September 2023

"For from his fullness we have received, grace upon grace."

- John 1:16

Dear fellow alumni,

My thanks to the planning committee for the Class of 1973 50th Reunion. “Blessed Beyond Measure” is the theme for the reunion, scheduled for October 5 and 6. The theme is based on John 1:16, “For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (ESV)

Ever since this theme was chosen months ago, it has helped to focus my attention on God’s hand of grace, especially in what I experience through our Concordia community. Following is a little glimpse of that. I invite you to join me with thanks and praise as we explore what God provides by His grace.

The start of the fall semester has paved the way with many opportunities and cause for celebration. Increased new, traditional undergrad enrollment and the start of classes returned that “new year” vitality and excitement to campus again. Welcome Weekend brought together many new members of the CUW family and the Sending Ceremony provided that moment to equip us by God’s Word and refocus our attention on the Concordia Mission.

CUW launches the new Alumni Mentoring Program later this month for alumni and students to grow and learn. Fall sports are in full swing. We gather for the Inauguration of President Ankerberg as we officially mark the beginning of his tenure and celebrate all that is Concordia. Alumni and families are invited to campus for the annual Welcome Back Weekend to reconnect and celebrate. The Concordia University Interprofessional Clinic is serving members of our community and the School of Health Professions is gearing up for an Alumni Open House event later this fall.

Please read on for more exciting news and information. I pray all is well with you and your family as we approach this fall season. And, thank you for being an important part of the Concordia community!

God’s peace be yours,

Greg Witto '94

Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

Greg.Witto@cuw.edu

Class of 1973, register today. Gather your memorabilia.

We'll see you at your reunion.

October 5-6

We are excited about the upcoming class reunion and

cannot wait to see you all! We hope you still have some photos and memorabilia from your college years. Dig through your boxes for letter jackets, pom poms, yearbooks, etc. Please bring them to your reunion to show your classmates.

If you have photos you could scan and send, we would love to include them in the event. Please email all photographs prior to your event to alumni@cuw.edu.

Important deadlines:

September 15: Last day for preferred rate at Hampton Inn.
September 15: Bio Book submission due.
September 22: Registration deadline.

Questions? Contact us at alumni@cuw.edu, or call 262.243.2008.

RSVP by Friday, September 22

Presidential inauguration:

Looking back, looking forward, hearts together

September 29

Save the date for the inauguration of new CUWAA president, Dr. Erik Ankerberg. There will be eight days of festivities in Ann Arbor and Mequon to mark the inauguration, which will take place Friday, September 29, at 2 p.m. in the R. John Buuck Field House on the Mequon campus. The event will also be livestreamed. For additional information and a detailed schedule of all of the festivities, click here.

Alumni are also invited to join the ceremony as special guests in the processional to represent their classmates and others from their decade. All interested alumni are asked to contact us at 262.243.4544 or alumni@cuw.edu.

Alumni are invited to Welcome Back Weekend

October 6-8

In conjunction with Family Weekend, we are excited to welcome our alumni back to campus for Homecoming! This weekend, October 6-8, will be full of creating memories and celebrating all that CUW has to offer! To see a detailed schedule of events, click here.

Some of the highlights include:

Alumni Check in -- 11 am to 1 pm, October 7, at the Alumni Tent; Get your lunch and game vouchers and reconnect with fellow alumni.
Tailgate - 11 am to 3 pm, October 7, at the Catalyst Building; Enjoy a tailgate cookout lunch and live music while catching up with old friends.
Athletic Events -- 1 pm, men's football and also women's soccer; 3:30 pm, men's soccer; 4 pm women's volleyball; free game vouchers will be distributed during check in.

CUW alumni sing the praises of Concordia Music

Concordia's music program has had a profound effect on our students throughout the years. Take a look at these alumni stories to learn about the uncommon impact in each of their lives.

Click here to read about Alex Lauersdorf (’23), Rachel Morton (’11/’16), and Craig Toerpe (’00).

Falcon sports are underway!

Keep up with your alma mater's teams this fall. Click here to see the full schedule and support our Falcons at home and on the road!

Bid in the Auction for CUW’s Annual Golf Outing!

The CUW President’s Golf Classic is coming up on September 18. While the event is sold out, you can still bid in the event’s silent auction. No need to be present to win! Proceeds benefit scholarships for Concordia students. Packages include:

A suite at a 2024 Milwaukee Brewers game
Four premier Bucks tickets + a meet & greet with Pat Connaughton
A romantic Door County getaway
And more!

Please note that you need to enter your phone or email to start bidding. (See "Welcome" area at the top.) Bidding closes Monday, September 18, at 5 pm CST. Please contact Michelle Buss via email with questions. New items will be added next week, so check back.

Nursing Concordians helping Concordians

"I love coming back to campus for Peds Day! It is so great to see Jill (Krell) and some of the other professors again. I love being able to show them my babies. I also enjoy helping out the nursing students. It humbles me and takes me back to my roots of where my nursing career started. Plus, I love to show my kids 'where Mommy went to school!' They love it, too! They remember doing it from semester to semester and look forward to the treats and snacks Jill always has for them." -- Chelsea Gates (2012)

We are grateful that alumni return each year with their children to help Dr. Jill Krell teach Concordia nursing students pediatric skills in one of their classes.

To see more photos, click here.

CUW welcomes new faculty for the 2023-24 academic year

Meet the newcomers who are eager to make an impact at CUW, including two-time alumna Marie Lippe (1998 and 2012). Click here to see the names of the others.