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January 2023

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."

-- Ephesians 1:18-19

Dear fellow alumni,


Happy new year and blessed epiphany!

 

Do you remember what January feels like here on campus? Cold, dark, and gloomy are just a few words that probably come to mind. Maybe you can relate to our campus pastor, Randy Duncan, who often says he’s “solar powered” and needs the sun to function! While we long to see the sun and feel its warmth, we can bask in the assurance that Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. May Christ, our true and only light, be made known to us, and burn brightly within us.

 

We have some important welcoming to do in 2023, starting with our 72 new alumni who graduated in December. Click here to read more. Congratulations and welcome to our alumni family!

 

We also welcome our new president, Dr. Erik Ankerberg, who will begin serving our university on January 9. We pray God’s blessing on his leadership and direction for Concordia.

 

Looking ahead, we welcome Concordia Ann Arbor’s 60th anniversary, and the 10th anniversary of our merge with CUW!

 

Looking back, we are grateful for all the blessings and highlights of last year. Click here to read about the top CUAA news stories of 2022.

 

This month’s passage from Ephesians 1:18-19 is a beautiful new year prayer, "...that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

 

Amen! Let it be so!

Linda (Schramke) Sproul ‘92

Director of Donor and Alumni Relations

(734) 995-7491

linda.sproul@cuaa.edu


Handy Links

Check out the Concordia Newsroom to keep up with the latest!

 

Visit our Concordia Cardinals website for all of our Athletic schedules and stories.

 

CUAA gear is here! Cardinal Closet

 

Feel free to share the digital version of our magazine, “Hearts Together

Ankerberg soon to take office

Next week, on January 9, Dr. Erik Ankerberg takes office as the new president of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, replacing former interim president, William R. Cario, Ph.D. The former provost of Concordia University Chicago taught at the Ann Arbor and Wisconsin campuses early in his career.


During a webinar address last fall, Ankerberg laid out his strategic priorities for Concordia. Click here to read about them.


Mark your calendar for the official installation of President Ankerberg on February 5, at 4 p.m., in the Chapel of Christ Triumphant on the Mequon campus. To watch it online, click here.

Join us for great food, university update and fellowship

January 12

On Thursday, January 12, at 6 pm, CUAA will host a gathering at Slo Bones BBQ, 175 E. Jefferson St., Frankenmuth, MI. In addition to complimentary food and drink, the social will include a university update. It will be a great night of fellowship with some familiar faces. For questions and to RSVP, please contact Chance Childers at (734) 934-9294, chance.childers@cuaa.edu, or Lonnie Pries at (734) 904-4685, lonnie.pries@cuaa.edu.

Alumni share their Concordia pride in the classroom

Whether they’ve been in the classroom for years or they’re just starting out, the impact of a Concordia education for these alumni is strong. Concordia’s School of Education mailed pennants to its alumni and asked teachers to send pictures of themselves in their classrooms. Click here to take a look at some of the pictures that rolled in.


Right: Alexandria Cadavieco (’16), kindergarten teacher at Lakewood Elementary in Ann Arbor, shows her Concordia pride.

CUAA reaches record enrollment during statewide declines

Concordia was featured in MLive news for its record-high enrollment amid declining trends among peer institutions. CUAA also broke its school record for the most graduate students ever enrolled. The graduate student total this fall was 252, up 85 from last year. To learn more, click here.

Student testimony: How God works in unexpected ways

Uncertain if college was the right choice, Lauren Armbruster ('24) was hesitant to attend CUAA and get involved on campus. However, upon her arrival, she found that a new mission field could be found right here in Ann Arbor. As both a nursing student and a Campus Ministry resident assistant, Armbruster has been able to step into the lives of the people around her both on and off campus. To learn more about this future alumna and listen to her testimony, click here.

You help many through Adopt-a-Student program

Thank you to all of our alumni donors who support our Adopt-a-Student program! 100 percent of your $1,000+ gift goes directly to support a student who needs it the most. Interested in how it works? Click here to find out more.


Right: Logan Davis (’22) was able to graduate with the help of Adopt-a-Student scholarship funds, and is now continuing his education at the seminary.

All Things Bright and Beautiful exhibit displays

new perspective of classic hymn

Coming back for a campus visit soon? Photographer Elisa Schulz’s work will be displayed in the Kreft Center for the Arts now through February 24. Schulz has filled the art gallery with original photographs that highlight God’s beauty in creation. This digital photography exhibit is inspired by the hymn that says, “All things bright and beautiful, / all creatures great and small, / all things wise and wonderful, / the Lord God made them all.” Schulz said that she likes “to think of [herself] as someone who photographs all things bright and beautiful, using the filter of gratitude for God’s abundant blessings.” Click here to learn more.

Integrating occupational therapy and horses

Occupational therapy students at your alma mater recently had the opportunity to spend two class periods at C.H.U.M (Children and Horses United in Movement) Therapeutic Riding Center. Students were provided with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of occupational therapy. In addition, they learned about the benefits of therapeutic riding for people of all ages and abilities. To learn more, click here.

Concordia University, Nebraska to host #CIT2023

January 27-28

Concordia University, Nebraska will host the 70th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) January 27-28. The tournament features, in addition to the Bulldogs, the Concordias of Ann Arbor, Mequon and Chicago competing in men's and women's basketball, and cheer and dance. CIT is one of the longest running tournaments in the country, and it is a highlight of the athletic year among the participating Concordias. Planning to be there in person? Keep an eye on our CUAA alumni Facebook page for details on the all-alumni social! Click here for more information about the tournament.

Do you want CUAA students for employees?

February 27

CUAA is hosting a Career Summit on Monday, February 27 for employers, students, and faculty/staff. Currently, we are looking for employers to participate. Registration for this event is a fee of $50 and includes admission for up to two recruiters, one round table, chairs and light snacks and refreshments. Registration will close on Monday, February 13. Click here for more information. Sponsorship opportunities also will be available. Please see the attachment here. We invite you to join us on Handshake if you haven't already. Handshake allows employers to post opportunities (internships, part and full-time positions), and review job seekers' profiles and resumes at no cost.

Final Thought from

Campus Pastor Randy Duncan

Each morning during the school year, our campus pastor, Randy Duncan, sends out an email full of inspirational thoughts, concepts to ponder, scripture, and prayer requests. We thought we would share some of his thoughts with you each month for us to contemplate.


Final thought: Our hope is not in the new year, but in the One who makes all things new!

Upcoming Events

Choir and Band Southwest Tour

Date: January 4-11

Location: Various

Concordia Invitational Tournament

Date: January 27-28

Locations: Concordia University, Nebraska

The Timbre of Cedar concert

Date: February 16

Location: Black Box Theater

To see a complete listing of Concordia events, click here.

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