CUW Commencement 2025: Here’s what you need to know!

Student Speaker (Undergrad Commencement): Kaylee McCarty

Kaylee has been active in the Student Government Association throughout her academic career, along the way serving as the co-chair the Student Affair Committee, as Chief Organizational Officer, as Vice President, and as President, the office she currently holds.

She has worked as a CUW student employee as a writing consultant in the Academic Resource Center and a Concordia Crew Leader with the Student Success Office. She has also served as a Psychology research assistant and an Evaluation Intern at the Milwaukee County Zoo. She is currently employed at Lutheran Counseling and Family Services as an In-School Secretary and Support Staff. And if that’s not enough, she also finds time to be an active member of the Psychology Club and a key member of the Falcons Women’s Golf Team.

Student Speaker (Graduate Commencement): Mirabel Fobate

This year’s graduate student speaker comes to CUW all the way from Cameroon, a vibrant country known for its rich culture and diversity. These days she lives in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, where she lives with her two boys, ages 6 and 4, and works as a State Revenue Agent for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. She will be receiving her Master of Science in Accountancy degree.

Her journey—both academically and professionally—has taken her a long way—both literally and figuratively. She received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in 2001. Since then she has worked as an importer/exporter, as a bank branch manager, as a journalist in the Ministry of Communication in Cameroon, and even as a cashier at Boston Store, not to mention her current position with the Department of Revenue.

Faculty Laureate: Dr. Tom Saleska

This year’s Faculty Laureate winner is Dr. Tom Saleska, professor of science since 1993. At Concordia, we’re proud to say that our mission is to help students develop in MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT—and it would be hard to think of someone who has done more to advance all three aspects of our mission than Tom Saleska.

As a professor of Biology, he has helped students develop their minds by effectively communicating the intricacies of his discipline in the classroom. As a coach, he has helped students develop their bodies to excel on the soccer field. As a Christian, he has integrated his worldview into the course material to help students develop their spirit as they see God’s intelligent design in Creation.

In 26 seasons as the head coach of the Falcons men’s soccer team, from 1993 to 2019, Tom racked up 324 victories, nine conference titles, and two trips to the NCAA Division III Tournament. He coached 119 players who earned all-conference honors, 46 with all-region status, and two who were named all-America. He was also named Conference Coach of the Year five times.

Distinguished Alumnus: Richard Twietmeyer

Richard Twietmeyer, CUW Class of 1986, was a true star both in the classroom and on the field. He graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 1986 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. But it was on the gridiron that he made his biggest mark.

Rich was a three-time first-team all-conference linebacker for the Falcons. During his career, he established new career records for solo tackles and assisted tackles, as well as a new mark for tackles in a single game, with 21 against Lakeland University in 1985. The 1983-84 team was inducted into the Falcons Hall of Fame.

More recently—and more importantly—Rich has lived out Concordia’s mission in very real and meaningful ways ever since. In the business world, he is a highly accomplished and well-respected insurance professional. In 2010 he joined M3 Insurance, where he is now executive vice-president, a partner, and a member of the Executive Operating Committee.

Christus in Mundo Award: Dwayne & Cheryl Lueck

Dwayne and Cheryl Lueck are the very embodiment of the criteria for the Christus in Mundo—or Christ in the World—award, which is intended to “honor individuals of exemplary Christian outreach or service.”

Recipients are meant to be “respected servants in the Church, embodying the values of truth, goodness, beauty, and unity,” among other things. In the case of the Luecks, their service to Christ in the Church and in the world has indeed been exemplary.

Dwayne is a 1973 graduate of Concordia Junior College in Milwaukee, a 1975 graduate of Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a 1979 graduate of Concordia Seminary. He has served four terms as President of the North Wisconsin District since 2012, and is retiring as of this summer’s district convention.

Prior to that, he was the Assistant to the NWD President for Missions, Stewardship, and Evangelism for 25 years. Dwayne has also served as a parish pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Trinity Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, Nebraska; and St. John Lutheran Church in Newcastle, Nebraska.

Cheryl has kept very busy in her own right. In addition to raising three wonderful children, she’s worked in sales, in human resources, and taught high school—not to mention all her work within the North Wisconsin District. She is currently the organist at Rib Mountain Lutheran Church in Wausau. Dwayne and Cheryl are currently members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin.