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1925
The
Lutheran era in University history began in 1925 with purchase of
the institution by the Lutheran University Association (LUA). The
LUA composed of clergy and laity, who saw a bright future for the
University, desired to provide Lutheran young people a university
education in a church related setting.
1926
Rev. Dr.
William H.T. Dau became the first Lutheran President.
A voluntary
chapel program began.
1927
A Department of Religion was established.
1930
In May of
1930, The Rev. Oscar Carl Kreinheder became the second president
of the University.
A department
of Religion is established
1931
The Valparaiso
University Guild was formed.
In November,
the first "Valpo Sunday" is observed in LCMS congregations.
1934
The mission of the Department of Education is refocused
to include preparation of elementary and secondary schoolteachers
for parochial schools.
1938
The gymnasium
was the first new building constructed under Lutheran administration.
1939
When President
Kreinheder had to step down because of health reasons, Professor
Walter G. Friedrich was appointed Acting President and served from
July 1939 to October 1940.
1940
The Board
of Directors elected The Rev. Otto Paul Kretzmann as the University's
third president, a position he held for 28 years.
1943
The Lutheran
Deaconess Association moved to Valpo.
Student
Council initiates "student-run Honor Code," which is still in effect
today.
1948
Institute
of Liturgical Studies holds its first conference on campus.
1951
The Cresset,
a journal of humanities, the arts, and public affairs, is given
to Valpo by the Luther League.
1953
The Lutheran
Human Relations Association of America found a home on VU's campus.
The Rev. Andrew Schulze, becomes the first Executive Secretary.
1956
The University
receives $2,500,000 from the LCMS "Building for Christ" campaign
for a new chapel.
The Youth
Leadership Training Program (YLTP) began to train full-time youth
workers for the church.
1959
The dedication
of "Valparaiso University's Memorial Chapel" took place on September
27, 1959. This building remains the most visible symbol of the Lutheran
character of the institution.
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1962
President
Kretzmann started on the Inner City Peace Corps program. This program
led to the development of the Prince of Peace Volunteer Program
under the Board for Young People's Work in the Missouri Synod in
1965. This Program also gave impetus to the development of the Urban
Studies Program in Chicago.
1963
Professor
Richard W Schlemann was appointed University Preacher. Department
of Religion was renamed to the Department of Theology
1964
The Rev.
William Buege begins service as Dean of the Chapel.
1966
Christ College
becomes the fifth college within the University. President Kretzmann's
vision was that Christ College would " establish the relevance of
Lutheran theology to the liberal arts in every area." Four key words:
guided this unique honors college: honors, experimentation, integration,
and involvement. President Kretzmann appointed Professor Richard
P. Baepler, chairman of the Department of Theology, as Dean of Christ
College.
1968
The Rev.
Dr. Norman E Nagel became Dean of the Chapel. The College of Nursing
opened in the fall of 1968, with an enrollment of fifty-five freshmen,
achieving full accreditation with National League of Nursing in
1974.
1969
Dr. Albert
G. Huegli was inaugurated as the fourth Lutheran president on September
10, 1969. The chapel was renamed the "Chapel of the Resurrection"
on October 5, 1969.
1978
Dr. Robert
V. Schnabel becomes the fifth Valparaiso University President.
1983
The first
Light In Thy Light Lutheran youth retreat is held on campus.
1984
The first
Lutheran High School Teachers of Religion Symposium is held on campus.
1985
The first
Institute on Law and the Pastoral Ministry is held on campus.
1988
Rev. Alan
Harre becomes the sixth Lutheran president.
1995
Valparaiso
University receives a 4.5 million dollar gift from Oliver and
Emma Allen to establish a scholarship program for church work
students. Thirty-three "Allen Scholars" are currently on campus.
The Valparaiso
University Center for the Arts(VUCA) is dedicated and the music,
art and theater programs expand dramatically.
2000
Seventy-fifth
anniversary of Valpo's Lutheran founding celebrated with many varied
events including a Founders Weekend and an Ethics Conference.
2001
University
Guild prints the first University prayer book, "Our Hope for Years
to Come".
"Flame
of Faith, Lamp of Learning: A History of Valparaiso University"
by Richard Baepler is published.
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