Graduation Information

On Sunday afternoon, May 9, 2021, Concordia University Ann Arbor celebrated the undergraduate and graduate degrees of nearly 150 graduation candidates. Two ceremonies were hosted in-person at the Field House and featured commencement addresses by student-athlete Charity Felton as well as CUAA's President Rev. Patrick T Ferry, PhD.

Felton was a four-year member and team captain of the women's tennis team. Felton was also actively involved with campus ministry, Athletes in Action, and served as a tutor in the Academic Resource Center. Felton graduated with an Elementary Education degree with a focus on teaching English as a Second Language. The Concordia Lutheran High School (Fort Wayne, IN) product will begin her teaching career in First Lutheran in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Felton left her fellow graduates with an "ism" -- Identity security and meaning. She encouraged her classmates to put their identity, security, and meaning in God while using 43:1 to emphasize her point that we are God's children and He call us by name.

President Ferry will complete his 30^th year of ministry at Concordia University on June 30, 2021. Spending 24 years as President of the Wisconsin campus, Ferry notably shepherded the merge between CUW and CUAA in 2013 and has since served as the President of CUWAA.  Ferry's words of encouragement to the graduates and their families were to – trust. He charged those in attendance to trust in new beginnings while also trusting in the Lord as their Savior and that he has a plan for their life.

Over half of the total graduates have represented the athletic department as either a player or a coach. Several student-athletes were also recipients of the academic excellence awards from their respective fields of study.

Paige Johnson  – Natural Sciences

Lauren Drinane – Sport and Entertainment Business

Abigail Bentz – Elementary Education

Jacob Culp – Social Sciences

Ryan Fish – Nursing Gamma Class Senior Award (Integrity Award)

Samantha Golchuk – Nursing Gamma Class Senior Award (Excellence Award)

Sophia Bell – Nursing Gamma Class Senior Award (Nightingale Award)

The last four years have been arguably the most successful in the department's history. The graduating class have created many memories and positive contributions to the Concordia community both on and off the playing field. Their ability to carry out the mission of the University and the athletic department during their time as a Cardinal is remarkable. We know they will continue to live that mission and impact their communities.

Below are a list of publications, articles, and highlights about some of the student-athlete graduates that were shared during their time as a Cardinal.