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December 2020
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
- Luke 2:11
Dear fellow alumni,
 
The campus Christmas tree fills our hearts with joyful expectation of our Savior, which is Christ the Lord! This towering tree will stand tall in central campus until Lent, when it is fashioned into a cross; reminding us that He came to die for our sins so that we may live!

This year, perhaps more than ever, we have demonstrated that we are stronger together, especially when we build each other up! Whether your heart is found “On the Banks” (CUAA), or “On the Bluff” (CUW), all of our Concordia alumni are sure to find heart-warming stories in our special, joint-campus magazine edition, Hearts Together.

Although we are missing our annual Boar’s Head Festival, I still invite you to sing our traditional final verse from Here We Come A-Wassailing:

God bless our family Concordia wherever they may be;
Those who wander, those at home, in Christ are one with Thee.

Love and joy come to you!
Linda (Schramke) Sproul ‘92
Director of Donor and Alumni Relations
(734) 995-7491



P.S. Visit our website for the latest plans! See our sports schedules and events. Also check out our Concordia Newsroom for stories to inspire and encourage.
Unmasking Advent: The Arrival of a Savior in Our Lives
This Advent season, we invite you to prepare your hearts with our CUWAA community's "Unmasking Advent" meditations. Take off all of your masks and face your tomorrows with hopeful anticipation of your loving Savior's arrival. Click here to read more.
Moments of Boar's Head:
An ode to the tradition
As you may know, we are unable to host an in-person showing of the Boar's Head Festival due to the pandemic. But don't worry. We have a way for you to get your Boar's Head fix! Click here, and don't miss the beautiful recording from a 2020 rehearsal.
Virtual commencement to feature special guest speaker
Graduates, alumni, family, friends, and supporters are invited to tune in December 13 to CUAA’s Virtual 2020 Commencement, celebrating our May and December grads. The event will also feature two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, and current ESPN analyst Tim Tebow. No RSVP is needed. Following the Dec. 13 premiere, a recording will remain available for a period for on-demand viewing. To learn more, click here. 
Grateful for legacy familes
Thank you to the families who invest in Concordia through their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. We are especially grateful for your prayers. There are families of alumni who are vested in Concordia and for that, we say thank you.

The Appold family is just one of those families. All four of the Appold siblings graduated from CUAA and have spent their lives serving Christ as LCMS pastors and teachers. As a special tribute to their parents, they recently created a legacy
gift to honor them for their sacrifices so that Patrice, Beth, Rob, and Paul could all attend Concordia. Click here to find out more about the Appold Family, and how meaningful it is to be a part of Concordia’s past, present, and future!
Support CUAA
student businesses
It's the time of the year again! Not sure where to find unique Christmas gifts? Why not support a local business and a CUAA student at the same time? Click here to read more.
Former CUAA president dies
You may recognize the name Dr. Rev. David G. Schmiel if you attended CUAA in the 1980s and early 1990s. He served our campus community as president of the university. He passed away peacefully in early November at the age of 88. To read Dr. Schmiel's full obituary, please click here.
View our newsletter
archives online
Did you know that all of our alumni newsletters are saved on our website? Click here to peruse old editions and catch up on all that is happening at your alma mater.
Board members sought
for OT program
Are you a practicing occupational therapist, or have you or a family member received OT services? CUAA is currently in the accreditation process for our OT program, housed in our School of Health Professions. We invite you to consider serving as a member of the Occupational Therapy Advisory Board. The board will meet once a year and will assist in the development of the program. Please contact Dr. Juliane Chreston to learn about this opportunity to serve your alma mater and the profession. Thank you!
"May the eyes of my heart be enlightened, that I may know what is the hope to which You have called me, what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power in me who believes." 
--Ephesians 1:18-19
Bookmarks: A gift of visual faith
What Is Visual Faith? It's a ministry co-founded in 2017 by Patricia Maier ('77) and Connie Denninger that uses visual tools to strengthen your faith walk. Click here to print off the four bookmarks. Color or use as is in your Bible or any book. May these visual pieces inspire your faith. Merry Christmas!!
Thoughts 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: What you are walking through at this moment may just be the story that helps someone else walk through theirs. 
Save the date
A team of experts help you prepare for the most important stewardship decisions you will ever make.
January 11, 5:30 p.m. ET
Location: Online
Join President Ferry as he shares how the academic year is going at its midpoint, and also looks ahead to his final semester.
January 19, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Online