The Lutheran Advantage
News from our Concordia Universities
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Greetings!
Welcome to "The Lutheran Advantage," an e-journal of the latest news across the Concordia University System.
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CUS Theological Faculty - Believing, Teaching, and Confessing Jesus Christ
Over the next several issues, we will introduce you to the theologians from our CUS faculty. Following in the footsteps of the theologians who drafted the Formula of Concord (pictured), they are committed to the Lutheran Confession of Jesus Christ. Our theologians, along with those of our seminaries, are renowned as the finest in their field. The institutions of the Concordia University System revere theology as the "Queen of the Sciences" and place Lutheran Biblical theology at the core of our curriculum.
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Concordia University, Chicago
Dr. Kurt Clayton
The Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, Assistant Professor of Theology at Concordia University Chicago and Director of the Pre-Seminary program, specializes in the art of Christian Apologetics. At CUC, Dr. Clayton teaches courses such as “Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms,” “Intro to Christianity,” “Liturgy and Worship,” “Catechesis,” “Encountering Religion in America,” and “Defense of the Christian Faith,” among others. In addition to his academic and Churchwork responsibilities at CUC, Dr. Clayton also leads the planning team to host an annual “Apologetics Bootcamp” at CUC for students and interested lay members from across the Church.
He spent three summers studying with Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, Dr. Craig Parton, Dr. Gene Edward Vieth, and others at the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism & Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. He has studied the writings of the "New Atheists" such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens and thought through ways to respond and defend the Christian faith in light of these attacks. He has been a frequent guest on KFUO Radio and on Issues, Etc., and has spoken regularly at Higher Things Youth Conferences, at ReThink315 Apologetics Camps, and at youth retreats. He has shared his passion for defending the Christian faith at several church-worker conferences across the LCMS. In the summer of 2025 was able to spend three weeks teaching Apologetics for the Creative Word Fellowship in Australia. In July of 2026 Dr. Clayton served as an Essayist at the LCMS Convention in Phoenix, AZ on the topic of “Christ's Resurrection for You.” Prior to serving at CUC, Dr. Clayton served for 24 years as a pastor at two congregations in Illinois.
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Concordia University, St. Paul
Dr. Reed Lessing
Reed Lessing serves as the Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He directs the university’s Center of Biblical Studies and its pre-pastoral program. Reed has authored six commentaries in the Concordia Commentary series, as well as books on Exodus, Numbers, and Jeremiah for a broader audience. Reed has also co-authored four books with Andy Steinmann that address Old Testament themes and motifs. He teaches classes on Hebrew, the Old Testament, and Biblical Interpretation.
| | | Concordia University Chicago | | |
Concordia-Chicago announces $5.9M initiative to enhance academic facilities
Virtual dissection room in a state-of-the-art dissection lab. Rendering by FGM Architects.
Concordia University Chicago will soon begin renovations of the Walter and Maxine Christopher Center for Learning and Leadership, an initiative that will add and improve instructional spaces on campus. The $5.9 million project, part of a multi-phased plan to enhance academic facilities, is fully underwritten by dedicated supporters.
Phase 1 work will take place on the second and third floors of the Christopher Center. On the second floor, four classrooms will be converted into microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, and general biology labs. On the third floor, office space will be converted into a state-of-the-art dissection lab, with a cadaver dissection room and a virtual dissection room equipped with Anatomage Tables and spatial reality displays.
Future phases will include learning spaces in the Christopher Center, as well as renovations elsewhere on campus.
Construction is scheduled to begin in December, at the end of the fall semester. Work is expected to be completed by August 2027, with spaces ready for use by the start of the next academic year.
Read the full story on our website.
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'Advancing Healthcare Pathways': CUC receives $3M federal grant to support students pursuing health sciences vocations
Nursing students test out VR technology in CUC’s simulation and skills lab.
Effective Oct. 1, Concordia University Chicago received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) to launch "Advancing Healthcare Pathways," a major initiative to increase access to healthcare programs, improve student success, and prepare students for career placement and postgraduate study within the health sciences.
The SIP grant is awarded to eligible private or public higher education institutions to strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Funding will be distributed over five years to expand existing resources, create new programming, modernize laboratory facilities, and increase staffing. The award also marks the largest grant in University history.
“This grant is a testament to Concordia-Chicago’s steadfast commitment to preparing students to serve in all kinds of vocations,” said University President Dr. Russell P. Dawn. “By expanding our capacity to educate and guide these students, we equip the next generation of healthcare leaders to care for their neighbors with compassionate, Christ-centered excellence."
More details here.
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| Concordia University Irvine | | |
CUI Hosts ‘Epic’ 50th Celebrations
On the first three days of October, Concordia University Irvine welcomed thousands to campus to celebrate 50 years since the university’s founding. “It was a tremendous gathering of the Concordia family and a real celebration of the past, present and future,” says Tim Jaeger, vice president for university advancement, who calls it “the greatest gathering of all our constituencies at any one time, including alumni, current students, parents, church friends, donors, board members, civic leaders, faculty, and staff.” Over the weekend, nearly 2,500 people participated in the slate of events, which included a fall family festival, alumni reunions, a lively on-campus Oktoberfest, a symphony orchestra concert, a hymnfest and celebration service, and ribbon-cuttings for the CU Center and Golden Eagle Athletics Complex. Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, Concordia University System President Jamison Hardy, and Third Vice President of the LCMS (and CUI alumnus), the Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa '87 were on hand to help with the ribbon-cutting, as well as the other CUS officials, CUS presidents, and district presidents.
| | Concordia University, Nebraska | | |
Concordia Nebraska alum Mark Anschutz ’77 creates art piece commemorating Concordia Irvine’s 50th anniversary
Concordia Irvine received a commemorative artwork as a joint gift from Concordia Nebraska, Concordia University Chicago, Concordia University Wisconsin, and Concordia University, St. Paul, in honor of its 50th anniversary. Created by Mark Anschutz ’77, Concordia Nebraska alum and one of the founders of the Center for Liturgical Art, the piece celebrates Concordia Irvine’s history, faith and academic mission.
Concordia Nebraska President Dr. Bernard Bull commissioned Anschutz to create the artwork. The project held special significance for Anschutz, who helped establish the art department at Concordia Irvine, then known as Christ College Irvine.
Rather than creating a traditional anniversary image, Anschutz developed an abstract, layered composition incorporating Concordia Irvine’s academic-year theme verses. Made with acrylic paint on wood, the piece’s layers represent history, growth, discovery, faith, and learning, reflecting the many elements that shape a university’s story.
The artist created the artwork over about two weeks and made several revisions before completing it. Concordia Nebraska’s Center for Liturgical Art framed and shipped the piece to California.
Bull and Concordia Nebraska Provost Dr. Tim Preuss presented the artwork to Concordia Irvine in early October as part of its 50th anniversary observance.
“For me, this piece is both a look backward and a look forward,” Anschutz said. “It honors where Concordia Irvine has been while leaving room for what God will continue to create through the people who are part of its future.”
Read more at cune.edu/stories.
| | Concordia University St. Paul | | |
CSP Inaugurates New Endowed Chair in New Testament Studies
Rev. Dr. Kendall Davis and his wife Samantha are pictured with Rev. Jim and Karen Laatsch.
On Friday, October 8, 2026, the Rev. Dr. Kendall Davis was appointed to the Robert L. and Ruth F. Eckerman Endowed Chair in New Testament Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul. Davis has served as Assistant Professor of New Testament at Concordia St. Paul since fall 2025.
The chair was made possible thanks to a generous gift from the Rev. Jim and Karen Laatsch, which established two endowed faculty chairs and endowed the Department of Theology and Ministry. Concordia St. Paul gives thanks to God for the Laatschs’ generous support and deep dedication to its mission.
| | Concordia University Wisconsin | | |
Concordia University Wisconsin announces new School of Theology
Concordia University Wisconsin has announced plans to establish a School of Theology, reaffirming its Lutheran identity and longstanding commitment to preparing students to serve Christ in the Church and the world.
Scheduled to launch in fall 2027, the School of Theology will become a distinct academic school within the university. Previously housed within the School of Arts and Sciences, theology will now have its own academic leadership and a focus on advancing biblical and doctrinal studies, theological languages, and church worker preparation.
The decision represents more than an organizational change. It is a deliberate investment in Concordia’s Lutheran identity and a bold affirmation of the mission that has guided the university since its founding in 1881.
“The new School of Theology aligns with our priorities and leverages our faculty members as leaders in the area,” said Erik Ankerberg, PhD, president of Concordia. “This decision reflects our commitment to keeping theology at the heart of our university and strengthening our service to the Church for generations to come.”
The establishment of the School of Theology directly supports Concordia’s strategic commitment to live its mission, create transformational student experiences, and maximize its impact on the Church and the world.
The university plans to hire a dean to lead the School of Theology, with an appointment anticipated in late spring 2027. The university will share additional details about the school’s leadership and future plans in subsequent announcements.
| | CUS Activities and Events | | |
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Concordia University, Wisconsin Informal Visitation
The Concordia University System conducted an informal visitation at CUW from October 12-14, 2026. During a triennium, the system conducts two years of informal visits, followed by a formal visitation in the third year. The purpose of these informal visitations is for “regular ecclesiastical and fraternal counsel and encouragement through annual, informal visitation that involves free exchange among peers.” Unlike the formal visitation, the informal visitation broadens the scope of connection with the university. Visitation team members sit in on at least two classes during the visitation process. Team members meet with administration, faculty, staff, and students in individual and small-group settings, preferably in their physical locations or office settings. This helps to ensure a more comfortable and inviting environment for conversations. The conversations with the informal visitation team aim to determine how CUS can help the institution continue to improve and what CUS may learn from the institution that will benefit our other institutions and the system. The CUS team enjoyed a warm welcome, cordial conversations, and productive brainstorming during the visit.
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Admissions Summit #2 Held at CUW
For the second year in a row, CUS, in partnership with Set Apart to Serve, held a summit on recruitment and admissions for students preparing for vocations in the Church. Admissions and strategic planning representatives from our five universities and both seminaries gathered with CUS and Set Apart to Serve staff at Concordia University, Wisconsin, for two days of discussion, planning, and development of a long-term strategic plan to increase the number of church work students enrolled in our institutions of higher learning.
Last year's summit led to the creation of the Direct Admit program, a collaborative effort among our Concordia Universities. This year's summit produced several new initiatives that the group will work to bring online over the next one to five years. We thank our Lord for the blessings He continues to bestow on the Church through the work of these people.
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CUS Sponsors Area Youth Retreat
The Concordia University System proudly sponsored the Third Annual Catechetical Youth Retreat of Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries, a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS. The Rev. Dr. James Lee, Associate Professor of Theology and Honors Program Director at Concordia University Chicago, served as the retreat's plenary speaker.
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Thank You to our Donors!
Donations to the Concordia University System have been very generous this year, and we give thanks to our Lord and our donors for this providence. Donations, both small and large, one-time or recurring, help CUS continue our mission in a variety of ways. Gifts and bequests allow us to continue our work of visiting the Concordia campuses, maintaining relationships with the university administration, faculty, staff, and students on behalf of the congregations of the LCMS, supporting our institutions, and providing scholarships directly to students studying for vocations in the church.
Donations may be made online at https://cus.edu/donate/ or by postal service to
Concordia University System
1333 S Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
Bequests from trusts and estates, as well as the transfer of real estate and investments, may also be directed to this address. The Lord has provided many scholarships and operating funding through generous estate planning.
To all of our donors - Thank you, and God bless you!
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