Concordia is proud of its tight-knit community. Countless faculty and staff choose to work at CUW year after year because of the meaningful relationships they're able to form with students and fellow colleagues alike.
But there are a few employees who can claim they’re promoting a familial atmosphere in a very literal way.
For the fathers—and one grandfather!—listed below, the Concordia mission is more than just a 9 to 5. These dads have modeled their love of the Concordia mission not just while on the clock, but at home—to the point where the next generation has chosen to follow in their father’s footsteps.
No doubt you’ll recognize some faces! Happy Father’s Day to the dads who love their children so much, they’ve chosen to spend even their workdays together.
The Carios
William Cario
Interim President | Concordia start: 1990
Stephen Cario
Helpdesk Support Specialist | Concordia start: 2019
The Evensons
Greg Evenson
Housekeeper | Concordia start: 2008
Erik Evenson
Housekeeper | Concordia start: 2018
The Ferrys
Patrick Ferry
Outgoing President | Concordia start: 1991
Rachel (Ferry) Thoms
Manager of Communication & PR in Ann Arbor | Concordia start: 2013
Not pictured:
Kyle Thoms, son-in-law
Assistant Athletic Director of External Relations in Ann Arbor | Concordia start: 2012
The Locklairs
Gary Locklair
Professor of Computer Science | Concordia start: 1986
Josh Locklair
Assistant Professor of Computer Science | Concordia start: 2015
The Machins
Scott Machin
Manager 2nd Shift Houskeeping | Concordia start: 2016
Anthony Machin, grandson
Housekeeper | Concordia start: 2020
The Newhouses
Mark Newhouse
Senior Director of Computing Operations | Concordia start: 1997
Mitch Newhouse
System Analyst | Concordia start: 2016
Not pictured:
Kristin (Elvers) Newhouse, daughter-in-law
Assistant Director of Admissions | Concordia start: 2017
The Petersons
Roy Peterson
Senior Vice President of Advancement | Concordia start: 2007
Ryan Peterson
Vice President of Administration in Ann Arbor | Concordia start: 2013
Phillip-Davila
Tom Phillip
Vice President of Information Technology | Concordia start: 1997
Tom Davila, son-in-law
Director of Continuing Education | Concordia start: 2010
The Saleskas
Tom Saleska
Professor of Life and Earth Science | Concordia start: 1993
John Saleska
Head Men’s Soccer Coach | Concordia start: 2011
The Smiths
Les Smith
Manager of Auxiliary Services | Concordia start: 2016
Nick Smith
Portal Administrator | Concordia start: 2016
The Tomesches
Harald Tomesch
Professor of Theology | Concordia start: 2010
Laine (Tomesch) Scott
Instructor of Accounting | Concordia start: 2021
The Wahls
Bob Wahl
Associate Professor of Computer Science | Concordia start: 2011
Andrew Wahl
Manager of Audio Visual | Concordia start: 2019
— This story is written by Kali Thiel. Kali was Director of University Communications until April, 2025.
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