December 2022

Photo by Rev. Randy Duncan, '88

"In that day you will say: ‘Give praise to The Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.’”

-- Isaiah 12:4-5

Dear fellow alumni,

Just look at this beautiful photo of our 2022 campus Christmas tree! When I first saw it, I immediately heard the familiar refrain, “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”

We have so many beautiful campus Christmas traditions, from the tree lighting, to our annual Boar’s Head Festival, to dorm decorating and exchanging gifts. Our joint campus Advent devotional is becoming a tradition, too. CUAA academic advisor and vocal instructor, Kara Alfano, wrote a meaningful message, A Call to Carol, based on the Bible verses above. She writes, in part:

“The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is truth. The righteousness, glory, mercy, and justice of God the Father is truth. The unending, unfailing love that our Heavenly Father has for his children is truth. The ultimate sacrifice of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sake of mankind’s salvation is truth. At Christmastime, we have the honor to exclaim God’s truths through time-tested carols and hymns.”

Which Christmas carols are most meaningful for you? What campus Christmas memories stick with you? As you prepare your hearts during this Advent season, please pray for our entire Concordia family, that we would know and proclaim Jesus Christ: The Way, The Truth, and The Life!

Christmas love and joy!

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”

Advent meditations created by CUWAA community

"Advent Anticipation: the Arrival of Our Savior" is a collection of individual meditations, composed by members of the Concordia University community on its Wisconsin and Michigan campuses. It is our prayer that you will approach this Advent season with newfound anticipation and enthusiasm through the Holy Spirit. That same anticipation and enthusiasm is embedded in the mission of Concordia University and is what drives the work of the university each and every day. To read the meditations, click here.

CUAA's choir and band tour the southwest

January 4-11

Do you live near Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Los Angeles? Plan to attend one of our music department concerts in January! There are multiple dates, locations and times! Check out the full details here. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Sproul via email. Hope to see you there!

Authors help students have a healthier relationship

with social media and digital technology

Rev. A. Trevor Sutton and Dr. Brian Smith (pictured left with Dr. Erin Laverick), authors of Redeeming Technology: A Christian Approach to Healthy Digital Habits, spoke with CUAA students enrolled in LA 105 (Higher Education: A New Experience) about their book, specifically regarding healthy social/digital media use. Sutton, a Concordia Seminary graduate (’12) who is currently pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett, Michigan, also preached in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity that morning. To learn more, click here.

Students compete for $2,000 in seed funding for startup ideas

Eight Concordia teams from the CUAA and CUW campuses recently participated in the culmination of the month-long CU Launch program by pitching their business ventures to a panel of judges. The winner of the undergraduate category was Skyler Moyer (pictured right), while Alex Jackson took home the top prize for the graduate/employee category. To learn more, click here.

The many ways you give to Concordia

At Concordia, we recognize and celebrate giving in all shapes and sizes because we’ve seen firsthand the profound impact that these gifts have had on our mission of helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and world. Thank you for giving to CUAA in so many ways. Click here to see the ways (most don't cost a thing.)

Educators serving as servant leaders

Take a look at this firsthand account of an educator who learned that being a servant leader made her the best teacher she could be. Do you relate to her experience? Click here to read more.

ICYMI:

Take a listen to recent offerings from our Music Department

Our Music Department showcases the talents of our students throughout the year during many events. Recently, CUAA presented two programs that were recorded for your viewing pleasure. Click on the links to watch each of them. Enjoy!

12 ways CUAA has beautified the campus in the last decade

When is the last time you have been on campus? Was it any time in the last decade? If not, you may be surprised at some of the beautiful additions made during the last 10 years to Concordia's campus. Take a look here.

Celebrating International Student Week

Did you know CUAA has a thriving international program? Last month, we celebrated international student week with lots of activities and festivities on campus! Click here for a feature story on Sara Granado (’25), originally from Venezuela.

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: It’s often not who you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not.