Children of the seminary community assist President Reisz in the official cutting of the ribbon to dedicate Southern Seminary’s new student housing complex.

On Friday, October 21, the community and friends of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary dedicated a new $6 million student housing complex. The congregation assembled under the Lineberger Library canopy at 11:45 am and proceeded to the entrance at Hillcrest Avenue which has been transformed from a city street to a grassy walkway between the apartment buildings. The seminary’s Board of Trustees, church officials, and community leaders were on hand for the dedication along with Mr. Johnny Evans and others from the construction company, C. F. Evans & Company, and Mr. H. M. Moorman, the architect. A tour of the apartments was offered after the service.

This major project is a vital part of the re–development taking place in the North Main Street area of Columbia. The new apartments, a project of the seminary’s 175th anniversary celebration, will accommodate a growing student population and replace some of the 1950 vintage apartments east of Columbia’s Main Street. Each of the ten two story buildings houses four units, two upstairs and two down, so that each unit is complete on one level. In addition to the comfortable and efficient homes, the complex also includes parking space, attractive landscaping, and a play area for children. Seminarians participated in the planning process, offering practical suggestions to the architect, the contractor, and seminary staff. The student population includes women and men of all ages, single, married, and with children.

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary was established in 1830 to educate faithful interpreters of Christ’s Gospel as servant– leaders for God’s mission in the world. The student body of around 200 is representative of all sections of the United States and also includes international students. While it is a denominational seminary, there is a strong ecumenical character to the enrollment with approximately one– fourth of the students coming from denominations other than Lutheran. Southern Seminary seeks to be inclusive in its outreach, welcoming students of all