in 1998. The renewal plan also calls eventually for the possibility of a new and somewhat larger Chapel at a different campus location from the current Chapel site. What use would be found for the current Chapel? That's unclear right now, but President Krey said the possibilities include relocating the bookstore to the building, creating an Eastern Lutheran museum, or refurbishing the structure for a lecture hall for both Seminary and community use.

During the course of an extended fall meeting which included a day of reflection, the Trustees reviewed the renewal plan as presented by Architect George Yu of Philadelphia. The Construction Manager for the new Learning Center will be Alvin Butz, Inc. of Allentown, PA.

In other business, the Board:

• Learned that the Seminary has 83 new first professional degree students in 2001, 66 in a variety of traditional programs and 17 in the Urban Theological Institute, a 20-year-old program with an African American focus whose students study part-time.
• Learned that the Seminary's total enrollment, including students pursuing advanced level degrees, exceeds 400 currently.
• Approved the granting of chairs to Professors Timothy J. Wengert and Philip D. W. Krey upon their completion of five full years of service as professors. Professor Wengert, who will assume the Ministerium of Pennsylvania Chair, will deliver his inaugural address in April, 2002. Professor Krey, who will assume the Ministerium of New York Chair, will deliver his inaugural address in October 2002.
• Approved staff-initiated budget cuts of 10 percent in light of economic repercussions in the aftermath of September 11 events.
• Received the draft report for reaccreditation with the Association of Theological Schools and the Middle States Education Association.
• Adopted a Strategic Plan for the next three years as developed by the Seminary staff.
• Heard a stirring report from Student Body President Jennifer Davidson on the concerns and activities of students.
• Re-elected Dr. Robert Blanck, chair; James Scott, treasurer; Betty Pettit, secretary, and Dr. John Kaufmann, assistant secretary. Elected the Rev. Sara Lilja as vice-chair.