TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH. TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR DETERMINATION. FOR EMPATHY. FOR UNIT Y. GRACE. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONEST VO CATION. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION.
KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONEST HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
Serving our neighbors
Through its newly launched Triad program, CUC’s College of Business is partnering with Maywood entrepreneurs to turn student learning into local impact.
On the cover Dr. David Rogner (BA ‘82), distinguished professor emeritus of English, retires after four decades of service to Concordia-Chicago.
Committed to the challenge
Alumna Michelle Aguilar-Medina (BS ‘24) always wanted to be a doctor. Now, she’s one step closer to making that dream a reality. 40
Path to the pros
Alumnus Justin Greenlee (BS ‘24) finds success on and off the court as coordinator of alumni relations for the Chicago Bulls. 44
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT
Jeff Hynes
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Megan Patsavas
MANAGING EDITOR
Cora Saddler
DESIGNER
Ron Linnemann
PHOTOGRAPHY
Nathaniel Clayton
Tony Fiorito, FIO Creative
Emily Greene (BA ‘26)
Christian Rasmussen (BA ‘18)
Steve Woit
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton (BME ‘95)
Dr. Russell Dawn
Jeff Hynes
John Jaramillo
Emily Kober (BA ’09)
Kayla McCloud (BA ‘21, MA ‘25)
Megan Patsavas
Rev. Simeon Raddatz (BA ‘13)
Cora Saddler
Lily Seifferlein (BA ‘26)
CONTACT US
Forester Magazine: Office of University Communications
Concordia University Chicago 7400 Augusta St. River Forest, Ill. 60305-1499
708-209-3111
Forester@CUChicago.edu
Prefer a digital edition next year? Send us an email!
MISSION Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.
VISION Concordia University Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good.
CORE VALUES We at Concordia University Chicago embrace these core values as essential to living together in a vibrant and influential Christian academic community and as productive citizens of the church and world.
CHRISTIAN FAITH: The Christian faith is an integral part of our community.
THE INDIVIDUAL: As a member of God’s creation, each person is unique and is blessed with inherent worth.
EXCELLENCE: We strive for excellence in who we are and what we do.
INTEGRITY: Our community demonstrates the accord between our beliefs and practices.
SERVICE: Recognizing and addressing the needs of others is a response to God’s love for us and a reflection of God’s love for them.
President’s Column
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
As we near the end of spring, celebrating the completion of another semester of classes and commencement, I can’t help but return to the Bible verse on which we’ve meditated throughout this academic year.
Here at Concordia University Chicago, we give glory to God, our Living Hope, that though we are but sinners, He sent His Son into the world to cleanse us from our unrighteousness through the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Because of His sacrifice and the victory of His resurrection, we have confidence in our eternal inheritance.
That confidence inspires our Christcentered education and propels us joyfully into the future He has for us.
We also give thanks for all the ways our Lord has blessed our University this past year: many faithful men and women have joined our faculty and staff; enrollment in our church work programs is growing by leaps and bounds; donors are generously supporting our Prepared to Serve tuition guarantee for church work students; and many are responding enthusiastically to our Advance with Purpose tuition discount, which helps employees of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod and its related ministries to pursue advanced degrees. And on, and on. The Lord provides abundantly!
After a formal visitation from the Concordia University System in October 2025, Concordia-Chicago received the highest possible rating for our steadfastness in mission and Lutheran
identity. This summer, we look forward to joining even more brothers and sisters in Christ at the Synod’s national convention.
At Concordia-Chicago, we are committed to preparing all students for their vocations. We recognize that God gives each one of us varied gifts, and we encourage our students to use their gifts to serve others. I see vocation everywhere: from compassionate care in our flourishing Nursing program to music students adorning the Gospel with God’s gift of music, and from virtue and freedom in our business programs to our education students who will bring God’s truth into their future classrooms.
As we work toward our vision of a Christcentered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good, we will continue to expand mission-aligned programming; deepen relationships with churches, schools, and communities; and provide even more opportunities for alumni, friends of the University, and others to come together for faith- and fellowship-filled events.
I hope that, together, we can serve even more students as we show by example that though there are many blessings in this life for which to give thanks to God, nothing compares to what He accomplished for us already through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
To God be the glory,
Russell P. Dawn, DPhil, JD University President
Nota bene: This year, our beloved Addison Hall underwent some improvements to provide an enhanced welcome experience for prospective students and guests. Next time you visit campus, please stop by!
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PRAYER DURING THE 162ND COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ON FRIDAY, MAY 1. Campus Snapshot
Summer & fall 2026
JUNE
20–21 Festival of Scripture & The Arts
23 –26 Conversational Solfege Course
25 –28 Golden Reunion Weekend (for the classes of 1975/76)
27 Patriotic Pops Concert
JULY
7 Blessed Is She: Women’s Luncheon
AUGUST 16 –19 Apologetics Boot Camp 24 Opening Service of the 163 rd Academic Year
– Ferguson Art Gallery –Alumni & Student Art Show Reception 9/20
12 – Ferguson Art Gallery –Between the Lines (Letters from WWII) Reception 11/8 16 –18 CUC Music Tour
18 –20 Lectures in Church Music
19–25 Homecoming
June 20-21: This summer, explore King Solomon’s Song of Songs through a series of lectures, presentations, and performances across theology, poetry, theater, art, and music. The event will conclude with the worldpremiere performance of “Song of All Songs,” a 45-minute piece written by Professor of Music Dr. Jonathan Stahlke, who is celebrating 30 years at Concordia University Chicago. The performance, free to the public, will feature members of the All-Music Alumni Reunion. Find details at CUChicago.edu/events/FSA.
July 14-24, 2027: Alumni are invited to Iceland! Next summer, join Concordia University Chicago’s and Concordia University Nebraska’s alumni on an unforgettable trip. The nine-night land and cruise excursion will explore the city of Reykjavík and the surrounding villages of Ísafjörður, Akureyri, and Seyðisfjörður. Whether you’re dipping into the mineral-rich waters of Sky Lagoon or discovering Viking history at the National Museum of Iceland, there’s no shortage of beauty and wonder awaiting you. For more details, visit CUChicago.edu/alumni/travel.
FOR FAITH. FOR KNOWLEDGE. FOR FREEDOM. SERVICE. FOR TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. PURPOSE. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE.
Advance with Purpose: Concordia-Chicago offers tuition discount program for employees of LCMS organizations
This academic year, Concordia University Chicago announced a new affordable education program, Advance with Purpose, that offers a 50% discount on master’s and doctoral-level programs for full-time employees of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), its entities, and its Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs). The program aims to make advanced degrees more accessible and applies to CUC’s 60+ graduate programs.
“CUC’s Advance with Purpose initiative reflects our deep commitment to removing financial barriers so LCMS leaders can grow in faith, expand their skills, and lead with excellence,” said Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk, vice president for strategic operations and chief of staff.
CHARIT Y. FOR COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR COMPASSION. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT HEALING. FOR TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR INNOVATION. FOR COMMITMENT. FOR COURAGE. FOR DETERMINATION. FOR SERVICE. FOR GRACE. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR PURPOSE. FOR VO CATION. FOR RESILIENCE.
Advance with Purpose demonstrates CUC’s commitment to strengthening the Synod, making graduate study more attainable so individuals can focus on leadership and learning while continuing to serve at LCMS organizations. For additional information, visit CUChicago.edu/advance-with-purpose
CHARIT Y. FOR COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR COMPASSION. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT HEALING. FOR TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR INNOVATION. FOR COMMITMENT. FOR FAITH. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. SERVICE. FOR TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR PURPOSE. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR COMPASSION. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT HEALING. FOR TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR INNOVATION. FOR COMMITMENT. FOR FAITH. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. SERVICE. FOR TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR PURPOSE. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE.
KNOWLEDGE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y.
TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR
Deaconess program commemorates 45 years of equipping women for the church
HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH.
Concordia University Chicago’s long-standing Deaconess program celebrated its 45th anniversary this academic year—a milestone that speaks to decades of faithful formation since 1980. Preparing young women to serve in congregations, agencies, or mission fields, the program has formed more than 200 deaconesses, thoughtfully and faithfully equipping them for the church and the world.
TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR DETERMINATION. FOR EMPATHY. FOR UNIT Y. GRACE. F FOR HONESTY. FOR
Since the program’s earliest days, its hallmarks have endured: a strong sense of community, weekly praying of the Deaconess Litany, shared deaconess dinners, and a common commitment to service. Fieldwork also remains foundational to the program, allowing students to engage with Christ’s mercy through a year-long internship designed to put vocation into practice.
“As a graduate of the program almost 20 years ago, I am struck by how much remains deeply familiar and how thoughtfully the program continues to grow,” said Deaconess Frances Szeto (BA ‘03), Deaconess Studies program leader. “Courses continue to shape deaconess students to serve in the needs of the present day, addressing current issues with clarity and compassion, while remaining solidly grounded in Christ. Throughout its history, the focus of the program has remained steadfast: preparing women to serve their neighbors through acts of mercy, teaching the faith, and providing spiritual care.”
VO OR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
In addition, CUC celebrates Deaconess Kristin R. Wassilak’s (BA ‘86, MA ‘96) 40th year in deaconess ministry.Wassilak is dean of the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities.
COMMUNIT OR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR F OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH.
TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT OR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT OR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR F OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH.
Deaconess Nancy Nemoyer (MA ‘85), Szeto, Wassilak, and Deaconess Dr. Jennie Asher (CAS ‘93)
ECEC celebrates 50 years of educational excellence
This year, the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) celebrates 50 years of excellence in education and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning rooted in research-based theory and the Gospel.
Since its opening in 1976, the ECEC has grown from a single classroom into a stateof-the-art education center where more than 200 children ages six weeks through kindergarten are cared for year-round. While the program offers children a place to learn and explore, the Center also serves as a place for CUC education students to gain firsthand experience in the classroom and work alongside certified professionals.
TRUTH. F TITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR F . FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
“For 50 years, Concordia’s ECEC has been a place where children grow, teachers are formed, and community takes root,” said Stephanie Toms (BA ‘06), co-director of the ECEC with Bogumila Ryndak-Mazur (MA ‘00). “I’ve been blessed to experience this place in many capacities, and through every season, one truth has remained: our work is centered in the Gospel, and our strength is the people who share Christ’s love with children every day.”
This academic year, we welcomed three new professors who have helped strengthen our community through their commitment to excellence and faith-driven education.
Johanna Anderson Instructor of Music and Wind Symphony Director
Johanna Anderson graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Music Education and Spanish Education. She later earned a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University and is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Anderson comes to CUC after a decade of service at ConcordiaWisconsin, where she worked as an associate director of instrumental music. Anderson’s primary instruments are oboe, English horn, and alto saxophone; her secondary instruments are viola and trumpet.
Dr. Elisabeth Bennett Professor and Discipline Chair of Organizational Leadership
Dr. Elisabeth Bennett earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her PhD in human resource and organizational development from the University of Georgia. Before coming to CUC, she served as a director of the graduate leadership program at Concordia-Wisconsin and previously served on the faculty at Northeastern University and Tufts University School of Medicine. In addition to her academic career, Bennett has held industry roles in Fortune 100 financial services, manufacturing, information technology, and executive leadership in healthcare.
STAY CONNECTED TO CAMPUS
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Deaconess Frances Szeto Instructor of Deaconess Studies and Program Leader
Deaconess Frances Szeto (BA ’03) received a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Deaconess Certification from Concordia University Chicago and later, her Master of Arts in Theology from Concordia University Irvine. She said the focus on mercy work, spiritual care, and teaching faith deeply resonated with her and strengthened her desire to serve. Previously, Szeto worked at a nursing home, taught at a Lutheran high school, and served as a parish deaconess in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. In her office, you can find her collection of bunny figurines that remind her of Easter and the resurrection.
This year, Concordia University Chicago honored five professors who retired at the end of the 2025-26 academic year and thanked them for their faithful service.
Rev. Dr. Patrick James Bayens
Professor of Theology
Rev. Dr. Patrick James Bayens has served the ministry for 49 years, the last 12 of which he spent at CUC. He previously shepherded parishes in Wisconsin and Kentucky and taught at Concordia College New York. His areas of expertise include biblical studies, liturgy, and art history. He holds a PhD in religious studies from Marquette University and earned a master’s in art history from the University of Kentucky.
Through the years, he served on numerous boards and committees and administratively as the chairman of the Department of Theology. Bayens has translated the New Testament and the Psalms and recently authored “The Nicene Creed: Illustrated for Families,” released by Concordia Publishing House. After retirement, Bayens plans to stay in the Chicago area and continue assisting, preaching, and teaching at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Ill.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music
Dr. Richard Fischer, who retired from Concordia-Chicago at the end of the fall semester, celebrated more than 51 years of excellence in music. Fischer holds a Bachelor of Music in Education and a Master of Music in Music Education degree from DePaul University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting degree from Michigan State University. Under his guidance, the Wind Symphony performed in 43 U.S. states, as well as in Canada, Europe, China, and South Africa.
He led the Wind Symphony in recording 16 compact discs and performing as a Showcase Ensemble for the New York City Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2014 and 2019. In 2013, he was named the Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair for Music Performance at ConcordiaChicago. As part of his retirement plans, Fischer is writing a book titled “Connecting the Head and the Heart: The Things that Really Matter in the Making of Music.”
Dr. David Rogner
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English
After 40 years of scholarship and service to Concordia-Chicago, Dr. David Rogner (BA ’82) will retire at the end of this school year. To read more about the legacy he leaves behind, see page 34.
Richard Richter
Assistant Professor and Director of Instructional Design and Technology
Richard Richter (BA ’72, MA ’76) will retire this year after 49 years of service to Concordia-Chicago and 54 years of service to the church. Richter leaves behind a rich legacy at CUC as designer of the television studio, radio station, and photo lab in the Krentz Center, as well as the University’s first online program. He also taught a variety of classes in media production, radio broadcasting, photography, communication, and visual literacy.
In addition, he conducted workshops for the Lutheran Education Association (LEA) in Palestine, China, and Germany and is the co-founder of LEA South Africa. After retirement, he hopes to continue to serve the church by volunteering at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane and supporting Lutheran education in South Africa.
Rev. Dr. Robert Sorensen
Professor Emeritus of Theology and Foreign Languages
Rev. Dr. Robert Sorensen retired at the end of 2025 after beginning his journey at Concordia-Chicago in 2006. Sorensen taught biblical Greek, as well as Christian Scripture, patristics, and the intertestamental period. He also taught courses on Latin American and Spanish literature. When he wasn’t teaching, he served a local bilingual and bicultural congregation throughout his tenure and numerous sister Lutheran church bodies, including in Nicaragua, Panama, and Spain.
In retirement, Dr. Sorensen looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Maritza, and his three adult children. He also hopes to spend more time reading, traveling, riding his bicycle, and serving his congregation.
Dr. Richard Fischer
Faith & Ministry
What sets Concordia-Chicago church work programs apart
By: Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton (BME ‘95), Assistant Professor of Theology
“Hey,
Deaconess Szeto, could I ask you about something?”
“Of course, come on into my office!”
In the church work programs and across campus at Concordia University Chicago, exchanges like this happen regularly. Professors serve not just as academic instructors but as mentors, pouring into students to shape them to be faithful leaders in their vocation. Students sense this and respond with openness to the guidance given and an eagerness to learn.
Here, church work students receive outstanding theological training in the classroom, but perhaps even more importantly, training continues outside the classroom as well. There is an old saying that sometimes church work is “more caught than taught.” This also applies to Concordia-Chicago.
One example of this is the pre-seminary fellowship that takes place every Wednesday night at 5 p.m.—a time of formation and friendship. After the meal, the students hear from a guest presenter. These pastors share their experiences in parish ministry to give the students a feel for what the duties of a pastor include and what the life of a pastor looks like. Most other church work programs at ConcordiaChicago have a similar method of strengthening and supporting one another outside the classroom. Through events and gatherings, the community of church work students forms friendships that will last throughout their lifetimes.
The students also benefit from having a wide range of Lutheran churches nearby, where they can attend the Divine Service and grow deeper in their practical training by engaging in field work experiences. Most church work programs here have regular and intentional programs where students are paired with specific Lutheran congregations or schools to work sideby-side with experienced professionals in their chosen fields, gaining hands-on experiences. In this way, students are blessed by being able to learn in local Lutheran congregations.
However, these students don’t just seek to receive blessings from being in the Chicago area; they also seek to be a blessing to the Chicago area. ConcordiaChicago has a vibrant program called Ministry to Chicago that facilitates ways
for students to care for people across the city who may be in physical and spiritual need.
Finally, there’s the worship life of the campus. Most days, students have two opportunities to gather in the Chapel of Our Lord to hear God’s Word. Each weekday morning, students gather for chapel services at 11 a.m. These services rotate among Matins, morning prayer, and preaching offices. Most evenings also offer students the chance to gather for prayer offices such as Compline, Vespers, and evening prayer. Every Wednesday night, the campus gathers for the Divine Service to receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ in the precious gift of the Lord’s Supper. Many of these services have student assistants or student leaders to help give church work students experience leading worship.
In summary, CUC gives our church work students faithful opportunities for worship and service, combined with outstanding academic programs and professors who care deeply about their students and their development. Altogether, this makes Concordia-Chicago an excellent place to be formed intentionally and faithfully as a future church worker.
How La Mesa embraces bilingual ministry
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
On Thursdays, you can find a table in the stairwell of the Koehneke Community Center where two Chicago-area pastors care for Concordia University Chicago students in both English and Spanish.
Rev. Ted Fischer (BA ’15) and Rev. Jesus Morales, along with University Chaplain Rev. Simeon Raddatz (BA ’13), are the faces behind La Mesa. Fischer is pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Chicago, and Morales is pastor of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Winfield, Ill. and vacancy pastor of Good Shepherd Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Berwyn, Ill. Together, they created a dedicated Hispanic- and Latino-focused ministry that bridges faith and language on campus through prayer, bilingual chapel services, and collaboration between the Latino Student Union (LSU) and Spiritual Life, the student-led campus ministry.
La Mesa, which translates to “the table,” is a grant-funded ministry supported by the generous members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Its creation coincided with the changing demographics of CUC students. Of the undergraduate students attending full-time in 2025, 39% of them were Hispanic or Latino, making CUC a majority Hispanic institution.
“La Mesa seeks to serve Concordia’s changing student population with the message of the Lord and His unchanging love,” said Raddatz. “The Lord has planted us in this location and has brought us these students. We seek to be His faithful and effective servants in this time and place.”
La Mesa is built around three purposes: sparking conversations, building connections, and encouraging communion--all of which provide a space for Spanish-speaking students to find belonging, encouragement, and spiritual growth.
“College is a formative part of a student’s life. They’re still forming who they’re going to be and who they’re going to be in Christ,” said Morales, who has invited other Chicago-area pastors to experience the ministry. The hope is to connect students with churches long
after they leave the table. “Students come and go. University is temporary. Our goal is to make sure students land at a table where Christ can serve them.”
Incoming senior Rubi Gonzalez said that La Mesa provides a comfortable space for students to learn about Lutheranism and deepen their faith. For her, La Mesa’s impact is much larger than their table: “La Mesa has created a very meaningful and welcoming environment at CUC by showing major support for the Hispanic and Latino communities. They continue to show that support beyond the table by being present in chapel, classes, and club events-especially the Latino Student Union.”
In addition to going inside the classroom, Fischer and Morales have accompanied the Spanish department on field trips—most recently, to the National Museum of Mexican Art. They are also deeply involved with LSU to help celebrate some of the major Hispanic holidays like Día de Muertos, Las Posadas, and more. Together, the two pastors underscore the connection between culture, language, and faith, unpacking how students can embrace tradition alongside their journeys with Christ.
“When they’re speaking to God in their private moments, Spanish is the language they’re using, so to be able to walk alongside them in that is pretty powerful,” said Fischer. Morales explains that La Mesa allows the pastors to speak to students in the “language of their hearts.”
While the table has expanded since its inception, both Fischer and Morales say that there are more tables to build and seats left to fill. Their ultimate vision: create a multicultural, multiethnic ministry that can encompass the whole body of Christ. That’s the beauty of La Mesa: it provides a seat at the table for everyone so that all languages can praise Him and be united as one voice in Christ.
Reframing ministry for, by, and with older adults
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
Concordia University Chicago’s Center for Gerontology offers more than just information on aging. The Center and its initiatives provide a roadmap for how communities, organizations, churches, and universities can transform spaces and empower older adults.
For Lisa Peters-Beumer, the Center’s operations director, reframing the narrative on older adults is key, and that narrative covers many disciplines.
“To make the Center successful, it has to be interdisciplinary,” said Peters-Beumer. “There’s almost no profession that exists that doesn’t interact with older adults. It’s wherever people are, and we follow through with that commitment in concrete ways.”
The Center’s work is generously supported by the Russell & Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust, and the Center distributes these funds across four strategic focus areas: academic and experiential education; servicebased practices and policy shaping; community engagement; and applied gerontology, which includes work with national and global organizations.
One of the Center’s initiatives in the area of service-based practices has been the development of the Specialist in Aging Ministry (SAM) program. The program offers a series of three- or six-week online classes, with an optional one- to two-day in-person workshop that provides insights for congregational ministry with older persons. Developed for church workers and laypeople, the course highlights how faith-based communities can mutually benefit from engaging older adults and increase congregational connectedness.
“Scripture honors old age, and I think there’s a biblical mandate to do this,” said Beth Truett, the Center’s project leader and SAM architect. For her, the program’s gerontological imperative is clear: reframe the topic of aging and the role of older adults in the church.
As Truett said, she wants to “call
Peters-Beumer and Truett at the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America in fall 2025
attention to people who are not typically considered the church’s future.”
“We know from Pew Research Center that 80% of people over 74 and 75% of those between the ages of 64 to 67 are Christian believers,” explained Truett. “We need to recognize that people who are 60 today may be sitting in our pews for 40 more years. We must take a look at the broader demographic and what it means to serve God—and be served—throughout the lifespan.”
Truett, who transformed SAM from a onepage idea into its current format, is still refining. Since its creation, the program has undergone two rounds of testing. The first iteration, an alpha pilot, included a workshop with CUC’s deaconess students. The beta pilot was conducted with five Midwest congregations that completed the course either online or in person.
Since taking the course, Rev. Donn Radde, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Marshfield, Wis., has been committed to implementing congregational change. Immanuel has even started a women’s ministry for homebound older persons, providing pastoral care to individuals unable to attend in-person church services.
“Immanuel is working on how we can better meet the many needs our older adults have, such as loneliness, transportation, using tech devices, and home upkeep—with the tender, loving care of Jesus,” Radde said.
Now, the program is focused on its next chapter: SAM 2.0. This iteration will focus on expanding the 60-minute format to 90 minutes, deepening discussion, adding additional role-playing elements and group exercises, and developing more resources.
“What we say is that SAM is a ministry for, by, and with older adults,” said Truett, who notes that the program’s participants are mostly lay volunteers, many of whom are also older adults. “The goal is to emphasize that we all age differently and that older adults have unique concerns… [Their] spirituality is multidimensional.”
This multidimensionality is the backbone of SAM. It emphasizes that spirituality is shaped by many factors and that faith grows and changes across the lifespan. At the same time, it asks people to consider the broader who of ministry, a reminder that God calls everyone, at all stages of life, to seek His kingdom.
Members of the First United Church of Oak Park gathered together to complete the pilot workshop.
The Center collaborated with the award-winning podcast Women Over 70 to launch the show’s first symposium, Aging Reimagined.
the church workers of tomorrow:
Tuition guarantee supports Concordia-Chicago students preparing to serve
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
It’s hard to describe church work students at Concordia University Chicago. They’re exceedingly sincere, abundantly generous, passionate about their beliefs, and, above all, committed to serving God through their unique callings. Concordia-Chicago nurtures these callings faithfully, intentionally, and—through our Prepared to Serve program--affordably so students can focus on what matters most.
The initiative, which began fall 2025, offers eligible freshman or transfer students pursuing one of our six church professional majors a maximum $5,000 cap on tuition and mandatory fees each
academic year. Whether they enroll in our Classical Lutheran Educator, Deaconess, Director of Christian Education (DCE), Director of Parish Music, Lutheran Teacher Education (LTE), or Pre-Seminary program, the guarantee allows our students to pursue their vocations without the fear of financial debt.
This spring, the first group of students impacted by the Prepared to Serve program completed their first year, a success made possible by generous donors. Now, they share what the program has meant to them and how it has prepared them to serve thus far.
Cory Dobrowolsky
Hemlock, Mich.
Theology/Pre-Seminary
Cory Dobrowolsky didn’t grow up Lutheran. Dobrowolsky said that while his family was rooted in Roman Catholicism, he spent a lot of time in the evangelical realm. After intense study of church history and Scripture, he became a Confessional Lutheran a year before he arrived at Concordia-Chicago. “As I started to study more, I saw how good [Lutheranism] was. It’s faithful to Scripture. It preserves the Gospel. It preserves its goodness, its truth, its beauty.”
Dobrowolsky’s journey to CUC was made possible by others. Although he knew he wanted to pursue church work at the university level, he didn’t know if he’d have the funds to pursue it full-time. Then, his pastor told him about Concordia-Chicago’s church work professional guarantee. “One of my biggest fears about going to college was tuition. I didn’t want to spend years and years in debt. Thankfully, with the Prepared to Serve program, I didn’t have to worry about that.”
Through the combined financial effort from CUC donors, the church, and his family, Dobrowolsky said he is beyond blessed to have the opportunity to pursue his calling. “It was like all of these resources piling money onto me and saying ‘go!’”
At CUC, Dobrowolsky has developed a close-knit community with his peers and professors. “There are a lot of loving people, a lot of caring people, and a lot of people who can respectfully challenge you here,” said Dobrowolsky, who was pleasantly surprised to find himself on the Dean’s List last fall, an achievement that he never would’ve dreamed of in high school. Now, it serves as a testament to his academic and spiritual growth on campus.
Looking back, Dobrowolsky recalled his first impression of Concordia-Chicago. “This place seems like a me place,” he said. After a year on campus, that sentiment still holds true.
Annie Hughes
Columbus,
Ind.
LTE/Visual Arts Education
What most people don’t know when they meet Annie Hughes is that she is a quadruplet, but that’s not what makes her unique. At CUC, Hughes is forging her own path as a servant-hearted teacher with a great deal of curiosity and eagerness to learn.
“Growing up, I always said I was going to be a teacher,” said Hughes. “There are pictures upon pictures of me teaching my stuffed animals. No matter what, I was teaching.”
Hughes added that she’s drawn to teaching art in particular, a calling she discovered while restarting her middle school’s drama club. “I liked seeing the creativity in these kids and seeing how much they loved the design aspect of it. Just seeing how these kids lit up at such a prime age, that’s when I really decided to pursue a career in art and education.”
Following in her father’s footsteps, Hughes attended Butler University, where she came to a crossroads after her first semester. “I fell in love with Butler, but they did not have an art education program. Add the faith aspect of it, too. I wanted to be able to talk to kids about Jesus, but ultimately, in public school, you can’t really do that. I had been praying about it when my deaconess sent me an email about the Prepared to Serve scholarship. She told me, ‘I know you love your school; however, you should really look into this.’ In that moment, I knew I was going to end up at CUC.”
Hughes is grateful for the opportunity Prepared to Serve has afforded her, an initiative that has allowed her to embrace her vocation. She said she’s blessed to have found a home here and a good support system, one that has helped her develop friendships and grow spiritually. Hughes has also, inspired by her peers, added a deaconess major for next year, something she says she’s looking forward to pursuing.
“I think I’ve just been so surprised and so overjoyed with how meticulously God works and how intentional He is,” said Hughes. “Ultimately, this semester, I’ve really been reminded that God is in control. He was with me, and He is constantly providing. That’s definitely helped me to grow in my faith.”
Kyle Plante
Chebanse, Ill.
Theology/Pre-Seminary
While Kyle Plante’s path to helping his community didn’t end with him fighting fires, his calling to serve others has remained the same.
Plante explained that his interest in church work developed during high school when his pastor invited him to be a crucifer one Sunday. “That was my first time being active in a service. I really enjoyed it, and he took me under his wing and gave me more opportunities to serve in the church. He really mentored me and helped guide my path towards Christ.”
At the same time, Plante had been pursuing a career as a firefighter during high school, eventually enrolling in fire academy after he graduated. During that time, Plante remained active in his church, visiting his pastor three times a week to study Greek. Halfway through his firefighting training, Plante said he began having doubts. “This is a great way to help people, but it’s not the way I want to help them. There is an aspect of helping people that a pastor can do with the soul that a firefighter can’t do with the head of the hose.”
Plante’s realization came at the right time. “I knew about ConcordiaChicago, but I never thought I’d be able to come here based on the price. That’s when [my pastor] mentioned CUC’s $5,000 church work guarantee. We looked into it together, and it seemed possible.”
“The church work guarantee makes this a reality without being a burden,” said Plante. “It’s going to minimize the amount of debt I have to take on, and it makes it possible to focus on my studies while not having to worry about work.”
On campus, Plante has blossomed in his faith. He explained that while the classes have shown him that there’s still a lot to learn, he is more confident that this is the path God has called him toward.
“You learn to love God’s Word the more you’re in it. Here, I have that every day. I’m in God’s Word, and I love God’s Word the more I hear it. CUC is the best place for that.”
Kaitlyn Pullin
Flatwoods, Ky. DCE, LTE/Early Childhood Education
At Concordia-Chicago, Kaitlyn Pullin is getting the chance to pursue education—her way--traveling miles from home to make her dream of becoming a Lutheran educator a reality. “I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher,” said Pullin. “As I got older, God revealed more and more of those puzzle pieces to me.”
Pullin described her strong ties to her church and her experience working at her church’s preschool and the National Lutheran Outdoors Ministry Association as formative in shaping her identity and calling. “After I started volunteering and working at places where education and faith were integrated, I quickly realized that I was not supposed to separate the two.”
For Pullin, Lutheran education makes all the difference. Her time at a non-Christian community college showed her that. “I was getting the major requirements and meeting the credits to graduate on time, but inside and outside of the classroom, I wasn’t growing. I wasn’t being challenged enough.”
The opportunity to come to CUC transformed Pullin’s trajectory. “The impact of the Prepared to Serve program has been the livability of it all. It’s made this dream of coming to CUC, getting a Christ-centered education, and being in a community with other fellow believers achievable for me and so many others.”
While Pullin is living out that dream faithfully and studiously, she said that CUC offers future educators a unique pathway to grow their pedagogy alongside their spirituality. “You can have a great education anywhere. That’s not very hard to find. A great Christcentered program with people who care about one another, love one another, and show Christ’s love to one another is really hard to find, but that is exactly what CUC has.”
Joan Tiefel
Fort
Wayne, Ind.
LTE/Elementary Education
Last year, Joan Tiefel was given an opportunity that would change the trajectory of her life. One of five children, Tiefel said she was always drawn to working in the church but that childcare naturally called to her. A babysitter throughout high school and a daycare worker after graduation, she explained that all these experiences nurtured her affinity for working with young children.
After high school, Tiefel said that unexpected circumstances shifted her plans to attend a traditional four-year college. Needing to pivot, she began attending an online community college while working full-time at a daycare, an experience that cultivated her passion for teaching but did not fulfill her spiritually. “We weren’t allowed to talk about Jesus, and it just felt wrong,” she explained.
“I just accepted that I wasn’t going to be entirely happy with what was going to happen in my life,” said Tiefel, who felt like she’d missed out on her chance to pursue her calling. “I wasn’t going to be able to pursue the things I wanted to do or meet the kind of friends that I wanted to meet.”
Jonah Witte
Monroe, Mich.
DCE, LTE/Secondary Education (Biology)
Jonah Witte knew that CUC was his home before ever setting foot on campus. A third-generation legacy, Witte’s parents and grandparents attended ConcordiaChicago, most notably Dennis Witte (BA ’73), who served CUC for 45 years as professor emeritus of computer science, VP for administration, and chief information officer.
“[My grandfather] is a big inspiration for me on how to be a good Christian and how to show care and love,” said Witte. “He’s probably the biggest reason why I came here, to have that connection with him and talk to people around campus who know him. It’s like meeting an old friend.”
“But that’s entirely changed,” said Tiefel, who heard about the scholarship through her mother. She added that through the church work professional guarantee, attending CUC is the same price as going to her community college, but now, she gets to teach with Christ. “This scholarship lets me pursue church work without having to worry about all the responsibilities of life. I would say its impact has been huge. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to pursue the career that I really want to do.”
Now, Tiefel works at the Early Childhood Education Center and finds daily joy in teaching kids about Jesus and growing her faith. She said that this year, she’s really seen how God has transformed her life. “Everything has exceeded my expectations, and I’m very thankful for that. It felt like God was pushing me in this direction, and everything fell into place.”
One of five children, Witte said he’s grateful that the church work professional guarantee made his path to CUC possible, particularly his pursuit of Christian education. Called to teach, Witte explained that his high school teachers became good examples of how he could serve Christ through education, especially in the sciences. “I love biology. It’s my passion. I could talk proteins with anyone all day,” said Witte. “It can be challenging at times because the science and religious worlds sometimes conflict, but I want to show that there’s not really a disconnect there.”
Inside and outside of class, Witte is finding his place within the CUC community. “Especially in church work, it’s like a small family, so I ask myself, where do I fit within that family? Where can I help others? Where can I serve, and where can I be a leader?”
These are just some of the questions Witte has asked himself throughout the year as he embraces servant leadership and his calling. “[CUC] is a good place to live out that calling, because you’re challenged every day in your Christian identity, surrounded by people who share the same beliefs and calling but who are also different and unique. We’re all just learning how to be a person who lives for Christ.”
In conversation with Dr. Robert Balza
O1
What drew you to CUC?
There are few Christian universities where faith is the foundation upon which academics are built as opposed to just sprinkled on top as an afterthought. When talking with President Dawn, it became evident that under his leadership CUC is and will remain one of those precious few universities. This clarity of vision and commitment to mission is what ultimately drew me here.
O2
How would you describe your vision for the academic life of CUC?
Higher education is facing strong headwinds right now. Confidence in the value of higher education is at a historic low. Despite that, CUC is uniquely positioned to fill needs in our community and church. Our community desperately needs healthcare workers who are grounded in Christian ethics. Our church desperately needs church workers who are faithfully formed yet able to serve a rapidly changing world. This is what our incredibly talented faculty do every day! Our church work programs are among the best in the Lutheran tradition—and many generous supporters have endowed scholarships to ensure these programs remain financially accessible to students—but our business, fine arts, and humanities graduates serve the church, too. These graduates become lay leaders in their
church and community. The Lutheran concept of vocation teaches us that God works through all of us in all our callings.
O3
Innovation is often discussed in higher education. What does meaningful innovation look like in a Lutheran university context?
It means we’re connected to workforce needs, but we’re not chasing every trend. The liberal arts foundation upon which an education at CUC is built has and will continue to endure the test of time. However, we must continue to adapt. As Christ says in the Gospel of John, we’re not to be of the world, but we are still in the world.
Consider artificial intelligence. Universities are currently challenged to redesign traditional assignments so students use AI to enhance their thinking, not replace it. We can’t ignore AI, but we can teach students to think critically and use technology ethically and responsibly in ways that align with our Lutheran identity.
Dr. Robert “Rob” Balza, Concordia University Chicago’s new vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer, arrived on campus in early January. Now, nearly half an academic year into his tenure, he shares more about being called to CUC, his vision for the University’s academic future, and balancing innovation with tradition.
O4
As you look ahead, what excites you most about CUC’s future?
So many opportunities lie before us. No regional competitor offers quality faith-integrated academic programs like we do, so we have the chance to become the destination for Chicagoland students who want academic rigor grounded in Christian values. The hunger and need for that type of education today should not be underestimated.
O 5
If you had the opportunity to pursue another degree—completely unrelated to your current role or past experience—what would you study and why?
My sister is a music professor, and I’ve always been impressed by her. I would love to spend more time with our music faculty in Kretzmann Hall. I’m so inspired by the performances of our talented music students in concerts and in chapel!
OPENING WEEKEND OF THE SPRING PRODUCTION, “MY FAIR LADY,” ON THE BERGMANN THEATRE STAGE
CURRENT NURSING STUDENTS, INCLUDING GUZMAN (CENTER, RIGHT), INTERACT WITH A PROFESSOR IN THE SIMULATION AND SKILLS LAB.
Nursing students— and program—celebrate growth
By: Megan Patsavas, Assistant Vice President of University Communications
Nursing isn’t just a career. It’s a ministry.
More than four years ago, Director of Nursing Kristen Bayer began working with University leaders to build a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that expands upon the legacy of Concordia University Chicago’s previous nursing partnerships with other universities and academic medical centers. Today, ten history-making students have graduated from the program—five in December and five in May—with the first cohort earning a 100% pass rate on their board exams. Now, nearly 100 other students are following in their footsteps.
“At Concordia-Chicago, we see nursing as a profound expression of Christian vocation,” said University President Dr. Russell Dawn. “We are called to care
for others, and so we launched the Nursing program to prepare students to serve those in need with excellence, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose.”
The program combines didactic classes with experiential learning in CUC’s stateof-the-art simulation and skills lab and through clinicals and capstone projects at hospitals and healthcare centers in the area. Small class sizes allow faculty to form close relationships with students, holding them to high standards while offering guidance and genuine care.
“We were extremely intentional when we were building this program,” said Associate Director of Nursing Dr. Laurie Zack, MSN, APRN, LPC. “We wanted to create a process that really supported the students through their growth and development, through that socialization
into the professional role of a nurse, and at the same time give a robust curriculum so that they are truly practice-ready.”
For students, becoming practiceready means integrating faith-based ethics and spiritual care, building empathy, serving the community, and developing clinical competence.
“Nursing is very focused on the whole person. It’s a holistic model of care,” Zack said. “You can’t separate a person’s spirituality from their health and well-being.”
Why nursing?
Sometimes students don’t even know why they’re drawn to nursing, said Bayer, MSN, APN, FNP-C—though there’s a common desire to help people, to be available to people when they’re at their lowest, often drawn from students’ own personal experiences.
“It’s more than just helping,” she continued. “It’s connection. It’s faith. It’s love. It’s care, concern, empathy, sympathy… it’s all those things.”
James Crocilla (BSN ’26), one of the most recent Nursing program graduates, remembers the nurses who spent time with him while he was in the hospital recovering from a football injury.
Another Nursing student, Yaritza Guzman, originally planned to study education at CUC. A moment in chapel during Jump Start changed everything: “I just felt something calling me to go toward the health sciences,” Guzman said. “And that’s when I realized that nursing was the thing I wanted to do.”
She added that her mom struggled with heart issues when she was younger, and the nurses who cared for her mom made all the difference.
“ [Those nurses] showed ‘I’m here not just to help you, but I’m here for you,’” Guzman said.
The first five graduates from CUC’s new Nursing program were celebrated in December 2025.
The second cohort of graduates from the new BSN program
Though lectures and clinicals can be challenging, students have the support of faculty, staff, and each other.
“If you want professors who are going to care about you and help you throughout the journey, this is definitely the place,” said Crocilla, adding that Bayer, Zack, and other CUC faculty have prepared him well for his vocation—helping him learn and spending extra time with him whenever he was struggling. “The Nursing program has opened a lot of doors in my life. I’ve met a lot of amazing people.”
At the center of it all is Christ. For Bayer, the way CUC’s Christian identity comes through in the Nursing program begins with Christ as the ultimate healer.
“He is the example for all of us… We can see examples of Him doing what we’re asking our students to do in what we read in the Bible,” Bayer said, adding, “Now go forth and be like Christ. Go forth and heal, go forth and help, go forth and comfort.”
Crocilla said the program helped him understand how each patient experiences life differently—but all deserve to feel welcome, not judged, and safe.
“Nursing is definitely my calling,” he added, later reflecting, “I feel like nursing really changed my perspective on what life is.”
Looking ahead
Dr. Sue Walsh, dean of the College of Health, Science & Technology, said the CUC Nursing program’s future could
include facility expansion, graduate nursing programs, and complementary allied health programs.
“Our vision is to continue striving to become a nationally recognized leader in faith-informed, interprofessional health education—preparing compassionate, skilled, and ethically grounded professionals,” Walsh said.
In the more immediate future, Bayer and Zack are building new partnerships in local communities, enhancing the current educational offerings, and developing new courses like Pillars of Compassion: Vocation of Nursing, which will be offered for the first time next spring. Pillars of Compassion is designed to guide freshman students in discerning if nursing is their calling and to help them form relationships with Nursing faculty and each other.
And if future cohorts of CUC nursing students are anything like the first few— those relationships will be strong.
“We all support each other in every way,” Guzman said of her class of Nursing students who study together. “We will not leave the library until everyone understands the material. We all care for each other… I think that’s amazing.”
To learn more about CUC’s Nursing program visit CUChicago.edu/nursing You can read about the December commencement of the first five graduates—and see photos—at CUChicago.edu/firstfive.
Rev. Simeon Raddatz (BA ‘13) blesses Crocilla during the spring nursing pinning ceremony.
Students and faculty use the new Anatomage Table.
Concordia-Chicago’s state-of-the-art simulation and skills lab has grown over the past few years, with new technology mostly funded by in-kind gifts and grants.
“What we say to the students a lot is they practice on plastic before they actually practice on people,“ Bayer said of the 4,500-square-foot lab, adding that handson, experiential learning gives students exposure to high-yield concepts.
The lab includes ultra-realistic Lifecast manikins that help students better connect with patients in clinical simulations and VR technology for immersion in nearly real scenarios. There’s hospital-grade equipment, including cardiac respiratory monitors, defibrillators, a cardiac catheter threading kit, chest tube kits, and OB kits.
The highlight of the space? A life-sized, touchscreen digital dissection table generously gifted to the University by Dr. John and Valerie Stodden. Valerie’s
mother, Rose Brehm Law, was an infirmary nurse who began working at Concordia Teachers College in the late 1950s. Decades later, their donation is helping the next generation of nurses better prepare to care for others.
The Anatomage Table allows students to see various 3D re-creations of real human bodies without the need for physical cadavers. Students can examine the different layers of a human body, interact with anatomical structures, observe physiological simulations, explore pathology, and even practice procedures.
“It’s changing the way we are able to explain difficult concepts to students,” Bayer said. “It’s just changing their ability to understand things, visually get it, and not just see it in a two-dimensional book.”
Most recently, staff installed a real-time call system so students can practice communicating with a nurses’ station from
the bedsides—just like they would in hospitals.
“We’ve created these learning spaces and these learning opportunities that are technology-driven,” said Zack. “We try to make the simulations as realistic and lifelike as possible so that when students walk into the hospital, there’s a comfort level and a confidence level.”
Serving our neighbors: College of Business’ Triad program connects Concordia-Chicago students with Maywood entrepreneurs
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
This year, the Free Enterprise Center (FEC) at Concordia University Chicago launched its new peer advisory program, Triad, to support 11 local business owners in the Maywood community, a neighboring village located within Proviso Township.
“The community has had its challenges, but they’re on the upswing,” said Bishop Dr. Reginald J. Saffo, retired pastor of United Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood and chairman of the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PTMAN), a local organization committed to community transformation. He also serves as Triad’s neighborhood partner, a key role in coordinating the relationship between Maywood and Concordia-Chicago. “A lot of things are happening economically, and [businesses] are looking for some place to get technical support.”
As part of the FEC’s mission, Triad, generously funded by the Bradley Foundation, is
designed to foster real relationships between the University’s College of Business (COB) students and nearby communities—giving students hands-on business experience while empowering and dignifying neighborhoods through long-term wealth building and poverty alleviation. Dr. Rachel Ferguson, director of the FEC, said that Triad is all about combining coaching and community in a way that engages students and empowers businesses.
The Triad program, which runs from January to April and August to November, matches Maywood entrepreneurs with a student intern and a CUC faculty or staff member with extensive experience in business, leadership, and management to serve as their executive coach.
Each triad (the entrepreneur, student, and faculty member) meets monthly for a personalized business coaching session. The students also provide additional support
through a five-hour weekly internship. Dr. Lynn Hunnicutt, dean of the College of Business and the creator of the Triad program, described this internship as an experience that “helps students discern who they are, what they’re about, and how they’re going to show up in the world.”
Triad also hosts a monthly peer advisory session focused on personal development and spiritual reflection. The 11 triads are split into a morning and afternoon workshop, where the entrepreneurs receive external feedback, support, and brainstorming help to navigate their individual opportunities and challenges. In between sessions, the FEC hosts a lunch where both entrepreneurs and students can network with business leaders, banks, and investors.
“[The sessions] are a forum for the business owners to come together and tap into the collective wisdom of each other, as well as the other coaches and students,” said Matt Deutschman, Triad’s peer advisory group facilitator and a fourth-generation entrepreneur and business owner. In addition to Triad, Deutschman serves as a peer advisory group chair for Convene, a Christian business networking organization.
“Having a community like this enables business owners to identify blind spots; maximize opportunities; minimize risk; avoid mistakes; and make better, more confident decisions faster,” said Deutschman. “We’ve already seen outstanding connections made and some great discussions to help our entrepreneurs with the vital projects they’re working on, and we’re just getting started.”
The 11 businesses accepted into the program offer students a wide range of experiences and real-world applications that get them out of the classroom and exposed to new communities.
Zachary Sodergren, an incoming junior majoring in theology and business management, has been working with Tomorrow’s Light, a nonprofit organization focused on violence prevention, youth empowerment, and re-entry support programs for community members.
He said, “My experience in the Triad program has allowed me to apply classroom learning in a real-world nonprofit setting. Working with Tomorrow’s Light has strengthened my leadership, communication, and service skills while deepening my passion for purpose-driven business and community impact.”
Nathaniel Stuart, FEC project lead and adjunct professor for the COB, said, “Most of [the students] have never been to communities like this. We want them to be able to go into a place with humility but also with a willingness to be of assistance. How do I interact with my neighbors? How do I love my neighbors? How do I let my neighbors love me?”
For Hunnicutt, the answer lies in pluralism, the idea that multiple groups and ideas can positively contribute toward a greater whole. For Triad, it means serving the businesses, the neighbors, and the neighborhood carefully and collaboratively, with a heart willing to listen first and solve later. “A lot of the work we do in the college is focused on pluralism. You have to be able to talk across differences and listen to others—to be able to seek and discern through paying attention.”
That sentiment is reflected in the program’s spiritual framework that embraces the benefits of shared knowledge and diverse
thinking. Triad’s three guiding Proverbs include “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (27:17), “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (15:22), and “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (11:14).
Though the work in Maywood is just beginning, the FEC hopes to use Triad as an example for other colleges and universities interested in effective poverty alleviation and neighborhood stabilization in local communities. Ferguson described the program’s work as ministering to people while helping them build skills that can sustain their communities and autonomy.
Already, the program has made big strides in fostering relationships with Maywood. Saffo is optimistic about the program’s success and sustainability, especially regarding its impact on job creation and community development. He hopes that the program will not only bolster the businesses and the economy but also have a real impact on the people who live and work there. “Once [this program] becomes more popular, I believe it’s going to grow exponentially. The possibilities are there.”
Students, staff, and Maywood entrepreneurs tapped into the collective wisdom of their colleagues, solving challenges and exploring ideas for growth, at the first peer advisory session of the year.
How the College of Education honors its rich history of Lutheran teacher preparation while responding to
the needs of students today
By: Megan Patsavas, Assistant Vice President of University Communications
The world was very different when the first group of students arrived at the Evangelical Lutheran Teachers Seminary in Addison, Ill., the institution now known as Concordia University Chicago. The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, today The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), already had seminaries in St. Louis, Mo., and Fort Wayne, Ind., to prepare young men to be pastors and teachers.
But in 1851, as Alfred J. Freitag detailed in his 1964 book “College with a Cause,” Revs. Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken and Carl Ferdinand Wilhem Walther met with Rev. Wilhem Loehe in Germany to discuss the need for a dedicated teachers seminary, as “relief for pastors who were teaching school was urgently needed.”
Around the same time, three other pastors established a private teachers seminary in Milwaukee that later gained synodical sponsorship and was relocated to Fort Wayne—an effort Freitag described as
A“the historic seed from which Concordia Teachers College finally emerged.”
“Concordia Teachers College is the first of the Synod’s colleges devoted exclusively to teacher training,” he wrote, and today— after a few name changes—it’s the oldest LCMS institution that still trains teachers.
More than a century and a half after the institution’s beginning, alongside other growing academic programs, Concordia-Chicago’s College of Education continues its strong tradition of preparing students to serve in Lutheran schools, while also expanding its legacy to include educators who serve in public school settings as classroom teachers, school leaders, and administrators. The University prepares more traditional undergraduate students for teaching than for any other vocation—and prepares graduate-level teachers through its Master of Arts in Teaching program, too. The College of Education also has more masters and doctoral graduates than any other college within the University—and is consistently recognized as the top principal preparation program in Illinois, according to Illinois State Board of Education completer data.
“Not only are the education programs here historic and have deep roots,” said Jared Stiek (MA ‘15), assistant professor and assistant dean of CUC’s College of Education, “but as they continue to grow and expand, they remain strong because of that firm foundation.”
Associate Professor Dr. Anne Thies (CQ ‘20) said the College’s roots, its history and identity as a Lutheran teacher preparation institution, shape “everything we do.”
“We integrate a theology of vocation with strong clinical practice and research-based pedagogy,” said Thies, who is also the director of CUC’s Center for Christian Education. “Students are formed to see teaching as both professional excellence and faithful service.”
Another important part of the College’s strength is its accreditation. Its programs are nationally recognized by their respective specialized professional associations, and the entire teacher preparation program has maintained national accreditation since 1994.
“I was drawn to Concordia-Chicago because of the legacy. I’ve heard such wonderful things about Concordia since I was a kid,” said Jesse Schultz (BS ‘23, MA ’25), now an adjunct professor at CUC and assistant middle school principal at Christ Community Lutheran School in St. Louis.
Schultz’s parents are both alumni, as are his grandmother and many other extended family members. He and Ruth Eatherton (BS ’26), a recent graduate from the Lutheran Teacher Education program, both shared how CUC’s faculty shaped their experiences.
“We have fantastic professors who have really made an impact on me,” Eatherton said. “I have been able to apply many things that I’ve learned at Concordia… and it’s just amazing to see that in action!”
Stiek said that current faculty are grateful to be able to continue to use materials from well-known emeriti like Professors Dr. Ruth Champagne, Dr. Shirley Morgenthaler, and Dr. William Rietschel.
“The program was and continues to be strengthened by high-quality faculty,” he added.
To ensure future teachers and administrators are equipped to serve students and schools well, College of Education Dean Dr. Maja Miskovic emphasized how important it is for higher education to be attuned to market changes.
“Whether discontinuing or developing programs, we need to be informed not just by the state requirements but market needs as well, such as shortage of teachers or high demand for endorsements or accelerated degrees,” she said. Last year, the College developed four new endorsements for early childhood, gifted education, reading teacher, and teacher leadership—and an accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education program.
Miskovic noted that other changes in higher education that are reflected in the College of Education include a shift toward more specialized preparation and vocationalism, both at the undergraduate and graduate level; a breakdown of the dichotomy between traditional and nontraditional students; and an increase in online learning that began before the COVID-19 pandemic.
But not all is new. CUC’s Lutheran Education Journal, which was titled EvangelischLutherisches Schulblatt (Evangelical Lutheran School Paper) when it started in 1865, is making a return. The University still works closely with the Lutheran Education Association (LEA), and the Center for Christian Education works to extend CUC’s past into the present. The center connects current students, alumni, and other teachers and administrators in the field of education, providing resources, training, and professional development. It also supports local Lutheran schools.
“Something that CUC was really good at was reminding us that the trends and the new technologies, they come and go, they’re always going to be changing,” Schultz said, “but what matters most, at the heart of it all, are the students and how to best serve your students.”
Another constant is CUC’s location, which provides future teachers the opportunity to observe in a variety of settings—from its own Early Childhood Education Center and other Christian schools to public schools, all different sizes with different resources.
“I think a student from Concordia-Chicago or River Forest or Teachers College has always had the benefit of getting their education in a very diverse environment,” reflected Richard Richter (BA ‘72, MA ‘76), who served CUC for many years, most recently as director of instructional design and technology. “I think that’s an important part of shaping Lutheran education. It’s being open to bringing the Word of Christ to all nations and to all cultures and to all communities.”
Catherine Graham, a graduate student in the Gifted Education master’s program, shared how connecting with colleagues who don’t have the same experiences she does and aren’t in the same part of the country—she’s from Tacoma, Wash. —has broadened her horizons.
As a public-school teacher, she doesn’t tell her students about Jesus—but she does show them law and gospel when they mess up.
“Sometimes they need to understand that their actions have a serious impact,” Graham said, adding, “I can be like, ‘No, you hurt someone. You need to take steps to repair that. And I love you. I care for you. I will continue to be your teacher and root for you as long as you are in my life...’ because that’s the grace that has been shown to me, and that’s the grace that I know is open to them, whether or not they know that yet.”
BAddison campus circa 1910s A
River Forest campus B
Students studying circa 1920s C
D
Schultz (top, third from left), Stiek (bottom, center), and the LTE class of 2023
Eatherton student-teaching E
E
C D
CONCORDIA-CHICAGO’S NEW WELCOME CENTER WAS FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Welcoming the next generation to Concordia-Chicago
By: Lily Seifferlein (BA ’26)
On any given day at 7400 Augusta Street, one might see a tour guide in a maroon polo walking backwards across campus, gesturing toward buildings while answering questions from prospective students and their families. I have been one of those tour guides since my very first semester at Concordia University Chicago. Some days, my work at Undergraduate Admissions (UGA) consisted of folding T-shirts and assembling folders. On other days, I led tours around campus, speaking with families about the professors, programs, and community that have shaped me into the person I am today.
My own college decision process was far from linear. I remember feeling overwhelmed by options, uncertain about where I would be best situated, and unsure of how to make such a significant choice. Being able to walk alongside high school students who may feel similarly overwhelmed has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at UGA. I got to speak to them honestly about what this place has meant to me and to help them imagine what it might mean for them. As a graduate, I can look back on my four years and see how I grew within a faith-centered community that forms and supports one another. Concordia-Chicago gave me an appreciation for beauty, a desire for truth,
Lily Seifferlein, from Lancaster, Pa., is a 2026 graduate of Concordia University Chicago, where she had a dual major in English and Strategic Communication with a minor in Theology.
and the confidence to carry those values into the vocations that now lie ahead.
In UGA, first impressions matter. They shape conversations and often linger long after a visit ends. That is why so many of us are excited about Concordia-Chicago’s new welcome center. Accessible through the campus’s iconic pillars entrance, the welcome center will provide a dedicated space for greeting visitors. The renovated interior of Addison Hall will include a reception area, meeting spaces for students, and a restored porch space that highlights the building’s historic beauty. This project was funded through a capital grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and broke ground in July 2025.
Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk, vice president for strategic operations, emphasized the importance of intentionality when describing the vision behind the project. “We want to make sure that one’s first experience upon entering the building reflects the same level of excellence that enrolled students experience when attending ConcordiaChicago,” she explained.
The welcome center will be more than just a starting point for tours; it will be a space where families are greeted with clarity and warmth. Signage, design, and layout will all work together to communicate CUC’s identity from the moment guests
step inside. As Kowalczyk put it, “We know that students often choose a smaller school because they want to be known by faculty and staff—that is, they want a more personalized experience. As a Christcentered institution, we serve God through our service to our students. Our work begins the minute a student and their family walk through the pillars of Addison Hall.”
Kyle Thoms, assistant vice president for undergraduate enrollment, sees firsthand how families experience campus when they arrive for a visit. He emphasized the important role this new space will play in UGA’s work.
“The welcome center will allow us to use the front doors to CUC,” he explained. “Through those front doors, we will welcome prospective families and guests to campus with another level of hospitality, authenticity, and intentionality. We are excited for the opportunities that the welcome center will provide so we can continue to serve our guests well!”
This vision of hospitality is also reflected in the welcome center’s location. University President Dr. Russell Dawn highlighted the importance of the project’s placement. In a recent conversation, he stated, “Placing the welcome center just inside our magnificent, pillared entrance tells the perfect story to each visitor. The story opens with strength, beauty, and awe and ends with warmth, care, and a sense of belonging. The pillars say that education matters, and the welcome says that you matter.” The pillars of Concordia have long stood as a visible emblem of the University’s religious and academic commitments. The new welcome center will ensure that every visit begins in that same spirit.
During my time at UGA, my tours returned again and again to highlight ConcordiaChicago’s Christ-centered community. In Addison Hall, I spoke about lively classroom discussions and professors who knew my name. As we passed Lindemann and Kohn, I described the friendships formed in residence halls that last well beyond graduation. In chapel, I shared my experience gathering at 11 each morning, where faculty, staff, and students join in worship. The welcome center will give those stories a place to begin, walking students and their families through Concordia-Chicago’s pillars and toward theopportunities, relationships, and vocations that await them.
Concordia-Chicago in Five
We challenged our students to describe CUC in five words or fewer.
WONDERFUL LUTHERAN ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE
—Troy Zimmerman, Fort Wayne, Ind.
TEACHING WITH DEDICATION AND COMPASSION
—Joshua Gustafson (BA ‘26), Merrill, Wis.
PEOPLE THAT LAST A LIFETIME
—Colton Bosch, Coopersville, Mich.
CHRIST-CENTERED PURSUIT OF TRUTH
—Lily Seifferlein (BA ‘26), Lancaster, Pa.
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE
—Linley Southern, Decatur, Ill.
PLAYING MUSIC FROM MY HEART
—Melanie Goman (BS ‘26), Chicago, Ill.
MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME
—Anna Williams, Grand Blanc, Mich.
FULL OF CHRIST’S WONDERFUL SERVANTS
—Ephraim Fisher, Yorkville, Ill.
THE PATH SET BY CHRIST
—Bethzy Almanza, Chicago, Ill.
LOVE, KINDNESS, HONORABLE, HISTORIC, HOME
—Isabel Perez, Sturgis, Mich.
LUTHERAN, REVERENT, LITURGICAL, FUN, INSIGHTFUL
—Edward Sikora, DeWitt, Mich.
DEDICATED PROFESSORS AND DIVERSE STUDENTS
—Eva Fitzgerald (BA ‘26), Katy, Texas
Campus Snapshot
ANNA WILLIAMS AND TAMARA PENALBERT DAVILA WERE ON A WINNING STREAK AT BINGO NIGHT HELD BY THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION.
Photo captured by Emily Greene (BA ’26)
Dr. David Rogner’s four decades of poetry, hymns, and teaching
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
The office of Dr. David Rogner (BA ’82), distinguished professor emeritus of English and hymn writer, looked exactly as you’d expect: a dense jungle of books, papers, and mementos covering nearly every surface. “I’m not one of those clean desk people,” said Rogner as he tried to clear off a small portion of his desk. It was immediately clear that there wasn’t enough space to contain 40 years of service and scholarship. As Rogner plans to retire on July 1, 2026, his legacy and contributions to teaching spill out of every drawer and shelf in sight.
A Lutheran legacy
“My family is deeply rooted in Lutheran education,” explained Rogner, whose family has a long history at Concordia University Chicago. His father, Albert Rogner (BS ’51), attended CUC through the GI Bill after serving in World War II. After graduation, his father became a Lutheran school teacher and a principal. Two of Rogner’s brothers also studied to become Lutheran teachers at CUC, and his sister taught kindergarten at a Lutheran school.
In 1978, Rogner continued that legacy, but his pursuit of Lutheran education came with a slight twist. “I came here because I thought I wanted to be a Lutheran high school English teacher—English and art teacher, actually.”
Rogner’s interest in art and poetry was a departure from his family’s pursuit of music. Both his father and brother were church musicians, and his mother and other siblings were musically inclined.
“I’ve always had music in my life,” added Rogner, who grew up in the church choir and eventually sang in his brother’s choir. “When I saw my parents and my older siblings going into music, I felt, maybe unconsciously, that I wanted to do something different. I chose poetry and art.”
Bridging the beautiful
After graduating, Rogner taught at a Lutheran high school for four years before returning to Concordia in 1986, where he began combining his dual passions for poetry and art in unexpected ways.
“A lot of my work has been trying to synthesize connections between literature and art,” said Rogner. In addition to showing art in his literature class, Rogner, along with Distinguished Professor of Music Dr. Maurice Boyer, has been teaching an honors course called The Experience of Beauty. In it, the two discuss what’s beautiful or not beautiful across literature, art, and music— all subjects that encapsulate Rogner’s life and career. “I’ve always wanted to convince students that art matters, because we’re increasingly in a very utilitarian world where
students are saying, ‘I’m only in college so I can get a degree that gets me a job.’”
“So what do I do? I go in and teach poems that don’t have anything to do with getting a job. But [the poems] are beautiful, and they’re often full of profound ideas about who [students] are and how they should think about their lives… Sometimes I’ll teach a poem, and I’ll say to students as they’re leaving class, ‘Your life is better now because you got a little insight into humanity in this poem. Take that with you.’”
Motif, mentorship, and the meaningful
O ne of the most rewarding parts of his career has been his work as editor of Motif, the University’s annual creative arts journal that began in 1960. Rogner, who took on the role in 1997, has been the longest-running editor to date.
As editor, Rogner’s vision was to resurrect the ethos of the journal. For inspiration, Rogner looked to the original 1960s, bringing back hymns and a sermon in each issue as his predecessors, Dr. Henry Lettermann (HS ‘50, BS ‘54) and Dr. F. Samuel Janzow, professors of English at Concordia-Chicago, had done.
It’s his way of keeping tradition alive and providing a place for students across the
arts to publish their works. “The most gratifying thing is when Motif is unveiled, and students come and start picking them up… I mean, I love teaching literature, but the part where I get to mentor students in their creative work is really meaningful to me.”
Rogner’s mentorship goes beyond the classroom. His personal and professional impact spans generations of students and colleagues who remember him fondly.
Brian Fruits-Esparza (BA ’03), a former student and colleague of Rogner’s who now teaches theatre full-time at Joliet Junior College in Illinois, is one of those people. “In 2014, fresh out of graduate school and without full-time teaching experience, David took a chance on me. I would not be in my 13th year of college teaching— nor directing Shakespeare productions across the country—without Dr. Rogner’s influence,” he said.
Andy Pederson (BA ’01), a former student and professor at CUC, now at A.D. Players Theater in Houston, shared a similar sentiment: “David took me seriously as a
student when I absolutely should not have been taken seriously. His attention to my work, my writing, and my thoughts gave them a validity that they did not possess on their own and made me consider what it was I was putting out in the world. He made me want to be better, not for myself, but for those I was training to serve.”
For Lisa (Greimann) Carnehl (BA ‘12), her lifelong friendship with the “sage and witty bibliophile” extended far beyond the classroom: “I, like all of his former students, know Dr. Rogner will be leaving a profound legacy at Concordia-Chicago as a professor who cared deeply for his students and broadened our minds to see the truth, goodness, and beauty of God’s love as revealed to us through Scripture, poetry, music, and literature.”
While Rogner will no longer be in the classroom, his investment in the creative arts will still be felt throughout the English department. A few years ago, he set up the Rogner Family Scholarship Endowment in Creative Writing. Upon his retirement, a small scholarship will be awarded to a creative writing student each year. In addition, a portion of his estate will ensure Motif lives on long after he’s gone. Both highlight Rogner’s commitment to his students and the continuation of tradition, teaching, and the arts.
A hymn writer emerges
A well-known fact about Rogner is that he’s not just an English professor. When he’s not grading papers or teaching, he’s composing hymns—a musical calling he couldn’t seem to escape. “If you had asked me when I started in 1986, ‘Are you going to end up being the guy who’s known for writing hymn texts?’ I would have said no. I like to say that it found me rather than I found it.”
Throughout the years, Rogner has collaborated with his colleagues from the Music department to set his texts to music. Notable collaborators include
Dr. Carl Schalk (BS ’52), Lutheran composer and distinguished professor of music; Jonathan Kohrs (BA ’85, MCM ‘93), adjunct professor of music; and Dr. Jonathan Stahlke, current professor of music.
“Collaborating with David Rogner has been more than a joy,” said Stahlke. “It is challenging and stimulating and produces results that are greater than the sum of its parts. When David brings a new hymn text to the table, it’s a true collaboration between poet and composer.”
On Oct. 19, 2025, Rogner celebrated his biggest musical accomplishment to date: a hymn festival dedicated to his accomplishments as a hymn writer and a testament to his talents as a writer of many forms. “There’s a highlight of my career right there. I never thought that I would have something like that happen, where people would devote an entire event to all the texts I wrote.”
Above all, he credits the discovery of this calling to God. “I think God’s hand was leading me and saying, here’s something that I think you’re good at, so I’m following that calling—I’m listening to it. And that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 30 years.”
Continued callings
It’s hard to confine Rogner’s legacy to any single pursuit: he’s been a poet, a writer of hymns, and a Lutheran teacher in the tradition of his family. Still, Rogner makes it clear that he’s always “cared about teaching more than anything else.”
Rogner, who will retire from teaching, doesn’t plan to retire altogether. He imagines this time as a space for hymn writing and a bit of travel. “That’s something people do in retirement, right? Where are all those far-flung places in the world you want to go?”
Putting all the pieces together, Rogner’s many passions intersect in unexpected ways. “At some point, what I realized I’m most interested in is the work of synthesis,
of trying to bring things together. In a hymn, what you’re doing is trying to bring poetry and theology together, along with music. And all of those things create together a kind of coherent whole.”
He added, “As a devoted Lutheran Christian, I hope that my writing is somehow channeling the divine Word. That’s especially true in my hymn text, but in other things too, that the Word of God is coming through me and that I’m, on a smaller scale, trying to replicate this imaginative act God did in creation in the things that I write for other people.”
While he will be sorely missed by students and colleagues, his legacy will endure long after his office has been emptied. As the saying goes, when one chapter ends, another begins. For Rogner, the next chapter will start with a pen, paper, and an unwavering commitment to Christ through the arts.
Dr. Jonathan Laabs’ 49-year legacy in Lutheran education
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
For Dr. Jonathan Laabs (BA ’77, MA ’80), emeritus executive director of the Lutheran Education Association (LEA), retirement began where his career first started: at Concordia University Chicago, headquarters of LEA and a place he’s called home for 34 years. This year, Laabs celebrates 49 years of service in full-time Lutheran education ministry and 28 ½ years of LEA leadership that has spanned continents and cultures.
“When we talk about Lutheran education, we’re talking not just about where we grew up or where we’re called to serve,” Laabs explained. “We’re talking about the big picture in God’s world. My ministry allowed me to put into practice what I learned and to, especially in my position at LEA, think globally.”
Across his time in education, Laabs worked on a volunteer basis with LEA, serving on the executive board as the VP for public relations and membership, president-elect, and later president. In 1997, LEA called Laabs as the full-time executive director.
Mike Schiemann, LEA board chair, shared that “Jon has been a faithful servant in Lutheran education for years. Jon’s ministry always pointed to the cross, and I believe that’s why it has been so effective. Jon leaves a legacy behind as he retires, but it’s one that will shine brightly into the future.”
As a part of his vision, Laabs created the LEA Global Symposium, held in conjunction with the triennial LEA Convocation, to bring together Lutheran educators from across the globe. Laabs explained that
Laabs performing in Concordia Teachers College’s 1976 spring production of “The Fantasticks”
he wanted “everybody to see Lutheran education as bigger than where they are. To do that, you need to tell people what’s happening, and even more than telling them is experiencing it.”
Global Lutheran education isn’t something Laabs takes lightly. He’s traveled to more than 85 countries, participating in conferences, consulting, visiting schools, and engaging in educational opportunities. Those visits, along with hosting many individuals and groups from other countries in the United States, often led to new and lasting relationships.
Dr. Kwadwo Gyamfi, former director of Evangelical Lutheran schools in Ghana, is one of the friends Laabs made during his travels. Gyamfi noted that Laabs’ visit transformed the landscape of Lutheran education there and planted the seed for a network of Lutheran schools across the country, now the independently run LEA-Ghana.
“Through it all, Jon was not just a leader,” said Gyamfi. “He was an inspiration, a steady hand, and held a visionary heart. It was under his supportive gaze that Ghana’s contribution to Lutheran education was not just noticed but celebrated.”
Ghana wasn’t the only country where Laabs made lasting relationships. He’s helped develop similar organizations in Asia, Central America, and South Africa.
Richard Richter (BA ‘72, MA ’76), director of instructional design and technology at CUC, worked closely with Laabs to promote
Laabs presented Gyamfi with LEA’s Distinguished International Lutheran Educator Award.
Lutheran education abroad, including in China, Palestine, and Europe. Together, they helped develop LEA-South Africa. Since then, about 20 new Lutheran schools and early childhood centers have opened.
“Working alongside Jonathan was both a privilege and a formative experience,” said Richter. “His quiet wisdom, deep faith, and unwavering commitment to Lutheran education shaped not only the early foundations of LEA–South Africa but also those of us called to serve alongside him.”
At its core, Laabs’ work has always been about connecting educators and, through that connection, expanding resources, exchanging ideas, and growing compassionately together in Christ. LEA allowed him to pursue that work on a global stage.
Though retired from full-time ministry, Laabs continues to serve LEA part-time as an event planning advisor and global ambassador during the transition to new executive director Dr. Thomas Wrege. Independently, he plans to travel more, make new connections, and extend his calling by working with Christian educators worldwide. “Everything around us changes, but the basic Word of God and our mission in taking it to the world will not change. Using education as a strong base for carrying out the mission and ministry of the Church in an ever-changing world can be done in new and innovative ways, while keeping relationships at the heart of what we are called to do.”
A first-generation alumna’s trailblazing path to medical school
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
Michelle Aguilar-Medina’s (BS ’24) path to medicine began humbly: in a kindergarten classroom with a piece of paper and a crayon. When asked what she wanted to be, she drew a picture of herself caring for a patient as the future Dr. Medina.
Today, Medina is turning that dream into reality. She is nearing completion of her one-year Master of Medical
Science (MMS) at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Erie, Pa. Last December, she received conditional acceptance into LECOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program, dependent on her final GPA. For students who make the cut, it’s a great pathway into the field of medicine.
Born and raised in the northwest side of Chicago, Medina grew up with a single mother and five siblings. As the eldest, she described her childhood as full of responsibilities, a role that nurtured her talents for caregiving and armed her with the patience and persistence to pursue medicine. Medina also remembers spending a good portion of her life in and out of the doctor’s office—for her mom, her siblings, and herself.
“Growing up, I was always the translator for my mom and my doctor,” said Medina, who wants to specialize in pediatrics. “I knew this wasn’t right. Why don’t I have someone to represent me, my people, my mom?”
Representation and visibility are important issues for Medina, especially when it comes
to helping minority communities: “I want to be somebody that [kids] can look up to. I want them to see somebody who looks like them so they know they can do it.”
Even before she started at Concordia University Chicago, Medina was just as active and steadfast in her pursuit of excellence. An Illinois State Scholar and high school valedictorian, Medina brought that same energy to college in 2020, right when everything shut down.
“I wanted to be a doctor. My goal was to go somewhere that would support me and help me grow not only as a person but also within my field,” she said, describing her application process as successful but full of questions, hard decisions, and endless possibilities as a first-generation college student.
She added, “I got accepted to DePaul, to Loyola, to all of the bigger ones, but I knew I was going to be a number out of 100 students, and I really didn’t want that. I wanted that one-on-one interaction. I thought CUC would be a great fit.”
Medina completed her first year without ever setting foot on campus. Despite the online format, Medina’s go-getter approach never stopped. By the end of freshman year, Medina was the secretary for the Campus Activities Board, the vice president of the Latino Student Union (later president her sophomore year), and a student ambassador.
Beyond her extracurriculars, Medina pursued medicine through volunteer work and research internships.
“It was immediately clear that [Medina] was a standout student: bright, self-driven, and genuinely passionate about science,”
said Dr. Katarzyna Konior, associate professor of biology and a mentor to Medina. “She impressed me with her maturity, her meticulous preparation, and her ability to motivate those around her. Michelle approached every task with enthusiasm and a deep love of learning.”
In the community, Medina became a caregiver, providing daily life and physical therapy assistance to an older resident nearby. At the same time, Medina volunteered at Rush Oak Park Hospital in both the pulmonary and cardiac rehab center and the telemetry unit. Despite experiencing the harsh realities of the hospital, Medina made it clear that she still wanted to pursue medicine.
By her junior year, Medina turned to the career center, even though her next step wasn’t clear. Jerry Pinotti, director of career services, helped her find her footing.
“Character is following a path even when you cannot see the finish line,” said Pinotti. “But Michelle always listened, she always worked, and she always got experience. She showed immense character on her journey to becoming a doctor.”
After a brief gap year, and with the help of Pinotti and the Career Services team, Medina—who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minors in Spanish and Chemistry—was accepted into LECOM at the beginning of 2025.
Adjusting to life at LECOM was a challenge, but Medina emphasized how important her communities have been in shaping her success—both her family and her friends and mentors at CUC. She said she’s already built that same kind of community at LECOM: “We all want to pass, we all want to see each other become doctors, and we want everyone to grow and accomplish their dreams.”
After medical school, Medina dreams of coming back to Chicago and working at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, where she and her siblings used to go for appointments, a career trajectory that would bring her journey full circle.
As ambitious as Medina is, she has always made sure to ground herself in what matters most. Her journey is not just a lesson in diligence; it’s also about the people who pushed her forward.
“I’m a first-generation [college student]. I’m Hispanic. I’m a woman in the STEM field. My journey has not been an easy one,” said Medina. “All of this is the first time not only for me but for my family... that means I have to put even more work into it. I need to succeed, and I want to succeed—not only for me. More than anything, it’s for my family.”
From the Archives
CONCORDIA TEACHERS COLLEGE SHOWED OFF ITS SCHOOL SPIRIT IN THE 1950S WITH ICONIC LETTERMAN GEAR AND PLUSHIES.
A reflection on my first year at Concordia-Chicago Athletics
By: John Jaramillo, Director of Athletics
I have worked at a few other institutions, but Concordia University Chicago is a special place with vast potential to enter uncharted territories. Since I started as the director of athletics at CUC last August, I have experienced several truths that are regularly reinforced during my time on campus.
Our community is welcoming and caring. From day one, I have felt the kindness of the CUC community as they welcomed me with open arms, caring words, and supportive actions. University President Dr. Russell Dawn and Dean of Students Kathy Gebhardt (BA ‘96) have shown supportive leadership, including regular attendance at home games. University Chaplain Rev. Simeon Raddatz (BA ‘13) has taken time to meet with our staff and lend an ear. Many of the student-athletes go out of their way to greet me and start conversations. All of this makes Concordia-Chicago feel like home.
Our University is centered in Christ every day. The care shown by our CUC community is connected to standing tall for the truth we find in the love of God and our faith in Jesus Christ. I see our student-athletes prioritize their belief in His Word alongside their athletic abilities every day. Students pray before and after practices and competitions. Staff pray at meetings. Teams attend chapel together and organize Bible study groups. Our students listen to God’s Word and act according to His Word, too.
Our faculty and staff prioritize student success. It is an honor to have colleagues who genuinely care about developing students and support them during their time at Concordia-Chicago and beyond. Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Erin Real meets
with me regularly to foster alignment of academics and athletics. Coaches such as Greg Manos (men’s volleyball) and Sarah O’Malley-Fisher (softball), among many others, conduct regular one-on-one sessions with their students to keep them on track in their studies, their sport, and their lives. We are united in doing everything possible to give CUC students the best chance to achieve their goals.
Our Athletic department is thriving. Each CUC team is showing improvement in different ways, in competition and behind the scenes, with more room for growth and sustained success. CUC football doubled its previous season’s win total in 2025 and is primed to keep the momentum going this fall. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams were in the hunt for postseason play until the very last day of the regular season. The men’s cross country team earned its best Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) finish since 2014. Our teams are becoming competitive and raising the bar every day.
Our students achieve amazing things. CUC attracts students who thrive in a small, faith-driven community that dares them to dream big, while providing the foundation and tools to help them achieve those dreams. First-year students like Ai Yonemura (women’s basketball) and Devynn Woywod (track and field) found their footing with excellent rookie performances. Beyond the fields and courts, we have student leaders like Linley Southern (women’s basketball and softball) and Carson Knoll (men’s basketball) who represented CUC and the NACC at the annual National Collegiate Athletic Association Convention this past
January. We also have alumni who have returned to campus to give back to the next generation of Cougars.
As I reflect on the start of my time here at Concordia-Chicago, I am reminded of what is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” While every athletic season at CUC might look different, our purpose has remained the same: to prepare our student-athletes to pursue their callings—on and off the court— faithfully and steadfastly in Christ.
Go Cougars! Roll Cougs!
John Jaramillo joined the department as director of athletics in August 2025, bringing extensive collegiate leadership experience to River Forest following a 10-year tenure at Roosevelt University, where he served as the director of athletics for six years. He started his athletics administration career at the University of Illinois Chicago. A native of Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood, Jaramillo and his family live in Elmwood Park, Ill.
Former CUC men’s basketball standout
Justin
Greenlee lives the NBA dream
while working for the Chicago Bulls
By: John Jaramillo, Director of Athletics
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is typically the dream destination for young men who grow up playing basketball, even if the probability of that dream becoming a reality is slim.
Justin Greenlee (BA ’24), a four-year starter for Concordia University Chicago’s men’s basketball team, took a unique path from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III hoops to his dream role with one of the most famous organizations in the world.
Greenlee recently completed his first season as coordinator of alumni relations for the six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls. Among his many memorable moments this year, he highlighted planning the jersey retirement ceremony for Bulls legend and 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose.
“We had 30 former teammates, coaches, and staff members there for Derrick,” said Greenlee, who admitted it was a huge lift within the first three months of working for the Bulls. “There was a group photo on the court with everyone there, and that image was the culmination of all the hard work we put in.”
Basketball has been a huge part of Greenlee’s life as long as he can remember. Growing up in Brown Deer, Wis., Greenlee tried his hand at other sports, but he always came back to the hardwood. He said his desire to play led him to Concordia-Chicago.
“Being by Chicago, it was close enough from home but far enough from home,” said Greenlee. “The staff also helped me see that Concordia-Chicago is somewhere I could grow as a player, grow in my faith, and grow off the court in my professional interests.”
As soon as Greenlee arrived in River Forest, he began playing basketball. But by the end of his sophomore year, he knew he had to make some changes.
“I was playing a lot, but I knew I was too small to reach my potential,” Greenlee admitted. “I felt like I was right there, and that summer I decided that I was going to leave nothing on the table. I was intent on giving my all and living with the results.”
“He started his career at CUC weighing 150 pounds and graduated at a solid 175 pounds,” noted Ken Howard (MA ‘18), CUC’s head strength and conditioning coach. “This transformation is a testament to his hard work and commitment, not only to the game of basketball but also to his physical and personal development.”
The end of his sophomore year was also the time when Greenlee focused more on his faith. During what he called a “roller-coaster” stretch of time in 2022, he experienced two deaths in his family. Greenlee admitted feeling lost.
“That summer I wanted to find out who I was, what I wanted to do, and build a foundation for my life,” Greenlee reflected. “That is when I started actively seeking the Lord and centering my life on Him.”
Once his junior year started, Greenlee became stronger in his faith, in his physical stature, and as a leader—something that Head Men’s Basketball Coach Rashaan Surles saw in the two years he mentored Greenlee.
“He led more by example than anything,” said Surles. “Justin wasn’t always the loudest guy in the room, but when he spoke, people listened. He held himself to a high standard, and that naturally pushed the guys around him to do the same.”
Greenlee tapped into his basketball background as he prepared for life after graduation. He started as an intern with his hometown Milwaukee Bucks before working with the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.
While in Indianapolis, he attended a Career in Sports Forum hosted by the NCAA, a transformational experience that helped him land a post-graduate internship. He worked with the men’s basketball staff at national headquarters and helped with large-scale events such as March Madness and the Final Four.
A mentor at the NCAA encouraged Greenlee to create a five-year plan of skills he had and skills he needed. When he first learned about the alumni relations role with the Bulls, he compared it to his five-year plan, and everything aligned.
“It was the perfect role, tailor-made for me,” Greenlee said. “I knew I had to go for it.”
Now Greenlee makes dreams happen for Bulls fans of all ages, creating moments for die-hard Chicago basketball fans who get to meet their favorite former players. It’s a dream come true for Greenlee, who is creating more space for following the Word of Christ within the world of basketball.
Greenlee does this by living his life by Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
“I lived by that, whether in lifting, basketball practice, and off the court, and I still do,” Greenlee said. “Whatever happens, if I live by that, I can go to sleep and go wherever God takes me.”
25th anniversary of men’s and women’s soccer
By: Kayla McCloud (BA ‘21, MA ‘25), Director of Athletic Communications
This year, we celebrate the 25th season of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. The Cougars continue building their legacy in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). Since the 2000s, both programs have provided student-athletes with opportunities to compete at the Division III level while representing the University and River Forest community well.
The women’s program reached the NACC postseason in 2024 for the first time since 2018, highlighting a resurgence under its Head Coach Eddie Garza. The men’s team highlight includes three consecutive trips to the NACC postseason, stretching from 2019 to 2021. With new guidance at the hands of Head Coach Graham Brennan, the Cougars look to continue their history of excellence heading into the season, which begins early September.
School records broken in 2025-26
This year, Concordia-Chicago Athletics has raised the standard for excellence with six school records broken.
Women’s basketball
• Ai Yonemura set the program record for single-game three-point percentage (100%) on Nov. 15, going six for six.
Men’s volleyball
• Elijah Mosher (BA ‘26) set the program record for single-match assists (4 sets) with 55 assists.
Men’s track & field
• Jonathan Knoebel set the program record for indoor 600 meters with a time of 1:24.12.
• Nathaniel Hernandez, Jamel Goins, Donovan Depakakibo, and Gael Arroyo set the program record for indoor distance medley relay with a time of 10:52.86.
• Vincent Scarnato, Goins, Kamren Hannah, and Austin Knight (BA ‘26) set the program record for indoor 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:21.97.
Women’s track & field
• Noor Sammour (BS ‘26) set the program record for high jump with a height of 1.58 meters.
Save the date: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
Tickets available Sept. 1, 2026.
Share a gift to Cougar Athletics online. CUCougars.com/halloffame or call 888-258-6773 for information.
This year’s recipients:
• Dr. Carl Holschen (BA ‘70)
• Kari (Zielke) Brennan (BA ‘09, MA ‘13)
• DeAndre McLaurin (BA ‘15)
• 2009 baseball team
KNOWLEDGE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y.
TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT FOR STRENGTH.
TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR DETERMINATION. FOR EMPATHY. FOR UNIT Y. GRACE. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR VO CATION. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
A letter from the Foundation Office
This year’s academic theme, Rejoicing in a Living Hope, reminds us that our confidence is grounded in the sure and certain promises of Christ. It is a living hope that shapes our purpose and calls us forward in faith, trusting in the work God continues to do through His people.
At Concordia-Chicago, that hope is evident in the formation of our students. They are being prepared for lives of influence and service, grounded in vocation and guided by a Christcentered education. Through the faithful work of our faculty and staff, students are equipped not only with knowledge and skill, but with a deep sense of calling as they go out to serve the church and the world.
This work is made possible, in large part, through the partnership of alumni and friends. The Concordia University Chicago Foundation exists to steward that partnership, working to ensure that the University has the resources necessary to carry out its mission with strength and integrity. Through faithful philanthropy, we are able to support scholarships that open doors for students, grow endowments that sustain the University for generations, meet essential operational needs, and invest in capital improvements that enhance the overall student experience.
COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH. TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR TIENCE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH. TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR FOR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
These are not simply institutional priorities. They are direct investments in the lives of students who are being formed to lead, serve, and make a meaningful difference in the world. Every gift, every prayer, and every act of support plays a role in advancing this mission.
We are deeply grateful for the ways our alumni and friends have already walked alongside Concordia-Chicago with generosity and faithfulness. Your partnership is a reflection of a shared commitment to Christ-centered education and the enduring impact it has on students and their communities.
As we look ahead, we invite you to continue in that partnership. Please keep the University, our students, and this mission in your prayers. And we ask that you would prayerfully consider how you might further support Concordia-Chicago so that together we may continue rejoicing in the living hope that forms lives for faithful service and lasting impact.
To God alone be the glory,
Jeff Hynes Foundation President and CEO Sr. Vice President for University Advancement
To consult with a CUC Foundation philanthropic advisor, call toll-free at 866-448-3867 or email Foundation@CUChicago.edu. Meet the entire Foundation team at CUChicago.edu/support.
Save the date: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO’s signature fundraising gala
Join the entire Concordia-Chicago community at Eaglewood Resort for a notable evening to recognize outstanding individuals who stand tall for the University and their vocation.
The 2026 distinguished awardees include: Lois Stewart (BA ‘83) - Distinguished Alumni, Undergraduate Award
Jeff Schwarz - One Heart Award
Dr. Manfred Boos (BA ‘70) - Spiritus Christi Award
6:00 p.m. reception, 7:00 p.m. dinner and award ceremony
Tickets available online now at CUChicago.edu/maroon-gold
Early birds save $25 per ticket if purchased before July 1.
By: Cora Saddler, Communications Associate
This fall, Concordia University Chicago will host its 10th annual Maroon & Gold gala. Since the event’s founding in 2017, the signature fundraising gala has brought together alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to support the University and raise funds for programs that prepare students for their vocations.
The evening will also celebrate the achievements of the CUC community and give thanks to three extraordinary individuals who exemplify the mission and values of Concordia-Chicago:
steadfast faithfulness, a commitment to excellence and integrity, and a heart for Christ-centered service.
The University nurtures these same values in students, preparing them for lives of influence and service for the common good through the vocation that God calls them toward. That work is made possible through the support of alumni and friends, whose faithful philanthropy helps make a meaningful difference in the lives of students.
Whether you attend every year or you’re joining us for the first time, the gala offers guests a chance to honor a decade of student impact and celebrate all that Concordia-Chicago has achieved together since its founding in 1864.
Take advantage of our early-bird pricing and save $25 per ticket when you register before July 1!
Dr. Manfred Boos (BA ‘70) is a distinguished professor emeritus of mathematics and computer science at Concordia University Chicago. He earned a Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University and a Master of Philosophy, a Master of Education, and a doctorate from Columbia University.
Jeff Schwarz One Heart Award
Jeff Schwarz is general manager of Lutheran Public Radio and executive producer of “Issues, Etc.,” a ten-hour weekly syndicated radio talk show and podcast. After graduating cum laude from the University of Missouri–Columbia’s School of Journalism, Schwarz worked on a variety of national radio talk shows: “Costas Coast to Coast,” “John Madden’s Sports Quiz,”
Lois Stewart Distinguished Alumni, Undergraduate Award
Lois Stewart (BA ‘83) has served in Lutheran education for 33 years. During that time, she was a teacher to almost all grades, a coach for a variety of girls’ sports, and principal of St. John’s Lutheran School in Country Club Hills, Ill. She later earned her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Curriculum from Governors State University in University Park, Ill.
Boos joined Concordia-Chicago’s faculty in 1980 as a professor of mathematics. In 2000, he was appointed provost, the University’s chief academic officer, and he served as acting president from 2003 to 2004. He retired in 2011 but continued to teach part-time as an adjunct professor. In 2016, Boos became a laborer for Christ, working part-time at the University.
“John Madden’s Sports Calendar,” “Sports Flashback with Jack Buck,” “Offsides with Dan Dierdorf,” and “Talkin’ Roundball with Dick Vitale.”
Schwarz serves on the school board at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School of Hamel, Ill. He was elected at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s 2010 convention to serve on the Commission on Theology and
Since 2018, Stewart has served the Northern Illinois District (NID) as a school services coordinator and as a mission facilitator. Her responsibilities have included managing the Church Ministry Information Forms (CMIF); updating and managing district curriculum training and services; arranging teacher and administrator conferences; working with the Lutheran Scholarship
His hands-on service since then has included painting, carpentry, and assisting the locksmith. Today, the Concordia-Chicago community often sees him driving his golf cart across campus, ready to lend a hand wherever needed. He currently serves on the board of Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park, Ill.
Church Relations. He also currently serves on the Board of Regents of Concordia University Chicago. Schwarz is the 2014 recipient of the Miles Christi (Soldier of Christ) Award, chosen by the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Granting Organization (SGO); and conducting school visits as part of the accreditation process. Additionally, Stewart supports NID churches and the call process for commissioned workers.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 Eaglewood Resort and Spa, Itasca, Ill. Get your tickets now! CUChicago.edu/maroon-gold
Dr. Manfred Boos Spiritus Christi Award
Thank you to our 2025 Maroon & Gold sponsors who made this event possible.
Mrs. Nada (BA ’98) and Dr. Dominic Salvino
and Mrs. Kirk D. Farney
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Bird (BS ’63)
We are currently seeking sponsors for Maroon & Gold 2026!
To join these donors and more, contact the Foundation Office at Foundation@CUChicago.edu or scan the QR code.
Dr.
Rev. Anthony (BA ’07) and Deac. Betsy (BA ’08, MA ’18) Dodgers
Northern Trust
Dr. Gerhard Mundinger
KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y.
TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH. TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR OR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR DETERMINATION. FOR EMPATHY. FOR UNIT Y. GRACE. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR VO CATION. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT Y. FOR HOPE. FOR F OMMUNIT
1960s
Don Sellke (BA ’66) and his daughter Emily Hopfensperger (BA ’00) mark a combined total of 84 years of service to Lutheran education. They are pictured wearing CUC’s pillars T-shirt. Hopfensperger currently serves as a preschool teacher at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School in Washington, Mo.
1970s
Hollis Thoms (BA ’71) and Jacqueline (Sill) Thoms (BA ’69) celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Aug. 15, 2025, with a special worship service featuring a new hymn written by Hollis for the occasion. In addition to a reception, a mini concert premiered a new work written by Hollis for the occasion, entitled “Occhi” on the nine love sonnets by Petrarch.
TRUTH. F TITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR OR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED OR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT OR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR F OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH.
Kay (Schlehlein) Berry (BA ’74) is enjoying retirement. She is an active grandmother and is heavily involved at church with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, the Mission Ministry team, and Mission Kids club.
1980s
Jeff Burkee (BA ’81) has been a principal in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod schools for 39 years and a teacher for six years. He is retiring from Salem Lutheran Church in Black Jack, Mo., after 45 years of ministry. He and his wife, Cathy, have six children and five grandchildren.
Donna Vorreyer (BA ’84) recently published her latest collection of poems, “Unrivered.” Donna is the author of four full-length poetry collections, all from Sundress Publications. She currently runs the online reading series A Hundred Pitchers of Honey and is the co-editor and co-founder of the online journal Asterales: A Journal of Arts & Letters.
TRUTH. F TITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR OR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED OR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
Bruce Volkert (BA ’88) received the Lutheran Education Association’s 2026 Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator Award. Volkert currently serves as principal at Trinity Lutheran School in Utica, Mich.
Terri Lynn (Mize) Cassel (BA’ 89) and Alva “Mark” Cassel (BA ’88) were married on May 10, 2025. The couple first met as classmates at ConcordiaChicago and reconnected several years after graduation. Fellow alumnae Stephanie LeFevere Fox (BA ’91) and Johanna Koeppen Stoddard (BA ’87) joined in celebrating their joyful wedding. The Cassels have made their home in Mount Carmel, Pa.
FOR FAITH. FOR KNOWLEDGE.
1990s
Douglas Braun (BA ’95, MA ’15) was named the 2025 Michigan District High School Teacher of the Year. He currently serves at Lutheran High School in Westland, Mich., and lives with his wife, Erin, and their two daughters in Ypsilanti, Mich.
2000s
Joshua Segura (MA ’09) has been named superintendent of the Rock Falls Township High School District in Rock Falls, Ill. He was previously principal at Woodstock North High School in Woodstock, Ill.
2010s
Lisa (Greimann) Carnehl (BA ‘12) and Adam Carnehl (BA ‘11) have recently each had a book published. Lisa’s book is a children’s novel titled “Gwen and the Underwater Sorceress,” and Adam’s is a theological monograph titled “The Artist as Divine Symbol: Chesterton’s Theological Aesthetic.” Both books are available through Wipf and Stock Publishers and Amazon.
SERVICE. FOR TRUST OR INTEGRIT PURPOSE. FOR HUMILIT OR
CHARIT Y. FOR COMMUNIT OR FOR COMPASSION. FOR F OR HEALING. FOR TRUTH. FOR GRA FOR INNOVATION. F OMMITMENT. FOR COURAGE. FOR DETERMINATION.
Ashley Lamorte (MA ’13), principal at Wesmere Elementary School in Plainfield, Ill., was recently recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2026 Those Who Excel Awards. She received the Award of Special Recognition, School Administrator.
SERVICE. FOR GRACE. FOR INTEGRIT FOR PURPOSE. FOR VO CATION. F
Danielle English (MA ‘14) received the Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award through the National Science Teaching Association.
Ingrid Sorensen (BA ’15) and Al Popova (BA ’13) were married by Rev. Ted Fischer (BA ’15) at Messiah Lutheran Church in Chicago on Oct. 4, 2025. Ingrid is currently the University registrar and Al serves as the director of enterprise applications at Concordia-Chicago.
Julie Savaglio (MA ‘15) was named a 2026 Joliet Area Great Teacher by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She teaches health at Gompers Junior High School in Joliet, Ill.
Nicole (Cleveland) Luedtke (MA ’16) was hired as the new division chair for physical education/health and drivers education at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill.
Alyssa Krause (MS ’18) was named the new head coach of women’s soccer at Trine University in Angola, Ind. She earned her master’s degree in applied exercise science from Concordia-Chicago.
Dr. Anna Bernstein (MA ‘18, MA ‘20, PhD ’25) recently celebrated the publication of her new work stemming from her doctoral research in artificial intelligence and education. Shortly after completing her PhD at CUC--her third graduate degree from the University—Bernstein has continued to advance scholarship at the intersection of AI and learning.
Kristen Campbell (MA ’19) was named the next superintendent of Sycamore Community School District 427. Before that, she was the assistant superintendent of high schools for Oswego Community Unit School District 308.
Daniel Craigmile (MA ’19) was hired as the new division chair for social studies, art, and world language at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill.
CHARIT Y. FOR COMMUNIT Y. FOR FOR COMPASSION. FOR FAMILY. FOR HEALING. FOR TRUTH. FOR GRA FOR INNOVATION. FOR C OMMITMENT. FOR FAITH. FOR KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE. FOR TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT FOR PURPOSE. FOR HUMILIT Y. F CHARIT Y. FOR COMMUNIT Y. FOR FOR COMPASSION. FOR FAMILY. FOR HEALING. FOR TRUTH. FOR GRA FOR INNOVATION. FOR C OMMITMENT. FOR FAITH. FOR KNOWLEDGE. SERVICE. FOR TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT FOR PURPOSE. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR
TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR
2020s
HUMILIT OR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
Stevee (Bellas) Libert (MA ‘20) was named principal at Mundelein High School in Mundelein, Ill.
COMMUNIT OR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR F OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH.
Natalia Jandura (BS ’20) married Kenneth Bunnell on April 5, 2025, in Orland Park, Ill. They now happily reside in Lockport, Ill., swing dancing together every week at the ROXY theater where they met.
Mackenzie Melendez (BA ’21) was recently named school resource officer for the Minooka Police Department in Minooka, Ill.
TRUTH. F TITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR . FOR VOCATION. FOR DETERMINA OR EMPATHY. FOR UNIT Y.
Dr. Markeise Russell (MA ’21) recently launched a nonprofit organization—the Mr. Don Sadofsky Foundation for Music Education—to honor Chicago music educator Don Sadofsky. Russell is currently the Fine and Applied Arts department chair at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Ill.
Kimberly Transon (MA ’21), a first-grade teacher at Charles Reed Elementary School in Plainfield, Ill., received the Award of Meritorious Service, Classroom Teacher from the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2026 Those Who Excel Awards.
CUC alumni performed together as actors and musicians in the Boar’s Head Festival at Immanuel Lutheran Church & School in St. Charles, Mo., last December. Pictured: Benjamin (BA ’23) and Michelle (Frerking) (BS ’22) Simmons; Maggie (Warner) (BA ’21) and Rick (BME ’21) Tritten; Jason (BS ’17, MBA ’24) and Jennifer (BA ’17) Becker; Jason Kohm (BA ’20); and Daniel Thoelke (BA ’21).
GRACE. F FOR HONESTY. FOR VO OR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
Nelson Campos (EdS ‘25) was named Middle School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. Campos, principal of Miguel Juarez Middle School in Waukegan, Ill., was also honored by the Illinois State Board of Education with a 2025–2026 Those Who Excel Award of Meritorious Service. KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y.
Olivia Parker (MA ’23) was recently approved by the Consolidated High School District 230 board to be the next division chair for social studies, art, and world language at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Ill. She is expected to start this role in August 2026.
Alexa Hoover (BS ‘23) married Joel Mix at Anchorage Lutheran Church in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 10, 2025. Her father, Rev. Chad Hoover (BA ‘98), served as the officiant. Alexa currently teaches 5th grade at Anchor Lutheran School.
Mackenzie (Jean-Marcoux) Christmas (BA ’24) married Alex Christmas on Jan. 3, 2026, in Michigan. She currently serves as the director of Christian education at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Ind.
COMMUNIT OR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR FAMILY. FOR C OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH. TRUTH. FOR GRATITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR OR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED OR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT OR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR. COMMUNIT OR HOPE. FOR PATIENCE. FOR F OMMUNIT Y. FOR STRENGTH.
TRUTH. F TITUDE. FOR PURPOSE. FOR OR COMMITMENT. FOR VOCATION. FOR KNOWLED GE. FOR FREEDOM. FOR UNIT Y. TRUST. FOR INTEGRIT Y. FOR HONESTY. FOR HUMILIT Y. FOR RESILIENCE. FOR HONOR.
Submit a class note!
Send a description and photo to Alumni@CUChicago.edu . Information listed reflects details received as of April 15, 2026.
Golden Apple Award
The following teachers are awardees, finalists, or nominees for the 2026 Golden Apple Award.
Shavon Brewer (MA ’16) is a recipient of the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. She serves as a 5th-grade math teacher at Northwest Elementary School in Evergreen Park, Ill. Awardee
Finalists
Megan Fitzsimmons (MA ’10) is a finalist for the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is an 8th-grade English language arts teacher at Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Woodridge, Ill.
Ashley Whittington (MA ’20) is a finalist for the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. She teaches 6th- through 10thgrade English at the Center for Educational Opportunities in Troy, Ill.
Nominees
JW Kuebler (MA ’13) was nominated for a 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership. Kuebler is the principal at Chicago International Charter School–Irving Park in Chicago, Ill.
Dr. Aliaa Ibrahim (MA ’18) was nominated for a 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership. Ibrahim is the principal at Rutledge Hall in Lincolnwood, Ill.
HALL OF FAME
Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford Teacher Awards
The following teachers are recipients of the Golden Apple Teacher Award from the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford, Ill., which recognizes teachers for their dedication to the classroom and impact on the youth of the community.
Shawna Sterling (MA ‘17) is a 7th-grade science teacher at Harlem Middle School in Loves Park, Ill.
Kelsey Zammuto (MA ‘15) is a 9th- through 12th-grade science teacher at Hononegah Community High School in Rockton, Ill.
Katie Volk (MA ‘19) teaches 7th- through 8th-grade English language arts at Rockford Christian School in Rockford, Ill.
The 2025 Hall of Fame induction class saw Stanley Tischer (MA ’87), football and wrestling; Brandon Isaac (BS ’10), baseball; Matt Rolf (BA ’12), football; and Courtney (Lofink) Castillo (BS ’18), basketball and track & field, named to the long list of Cougar Athletic history.
more at CUCougars.com/halloffame
FACULTY & STAFF
LuJuana Butts (CQ) - May 8, 2023
Judith (Miessler) Firehammer (BS ’61) - November 8, 2025
Clara R. Garbisch - October 23, 2025
Gail E. Goodwin - November 10, 2025
William M. Hussong (BS ‘61) - April 13, 2026
Paul T. Kreiss (BS ‘52) - April 15, 2026
Lyle J. Kurth - October 16, 2025
George R. Nielsen - April 9, 2026
Carol E. Stellwagen - June 19, 2025
ALUMNI
Kathy L. Alexander (CQ) - May 8, 2024
Allen D. Avenson (BS ’63) - May 19, 2024
Brenda (Bollmann) Baker (BA ’75) - May 9, 2018
Ronald K. Bessert (BS ’58) - January 5, 2026
Edgar E. Biberdorf (BA ’57) - October 12, 2025
Nancy (Schmidt) Birner (BS ’53) - November 27, 2025
Bernice (Jaster) Bode (BS ’55) - October 21, 2024
Marvin J. Brandt (BS ’52) - April 13, 2025
Linda (Houren) Bresemann (BA ’69) - January 24, 2026
Angeline (Lepyesh) Bruenger (BS ’59) - April 5, 2023
Irene C. Campbell (BA ’83) - January 27, 2026
Robert E. Cheney (BS ’60, MA ’67) - January 30, 2026
Harry J. Cypher III (MA ’67, MA ’91) - May 25, 2023
John L. Dutton (BS ’60) - December 23, 2025
Marilyn (Peters) Eberspacher (HS ’43) - May 2, 2019
Betty (Kosfeld) Eicholtz (BS ’56) - December 5, 2024
Joanne (Steege) Einersen (BS ’54) - April 3, 2015
Robert A. Flath (BS ’55) - April 24, 2021
Eunice (Merz) Florip (BS ’56) - September 19, 2025
Glenn A. Geffert (BS ’62) - February 15, 2021
Merle G. Golnick (BS ’51) - August 31, 2025
Shirley (Bulgrien) Graudin (BS ‘56) – April 29, 2026
Luther H. Gutknecht (BS ’59) - November 20, 2024
Barbara (Behl) Halter (BS ’53) - August 27, 2025
Norman A. Hanan (BA ’69, MA ’78) - November 28, 2025
Leroy J. Hart (CQ ’54) - February 24, 2024
Gerald P. Heimlich (BS ’63) - August 29, 2023
Mildred (Smith) Heinze (BS ’54) - June 9, 2025
Truddy (Riedel) Hergesheimer (BS ’67) – April 9, 2026
Karen (Kroll) Howard (BA ’75) - February 23, 2026
Carol (Jernberg) Hubacek (BA ’70) - September 1, 2025
David A. Hussong (BA ’71) - August 2, 2025
Janet (Hartman) Iseler (BA ’67) - April 24, 2009
Kay (Nuechterlein) Johanson (BS ’63) - November 16, 2025
Barbara A. (Schilke) Kaden (BS ’55) - November 2, 2024
Kenneth A. Kaschinske (BA ’67) - November 9, 2025
Bernice (Gutknecht) Keairns (BS ’64) - January 18, 2025
Howard E. Klausmeier (BS ’55) - March 12, 2026
Harry W. Klepper (BS ’54) - December 5, 2018
Judith (Reinking) Kober (BA ’68) - January 23, 2017
Richard J. Kruger (BS ’64) - August 21, 2025
Donna (Hasse) Kruse (BS ’60) - April 6, 2025
This listing honors the lives of our alumni, faculty, and staff whose passing was recorded between April 24, 2025, and April 15, 2026, or reflects those whose loss came to our attention during that time.
Elizabeth (Wachal) Kurth (BS ’65, CAS ‘95) - April 7, 2025
E. Theodore Lams (BS ‘65) - April 13, 2026
Walther M. Liebenow (BS ’50) - April 21, 2018
Patsy (Miller) List (BA ’67) - December 16, 2024
Kathryn (Kruse) Logsdon (BA ’74) - February 4, 2026
Eunice (Tuschy) Loomans (BS ’63) - July 10, 2025
Willie C. Lucas (BS ’77) - February 5, 2025
Richard E. Maas Sr. (BS ’50) - August 18, 2025
Shirley (Haertel) Marolf (HS ’49) - April 27, 2025
John H. Matern (CQ ’55) - September 18, 2023
James M. McKay (BS ’61) - March 5, 2014
Daniel J. McVey (BA ’74) - February 3, 2026
Norman H. Milbrandt (BS ’60) - February 6, 2025
Eunice (Naumann) Nissen (BS ’55) - August 19, 2015
Lois (Hinz) Oehlkers (BS ’57) - November 2, 2025
Ralph W. Ott (BS ’54) - September 3, 1996
Marcus G. Pankow (BS ’58) - June 18, 2025
Walter L. Pelz (BS ‘48) - April 10, 2026
Ronald G. Pinnt (BS ’53) - March 26, 2019
William H. Plath (BS ’63) - July 7, 2025
Leanor (Storm) Popp (BS ’63) - February 23, 2026
Patricia (Muschinske) Prahlow (BA ’65) - May 27, 1984
Arthur L. Preuss Sr. (HS ’50, BS ’54) - January 5, 2025
Martin H. Raffel (HS ’49, BS ’54) - January 27, 2021
Carl L. Richter (BS ’63) - June 9, 2025
Doris (Doehrman) Rotermund (BS ‘56) - April 9, 2026
Kathleen M. Rowold (BA ’73) - September 7, 2024
Robert F. Ryder (BS ’55) - June 5, 1984
Richard A. Schedler (BS ’52) - October 2, 2024
Ilse (Bluemlein) Schmidt (BS ’67) - May 8, 2020
Walter R. Schmidt (BS ’59) - February 20, 2025
William H. Schmidt (BA ’66) - May 26, 2025
Robert G. Schreiner (BS ’54) - September 27, 2019
Wayne E. W. Schumpe (BS ’61) - June 10, 2023
Mildred (Neuhaus) Schwich (BS ’59) - April 24, 2025
Rose (Knickelbein) Seelman (HS ’49) - March 11, 2015
Donald L. Simpson (BS ’51) - February 23, 2025
Kay (Monroe) Smith (BS ’64) - August 2, 2025
Beatrice L. Stanton (BS ’61) - January 8, 2026
Lee H. Steffen (BS ’61, MA ’67) - September 10, 2025
Kenneth C. Stresman (BS ’63) – April 28, 2026
Virginia (Brade) Strucinski (BS ’54) - July 7, 2025
Gary R. Taylor (BS ’59) - November 15, 2025
Alger J. Tormoehlen (BS ’55) - February 7, 2025
William A. Walenta (BA ’71, MA ’74) - May 26, 2025
Ruth (Schroeder) Ward (BA ’72) - June 10, 2024
Thomas L. Wegener (BS ’64) - June 7, 2025
Ernest C. Wendt (BS ’64) - January 31, 2026
Linda (Roselip) Werdin (BS ’62) - June 30, 2025
Larry M. Weslock (BS ’65) - February 20, 2024
Eunice (Guebert) Wiatr (BS ’63) - September 18, 2025
Carolyn (Zuehlsdorf) Wille (BA ’65) - April 10, 2025
Douglas D. Williams (BS ’59, MA ’69) - February 9, 2025
Sharon (Brandt) Willweber (BS ’59) - June 23, 2024
A prayer for steadfastness in hope
I HAVE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME; BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, I SHALL NOT BE SHAKEN. THEREFORE MY HEART IS GLAD, AND MY WHOLE BEING REJOICES; MY FLESH ALSO DWELLS SECURE.”
Psalm 16:8-9
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us pray.
O LORD, through Baptism You have imparted to us Your Holy Spirit and faith. You have united us to our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, thereby imparting to us forgiveness of sins and a living hope, which is as sure and certain as Christ’s own resurrection. Amid the troubles of earthly life, sustain our faith and continually guard us in this hope that nothing may move us from You, Who live and reign with the Son and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
By: Rev. Simeon Raddatz (BA ’13), University Chaplain
