Concordia seeks to support African American workers for the Church

While many Americans are familiar with the name of the civil rights champion Rosa Parks, far fewer know about another Rosa who changed the shape of Christian education in the Deep South for generations. Dr. Rosa J. Young, the “first Rosa” as she is known in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, was a pioneer Lutheran educator and missionary who, alongside the Rev. Nils J. Bakke, planted dozens of historically black Lutheran schools and chapels.

To honor the legacy of Dr. Young and provide opportunity for African Americans seeking to enter church work vocations in the LCMS, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor has established the Dr. Rosa J. Young Opportunity Endowment. This endowment will help provide scholarship support to students while providing the LCMS with future pastors, teachers, and other church workers.

“This endowment has received significant support from our Foundation Board and the Board of Regents,” said President of the Concordia University Foundation Rev. Dr. Roy Peterson. “It has exceeded its initial funding goal, but ongoing support is key to impact even more students long term. We’re confident that this will be a great blessing in helping to support our African American students for the Church.”

Your gift to the Dr. Rosa J. Young Opportunity Endowment will help make a Concordia education possible for more students now and for generations to come. You can make a gift at cuw.edu/give or cuaa.edu/give.

This story first appeared in the spring 2021 issue of Hearts Together, a Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor Special Magazine Edition. The spring/summer 2021 Hearts Together magazine hit mailboxes in early April. View a PDF version of the magazine here. If you are not on our mailing list, but are interested in receiving a free copy, email Jennifer.Hackmann@cuaa.edu.