It has been 40 years since CUW made the move from downtown Milwaukee to Mequon. Here’s what else was happening in the world 40 years ago.
On Sept. 15, 1982, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod purchased 102 acres from the School Sisters of Notre Dame on behalf of CUW. At the time, the school was the fastest-growing Lutheran college in America. The new property allowed Concordia to relocate from its original stomping grounds in downtown Milwaukee to wide-open possibilities in Mequon. The move was made ahead of the 1983-84 academic year. On Sept. 11, 1983, Synod and college leaders officially dedicated the new campus.
The move to the new campus was a momentous occasion in Concordia’s history, and one that many who experienced it remember well. Click below to watch a video from 2008 (the 25th anniversary of the move to Mequon) where Concordia professors and leaders share about the transition.
Elsewhere in the world in 1983
But what else was happening in the world in 1983? Let’s put Concordia’s historic move into context. In 1983:
- The average cost of a new house was $82,600.
- The average annual income was $21,070.
- You couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing Michael Jackson, The Police, Donna Summer, or Hall & Oates.
- Terms of Endearment won the Oscar for best picture.
- The Cabbage Patch Kids craze swept the nation.
- Nestle introduced a new sugary treat, Nerds.
- The first Mario Bros. game jumped into arcades in Japan.
- Ronald Reagan was president.
- Shoulder pads were a fashion trend for women.
- Gas was $0.96 a gallon.
- Top baby names were Jennifer and Michael.
- The series finale of M*A*S*H hit television sets.
- McDonald’s made Chicken McNuggets available in restaurants worldwide.
- The world’s population was about 4.72 billion; China’s population surpassed 1 billion.
- Chuck Hull invents the 3D printer.
- Word processor software “Multi-Tool Word” (later to become Microsoft Word) was released in the U.S.
- The popular children’s television show Reading Rainbow debuted.
- Lech Wałęsa, former president of Poland, won the Nobel Peace Prize.
- The Price is Right added Plinko to its roster of games.
- A gallon of milk cost $1.17.
- The holiday favorite was A Christmas Story.
- Schools “dared” to keep their kids off drugs with the introduction of the D.A.R.E. program.
Want in?
You can become a part of Concordia’s history, too! Join the tens of thousands of alumni who have call CUW their alma mater. Start by scheduling a visit to our beautiful campus!