Campus clips: God’s gifts of art, music, science

The Concert Handbell Ensemble of Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif., performed for the Pinnacle National Handbell Conference in Wichita, Kan., in July. (CUI)

This monthly column includes brief reports submitted by schools, campus ministries, universities and/or seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Handbells on the move

The Concert Handbell Ensemble at Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif., journeyed to Wichita, Kan., in July to perform, by invitation, at Pinnacle, the national handbell conference of Handbell Musicians of America. During their visit to Wichita, the ensemble and directors were hosted by Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where they also performed an evening concert. All the CUI handbell repertoire was composed or arranged by CUI alumni.

Celebrating the liturgical arts

This year, the Center for Liturgical Art at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a silent auction featuring the work of current and emeritus CUNE art faculty and friends of the center will take place Oct. 6–12.

On Friday, Oct. 10, the university will dedicate 12 mosaics depicting Christ’s apostles, designed and crafted by emeritus art professor Reinhold Marxhausen, who died in 2011. Until recently, they were displayed at St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park, Ill. The dedication will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the Thom Leadership Education Center’s Mainstreet lobby. A ticketed luncheon will follow, and the Harvey and Carol Lange studio in the Center for Liturgical Art will host an open house.

The Center for Liturgical Art was established in 2003 as a result of the vision of Reinhold Marxhausen and the focused efforts of Ken Schmidt and the Lange family to create a program capable of spreading the Gospel through art while allowing students the opportunities to learn about what it means to be an artist in the church.

Looking to the future

Launching this fall at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis., the Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) prepares students to thrive in one of today’s fastest growing industries. The program combines technical training with philosophical reflection to ensure students lead with both skill and wisdom.

Students will gain hands-on experience with machine learning, natural language processing and generative AI tools, while also exploring the ethical challenges and moral responsibilities that come with emerging technologies. Grounded in Concordia’s Christ-centered mission, the curriculum emphasizes responsible innovation and the dignity of the human person.

Coursework includes both advanced computer science and foundational philosophy classes. Taught by expert faculty from both disciplines, students will graduate equipped to apply AI in ways that support human flourishing across fields like health care, education, business and beyond, serving in roles such as AI engineer, data scientist, ethics consultant and more. CUW’s unique Lutheran lens sets this program apart from others in the Midwest.

Learn more at blog.cuw.edu.

Record-setting enrollment

Like other institutions, Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., reports a fall semester census number to the U.S. Department of Education. However, the actual number of students served by CSP during a given academic year is higher due to students starting coursework at six different points during the year.

CSP’s Fall 2024 census showed a record 5,928 students, while the total number of unique students served throughout the 2024–2025 academic year was a record 7,487. “With more than 100 academic programs ranging from associate to doctoral, CSP’s expansive curriculum enables it to serve the students who choose to prepare for life, vocation and career in the context of the Christian Gospel,” said the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, CSP president. “We thank God for His abundant blessings and are thrilled to have served another record number of students.”

Lasting impact

Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., will recognize three distinguished individuals at its annual Maroon & Gold Gala on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Ill. Honorees include Jonathan Schultz (B.A., ’90), president of Concordia Publishing House, who will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award; Kaye Wolff, devoted advocate for the mission and ministries of the LCMS, who will be honored with the One Heart Award; and the Rev. Stephen Starke (B.A., ’77), renowned hymnist and LCMS pastor, who will receive the Spiritus Christi Award.

These awards celebrate individuals whose lives reflect steadfast faith; dedicated service; and a lasting impact on the church, education and community. The gala supports CUC’s Prepared to Serve initiative, which provides scholarships to future LCMS church workers.

Hearing God’s call

Nearly 50 high school students from across the country came together June 21–27 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, for Vocatio: High School, a weeklong retreat that encourages participants to explore God’s calling and direction for their lives. The students took part in Bible study, prayer and chapel, and met with seminary faculty, staff and students to learn about pathways to pastoral and diaconal ministry. The week also included a college fair, excursions to local attractions, and opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth.

For more information, visit csl.edu/admissions.

International deaconesses

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), was awarded a $100,000 mission grant from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League for the 2025–2027 biennium. The grant will provide scholarships for two students from Tanzania — Heavenlight Mono and Victoria Kiula — to complete CTSFW’s distance deaconess studies program. The students, who were hand-picked by the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania for advanced study at CTSFW, will be further equipped to serve their rapidly growing church body through acts of mercy and as instructors of deaconess students in Tanzania.

Posted Aug. 20, 2025