Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas, and the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America (LECNA) are co-sponsoring a “Symposium on Legacy and Leadership” Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The “Wendish Heritage Week” event — which also will be available via a live webcast — coincides with the 200th birthday of Jan Kilian, the pioneer poet, musician and theologian who provided spiritual leadership for the Wendish immigration to Texas in 1854. Concordia University Texas was founded in 1926, largely by leaders of this Wendish group.
Eight of the 38 LECNA-member colleges and universities were chosen to present papers at the symposium. Scheduled topics, presenters and schools are:
- “Prevailing Wends,” the Rev. Dr. Ray Martens, president emeritus of Concordia University Texas.
- “Legacy and Leadership: The Lutheran Dialectical Model of Education,” the Rev. Dr. Ernest Simmons, director, Dovre Center for Faith and Learning, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.
- “Non-Lutheran Ways to be a Lutheran School in the Pacific Northwest,” Dr. Lynn Huynnicutt, director, Center for Vocation, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash.
- “The Concordia College, Selma, Story: The Needs of the Many,” the Rev. Dr. McNair Ramsey, associate vice-president for development, Concordia College, Selma, Ala.
- “The Renaissance of Concordia University Wisconsin: Expanding the Mission from Pre-ministerial Gymnasium to Lutheran University,” Dr. William Cario, vice-president for academics, Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis.
- “Gustavus and the Third Path,” the Rev. Dr. Darrell Jodock, Drell and Adeline Bernhardson Distinguished Professsor of Religion, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.
- “Transformed by the Journey: The Story of Luther College,” Dr. David Faldet, professor of English, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.
- “Newberry College: An East Coast Approach to Lutheran Higher Education,” the Rev. Ernie Worman, chaplain, Newberry College, Newberry, S.C.
Each presentation will be followed by a 15-minute discussion period led by a Responder Panel of Concordia University Texas faculty under the leadership of Dr. Debra J. Allen. Those participating as responders, in addition to Allen, include Dr. Matthew Bloom, Dr. Milton Riemer, Prof. Thomas Orton, Prof. David Kroft, Dr. Tom Pate, Dr. Gert Keiper, Dr. Paul Muench and Dr. Keith Ragsdale.
To view the live webcast, visit http://connect.concordia.edu/heritage.
Just prior to the symposium, at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in its chapel, Concordia, Austin, will present a hymn festival celebrating the hymns of Kilian. The event — featuring the University Choir and Prof. Joshua Chai — is free and open to the public.
For information about attending any of the Wendish week events, contact Melinda Brasher at 512-313-3000.
Posted Oct. 13, 2011/Updated Oct. 14, 2011
