Concordia University Ann Arbor
{{short description|University in Michigan}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}{{Infobox university
| name = Concordia University Ann Arbor
| native_name =
| latin_name =
| image = Concordia-university-logo.JPG
| image_size = 220px
| motto = Christ First in Everything
| established = 1963
| type = Private satellite campus
| parent = Concordia University Wisconsin
| religious_affiliation = Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
| endowment =
| administrative_staff =
| faculty =
| president = Erik Ankerberg
| rector =
| chancellor =
| vice_chancellor =
| dean =
| head_label =
| head =
| students = 1,351 (2023-2024) [https://blog.cuaa.edu/cuaa-celebrates-2023-record-enrollment/ 2023 Enrollment Record]
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| doctoral =
| city = Ann Arbor
| state = Michigan
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|42.274|-83.683|type:edu_region:US-MI|display=title,inline}}
| campus = {{convert|187|acre|ha}}
| former_names = Concordia Lutheran Junior College (1963–1976)
Concordia College (1976–2001)
| free_label =
| free =
| colors = Red, Black & White
{{color box|#ed1b2d}} {{color box|black}} {{color box|white}}
| athletics_affiliations = NAIA – WHAC
NAIA – MSFA
NCCAA Division I – Midwest
| mascot = Corky The Cardinal
| sports_nickname = Cardinals
| affiliations =
| website = {{URL|https://www.cuaa.edu}}
}}
Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is the Ann Arbor, Michigan, campus of Concordia University Wisconsin, a private Lutheran university in Mequon, Wisconsin. As part of Concordia University, it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.{{Cite web |title=Accreditation & Approval |url=https://www.cuaa.edu/about/accreditation-approval.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Concordia University Ann Arbor |language=en}}
Concordia University Ann Arbor's {{convert|187|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus sits on the banks of the Huron River, about ten minutes outside downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. Concordia is affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and is a member of the Concordia University System. CUAA merged with Concordia University Wisconsin in 2013.
History
File:Earhart Manor historic site Ann Arbor Michigan.JPG
In the early 1960s, the LCMS purchased the Earhart Manor and surrounding estate in Ann Arbor and began construction of Concordia Lutheran Junior College. The campus was designed by architect Vincent Kling in a mid-century modern style.{{cite web|url=https://aadl.org/aaobserver/18380|title=The Earhart Mansion {{!}} Ann Arbor District Library|website=aadl.org|access-date=April 4, 2019}} Classes began in the fall of 1963 with 236 students and 24 instructors.{{cite web|url=https://www.cuaa.edu/about/history.html|title=History|website=Concordia University Ann Arbor|language=en|access-date=April 4, 2019}} The school began offering four-year degree programs in 1976 and changed its name to Concordia College. It assumed its current name in 2001.
In 1977, Concordia began performing the "Boars Head Festival", an annual Christmas celebration filled with song, music, and drama that is much beloved by current students, alumni, and community members.
In the 2000s, the university experienced "a number of financial, enrollment and administrative difficulties" that prompted it to enter into discussions with Concordia University Wisconsin about a possible merger.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.lcms.org/2011/board-encourages-ann-arbor-mequon-merger-discussions/|title=Board encourages Ann Arbor, Mequon, merger discussions|last=LCMS|first=The|date=2011-12-21|website=Reporter|language=en-US|access-date=April 4, 2019}} The merger became effective on July 1, 2013, with Curt Gielow, former executive dean of CUW's School of Pharmacy and former mayor of Mequon, Wisconsin, becoming Vice President of Administration and Chief Campus Officer at CUAA.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.lcms.org/2013/concordia-university-system-chronicle-october-2013/|title=Concordia University System Chronicle - October 2013|date=2013-10-08|website=Reporter|language=en-US|access-date=April 4, 2019}} He was replaced at the end of 2018 by Ryan Peterson.{{cite web|url=http://blog.cuaa.edu/curt-gielow-retires-from-concordia-university/|title=Curt Gielow retires from Concordia University|date=2018-12-12|website=Concordia University Ann Arbor News|language=en|access-date=April 4, 2019}}
In 2015, the university purchased the former Ann Arbor campus of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.{{cite web|last1=Allen|first1=Jeremy|title=Ann Arbor's Concordia University launches new School of Nursing program|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/11/ann_arbors_concordia_universit_1.html|publisher=MLive Media Group|access-date=February 4, 2017}} That facility, {{Convert|2|mi||abbr=|spell=in}} north of the main campus, is now the home of CUAA's School of Nursing.
In 2022, the university named Erik Ankerberg its next president. He began his duties in January 2023, prior to the spring semester.{{Cite web |last=Communications |first=Strategic |date=2022-10-26 |title=Dr. Erik P. Ankerberg will be extended call to become CUWAA president |url=https://blog.cuw.edu/ankerberg-called-cuwaa-president/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Concordia University Wisconsin News |language=en}}
In mid-February 2024 local news sources reported that Ankerberg had alerted the students, faculty, and staff that the university's financial situation was forcing the Ann Arbor campus's mission to be "re-imagined", likely leading to significant reductions in the programs and the sale of some of the equipment and property.{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Bria|title=Concordia facing financial crisis, Wisconsin campus impacted|url=https://news.yahoo.com/concordia-facing-financial-crisis-wisconsin-023606164.html|publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=February 17, 2024}} John Berg, chairman of the board, released a video stating that the campus would remain at full operations for the 2024-2025 academic year. He also stated that a sub-committee was created to help develop a path forward, which was later revealed, to help the university separate from the Wisconsin campus.{{Cite web |title=Board of Regents Update, March 1, 2024 |url=https://cuw.wistia.com/medias/talhswyrna?wtime=0 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=cuw.wistia.com |language=en}} The plan to become independent was later deemed to be unworkable and instead the institution's leaders decided to cut most academic programs. Beginning in June 2025, the institution will only offer 9 programs on campus, all focused on healthcare, and 7 programs online, mostly focused on education; this is a reduction from 53 programs previously offered on campus and 60 programs previously offered online.{{cite web |url=https://www.highereddive.com/news/concordia-university-ann-arbor-campus-program-cuts/719810/ |title=Concordia University Ann Arbor to cut most programs |first=Ben |last=Unglesbee |work=Higher Ed Dive |date=June 25, 2024 |accessdate=June 25, 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. college admissions
|year = 2018
|admit rate = 50.0
(1,023 out of 2,049)
|admit rate change =
|yield rate = 22.9
(234 out of 1,023)
|yield rate change =
|SAT Total =
|SAT Total change =
|ACT = 19-24
(among 99% of FTFs)
|ACT change =
|float = right
}}
Athletics
The Concordia–Ann Arbor (CUAA) athletic teams are called the Cardinals. The school's mascot is named Corky the Cardinal. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for most of its sports since the 1992–93 academic year; while its football team competes in the Mideast League of the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA). They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Midwest Region of the Division I level.
CUAA competes in 28 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor). Women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, stunt, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, competitive dance and eSports.
=Accomplishments=
Notable alumni
- Jonathan Coddington – American football coach
- Magali Frezzotti – American softball coach{{Cite web |title=Magali Frezzotti - Softball Coach |url=https://gogriz.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/magali-frezzotti/401 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=University of Montana Athletics |language=en}}
- Kenneth Horn – American politician{{Cite web |title=Legislator Details - Kenneth B. Horn |url=https://mdoe.state.mi.us/legislators/Legislator/LegislatorDetail/590 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Michigan Legislative Biography |publisher=Library of Michigan}}
- Newton Howard – American cognitive scientist{{Cite web |title=About our Founder |url=https://nhowardindustries.com/about/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Howard Industries |language=en-US}}
- Toby Jones – American basketball coach
- Elizabeth Birr Moje – American educator and University of Michigan administrator{{Cite web |title=Elizabeth Birr Moje |url=https://poverty.umich.edu/research/faculty-experts/elizabeth-birr-moje/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=University of Michigan Poverty Solutions |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Concordia University Ann Arbor}}
- {{Official website|}}
- [http://www.concordiacardinals.com Official athletics website]
{{Ann Arbor}}
{{Concordia}}
{{CCCU}}
{{LCMSColleges}}
{{Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference navbox}}
{{Mid-States Football Association navbox}}
{{NCCAA Division I Midwest navbox}}
{{Colleges and universities in Michigan}}
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Category:Liberal arts colleges in Michigan
Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
Category:Universities and colleges established in 1963
Category:Education in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Category:Universities and colleges in Washtenaw County, Michigan
Category:1963 establishments in Michigan