Concordia College - Spire / Concordian Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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Luther Day Rally, wit Ten presidents have served Concordia College, Fort Wayne. Prof. G. Alexander Saxer became the first president in 1858. He resigned in 1872, and later, while engaged in the cigar- making business in New York City, disappeared without a trace. Checkups reveal that the mys- tery has grown deeper through the years. The next president was Prof. C. J. Otto Hanser, (18- 72-1879), a retired seaman whose deeds at Concordia have become legendary. He was fol- lowed by Pres. J. F. Zucker, (1879-1881), and Pres. Rudolph A. Bischoff (1881-1886). For two years, the difficult task went begging, for it was impossible to find anyone who would serve. a In 1888, Prof. And- rew Baepler was virtually drafted to the presidency of Concordia College. He was succeeded by Pres. Martin J. Schmidt in 1894, who served until 1903. Prof. Martin L. Luecke became president in py me on ws ti eae re : nue te Chapel in Schick Hall before remedaling! BE seen BOR = Oh h tents and all. we 1903, and continued in that position until his death in 1926. His presidency was the longest of all at Concordia and witnessed the greatest building program and the sharpest increase in enrollment. Prof. Wm. C. Burhop next guided the Concordia destiny. The boundless energy of Pres. Ottomar Krueger (1937-1944), was felt in many ways. Pres. Herbert G. Bredemeier be- came the youngest president Concordia has ever had when he assumed his office in 1945. More changes were experienced during his incum- bency than during any comparable period in the history of Concordia. n % bi cia 5

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Many social activities were centered in the beautiful lounge with television and in the recreation room with tables for pingpong and pool, and, of course, with ample space for friendly visits in each room. The canteen also provided a con- venient meeting place over a snack or two. The smokers in the mess hall, with the faculty as special guests, always proved delightful social meetings. The Christmas party in the gym and decorated trees at various points in the buildings always prepared the mood for the festive season. Lighter in vein, but nonetheless the cause of much mirth and laughter were the antics of Hobo Day. Many incidents come to mind as we approach the close of our narrative. On January 25, 1945, thirty graduates received their diplo- mas in mid-year graduation exercises that re- sulted from World Was Il. The new program for college students was introduced five years ago, by which high school graduates could complete their work for entry at St. Louis in two years. Furthermore, Concordia enjoyed the privilege of “Getting at the bottom of things.”’ Interior of the college hospital. offering a scholarship of $100.00 to any man for each year of attendance at any of our Lu- theran high schools. Now all colleges of Synod enjoy both of these privileges. The long reach at the tables in the mess hall was eliminated when the cafeteria style of serving was introduced. The honor system was introduced with hesitation but retained with alacrity as one of the noblest successful experiments at Concordia Freshmen will never for- get the President’s dinner and re- ception during orientation week. Many students had the joy of representing Concordia at various conferences. Others will remember their share in the United Nations meeting sponsored by In- diana University. “There’s nothing’ like home cookin’.”” —The bakery. ee rf} See

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This brings us to the end of our story. In the limited scope assigned to our task, it was impossible to bring into focus all, or even the most important events and incidents. Like a kalei- doscope with its myriads of beautiful hues of shapeless bits of crystals, the complete story of Concordia is made up of countless little inci- dents, which all fit into a definite pattern to give us Concordia College, dedicated to the cause of preparing young men and women for service The tower of Schick Hall symbolizing through the decades the constant quest for learning. in the church. So all crystals combine fo tell the glorious story of what God has wrought at Con- cordia. Now, since Concordia College has run its course and accomplished that for which it was established, may, as in the case of the phoenix, a new Concordia arise as Concordia Senior College opens its doors to begin its ser- vice in God’s Kingdom.