Campus clips: Lutheran schools serve, collaborate with communities

Attendees of the Martin + Katie Conference at University Lutheran Church, Champaign, Ill., enjoy a game of Poetry for Neanderthals. The event drew 75 young adults from around the country. (Katie Schuermann)

This monthly column includes brief reports submitted by LCMS schools, campus ministries, universities and/or seminaries.

Supporting new teachers

The Lutheran Schools Partnership, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., congratulates this year’s John Weber Memorial Teacher Support Fund recipients: Blaire Rebber and Isaac Weander. Rebber, a 2024 graduate of Concordia University Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., teaches second grade at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Fort Wayne. Weander, also a 2024 CUNE graduate, directs choir and teaches theology at Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne.

The Weber fund is named after John Weber, a cancer survivor, CUNE graduate, and Lutheran school teacher and principal who died in 2021 from complications of COVID-19. The fund was created to encourage new teachers to relocate to the northeast Indiana area by helping address financial barriers such as student debt and relocation/housing costs. For more information, visit thelutheranschools.org.

Young adult gathering

University Lutheran Church, Champaign, Ill., hosted its second annual Martin + Katie Conference March 28–30, bringing together 75 Lutheran young adults from across the country. Attendees spent the weekend growing in knowledge of what it is to be men and women in Christ as well as making new friends. Event highlights included daily prayer services, board games, line dancing, a hymn sing and waiting out a tornado in the church basement.

The Rev. Michael Schuermann serves as pastor at University Lutheran. The Rev. Lance O’Donnell, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,  Oconomowoc, Wis., and his wife, Carrie, served as conference speakers.

New middle school

Milwaukee Lutheran High School has announced the launch of a new middle school, set to open in 2026. Beginning with a sixth-grade class of up to 75 students, the program will offer families a faith-filled, academically rich option during these formative years.

“This is not just an extension to who we are; it’s a natural next step in our vision for Milwaukee Lutheran,” said Dr. Wayne Jensen, Milwaukee Lutheran principal. “Our heart is to walk alongside students sooner, support families more fully, and guide young leaders with God’s Word during the critical years of their educational journey.”

The application period for the first sixth-grade class will open this fall. While students are not required to attend the middle school to enroll at Milwaukee Lutheran for high school, this new offering provides early access to the school’s supportive, Christ-centered environment.

Visit milwaukeelutheran.org to learn more about the school.

Equipping the church

The institutes of Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., are a growing expression of the university’s mission to equip the church for faithful service in all vocations. More than physical spaces, the institutes — which include the Center for Liturgical Art, the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Institute for Rural and Small Town Ministries — are dynamic communities of learning, support and encouragement for LCMS church workers, alumni, students and lay leaders. Through continuing education, events and practical resources, the institutes offer a lifeline of theological depth and Christ-centered connection, strengthening those who serve so that they may shine the light of Christ into the world. Learn more at cune.edu/institutes.

Faith through art

Confessio 2025: A Retreat on the Lutheran Confessions was held on the campus of Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., on Saturday, April 5. Confessio is an annual event at CSP. This year’s event, “Christian Symbols: Liturgical Art and the Lutheran Confessions,” featured Edward Riojas, Lutheran artist, and the Rev. Dr. Jacob Corzine, vice-president of Publishing at Concordia Publishing House. Nearly 90 people attended this year’s event.

Vocational guidance

Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., was among a select group of Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) members chosen to receive a program development grant from the Council of Independent Colleges.

The $51,590 grant will fund two programs at CUC: an Athletic Faculty Mentoring program, which aims to form a community of mentors and mentoring partnerships among athletic and academic staff in order to guide student athletes in their vocational reflection and discernment; and a Community-Engaged Learning program, to be a pathway for vocation exploration through a partnership among CUC faculty, advising and career services staff, and community organizations and businesses.

“We are thrilled about the opportunities and resources that the NetVUE grant will provide. … I have no doubt that this grant will have a lasting impact on our students as they reflect upon and discern God’s call for their lives,” said Kathy Gebhardt, CUC dean of students.

Award-winning production

The Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif., production “Girls Like That” received seven awards from the National Committee of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The production was invited to the KCACTF Region 8 Conference in February and qualified to be considered for national awards. CUI’s production was awarded the Distinguished Production award in the following categories: Citizen Artist Award, Facilitation of a Brave Rehearsal Space Award, Distinguished Production Design, Distinguished Projection or Media Design to CUI student Joshua Lewis, Distinguished Direction of a play or musical to CUI adjunct faculty director Sarah Ripper, Distinguished Stage Management to CUI student Isabella Mangahis, and Distinguished Performance Ensemble awarded to the full cast.

Workshop series

Faculty from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), along with other scholars, will share their expertise on topics including Athanasius’ theology, the Apocalypse, biblical archaeology, adult discipleship and many more as part of CSL’s 2025 Prof Insights: Faculty-Led Workshop Series being held nationwide from May through October. Designed for pastors, other church workers and laity, the annual series offers in-depth study on contemporary topics that influence the practice of ministry and worship. Find the list of workshops, presenters and registration information at csl.edu/workshop-series.

For more information, contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or ce@csl.edu.

Learning about mission

A group of students from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), traveled to the Dominican Republic March 1–8 for a mission education trip. They were accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Don Wiley, CTSFW associate professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, and the Rev. Mark Rabe, director of Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission.

The group visited mission congregations, sat in on a meeting of the regional leadership team, shared the Gospel on school visits, and did some sightseeing. They also attended seminary chapel, where CTSFW seminarian Samuel Ledford was able to preach in Spanish.

Posted May 22, 2025