Studious and Servant-Minded Senior Honored with Statewide Award

By: Anna Seifert, Communications Associate

When Caleb Gustafson BA ’23 found his dad waiting for him in President Dawn’s office last fall, he wondered if he’d done something wrong. Dean of Students Kathy Gebhardt and University Pastor Jeff Leininger were there too—“Did something bad happen?” he thought. To his relief, it was quickly revealed that Gustafson was being honored as a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. The Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Awards are presented every year to a student from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions in Illinois, for excellence in both curricular and extra-curricular programs.

Gustafson was nominated by Concordia University Chicago undergraduate faculty, who recognized the countless hours he spent studying with his professors, collaborating with classmates on group projects, and volunteering on campus and in the community. The award consisted of a Student Laureate medallion, a $500 check and a certificate of achievement signed by the governor. “I wouldn’t have been nominated for this award without the encouragement and support I received from my family, my program director, and my drive to strive for excellence,” says Gustafson.

Gustafson graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit business management and plans to attend seminary in the fall. “I was pleasantly stunned when I won the award. Even more so because my dad surprised me—he had driven all the way from (my hometown of) Merrill, WI to be there!” he says. “Winning the award put me in shock for virtually the rest of the day.”

During his time at CUC, Gustafson played on the men’s tennis team and served as president of the Spiritual Life student organization, through which he helped start “Service Saturdays” (see page 26 for more).

“When I look back upon my college experience, I can’t help but think of all the amazing moments that I’ve had here. What I’ve been most thankful for is the community and fellowship,” he says. “I came into this university knowing nobody, yet I was able to form my own friendships, my own relationships with professors and coaches— and it’s because of my incredible friends, professors and coaches that I’ve been able to grow in my faith and as a Christian.”

WHAT I’VE BEEN MOST THANKFUL FOR IS THE COMMUNITY AND FELLOWSHIP...I CAME INTO THIS UNIVERSITY KNOWING NOBODY, YET I WAS ABLE TO FORM MY OWN FRIENDSHIPS, MY OWN RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSORS AND COACHES—AND IT’S BECAUSE OF MY INCREDIBLE FRIENDS, PROFESSORS AND COACHES THAT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO GROW IN MY FAITH AND AS A CHRISTIAN.”