Campus clips: Synod schools celebrate blessings

First year students at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), continued the tradition of jumping (or walking) into the campus fountain after successfully completing their summer Greek course. Classes at CSL began on Aug. 22 with a service to mark the opening of the 187th academic year. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)

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

An educational milestone

Springfield Lutheran High School, Springfield, Mo., opened its doors on Aug. 13, marking a milestone for Lutheran education in the city. The day began with the school’s first chapel service, centered on the mission of partnering with families to form students into faithful disciples of Christ and accomplished scholars who joyfully serve others. Worship and prayer set the tone, grounding the celebration in the school’s core values: “Christ-Centered Community, Relationship-Driven Culture and Educational Excellence.”

Following chapel, the school community gathered outside for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Confetti filled the air as students, parents, faculty and community members cheered, giving thanks to God for His provision.

Springfield Lutheran High School starts its journey already recognized for excellence, having achieved accreditation through the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA), the Missouri Nonpublic School Accreditation Association (MNSAA), and the National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations (NFNSSAA).

In the spirit of the occasion, the words of C.F.W. Walther, in his 25th-anniversary address to the Synod in 1872, rang true: “Our congregational schools are the nurseries of the Church, from which the young trees, when they have grown older are transplanted into the fruit orchard of the Church. The better the condition of our schools, the better will conditions be in our congregations. … Next to pure doctrine, our schools are the greatest treasure we possess.”

Look for more about Springfield Lutheran High School in a future issue of Reporter.

Supporting top educators

Dr. Drew Gerdes, early childhood education program director and director of student teaching at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., was recently named CUNE’s first Lois Nielsen Endowed Faculty in Education. This endowed position, established through a $250,000 gift from George Nielsen (’54) in honor of his late wife, Lois (Mueller) Nielsen (’55), provides ongoing funding to support faculty through salary, benefits and professional development opportunities such as research and conference participation.

Gerdes plans to use the endowment’s support to deepen his engagement with the Fred Rogers Institute, enriching his scholarship and teaching through hands-on research with Rogers’ archives and collaboration with global educators. The Lois Nielsen Endowed Faculty position is one of 20 endowed faculty and staff positions helping CUNE recruit and retain top educators while advancing lifelong learning rooted in Lutheran values.

Global teacher training

The School of Education and Office of Continuing Education Studies at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis., have launched a new international partnership with U.S. University Pathways to bring Wisconsin academic standards to global K–12 classrooms.

The collaboration began in July 2025 with a five-day online teacher training program for educators in Lagos, Nigeria. Led by CUW adjunct professor Dr. Dan Frederking, the sessions introduced topics such as Western-style classrooms, differentiation, assessment and critical thinking.

U.S. University Pathways operates Forward International Academy (FIA), a global network of schools offering U.S. high school diplomas abroad. FIA’s international enrollment doubled from 80 to 180 students in the past year, representing countries from Afghanistan to Ukraine.

The partnership equips teachers to deliver FIA’s curriculum according to Wisconsin standards. Concordia leaders see the initiative as an opportunity to expand the university’s role in international education while promoting high-quality, student-focused teacher development.

Learn more at blog.cuw.edu.

Maximum accreditation

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA), Ann Arbor, Mich., has earned the maximum 10-year accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) — the highest possible outcome.

The decision affirms CUAA’s strong academic foundation, rigorous training and commitment to preparing students for impactful medical careers. The 27-month, full-time curriculum combines 15 months of didactic coursework — including anatomy, pharmacology, physiology/pathophysiology, behavioral health and simulation labs — with 12 months of supervised clinical rotations across Michigan and beyond.

Graduates are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and pursue licensure to practice in diverse clinical settings nationwide. CUAA’s first-time and five-year PANCE pass rates exceed 90%, reflecting consistent student success in primary care practice.

The 10-year accreditation places CUAA’s program among an elite group nationwide, underscoring its role as a trusted provider of highly trained, mission-driven health care professionals.

Learn more at blog.cuaa.edu.

CSP at the Gathering

Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., was pleased to sponsor the Bible used at this summer’s LCMS Youth Gathering. CSP’s exhibitor booth represented the seasonal variety in Minnesota, while the sponsor video played at the Tuesday night Mass Event highlighted how CSP students experience each season.

DCE Shelly Schwalm, director of CSP’s Director of Christian Education program, served as one of the Mass Event hosts. In addition, numerous faculty and staff members served on the planning team or as breakout session speakers.

“CSP is thrilled to invest in the LCMS Youth Gathering,” said CPS Chief Mission Officer Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann. “We know this event is incredibly formative for young people and adults alike, and putting God’s Word into their hands bears fruit. As we work together as a Synod to raise up future church workers and lay leaders alike, we want to make sure they know our Concordias stand ready to serve them.”

Christ at the center

Since the announcement of its Prepared to Serve: Church Professional Guarantee in February, Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., has seen remarkable momentum in enrollment interest for LCMS church work programs. This new commitment — beginning this fall — ensures that all incoming first-year students preparing for careers in church work will pay no more than $5,000 annually in tuition and mandatory fees. Through God’s grace, CUC projects more than double the number of new church work students for Fall 2025 compared to Fall 2024. CUC leadership gives thanks to God for the donors who make Prepared to Serve possible and pray that He continues to raise up faithful workers for His harvest field (Matt. 9:37–38).

For more information about Prepared to Serve, visit cuchicago.edu/prepared-to-serve.

Supporting this initiative is Careers for Christ, a free, three-day event for high school students considering a future in church work. Held Oct. 11–13, the weekend includes hands-on sessions, meetings with faculty and current students, and opportunities to explore how CUC prepares servants for ministry in Christ’s church in programs such as Classical Lutheran Educator, Deaconess, Director of Christian Education, Director of Parish Music, Lutheran Teacher Education and Pre-Seminary. For more information about Careers for Christ, visit cuchicago.edu/c4c.

New academic year

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), marked the start of its 187th academic year on Aug. 22 in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. CSL President Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Egger preached on the new academic year theme, “Christ the Living Stone … Building Us Together,” based on 1 Peter 2:4–5.

The service concluded a week of orientation for new students, including residential and distance students in the Ministerial Formation and Advanced Studies departments. Three new staff members were installed: the Rev. Mark Barz, campus chaplain; the Rev. James Paul Hoemann, senior gift officer; and the Rev. Timothy Scharr, director of Placement. In addition, three current faculty and staff members assumed new roles: the Rev. Dr. Gerhard Bode, Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Professor of Theology; the Rev. Jesse Kueker, director of Enrollment; and the Rev. Dr. David Lewis, Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Professor of New Testament Theology.

Master plan

As Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), approaches its 50th year back in Fort Wayne, plans are underway to enhance the campus in support of residential formation for generations to come. The campus master plan, approved last fall by the CTSFW Board of Regents and the LCMS Board of Directors, identifies several areas for potential developments and improvements that will bring the aging campus, designed in the 1950s by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, into the 21st century.

This summer, CTSFW announced the first two projects in the campus master plan: restoration of the windows in Kramer Chapel and construction of a new food and clothing co-op. “At the end of the day, it’s all about how we can best fulfill our mission, which is to advance Christ’s church now and into the future,” said Lance Hoffman, CTSFW’s chief operating officer.

Posted Sept. 19, 2025