Concordia University Wisconsin
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Established | 1881 |
---|---|
Affiliation | Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod |
President | Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry |
Academic staff | 260 [1] |
Students | 7178 |
Undergraduates | 1926 |
Postgraduates | 3091 [2] |
Location | , , |
Nickname | Falcons |
Website | cuw.edu |
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private liberal arts college located in Mequon, Wisconsin. The school is an affiliate of the 10-member Concordia University System, which is operated by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS).
The university is a coeducational institution, accredited by the NCA, with 78 undergraduate majors and minors, nine graduate programs, and eight accelerated adult education programs.
The university's mission statement reads: "Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world."
Campus
The university is in Mequon, Wisconsin, a city of just over 20,000 citizens north of Milwaukee. Residing on the shore of Lake Michigan, the university owns a 192-acre (0.78 km2) campus with over 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of indoor walkways. The current location of Concordia University Wisconsin was formerly a Roman Catholic convent owned and operated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
History
Concordia University Wisconsin was opened in 1881 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee. Classes were taught in the basement of the building, with only 13 students in attendance. One year later, the college, known then as Concordia College, purchased nearby land to erect a permanent facility. The college was located between 31st and 33rd streets and State Street and Highland Boulevard in Milwaukee until 1983. These facilities are now partially occupied by the Indian Community School.
Growth
Seeing an opportunity for growth, the college, under the direction of President Wilbert Rosin, asked the Missouri Synod to become a four-year institution for its programs in engineering, social work, teacher education, and nursing. In 1978, the request was approved.
On August 27, 1989, the college sought approval from the Board of Regents to gain university status. The Board approved the request, making Concordia University Wisconsin the first among the 10 colleges of the Concordia University System to achieve this standing. President Dr. R. John Buuck led the university in its transition from the old Milwaukee campus to the Mequon facility (and into university status) during a presidency of 18 years.
Enrollment
Following the installment of its current president, the Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, the university saw tremendous growth in enrollment, nearly doubling in size over 10 years to approximately 1,600. Enrollment now stands at almost 5,600 students. Also expanded were the adult education programs, which are among the largest in Lutheran higher education. As of its 125th academic year (2005–2006), Concordia University Wisconsin became the largest Lutheran school in the United States by enrollment.[citation needed]
In keeping with its liberal arts tradition, Concordia's largest undergraduate majors as of the 2006-07 school year were:
Major area | Students | Percent |
---|---|---|
Education | 444 | 27% |
Health professions | 354 | 21% |
Business | 167 | 10% |
Theology/Religious vocations | 137 | 9% |
Public administration and service | 103 | 6% |
Biological and biomedical sciences | 82 | 5% |
Other key demographics for CUW students: (a)
- Lutheran 64%
- Minority 11%
- International 3%
- Church work 31%
- Boarding 63% [1]
(a) Note: Source of data traditional undergraduate students only.
Faculty
Student/Faculty ratio: 14 to 1
Average class size: 19
Full-time faculty with terminal degree: 69%
School presidents
- Rev. Christoph Henry Loeber - installed 1885
- Rev. Max Albrecht - installed 1893
- Rev. G. Christian Barth - installed 1912
- Dr. Walter W. Stuenkel - installed 1953
- Dr. Wilbert Rosin - installed 1977
- Rev. Dr. R. John Buuck - installed 1979
- Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry - installed 1997 (current president)
Student Media
Concordia University Wisconsin is home to several student publications, including the official student newspaper,The Beacon , which was founded in 1984. Prior to The Beacon's first publication in 1984, papers like The Courier and The Quill made up the student news publications. An underground publication at Concordia is The Shadow," which contains humorous fictional stories and is distributed by secret editorial staff, is currently in its third incarnation, following in the foot steps of the original but renamed as The Shadow Reborn."
Notable alumni
- André Carson, U. S. Representative, second Muslim elected to Congress
- David A. Clarke, Jr., Sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin[3]
- Rev. Ken Klaus, speaker on The Lutheran Hour worldwide radio broadcast
- Martin E. Marty, theological scholar and philosopher
- John Scardina, NFL player[4]
- Walter Wangerin Jr., award-winning American author and educator
- Norman Wengert, political scientist
- Ty Schill, switch-hitting Minor League baseball shortstop.
- Kurt W. Schuller, Wisconsin politician
References
External links
- Concordia University Wisconsin
- The Concordia Beacon
- The Shadow
- The Shadow Reborn
- School Sisters of Notre Dame
- The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
- Indian Community School of Milwaukee
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
- Universities and colleges in Wisconsin
- Ozaukee County, Wisconsin
- Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association
- Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
- Educational institutions established in 1881
- Council of Independent Colleges
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities members
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools