November 2022

"The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

-- Psalm 19:1

Dear fellow alumni,


Can you believe Thanksgiving is already less than two weeks away? Did you know that for more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states of our country? Beginning with George Washington, our early presidents all proclaimed national days of thanksgiving for the purpose of giving thanks to God for wars won, independence secured and progress toward growth of a new nation. However, it was not until 1870 when Congress passed legislation making Thanksgiving Day a national holiday in our country.

   

Although some of the traditions have changed, many still celebrate like past generations. It makes perfect sense to pause and reflect on the gifts received from above. Like our ancestors, we too, can thank God for His loving care and comfort in years gone by and for His provision in the days to come.

 

I invite you to take a page from their book and join me in thanking God for what we have received in this past year at CUW. There have been literally hundreds of alumni who have gathered to celebrate their relationships nurtured at CUW: reunions, sporting event socials, athletic games, professional conferences, other networking events, and service ministry (Hearts Together).

 

We have celebrated past and present accomplishments of alumni serving through various vocations. We have encouraged a new generation of students during Falcon Days, Welcome Weekend, Homecoming and Family Weekend. Alumni have supported students through the classroom experiences, clinical opportunities, mentoring, job shadowing, internships, and so much more. Thank you!


More than 1,400 students graduated in this past academic year to join the ranks of our CUW alumni serving throughout the world. Dr. Cario has carried the torch faithfully as interim president and God has provided a new president in Dr. Ankerberg to continue the legacy of servant leadership to guide the university. And together we continue to equip others to serve Christ in the Church and the world!  Thank you and thanks be to God.


May God grant you and your family a most blessed Thanksgiving as we thank Him for His love and care through challenges and joys, both in the past and as we look forward to the future!


I leave you with the words from this familiar prayer I recall singing in my youth as we approach this national holiday of Thanksgiving Day; “Thank you for giving me the morning. Thank you for every day that’s new. Thank you, that I can know my worries can be cast on you.”

God’s peace be yours, 

Greg Witto '94

Director of Alumni and Parent Relations  

Gregory.Witto@cuw.edu

Ankerberg to serve as next CUWAA president

The Board of Regents is pleased to announce that Erik P. Ankerberg, Ph.D. has accepted a call to serve as the next president of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, the largest university affiliate of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in the nation. Ankerberg, who currently serves as provost of Concordia University Chicago, will begin his tenure at CUWAA on Monday, January 9, 2023. Click here to read more about this exciting news.

Christmas at Concordia tickets on sale now

December 2-3

Come celebrate this glorious time of love, community, and music with the talented students of Concordia University Wisconsin. This event features all of CUW's instrumental, vocal, and handbell ensembles, including Kammerchor, Selah, Alleluia Ringers, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and more. Welcome in the glory of Christmas with all the hard work put forth this year by Concordia's music ensemble students! Tickets are $20 and are on sale now. Click here to purchase tickets.

Prescribing for prisons

2018 alumna Makayla Hopp serves as the assistant pharmacy director for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. In this role, she oversees a team of 18 pharmacists who play a role in filling prescriptions for the entirety of the state’s prison population. Click here to read her story.

Lutheran mission and identity seminar: helping new faculty make stronger connections to Concordia's heritage

To help make sure our Lutheran mission and identity stays strong in the future, CUWAA is introducing a “Lutheran Mission and Identity Seminar” for all new faculty beginning in the 2023-24 academic year. “We developed the Lutheran Mission and Identity Seminar to help CUWAA faculty deepen their understanding of Concordia’s mission to provide an outstanding and uncommon Lutheran education to our students,” said Dr. Leah Dvorak, interim provost for CUWAA. To learn more, click here.

Scholarships support Lutheran educators

Thanks to our donors and supporters, Concordia has debuted the Lutheran Educator Support Scholarship (LESS) for fall 2023. LESS is a $3,000 renewable scholarship that provides support for traditional undergraduates preparing to be Lutheran teachers. It’s one of two distinct scholarships given to Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD) candidates. Concordia also offers the Forward in Faith scholarshipwhich may be “stacked” on top of the LESS offering. To learn more, click here.

Class of 1973: Celebrating 50 years of blessings

Did you graduate from Concordia in 1973? If so, we will celebrate your 50th reunion next year and we are looking for volunteers to help make it "slammin' and far out." If you "dig" event planning and think your 50th could be "groovy," give Greg Witto, your director of alumni and parent relations, a "jingle" at 262.243.4544 or Greg.Witto@cuw.edu.

Join us for open house at one of our Concordia Centers

November 16

Please join us at one of our Center locations on Wednesday, November 16, to learn about resources available to alumni, community members and students. Explore continuing education opportunities, and meet our supportive staff. For example, alumni and current students get discounted rates, and veteran and Christian non-profit groups can use rooms for free. Learn more here.

New space for veterans and military students opens

Have you seen the new space for veterans and military students at CUW? Officially named the "Howard Bogenschild Veteran & Military Affiliated Resource Center," this space is located in Rincker 008. This comfortable and inviting new space allows students to access relevant resources, hang out with other veterans/military personnel, and just get away from it all to study and/or recharge. Thanks to Director of Veteran Services Keith Casey and Veterans Outreach Coordinator Kari Metts for helping bring it to life. Click here to see more photos.

Labradoodle trains to become newest certified comfort dog

Our newest comfort dog, Grace, is working like...well, a dog, to learn all that she needs to learn to assist with Concordia's innovative Compassion Care Certificate program. Recently, CBS58 stopped by Dawgs in Motion, Grace's training facility, to see the progress. Click here to read more.

Advent Anticipation: The Arrival of our Savior

Once again, this year the Concordia community came together to create a booklet of biblical meditations. We've uploaded it onto our website so that you can read one each day. Click here to read the preface, and then return to that link to read each day's meditation.

Mark your calendar for Bucks game event

January 31, 2023

Plan to join us for this annual alumni event and mark your calendars! Registration opens at the end of November for this popular outing. We will be gathering at the Wisconsin Club for a pregame social and then shuttled to the game to watch the Bucks take on the Charlotte Hornets at Fiserv Forum. And we will be taking a mid-court photo again. We hope to see you there. Click here for more details and to learn about registration as we get closer to the end of November.

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Greg Witto
Director of Alumni & Parent Relations
12800 N Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097
262-243-4544