ELCA NEWS SERVICE March 16, 2004 Harold Lentz, Former President of ELCA's Carthage College, Dies 04-041-JB* CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Harold H. Lentz, former president of Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis., and a retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died March 11 at his home in Lima, Ohio. He was 93. Carthage is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities. Lentz, 15th president of the college, served from 1952 to 1976, leading the college during a period of transition. During his tenure as president, the college moved from Carthage, Ill., to Kenosha, which ultimately led to its "salvation," according to a Carthage College news release. During Lentz's presidency the enrollment quadrupled, the endowment multiplied fivefold, and the physical plant and assets were greatly expanded, the release said. In 1993 Carthage College bestowed the fifth Carthage Flame award to Lentz and his wife, Eleanor, for their devotion to the college. The Flame, awarded by the board of trustees, is the college's highest honor. In May 1987 Carthage awarded an honorary doctor of humanities degree to Lentz for his dedication and leadership to the college. He also received honorary doctorates from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, an ELCA higher education institution, and Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis. Lentz authored "The Miracle of Carthage," which chronicled the growth of the college from its inception in 1847 to 1974. His other scholarly works include "A History of Wittenberg College: 1845-1945 and Reformation Crossroads." Lentz earned a bachelor's degree in 1932 from Wittenberg University. He earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Hamma Divinity School, Columbus, Ohio in 1935; a master of arts degree from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, in 1939; and a doctorate with honors from Yale University, New Haven, Conn., in 1943. Following his ordination in the United Lutheran Church in America in 1935, he served nearly 15 years as associate pastor and as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland, Ohio, before he became president of Carthage. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, in August 2002. Lentz is survived by a son, Tom, Roundhead, Ohio; and a daughter, Julie, Chapel Hill, N.C. Tom Lentz serves as a trustee of Carthage College. -- -- -- Information about Carthage College is at http://www.carthage.edu on the Web. * The Carthage College Communications Office provided information for this story. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news