Campus clips: Music and sports in focus

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

In 2026, the Concordia University Chicago (CUC) University Band’s beloved Patriotic Pops concert will be part of CUC’s “Stand Tall for Freedom” observance. (CUC)

Standing tall for freedom

In honor of the United States’ 250th birthday this year, Concordia University Chicago (CUC), River Forest, Ill., is hosting a yearlong series of events, most of which are free and open to the public.

The series kicked off on March 9 at 4 p.m. in CUC’s Christopher Center, where constitutional scholar Jeffrey Rosen presented “Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Life, Liberty and Virtue.”

On April 14 at 7 p.m., journalist Jonah Goldberg will present “Freedom and the Founding,” a lecture on the American Revolution’s contributions to the rise of the free society. On June 27 at 6:30 p.m., the CUC University Band, conducted by Dr. Richard Fischer, will present its annual Patriotic Pops concert.

Additional events will be added. Learn more at cuchicago.edu/events.

Choral festival

On Jan. 24, Hope Lutheran High School, Winona, Minn., hosted the first annual Southeast Minnesota Junior High Honor Choir. Public and private school students in grades 6–8 were chosen by their music teachers to take part. In all, 138 students were nominated from 20 schools and three different states. The event included a day-long rehearsal and a final performance held at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Winona.

“I liked the opportunity to meet other students,” said Sophia Johnson, a seventh-grader from St. Martin’s. “It was nice to have a whole day dedicated to music.”

“There is something so distinctly special about young people coming together to sing,” said Cherie Johnson, a parent of one of the students. “I was so impressed by the mature and dedicated behavior of every single student, as well as their ability to work together.”

The students performed a number of sacred and secular works. “It gave me chills to hear hundreds of voices, some even new or estranged from the church, joining together to give praise to God through the words of this hymn,” said organizer and conductor Thomas Johnson, who serves as choir and band teacher at Hope.

Junior high choral students from 20 schools and three states participated in the Southeast Minnesota Junior High Honor Choir on Jan. 24 at Hope Lutheran High School in Winona, Minn. (Deb Ellinghuysen)

Scholar athlete

Makenna Nold, a sophomore nursing major at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., has been named a finalist in volleyball for the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) Division II Honda Athlete of the Year.

Nold, who holds a 4.0 GPA, was also named the Academic All-American® of the Year for Division II volleyball by the College Sports Communicators. CSP now has the fourth highest number of volleyball academic All-Americans across all levels, trailing only Nebraska, MIT and Stanford.

Leading the Golden Bears volleyball team to a national runner-up finish this past season, Nold has been recognized as the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Player of the Year, 2025 AVCA Central Region Player of the Year, and 2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Player of the Year.

“Makenna is the epitome of what it means to be a scholar athlete, and we could not be more proud of her,” said CSP Head Volleyball Coach Brady Starkey.

Serving those who served

Kari Metts, a U.S. Army veteran who serves as the veteran outreach coordinator at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis., understands firsthand that trust matters in the counseling relationship — especially for those who have served.

Kari Metts

“Some veterans have reservations about speaking with someone who hasn’t shared their experience,” Metts explains. “And there also aren’t many people of color in the counseling profession. So me being here fills both roles.”

Metts, who is retired from the Army after 26 years of service, is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health at CUW. This is her second time pursuing graduate studies at Concordia, and that familiarity played a role in her decision to return.

“I really like that the program is small,” she says. “Even though it’s online, I still feel a meaningful connection through video discussions and engagement with classmates.”

That balance of flexibility and connection allows students to stay rooted in community, even in an online learning environment. She encourages new and prospective students to approach the program with patience and perspective.

“Take it one step at a time, one class every eight weeks,” she advises. “Enjoy the journey. Enjoy what you’re about to learn. Take it all in.”

Metts continues: “Say to yourself: I’m here where I’m supposed to be. I’m going to remember my purpose — to be a counselor. Even when a class feels difficult, remind yourself: This, too, shall pass.”

Through her military service, professional work with veterans, and formation at CUW, Metts is preparing to serve others with empathy, resilience and lived understanding. Her journey reflects what CUW’s counseling programs strive to do every day: prepare students to meet people where they are and walk with them toward healing and hope.

Tom Mueller

New dean

Dr. Tom Mueller has been named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif. He had served as interim dean since June 2025. CUI Provost Scott Ashmon notes, “Dr. Tom Mueller is an articulate advocate for the liberal arts at a Lutheran Christian university, and he is keen on seeing where we can improve, analyzing what to do and making that happen together.”

He has presented workshops and lectures for numerous organizations and has served in leadership positions with the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Musicians.

Mueller previously served as chair of the CUI Music Department and brings extensive experience as an educator and academic leader.

Planting seeds

Seeds of Generosity is a monthlong celebration of how God works through the faithful giving of His people to sustain the mission of Christ-centered education at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb. The celebration will take place throughout March.

CUNE invites all to join in joyful, prayerful giving, trusting that God multiplies every gift for His good purposes. View giving opportunities and read stories of generosity at cune.edu/seeds.

Moving on campus

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), is excited to announce that The Lutheran Foundation will begin construction of its new headquarters on CTSFW’s campus this spring. It hopes to move operations to campus by 2027. The Lutheran Foundation serves northeast Indiana by investing in regional churches, schools and organizations.

The Lutheran Foundation anticipates that this move will strengthen its Lutheran identity and its ability to support Lutheran congregations, institutions and the community.

“CTSFW is delighted to have the foundation on our campus,” said CTSFW President Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss. “We look forward to a mutually beneficial working relationship that is going to advance the Gospel, not just in northeast Indiana, but around the world.”

Laudamus heads west

If you live in Southern California, Laudamus, the premier men’s choir of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is coming to a church near you! The choir will perform at several locations March 10–14, including a special performance at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Directed by Dr. Samuel Eatherton, the choir will sing a repertoire reflecting the tour’s theme, “Lamb of God, Who Takes Away the Sin of the World,” to invite penitential reflection and devotion during the Lenten season. For more information, visit csl.edu/laudamus.

Posted March 6, 2026