Rev. Michael Cooper-White Presidential Papers

Collection

Identifier: ULS-MS-027

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the activities of the Reverend Michael Cooper-White, D.D. during his time as President of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (2000-2017). Included are general materials, faculty minutes, studies, campaigns, speeches, sermons, memos, newspaper clippings, guestbooks, photographs, VHS, and gift plates.

The records are arranged in 8 series. Series include 1) General Records; 2) Surveys and Studies; 3) Campaigns and Projects; 4) Speeches and Publications; 5) United Lutheran Seminary Formation; 6) Newspaper Clippings; 7) Miscellaneous; 8) Audio-Visual, Photos, and Objects.

The contents of each series are arranged thematically by subseries and chronologically within subseries. Subseries in Series 1 include Faculty Minutes and Miscellaneous from his presidency. Subseries in Series 3 include Campaigns, Projects, and the Schmucker Hall Rehabilitation Project. Subseries in Series 4 include Memos and Correspondence, Speeches, and Publications.

Dates

Existence: 2000 - 2017

Creator

Cooper-White, Michael L. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research

Biographical / Historical

The Reverend Michael Cooper-White, D.D. was President of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG) from 2000 to 2017. He was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on August 30, 1950 and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1971.

His studies at LTSG included an internship with the Lutheran Church in Chile. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1976. In the same year he was ordained and called to an inner-city parish in Los Angeles. He served as assistant to two synod bishops in California and to the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America before returning to LTSG as its twelfth president in 2000.

Special projects he oversaw during his time as President included the renovation of Valentine Hall, the rehabilitation of Schmucker Hall to become the Seminary Ridge Museum, and the merge with the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia to become United Lutheran Seminary. He received an honorary doctorate from Susquehanna University in 2003.

Extent

4.2 Linear Feet (10 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

This collection was received by Seminary Archives as a records transfer.

Related Materials

Bacher, Robert and Michael Cooper-White. Church Administration: Programs, Process, Purpose. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.

Cooper-White, Michael. The Comeback God: A Theological Primer for a Life of Faith. Minneapolis: Augsburg Books, 2009.

Cooper-White, Michael. Luther, War, and Violence. 2006 Luther Colloquy. CD-R. 2006.

Cooper-White, Michael. On a Wing and a Prayer: Faithful Leadership in the 21st Century. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2003.

Cooper-White, Michael. “Opening Eucharist Sermon.” Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg Chapel. VHS. September 6, 2000.

Cooper-White, Michael. “Social Ministry at the Crossroads: The Legacy Lives On.” Leading the Way in Church and Society: Essays, Addresses, and Reflections Inspiring the Church’s Role in Social Ministry. Gettysburg, PA: Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, 2004: 3-4.

Cooper-White, Michael. “Troubling and Untroubling the Waters.” Connecting with Today’s Theological Students: Contemporary Theological Students—A New Generation. Washington, DC: Washington Theological Consortium, 2001: 31-33.

Cooper-White, Pamela and Michael Cooper-White. Exploring the Practices of Ministry. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014.

Bibliography

“Cooper-White, Michael Roster Dossier Report 2018.” ELCA Archives, Elk Grove, IL.

“The Rev. Michael L. Cooper-White.” Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Accessed January 26, 2018 https://www.ltsg.edu/about-us/faculty-staff-directory/michael-cooper-white.