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	July 16, 2003 ....................... LCMSNews -- No. 79

	Heider resigning presidency
	of Concordia, River Forest

	Dr. George C. Heider announced July 14 that he is resigning as
president of Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. (CURF), effective
Aug. 3.

	Rev. William H. Ameiss, chairman of the universitys board of
regents, and Heider, CURF president since 1995, said the resignation is
due to the institutions financial situation.

	Heider, 50, announced his decision in a letter to the CURF
faculty and staff. The regents issued a news release the same day saying
they accepted his resignation with great regret.

	The board named Dr. Manfred Boos, the universitys provost, as
acting president. They also appointed Dr. Ralph Reinke as CEO and COO.
Earlier this year, the Synods Board for Higher Education (BHE) named
Reinke as special executive at CURF.

	Reinke said that the universitys current level of debt is up
to about $50 million, with more than $4 million of that amount added in
the fiscal year that ended June 30.

	Earlier this year, the university announced that it was taking a
number of cost-saving measures, including cuts of 36 staff and 21
faculty positions.

	It has become increasingly apparent to both the board of
regents and me, Heider said in his letter, that the universitys
creditors are looking for a dramatic statement of Concordias
determination to move forward with full accountability for those
responsible for its leadership. He added that he is resigning for the
sake of the university which all of us hold so dear, and that he
appreciate[s] the boards understanding of this action.

	The board believes strongly that those on whom Concordia
depends for financial support need to have full confidence in the
universitys ability to thrive in the future, Ameiss said in the news
release.

	With that said, he continued, we are deeply pained to lose a
leader of the vision, capability and skill of Dr. Heider.

	Ameiss said that the board of regents will work together with
the BHE to begin the search for a new president at the appropriate time,
as the university moves toward financial stability.

	I am proud of all that we have accomplished together over the
past eight years, Heider said in his letter to faculty and staff, and
I am deeply grateful to all of those, both within and outside of the
university, who have served as the Lords hands. Still, there is much
that Concordia can yet be and do. It will require the best efforts of
all who serve here.

	The board of regents news release says that Heider will remain
in the community in the near term, as he seeks new opportunities for
service.

	Heider noted that the board has generously allowed me and my
family to remain in the presidents house for several months yet,
although (as is both appropriate and necessary) my direct involvement
with the campus will end quickly, following a few weeks of transition
with the acting president.

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