Black Parent Initiative Launches Moses Harris Math and Science Academy at Concordia University: Applications Due May 15th - 05/02/08 >Portland, Ore. – (May 2, 2008) According to a study published by John Hopkins University in 2004, in the United States nearly 50% of African American students, about 40% of Latino students, and only 11% of white students attend high schools in which graduation is not the norm.
Recognizing this, the Black Parent Initiative (BPI), working in collaboration with Concordia University and other partners , is launching the Moses Harris Math and Science Academy at Concordia University. The summer academy, which is modeled after a proven summer academy from Xavier University in New Orleans, emphasizes the hands-on exploration of math and science concepts while promoting creativity, teamwork and parental engagement in education. High school students entering 9th, 10th, or 11th grade in fall 2008 are invited to participate and secure a head start in algebra, biology and chemistry.
"We will provide students with the hands-on experience needed to succeed in school," said Charles McGee, Jr., executive director at BPI. Kyna Harris, BPI's coordinator of programs, added that the Moses Harris Academy is geared to increase students' interest in math and science, while also demonstrating to black students that black professionals exist and are successful.
The program runs from July 21 to August 1, 2008 at Concordia University, 2811 NE Holman Street in Portland. All students are encouraged to apply; applications are due by May 15 and will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Only 36 students will be accepted this year. Tuition is based upon the students grade point average (2.50-4.0), and scholarships will be given to students who demonstrate need.
Parents, or a significant adult, are required to assist students each night during the program. Nightly assignments do not require an adult to have prior knowledge in algebra, biology or chemistry.
The Black Parent Initiative (BPI) was established to inspire and mobilize black parents to ensure their children achieve educational excellence. BPI's vision is black families achieving financial, spiritual and educational success. For more information about BPI or Moses Harris visit www.thebpi.org or call 503-284-8000.
Concordia University Foundation Executive Director Named a Thrivent Fellow - 05/02/08 >Portland, Ore. – (May 2, 2008) Dr. Johnnie Driessner, executive director of the Concordia University Foundation and a Gresham, Ore. resident for 18 years, was one of 13 individuals nation-wide recently named to the prestigious Thrivent Fellows Program, formerly the Lutheran College and University Leadership Program.
Sponsored by the Council of College and University Presidents of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Unit for Vocation and Education of the ELCA, the Board for University Education of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the purpose of the Fellows Program is to identify, encourage, develop, and equip qualified senior leaders for leadership positions in Lutheran agencies and institutions.
The 2008 Fellows were selected for their dedication to the mission and distinctiveness of Lutheran higher education, a strong record of service to academic institutions, a clear potential for top-level leadership, and for their vocational call to lead these important institutions.
Driessner joined the faculty of Concordia University in 1980 as an assistant professor of Biology. Since that time he has served as chair of the Biology Department, academic vice president, and provost. Driessner earned an Associate of Arts degree from Concordia Lutheran College, Austin, Tex., a Bachelor of Science in Education from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Neb., and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Portland State University, Ore. From January 2000 until February 2001 he was on deployed assignment to the Concordia University System as a member of the Concordia University Educational Network (CUENet) staff where he served as director of Academic Programming. In February 2001 he returned to Concordia University, Portland where he served as chief information officer until 2004 when he was named executive director of the Concordia University Foundation. Under his leadership charitable gifting to the university has increased more than 5-fold, and over $9 million has been committed for the construction of the
new 75,000 square foot Library & Learning Center, which the university recently broke ground on. In this time-period Concordia has also seen tremendous increase in alumni, parent, church, and friend affinity.
Through intensive leadership retreats and seminars throughout the 12-month fellowship, Fellows will gain increased knowledge and understanding of Lutheran traditions and values, stronger awareness of their own leadership capacities, thorough knowledge of key management issues in Lutheran higher education, discernment of personal and professional goals that will equip them to fulfill their callings, a plan for professional growth, and an expanded network of relationships with other Lutheran higher education leaders.
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Bible Literacy Project Founder to Receive Honorary Degree at Concordia University's Spring Graduation - 05/02/08 >Bible Literacy Project Founder to Receive Honorary Degree at Concordia University's Spring Graduation: George White to Receive Honorary Degree on May 9 in Boise
Portland, Ore. – (May 2, 2008) On Saturday, May 3, Concordia University will honor the founder of the Bible Literacy Project, Charles Stetson, with an honorary Doctorate of Laws. On May 9, Concordia President, Chuck Schlimpert, will travel to Boise, Idaho to present George White an honorary Doctorate of Laws.
Stetson will be granted his degree at the undergraduate ceremony that will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the university's gymnasium (6430 NE 27th Ave.). At 2 p.m. the university will confer master-level degrees at the ceremony for graduate students, also in the gymnasium.
Approximately 300 students will participate in this year's ceremonies. The class of 2008 represents 58 towns in Oregon, 19 states (not including Oregon), and four countries. Approximately 170 undergraduate degrees and 210 graduate degrees will be granted on Saturday.
"Chuck and George are the perfect candidates to receive honorary doctorates from Concordia and are a true reflection of our mission to prepare leaders for the transformation of society," said President Charles E. Schlimpert. "We feel honored to be a partner with Chuck and the Bible Literacy Project in providing resources to educators who wish to bring the academic study of the Bible into their classrooms." He also added, "George and his wife, Geri, continue to serve as very special friends and advisors to myself and to the university. They serve as a strong advocates and supporters of Concordia's efforts in regional expansion in recruitment, constituent relations and programming in Boise and throughout the northwest."
The Bible Literacy Project, Inc., a non-partisan, non-profit endeavor to encourage and facilitate the academic study of the Bible in public schools, has partnered with Concordia for the past five years to provide training for teachers who desire to incorporate Bible literacy into the classroom. Their joint on-campus workshop, in 2004-2005, graduated 27 public school English teachers from
Oregon, Washington and California. That workshop was a pilot for the subsequent development of six national online courses. Achievements and feedback from those courses provided a sturdy foundation for the proposed NEH 2009 Summer Institute. Unlike the 2004-2005 workshop and current online courses, the Institute will not be limited to teachers who are close enough to commute or by the constraints of an electronic format. The Institute will provide real time, face-to-face dialogue with truly the nation's finest in the field of "Women in Biblical Literature."
Charles (Chuck) P. Stetson is founder and chair of Essentials in Education, Inc., a nonprofit organization. As chair, he initiated two projects that the John Templeton Foundation and others have funded: the Bible Literacy Project and the Wilberforce Project. Stetson is the co-editor of "The Bible and Its Influence", a textbook which is being used in over 174 schools in 37 states in its second year and is being considered by over 1,500 public high schools. This project has received immense press coverage, including stories by the Associated Press, The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Sunday Morning, FOX News and most recently the cover story in Time Magazine on April 2, 2007 and a segment on NBC's Today Show on May 15, 2007. In addition, Stetson is the author of the summer 2007 Trinity Forum Reading on William Wilberforce's "A Practical View of Christianity." He is also the editor of "Creating the Better Hour" published by Stroud and Hall in November 2007. He has authored articles for Harvard Business Review, Pratt's Guide to Venture Capital and The Journal of Corporate Strategy.
Stetson is also managing director and co-founded PEI in 1992. Previously he was a managing director of Venture Capital Fund of America, leading the fund's U.S. investments, and assisting in raising $50 million from U.S. and European investors. Before joining VCFA, Stetson was an investment banker, as President of Davis Skaggs Capital in San Francisco and previously as vice president of Bache Halsey Stuart, in New York and in San Francisco. He pioneered private equity secondaries with a purchase of a portfolio of interests in 1978. Stetson is a graduate of Yale University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
George White resides in Boise, Idaho where he is President of National Bark Sales. He joined the Board of Regents of Concordia University in 1992 where he served on numerous committees and taskforces, and served as Chair of the Regents during a critical transitional period for the university. He was instrumental in the expansion and development of the Concordia University
Foundation and served as a Director of the Foundation for nine years. White provided consistent and influential leadership during a critical period of transition and transformation for Concordia University, laying the foundation and establishing the platform for the university's tremendous growth and success. White was instrumental in reviewing and refining the planning and realization of Concordia's move from College to University status in 1993 as well as the programmatic and infrastructure adjustments that preceded and followed this transformational change. He also served as advisor and critical partner in Concordia University's international programming activities including sister school relationships, student study abroad, international executive programs, and the establishment of Concordia College Japan. White was instrumental in the expansion and development of the Concordia University Foundation and served as a Director of the Foundation for nine years. Just last month he, along with his wife, Geri donated $1 million to Concordia's Library & Learning Center, which is being constructed and will open in fall of 2009.
Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, Liberal Arts university located in northeast Portland that has a mission of preparing leaders for the transformation of society. Founded in 1905, the University serves nearly 1,700 students through its College of Education, College of Health & Human Services, College of Theology Arts & Sciences and School of Management. On April 11, 2008 the university broke ground on a new 74,000 sq. ft. Library & Learning Center that will open in fall of 2009 serving the campus and the community. This summer Concordia will dedicate a state-of-the-art Throws Center for student athletes, Olympic hopefuls, and community youth to participate and train in the four throwing events and the university's bookstore will move to the corner of N.E. Ainsworth and N.E. 30th Streets. In the next 12 months, Concordia will also construct a new residence hall along N.E. 27th Street and will break ground on a new athletic complex for baseball and soccer.
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Statement from Concordia University - 04/16/08 >April 16, 2008
Statement from Concordia University, Portland
On Friday, April 11, the Board of Regents of Concordia University approved the University's intent to offer a degree-granting law program through the establishment of the Concordia University Law School in Boise, Idaho in the near future. The Board further authorized University President Charles Schlimpert to commence the search for a nationally recognized Dean of the law school, who will lead the planning, organization and operation of the new law school upon final approval from the Board.
Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, liberal arts university located in Portland, Oregon. Historically, the University has drawn students from Idaho as well as throughout the Northwest. This has led naturally to a significant relationship between Idaho and the University, including philanthropic support, student recruitment and mutual interest.
Given this rich history, the Board of Regents welcomes the opportunity to offer an important and needed degree program in Idaho. Boise is one of the few major metropolitan areas in the country without a law school. The Law School will support the needs and aspirations of college graduates and the business, legal and public policy communities of the entire state.
Through periodic statements and other means, the University will keep its constituencies informed as we progress.
A Statement from Concordia University, Portland - 04/16/08 >April 16, 2008
Statement from Concordia University, Portland
On Friday, April 11, the Board of Regents of Concordia University approved the University's intent to offer a degree-granting law program through the establishment of the Concordia University Law School in Boise, Idaho in the near future. The Board further authorized University President Charles Schlimpert to commence the search for a nationally recognized Dean of the law school, who will lead the planning, organization and operation of the new law school upon final approval from the Board.
Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, liberal arts university located in Portland, Oregon. Historically, the University has drawn students from Idaho as well as throughout the Northwest. This has led naturally to a significant relationship between Idaho and the University, including philanthropic support, student recruitment and mutual interest.
Given this rich history, the Board of Regents welcomes the opportunity to offer an important and needed degree program in Idaho. Boise is one of the few major metropolitan areas in the country without a law school. The Law School will support the needs and aspirations of college graduates and the business, legal and public policy communities of the entire state. Higher education in the United States depends on the complementary roles of private and public institutions. Concordia University welcomes the current efforts of the University of Idaho to provide an extension of its law program in Boise, as their plans progress we look forward to working together to enhance the community.
Through periodic statements to the media and other means, the University will keep the Boise community informed every step of the way and look to the community for its advice and counsel as the new law school is planned and developed.
