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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 88

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

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We introduced the Prepared to Serve Church Professional
Guarantee, enabling students who study in one of our six
church work programs to pay a maximum of $5,000 per year
in tuition. We continue to demonstrate our commitment to
the church by keeping our top-quality formation for church
work students affordable.

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Strong and growing church work programs: We have
seen increased enrollment in our six church work programs
that prepare students for lives of service to the church.

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Growing nursing and strong education programs: Nursing classes began in August 2023, and the program is already
one of our most popular. Our 162-year heritage of teacher
education remains strong, with more of our traditional undergraduate students enrolled in teaching programs than in
any other field.

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Revitalized honors program: Our new honors program
aims to challenge and nurture students throughout their undergraduate career, forming them in truth and honing their
minds and character.

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Centers of Excellence: The university’s four Centers of Excellence provide an array of diverse resources to help students and community members fulfill their callings.

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Dynamic Office of Enrollment: The team continues to build
on its successes in recruitment for our church work programs
while also continuing to strengthen recruitment of those who
seek Christ-centered education for vocations outside the
church.

The mission and identity of the university have been a major
focus in the last triennium:
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The OCRM led the development and implementation of a faculty course on the mission and identity
of the university. All full-time faculty must take the
course. A capstone assignment is required to assess
tenure eligibility. A similar course for staff is in development.
We expanded and enhanced our mission and identity
interview process for all finalists for full-time faculty and senior staff positions. This process, which includes interviews by the OCRM as well as President
Dawn, fosters the ongoing development of a unified,
faithful community at CUC.

CUC built a course called “Unity and Civility in a Diverse
Community,” which provides an opportunity for faculty and
staff to learn how to apply biblical and confessional teachings to dialogue and discourse on socially and politically
sensitive topics.
We initiated the Lectureship in Christianity, Humanities
and Public Life, generously funded by Dr. and Mrs. C. Ross
Betts. This semi-annual lecture series hosts leading scholars who engage with our students, faculty, and staff around
critical issues that affect the church, our neighbors, and the
world.
Chapel life is central to the ongoing development of a vibrant, unified community at CUC. Chapel is centered on
Lutheran Service Book. All services are liturgical, biblical,
and confessional, delivered with the proper distinction between Law and Gospel. Wednesday evening Divine Service
is properly sacramental. The Church Year is observed with
its seasons, feasts, and observances to draw faculty, staff,
and students into the life of the church.

D. Conclusion
We thank God for the many ways He has blessed and continues
to bless CUC and its students, faculty, and staff. Our past successes
were only possible due to His grace and the ways He has worked,
through us, to bring students into our Christ-centered community.

D.1. SWOT Analysis
As we look ahead with open eyes and hearts, we reflect on our
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats we may face.
Mission and identity: Comprehensively, the university
continues to focus on initiatives that emphasize our strong
Lutheran identity and mission. This includes hiring aligned
faculty and staff. We received a strong and very positive report from the Concordia University System with respect to
their formal visit in 2025.

2026 Convention Workbook

For undergraduates, transfer students and homeschool students are two areas of growth.

Graduate enrollment continues to be healthy, with
more than 3,000 students.

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Dedicated Office of Advancement and OCRM: These offices continue their strong work in donor cultivation, communication, and service that addresses the needs of congregations and constituents.

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Outstanding senior administrative staff: All members of
the president’s executive cabinet are faithful, highly motivated experts in their respective fields.

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Desirable location: Just a short train ride from downtown
Chicago, our location allows students to explore a worldclass city while enjoying the benefits of living in leafy, suburban River Forest.

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Christ-centered chapel life: Commitment to a rhythm of
worship that is based on Lutheran Service Book and the
Church Year, all ordered by the proper distinction of Law
and Gospel.

D.1.b. Weaknesses
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Financial strength and flexibility: Although greatly improving for CUC, this continues to be a challenge for us and
for many private Christian universities.

D.1.c. Opportunities
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New scholarships and discounts: Both Prepared to Serve
and Advance with Purpose provide opportunities for donor
cultivation and student recruitment to provide church workers to the Synod and support continued education for employees of LCMS entities.

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New academic programs: Innovative programs provide opportunities to address the market while being defined by our
three pillars of truth, freedom, and vocation.

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Distinctiveness in local market: Our commitment to
Christ-centered university education is without peer in our

D.1.a. Strengths
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