The leadership team was inspired the day they finalized the CUW mission statement -
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the World.
Not only do these powerful words provide us with guidance throughout our day, but they have also led us to enact buildings, repair nature and dream stadiums.
Now these words are compelling us to take on our largest project to date. On May 18, 2012, the CUW Board of Regents and the LCMS Board of Directors approved a resolution by which Concordia University of Wisconsin would acquire Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) in Michigan.
The new structure keeps both Universities open in their respective locations, but under one Board of Regents, the CUW Board of Regents. Both Universities will be led by CUW President, Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, who will spend time on both campuses. The schools and divisions of CUAA will be restructured to mirror those at CUW with a common core of coursework for general studies at both Universities.
Because of this decision, CUW will impact more students within an important geographic and demographic region, answer the call from the LCMS to maintain a biblically-based institution for higher education, and further advance the Kingdom of God.
While the full impact of this acquisition remains to be seen, we know that we and our colleagues are up to the challenge. The transition team is finalizing strategies to achieve aggressive enrollment, academic, athletic and advancement goals for CUAA based on the experiences and successes of CUW. On the alumni relations side, our first effort will be to help plan a 50th anniversary celebration that will also kick-off a CUAA campaign to their alumni and supporters.
How will this acquisition affect CUW alumni? Other than it raising the value of a CUW degree and awareness of your Alma Mater, we don't expect this undertaking to have much direct effect on our alumni. Your financial contributions will continue to support the students and needs of CUW. And, now that the Renewed by the Waters Campaign is nearly complete, we're exploring new exciting, opportunities for "what's next."
Please know that you, our CUW alumni, are vital to our current and future success. As this collaboration continues to move forward, our intentions, strategies and efforts will continue to serve you as our legacies in the church and the world. It is our mission to do so. And as you know, we take that pretty seriously around here!
Sincerely,
