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.
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     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