Purpose and Scope

Commission Wartburg is a long-range planning initiative established by the Wartburg College Board of Regents in February 1999 and launched in April 1999. It represents the most comprehensive planning effort in the college's history.

The commission has engaged 235 Wartburg alumni and friends in creating a blueprint for the future advancement of the college. Commission members have served on one of eight task forces to examine Wartburg's strengths, needs, and aspirations and make recommendations to the Board of Regents. The commission has enabled Wartburg's key constituents from across the country to share their ideas for the college's transition and transformation.

Each task force was chaired by a volunteer leader and facilitated by a vice president or other administrator of the college. The task forces were guided in their discussions by a charge and a set of framing questions that were developed by the president if the college in consultation with the Faculty Council. Each task force dealt primarily with issues pertinent to its charge and area of review. However, each task force, in dealing with the framing questions, addressed issues related to finances, fundraising, community relations, diversity, multicultural and international perspectives, facilities and equipment, technology, and the like. More than 100 faculty, staff, and students served in an informational capacity, providing materials or making presentations to the task forces as requested.

Commission Wartburg was made possible through the generosity of the Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation. The foundation is deeply rooted in the heritage of Wartburg College, as its trustees are the descendants of Georg M. Grossmann, the college's founder and first president. The foundation's unwavering support is deeply appreciated.

Because of outstanding leadership and visionary thinking, Commission Wartburg promises to have a dramatic impact on Wartburg College and its students far into the future.