August Board Meeting Marks Strategic Milestones and Plans for Transitions
The August Board Meeting of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) marked a significant moment in the institution’s ongoing commitment to strategic growth, thoughtful leadership transitions, and dedication to social justice initiatives. This important gathering, which included both current board members and incoming participants, highlighted LSTC’s forward-thinking approach as it navigates its future in theological education and community engagement.
The meeting convened with a full complement of board members, including participants representing various sectors of the LSTC community. Current members included Mark Bartusch, Susan Candea, Kelly Chatman, DeWayne Cook, Yehiel Curry, Paul Erbes, Joseph Falese, Kristi Ferguson, Morgan Gates, Terry Goff, Bridget Jones, Greg Kaufmann, Greg Lewis, Karen McClain, Harry Mueller, Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer, Janette Schumm, and Ginni Young. Also joining were incoming board members, set to transition onto the board on October 1: Stacie Fidlar, Preston Fields, Cortez McCoy, Larry Tietjen, and Patricia Cornelius Woods.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the election of new officers. Greg Lewis was elected as Chairperson for a two-year term beginning in October 2024, and Mark Bartusch was named Vice Chairperson for the same term. Their election passed by unanimous proclamation, signaling the board’s confidence in their leadership.
The meeting also identified new chairpersons for the standing board committees:
- Finance and Operations Committee: Larry Tietjen
- Marketing and Fundraising Committee: Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer
- Academics and Community Committee: Greg Kaufmann
- Governance Committee: Kelly Chatman
Each of these new committee chairs brings experience and expertise that will contribute to the strength and resilience of LSTC’s mission.
President’s Report
President James Nieman provided a comprehensive update on key initiatives, beginning with Project Starling. He highlighted the ongoing work with the vendor Noodle, focusing on instructional design, and shared the progress made during the summer, including the successful discovery session that involved 15 faculty and staff members. The next steps for Project Starling were discussed, with faculty-focused session late August.
Nieman also discussed the status of the strategic planning process, mentioning that the final report of the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan will be presented at the October Executive Committee meeting, while the new 2024-2029 Strategic Plan is nearing completion.
A significant portion of the report was dedicated to expense reduction work, where the Executive Cabinet has been actively identifying ways to reduce costs and operate more efficiently. The cabinet recently held a two-day retreat to explore these options, under the guidance of Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer.
Presidential Succession Planning
The board moved into a critical discussion on the presidential succession process. Kristi Ferguson and Harry Mueller provided updates on the Search and Transition Committees, respectively. They shared detailed plans for the selection process, the tasks ahead, and the involvement of the LSTC community through listening sessions. The board approved the motion to authorize these committees to proceed with their work, including the engagement of consultant Matt Trainum to assist in the process.
Reparations Update
Greg Lewis provided a historical overview of LSTC’s reparations work and proposed the establishment of a Reparations Clearinghouse, sponsored by the Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies. This initiative aims to engage Lutherans and other activists in the reparations movement, offering a platform for ideas and financial participation. The board approved the motion to establish this clearinghouse, with use of funds advised by the Dean for Academic Affairs in conjunction with the Pero Center.
Standing Committee Reports
The Finance and Operations Committee, led by Harry Mueller, reported positive returns on LSTC’s portfolio and set a deadline of October 31, 2024, for management to present an expense reduction plan. The Governance Committee, chaired by Bridget Jones, oversaw the election of new officers, and identified new chairpersons for standing board committees.
Maryjeanne Schaffmeyer from the Marketing and Fundraising Committee and Kristi Ferguson from the Academics and Community Committee presented motions, including the appointment of new Foundation Board of Trustees members. Finally, the Board unanimously approved the motion to grant Dr. Barbara Rossing faculty emerita status and venia docendi teaching privileges. This recognition celebrates her remarkable contributions to LSTC and her dedication to theological education. Dr. Rossing’s legacy of scholarship, leadership, and passion for environmental justice and biblical studies will continue to inspire future generations at LSTC.