Atlanta Daily World

Enrollment Increase Is Expected At ITC Center

The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Interdenominational Theological Center meeting in Atlanta, August 15, heard President Harry V. Richardson report that an increase of 25 percent in student enrollment is expected this year.

Dr. Richardson stated, "If this expected increase materializes, we will have at ITC the largest number of candidates for the BD degree in our group history. It was originally estimated that the Center would reach its top enrollment of 30 in 10 years. If the present rate of increase continues, we should reach the maximum long before that."

The Committee considered three major matters concerned with the opening of the school in September: progress of construction of the new plant, consideration of the Center's finances for the coming year and approval of new faculty appointments.

The budget for the coming year submitted by President Richardson and approved by the Committee will approximate $250,000. This budget will cover a number of activities that will enhance the Center's instructional program. First among these is a strong department in Sociology of Religion for both graduates and undergraduates; second, an intensive self-study program which aims at developing highly effective teaching methods and curricula and third, some courses in homiletics and mass communication methods to be undertaken jointly by Candler School of Theology, Columbia Theological Seminary and ITC.

The Committee also gave attention to raising the remaining $650,000 needed to complete the Center's endowment of $1,000,000.

Names of new faculty members will be announced soon, Dr. Richardson said.

Mr. Edward C. Miller, the architect of the new plant, took the Committee on a tour of the buildings now under construction. The four main academic buildings are about one-half completed. They are the Administration, Classroom, Library and Refectory Buildings. President Richardson announced that these four are to be completed in mid-October. He expects the ITC to move into the new plant by Christmas.

The Executive Committee also visited the new dormitories of Gammon Theological Seminary and Phillips School of Theology, both to be completed in the next few months. They were greatly pleased with both the quality and the progress of the construction. They were told that housing for married students will be under construction in 30 days. These initial units will include 48 apartments, ranging from one to two bedroom units. All apartments are completely furnished with the most modern living facilities. It is estimated the apartments will be completed by March 1.

Members attending the Executive Committee meeting of the Board of Trustees were Dr. Ernest C. Colwell, Claremont, Cal., Chairman of the Board; Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Chairman of the Executive Committee; Bishop B. Julian Smith of Chicago, Vice Chairman of the Board; Bishop W. R. Wilkes, Secretary; Mr. L. D. Milton, Treasurer; and Dr. M. L. King, Sr.