The year 2018 marked several new milestones for Concordia University Wisconsin—from prestigious recognitions for the university to faculty retiring from their illustrious careers, and of course several new opportunities for students that show even greater promise to help all members grow in mind, body, and spirit.
With the close of the calendar year approaching, the Strategic Communications team took a moment to reflect upon the most-read news stories over the past year. The list that follows is the eight headlines (listed in descending order) that rose to the top in 2018.
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8) Live Uncommon blogs
In February, Concordia launched a new brand platform that unites the university—with its nine education centers, online offerings and residential campuses in Mequon and Ann Arbor—and compellingly communicates to the world what it means to be a Concordian. The “Live Uncommon” message has now traveled out into the world in numerous different iterations, including TV commercials, radio spots, billboards, videos, and news stories, but one of the first ways the Strategic Communications team worked to share the new brand was through multiple profile stories on just a few of our uncommon Concordians.
Read our Uncommon stories here.
7) CUW sets groundbreaking date for The Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center
In spring 2018, the CUW community was excited to learn that construction on The Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center would officially begin. An announcement posted in advance of the groundbreaking ceremony earned nearly 1,000 reads, and more than 200 people turned out for the actual event. Today, the space looks much different than it did on that April day!
6) CUW alumni receive pastoral calls
The Strategic Communications team partnered with the Concordia seminaries to share this exciting news about CUW alumni receiving their pastoral calls. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne celebrated “Call Day” in April and 34 CUW alumni received pastoral calls, vicarage placements, and a deaconess call.
5) 11 of the most beautiful place on CUW’s campus
Two new student writers joined the Strat Comms team this year—Madelyne Arrogoni and Kai Goldenstein. Since their start this past fall they’ve been churning out stories with a distinct student life appeal. This post, written by Madelyne, was especially well-received with more than 1,000 people who clicked in to take a look.
4) Fresh, healthy vending machine arrives at Concordia
Vending of the future made its way to the Concordia University Wisconsin campus this year. Farmer’s Fridge now offers yet another option for on-campus diners—and a healthy one at that. With just the click of a few buttons, Concordians can order salads, sandwiches, and other assorted meals made with farm fresh ingredients.
3) 299 years’ worth of experience retires from CUW
Seven professors and six staff members who each served at Concordia for a decade or more retired between the months of January and July 2018. It was one of the largest batches of long-standing employee retirements Concordia has seen in recent years. Needless to say, this was a bittersweet moment for the university. We have cherished these individuals, but are now ready to reflect upon what they’ve done as they move on, and look forward to a new generation of experts for our school.
2) Concordia alumna becomes one of only eight geriatric ER directors in the nation
Concordia alumna Amber (Burtard) Koll recently became the only physician assistant in the nation to head up a geriatric ER. Koll works at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, which is one of eight hospitals in the U.S. to have completed the American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP) recently launched Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation program.
1) Concordia now offers scholarships for alumni and other post-traditional learners
Concordia announced four new scholarship programs at the start of the 2018-19 academic year, including a first-ever scholarship for all Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor alumni. In addition to alumni, scholarships are now open to employees of any qualifying Christian church or school, as well as Concordia’s official business and academic partners. The opportunity for our education to be accessible to all is certainly something to celebrate for the university.
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