The Rev. Joseph Cox is the inaugural recipient of CUWAA’s award for Uncommon Academic Excellence
What are Uncommon Awards?
Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor seeks to celebrate the distinctive contributions of staff within our Lutheran high schools through a new award program. The Uncommon Awards recognize where uncommon service, excellence, and dedication make an eternal difference in the lives of others.
Earlier this month, CUWAA celebrated the Rev. Joe Cox as the inaugural recipient of the Uncommon Award for Academic Excellence.
Lutheran high school educators and administrators who show commitment to their students and institution are the target for Concordia’s Uncommon Awards. Each year, Concordia will award individuals in three categories: Service Excellence, Academic Excellence, or Leadership Excellence.
2024 Awardee: the Rev. Joe Cox
Cox is the Director of Curriculum and Education at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri. He works as the school’s English teacher, campus pastor, and mock trial coach. He also teaches apologetics, Christian ethics, and coaches gaming club.
His nominator, Head of School Jonathan Butterfield, identifies Cox as “the human embodiment of drive and passion for teaching”.
“Joe has a desire to do anything it takes to provide excellence,” Butterfield wrote in his nomination submission. “He models his faith through his daily vocation and seamlessly integrates faith with teaching. Joe has a unique capacity to remain humble and deflect credit or attention. He’s never too busy to stay after class, skip a lunch break, or remain after school to help a struggling student. His greatest reward is helping students ‘grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men’ (Luke 2:52).”
Nominate a deserving Lutheran high school educator
CUWAA accepts digital nominations for its Uncommon Awards program year-round. Annual recipients are announced in May. Each Uncommon Excellence Award recipient receives a personalized wall plaque, CUWAA merchandise, and a complimentary graduate or doctoral class toward a degree at CUWAA.