wfn.org | Former ELCA College President Gustave Weber Died

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE NEWS BRIEF

August 8, 1997

GUSTAVE W. WEBER DIED

The Rev. Gustave W. Weber, 11th president of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., died July 12
at the age of 89.  Weber was credited with holding one of the longest tenures among all college
presidents in Pennsylvania when he retired Aug. 31,1977, after serving more than 18 years.
Susquehanna University is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America.  During his tenure Weber initiated and directed a "vigorous" program of advancement and
development.  Student enrollment tripled  from 460 in 1959 to more than 1,400 in 1977.  A number
of properties adjoining the campus were acquired, 11 major buildings were erected, and extensive
renovations were made to older buildings.  The campus itself was expanded from 63 to 185 acres.
Weber immigrated to the United States from Austria and received his early education in the public
schools of Allentown, Pa.  He earned a B.A. degree from Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y., and
a B.D. and S.T.M. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia -- both associated with
the ELCA.  After further graduate study at the University of Pennsylvania, he received his Th.D.
from the Episcopal Divinity School of Philadelphia in 1937.  Weber's first pastorate was at St.
James Lutheran Church, Pottstown, Pa.  He was senior pastor at Glenwood Lutheran Church, Toledo,
Pa., from 1955 until beginning his service at Susquehanna in 1959.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html