2023 May Commencement: What you need to know

Rev. Dr. Buss, who grew up on a dairy farm in Whitewater, Wisconsin, is a proud product of the Lutheran schools and the Concordia University System. He graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 1986 and from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1990. He did post-graduate studies at Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from CUWAA in May 2018.

In nearly 30 years of parish ministry, Rev. Dr. Buss faithfully served two congregations: St. Peter Lutheran Church in Gilberts, Illinois, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere, Illinois. He has also served The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the LCMS Northern Illinois District in a variety of leadership positions. He was elected as President of the LCMS Northern Illinois District in 2018 and re-elected for a second term in 2022. He currently serves on the Boards of Regents of Concordia University Wisconsin-Ann Arbor and Concordia University Chicago.

He and his wife Marie reside in Belvidere, Illinois, where he serves as the Fire Department Chaplain for the city. They have four children. All six members of the immediate family have graduated from the Concordia University System, five from CUWAA.

Since graduating with a Bachelor’s in nursing from UW-Milwaukee, Sonnenburg has been a registered nurse for ten years, and is currently a supervisor at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. While studying at CUW to earn a master’s in nursing, she discovered a passion for business and leadership and changed her path to get an MBA with an emphasis in healthcare administration, which she receives today. She and her husband also own a business together. She is proud to point out that throughout her MBA pursuit, she has “managed to oversee all the accounting and human resource responsibilities of our business, had two kids, received guardianship for my sister’s son who is 4, support my dad through cancer, earned a promotion at work (work full time), and am graduating with high honors.”

Yannik Gruner is graduating with a double major in economics and finance with a minor in political science. During his time at Concordia, he has been active as a research assistant for the political science department and as a venture capital intern for CU Ventures. Furthermore, Yannik is the president of the Student Government Association and also served the Department of Residence Life as an assistant resident director. During his summers in college, he has seized opportunities to intern for investment companies located in Chicago, Atlanta, and his hometown of Vienna, Austria. Yannik also is a volunteer for the Austrian Service Abroad where he is part of the executive team in charge of international affairs.

His initial journey in the United States began due to his interest in American football. At Concordia, Yannik was part of the varsity football team for all four years, while winning Scholar Athlete of the Year three times. After graduation, Yannik will work for the Institute for Economics & Peace in Brussels, Belgium, while also looking to pursue a career in the world of finance.