Campus clips: Schools wrap up 2025, look to 2026

Students at Holy Trinity Lutheran School in Bowling Green, Ky., participate in a “boot camp” obstacle course, “jousting” on a balance beam while trying to avoid falling into the “mud pit,” during a Veterans Day celebration at the school on Nov. 11, 2025.

The monthly “Campus Clips” column includes brief reports from LCMS day schools, campus ministries, universities and seminaries.

Honoring veterans

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Bowling Green, Ky., honored veterans and their families on Nov. 11, 2025, with a day of gratitude and celebration. The observance began with the annual Holy Trinity Veterans Day Dinner, where military guests and their families enjoyed fellowship and a home-cooked meal. Holy Trinity School’s Girl Scouts created a colorful thank-you banner and served with smiles.

Throughout the school day, students and staff wore camouflage for “Camo Day” to show support for those who serve. Music classes filled the halls with patriotic songs, and kindergartners proudly paraded through the building waving flags and singing, “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

Physical education teacher Cara Bedo led K–6 classes through “boot camp” sessions complete with obstacle courses and teamwork challenges. The combined activities reminded students of the courage and sacrifice of America’s veterans and the importance of honoring them year-round.

Celebrating Christmas

Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., held its annual Christmas concert Dec. 6, 2025, at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., with nearly 800 people in attendance. Performing in the concert were CSP’s choral and instrumental ensembles, with overall leadership for the event provided by Dr. Paul von Kampen, director of Choral Activities.

“This celebration of ‘A Concordia St. Paul Christmas’ reminds us that the heart of our hope is Emmanuel — ‘God with us,’” said the Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann, CSP chief mission officer. “As a community shaped by our crucified and risen Savior, we join our voices to proclaim the Good News that Christ’s coming brings forgiveness, joy and peace to the world.”

“Emmanuel” also served as the theme for the sixth-annual, award-winning, made-for-TV Christmas special broadcast from Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif. The program premiered on Dec. 19, 2025, on PBS SoCal and featured choral and instrumental selections and readings. The celebration will continue with more than 660 showings of this and previous years’ episodes on PBS affiliates across the country December 2025.

Visit cui.edu/christmas to watch online.

Preferred partners

At Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., preferred partnership agreements strengthen the school’s mission of equipping God’s people for lives of learning, service and leadership. CUNE currently partners with the Lutheran Education Association (LEA), the National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NADCE) and Concordia Plan Services (CPS), with more partnerships in development.

Through these partnerships, eligible members or employees receive discounted tuition on a wide range of offerings, from non-credit Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to single graduate courses, graduate certificates and full master’s degrees.

Learn more at cune.edu/graduate-costs/preferred-partnerships.

Future nurses take note

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., has been ranked the No. 1 MSN program in Wisconsin by registerednursing.org, a trusted resource used by prospective nurses exploring advanced education options. The recognition affirms Concordia’s rigorous academic standards, mission-centered learning environment, and commitment to preparing nurses who lead with both skill and compassion.

Learn more at blog.cuw.edu.

At Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA), Ann Arbor, Mich., a new program invites career changers to answer God’s call to serve. CUAA’s 64-credit Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DE-MSN) program can be completed in 22 or 34 months and includes advanced theory, hands-on labs and supervised clinical rotations.

Learn more at blog.cuaa.edu.

Destination: Egypt

This June, alumni and friends of Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., will join students, faculty and staff in exploring the wonders of Egypt — a land rich in biblical history and early Christian heritage. Past destinations included Sicily and Greece.

Part of CUC’s Classical Education program, this trip will immerse participants in the cultural foundations that inform classical learning while building connections within the CUC community. Highlights include the Great Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, Coptic Cairo, Wadi El Natrun and a cruise on the Nile River. Daily briefings by CUC President Dr. Russell Dawn and Assistant Professor of History Dr. Joseph Holwell will deepen understanding of Egypt’s historical and theological significance. An expert Egyptologist will guide the group as well.

Hoops showdown

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), will host its annual “Old School Showdown” alumni basketball games on Feb. 6 at Pederson Field House. The event will feature two matchups between the current Concordia Seminary Preachers and alumni players, with games scheduled for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is free. The annual event offers an opportunity for alumni to reconnect and for fans to see whether the current Preachers or returning alumni will claim this year’s bragging rights.

Alumni who are interested in playing can sign up at csl.edu/alumni.

Celebrating the Nicene Creed

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), and the Fort Wayne community gathered on Nov. 10, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, for a hymn festival celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. More than 600 people joined the seminary’s Schola Cantorum, community congregational choirs, and the Concordia Lutheran High School A Cappella choir in praising God for His faithfulness.

The hymn festival was one of several music events held in conjunction with the Good Shepherd Institute Conference Nov. 9–11. The next GSI Conference will take place Nov. 8–10, 2026.

Posted Jan. 9, 2026