Alumni Reunion Banquet Speech by Rev. Loren T. Kramer - June 3, 2009 ENTHUSIASTIC ALUMNI ATTEND CLASS REUNION ST. LOUIS-An enthusiastic group of approximately 186 alumni, spouses, widows and guests attended the Concordia Seminary Alumni Reunion, held June 2-4 on the Seminary campus. This year's reunion included graduating classes from years ending in a "4" or "9." On June 3, Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer (Class of 1973) provided a Seminary update, and Professors Anthony Cook, Richard Marrs, and Travis Scholl gave presentations outlining the many new resources for ministry offered by the Seminary for today's pastor. A lunch, hosted by Diane Meyer, was held for the spouses and widows of alumni. Dr. Wilbert Sohns (Class of 1959) served as preacher at the Jubilarian Service. Dr. Sohns spoke on the theme, "Jubilarian Sent Ones." Reunion activities culminated on the evening of June 3 with an Open House reception held at the Concordia Historical Institute, and a banquet held in Koburg Dining Hall. At the banquet, Rev. Edward Coyner, Rev. Paul Huxhold, and Rev. Homer Kurth (Class of 1939) were honored, sharing the Erwin T. Koch Award, an award given to the oldest reunion attendees. Rev. Loren Kramer helped us reflect on the impact of Concordia Seminary on our lives and ministries. An optional bus tour of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod International Center and Lutheran Hour Ministries, took place on June 4. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Alumni Relations at (314) 505-7370 or alumni@csl.edu.
Alumni Book Endowment Is a Blessing to Seminarians The Concordia Seminary John E. Meyer Alumni Book Endowment continues to be a great blessing to hundreds of master of divinity (M.Div.) students. At the beginning of each academic year at Concordia Seminary, first-year M.Div. students receive a certificate for a copy of The Book of Concord, The Book of Concord CD or the student’s choice of other books costing $30 or less. The donation of these resources is the result of a decision made in 1998 by the Seminary’s Alumni Council to initiate a book endowment to assist M.Div. students in purchasing theological materials. In September 2002, the first group of seminarians received the generous gift. John E. Meyer’s vision was to supply every seminarian with a $100 book allowance out of the annual income from the fund. For 500 students, the endowment would need to be at least $1 million. The current balance is approximately $116,500. Originally named “The Concordia Seminary Book Endowment Fund,” the endowment was “established as a testimony to the greatness of the Triune God, who has bestowed rich and gracious blessings, both temporal and eternal, upon His beloved children.” After the passing of Rev. John E. Meyer, the Seminary’s director of alumni activities from 1996 to 2003, the endowment was renamed as a memorial. “As a Seminary alumnus, John had a tireless vision to support aspiring pastors, chaplains and missionaries,” commented Mark Hofman, Vice President for Philanthropic Support. “Textbooks, especially those required at a graduate institution like Concordia Seminary, represent a significant investment and often form the cornerstone of a pastor’s professional library,” said Hofman. “I applaud those who continue to add to this endowment, fulfilling John’s vision so that our students can afford exceptional resources on their way to placement in the Lord’s harvest fields.” For more information about the Concordia Seminary John E. Meyer Alumni Book Endowment, contact Concordia Seminary’s Philanthropy Office at (800) 822-5287.
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