Concordia University Wisconsin is celebrating 980 students as they graduate on May 13-14. Here is what you need to know about the weekend festivities.
CUW is looking forward to baccalaureate services and commencement celebrations on May 13-14. This year, the commencement speaker is Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president emeritus and professor emeritus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Friday, May 13 — Graduate Student Ceremony
Tickets required for in-person attendance
- 4 p.m., R. John Buuck Field House
Saturday, May 14 — Commencement Ceremonies
Tickets required for in-person commencement attendance
- Baccalaureate: 10 a.m., Chapel of Christ Triumphant
- Commencement: 1:30 p.m., R. John Buuck Field House
2022 May Commencement Address: Dr. Dale Meyer
Dr. Dale A. Meyer is president emeritus and professor emeritus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Meyer retired in 2020 after 15 years as Seminary president. He first joined the faculty at Concordia Seminary as a guest instructor, serving from 1979 to 1981. He then served as an assistant professor from 1981 to 1984. In 2001, he rejoined the faculty and served as professor of Practical Theology in addition to his role as president.
He previously served as the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Chair in Homiletics and Literature (2001-05). He served as the interim president (2004-05) and became the 10th president of Concordia Seminary in 2005.
Meyer’s first call was as pastor of St. Salvator Lutheran Church in Venedy, Ill., and St. Peter Lutheran Church in New Memphis, Ill. (1974-81). After his tenure as a guest instructor at Concordia Seminary (1979-81), he served as an assistant professor, teaching classes in New Testament and homiletics, and as the director of Resident Field Education (1981-84). He went on to become senior pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Ill. (1984-88).
Meyer has served The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the church at-large over the years in several capacities. He served as third vice-president of the LCMS from 1995 to 1998. He was a charter board member of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA), has served as an honorary director of God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society and as a member of the Standing Committee on Pastoral Ministry for the LCMS. He was pastoral adviser for the Southern Illinois District of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League and has served as first vice president, second vice president, secretary and circuit counselor of the LCMS Southern Illinois District. He served on the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society from 2001 to 2013.
Meyer has been speaking and preaching for more than 40 years. His areas of interest and study include 1 Peter, the church in a changing culture and the Sabbath applied to life today.
Student Speakers
Ms. Sarah Clark (Graduate Ceremony)
Sarah Clark is a doctoral candidate in the Leadership Innovation and Continuous Improvement Program at Concordia University. Her previous education includes both a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Governor’s University. Professionally, Sarah has worked at the Muckleshoot Tribal School in Washington state for eight years and currently serves as the secondary Tier 3 reading specialist. Focused on supporting both students and adults, Sarah collaborates with school administrators and teacher leaders to develop and provide professional development opportunities at her school.
In addition to pursuing her administrator certification, Sarah is scheduled to present at the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Summer Symposium this July, her presentation titled, “Understanding Who Our Native American Students Are and Why it Matters.” This presentation is designed to serve as a tool to support teachers and administrators as they consider internal and external factors that impact Native students’ academic success.
As a single parent, Sarah was inspired to continue her education in order to model for her four children that despite adversity, any dream is attainable. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, engaging in jigsaw puzzles, and doing crafts.
Ms. Elizabeth (Lizzy) Balsiger (Undergraduate Ceremony)
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Balsiger is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Women’s Studies. In her time at Concordia, Lizzy has held positions as the student representative for the Wisconsin Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Association (WSHA) and the Vice President of the Concordia Chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA).
Additionally, Lizzy has had her research regarding preterm infant feeding and swallowing disorders in adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities peer-reviewed and published on the state and national levels. Lizzy has served the Concordia campus and in the community working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by living in-home with Bethesda STEPS participants and serving on the executive board of Best Buddies. In 2021, Lizzy was awarded the Dr. Donna J. Streufert Leadership Award for her dedication to faith and service in the community.
Ticketing is available online for the 2022 May Commencement ceremony. Graduation candidates can now register for the event and order tickets for up to eight guests using their student ID number.
Celebrate your grad online!
- Sharing a photo of your grad? We want to see it, too! Use #CUWgrad22 to add your pictures to our social wall! Visit cuw.edu/commencement and click on the “social” tab at the top to view all of your fellow graduates’ posts.
- Show your Falcon pride on Facebook. Update your profile pic with a #CUWgrad22 frame! Get the frame here.
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