Campus clips: Music, theology, basketball

Concordia Seminary. St. Louis (CSL), students singing in Laudamus for the group’s March 2024 tour are, from left, (front row) Luke Elowsky, Josh Marlatt, Kurtis Polodna, Ryan Kroonblawd; (middle row) Aaron Carlson, Jesse Liebmann, Emil Simonsen, Henry Eising; (back row) Michael Wilke, Andrew Cole, Craig Wenzlick and Max Johnston. They are pictured with Interim Director Cantor Phillip Magness. (CSL)

The monthly “Campus Clips” column includes brief reports from LCMS day schools, LCMS U chapters, LCMS universities and the Synod’s two seminaries. Not every category or school is included every month.

Kane-Barnese

Physical science professorship

Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif., recently announced its first endowed professorship in the physical sciences, enabled by an estate gift from longtime CUI supporters Roger and Carol Burtner. A geologist by trade, Roger served CUI in volunteer leadership for almost 30 years, including on CUI’s Board of Trustees and Board of Regents. CUI Professor Lindsay Kane-Barnese, a 2005 CUI alum, has been named the first faculty member to hold the rotating professorship. “The Burtners wanted to help the physical sciences thrive and succeed and to support faculty as they fulfill their vocations within the physical sciences,” said Bret Taylor, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Basketball and fellowship

In December, the men’s basketball team from Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., traveled to Hawaii for the “Big Island Holiday Classic” basketball tournament at University of Hawaii—Hilo. While they were on the island, they attended worship at Christ Lutheran Church, Hilo. The Rev. Mark Zier, pastor at Christ, said, “Four of us from church attended the Bulldogs’ first game on Sunday evening. It came down to the last second, but unfortunately was lost 74–73. Our congregation was encouraged by the presence of this fine group of young men, and they seemed to enjoy their welcome and their time in worship.”

March ‘matchness’

On March 20, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA) will host its fourth annual day of giving to benefit the university’s Ann Arbor and Mequon campuses. Titled “March Matchness,” the joint campus initiative invites the entire CUWAA community and its supporters to come together to advance CUWAA’s mission and to make a huge impact in the lives of students. Visit cuw.edu or cuaa.edu for details on how to give.

Moldenauer

New vice-president

The Rev. Dr. Aaron Moldenhauer has been appointed CUWAA vice-president for mission and church relations. He is the first to serve in the position, which places him among the university’s executive team. In the position, Moldenhauer serves as a university-wide advisor on theological matters. He also works to establish consistent, doctrinally sound approaches to the challenges and opportunities of higher education and to articulate and promote CUWAA’s Lutheran mission beyond the campus as he connects with congregants, church leaders and others. Moldenhauer began the role on Jan. 1.

Renovated space

University Lutheran Chapel, College Station, Texas, the LCMS U chapter serving students at Texas A&M University and Blinn College—Bryan, opened the doors of its new building in Fall 2023. The new construction replaces the previous building, which was built in 1965 just 2-1/2 blocks from campus.

Lutheran campus ministry at Texas A&M, currently led by the Rev. John Karle and DCE Dorinda Noack Werner, dates back to 1922. The ministry reaches out to more than 75,000 students on two campuses, including special outreach to international students, scholars and families. During the demolition of the old building and the construction of the new one — which includes a high-rise student housing development and University Lutheran Chapel’s student center and worship space — the chapter operated in three different temporary spaces over two years.

Confessions study

Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn., will host its second annual “Confessio: A Retreat on the Lutheran Confessions” on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. William Weedon will serve as keynote speaker, focusing on his book Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey: Recover the Joys of Piety. This in-person event is free, and registration is required. Visit one.csp.edu/confessio to learn more and to register.

Redesigned MBA

Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., will launch its redesigned Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Summer 2024. The program has been modernized to provide students the skills they need to work in an environment where the use of data analytics, design thinking and artificial intelligence are critical to individual and corporate success. Future students who enroll in CUC’s MBA program will experience a reworked core curriculum aimed at preparing students to thrive today and in the future. The curriculum is broken into three distinct sections: Foundation Skills (12 hours); Thinking and Applied Artificial Intelligence (6 hours); and Business Strategy, Integration and Leadership Development (6 hours). For more information, visit cuchicago.edu/mba.

Endowed faculty chairs

On Jan. 15, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), dedicated two new faculty chairs established by the late Dr. Walter C. Dissen in honor of his family.

“At the heart of a faithful seminary is a faculty committed to the teaching of the Scriptures as stated in the Lutheran Confessions,” said CTSFW Provost Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen. “This generous gift … will ensure the support of two faithful faculty members, who will be used to form faithful servants for the church.”

The Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki has been appointed the Reverend Victor H. and Lydia Dissen Professor in the Lutheran Confessions, while the Rev. Dr. K. Detlev Schulz has been appointed the Roemer-Baese Professor in Pastoral Ministry and Missions. Both new chairholders presented lectures as part of the dedication celebration.

Seminary choir tour

Laudamus, the premier choir of seminarians from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will perform at seven churches and schools in Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri during its March 18–26 concert tour. The tour theme, “Not unto Us,” is taken from Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, O Lord, not unto us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” The performances will include pieces ranging from a Renaissance motet to a new piece by Cantor Phillip Magness, interim Laudamus director.

Find more details, including tour dates, times and locations, at csl.edu/laudamus.

Posted Feb. 19, 2024