Save the Date: May 11, 2013

Lifetime Achievement Award

The recipient of Concordia University’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award will be Mr. Bart Starr, who led the Green Bay Packers to five World Championships, was MVP in Super Bowls I and II, and is in the NFL Hall of Fame, plus numerous other achievements. Mr. Starr is an individual of impeccable character who has served his family and community faithfully through the years and is a role model for athletes and business people alike. Today, Mr. Starr runs Bart Starr Enterprises and is the Co-Founder of the Rawhide Boys Ranch in Wisconsin, which provides homes and academic and vocational training for boys ages 8-17 who have been referred by juvenile courts.

“Growing up in a strong Christian environment provided me with many valuable lessons about family, school, athletics, and, most of all, God. Like most kids, I idolized one sports figure or another. However, Jesus was the ultimate role model for me,” said Mr. Starr.

UPDATE (as of April 23, 2013): President Kurt Krueger will present the Lifetime Achievement award to NFL great Bart Starr in Birmingham, Alabama, at the end of April. We were informed that due to family health issues, travel to California for Mr. Starr is not possible. Gala guests will get the opportunity to hear Mr. Starr accept the award via the taped presentation.

Appearing in person at the Gala to honor Mr. Starr will be Ken Bowman, Bart's center in Super Bowls I & II and the Ice Bowl; and Jackie Slater (L. A./St. Louis Rams offensive tackle), who was the 1996 recipient of the Bart Starr award.

For more information contact Grace Saldaña at (949) 214-3185 or grace.saldana@cui.edu

2012 Gala of Stars Raises $550,000 for Student Scholarships

A sell-out crowd of 500 filled Concordia University’s arena, transformed into a patriotic black-tie venue, at the Gala of Stars on Saturday, May 12, 2012. Our generous guests donated a record $550,000 for the student scholarship fund.

Special guest Louis Zamperini was the highlight of the evening. President Kurt Krueger presented Zamperini with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The WWII Veteran, prisoner of war, Olympic champion, missionary to Japan and subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling book, Unbroken, is a true American hero. Concordia theatre students depicted segments of his life in drama and song, and alumna Caryn Borland ’85 sang “Sacrifice,” a song she wrote and dedicated to all the military who serve our country. After receiving the bronze eagle award, Mr. Zamperini was presented a Concordia cap by Leah Jaeger ’14, a member of the track team.

Event chairs H.E. ’93 and Tamara Durbin thanked guests for their support and introduced the volunteers who helped make the event possible, including auction chair, Ruth DeNault ’07 MBA ’09. She and her outstanding committee gathered almost 200 treasures that evoked lively bidding in both the silent and live auctions.

The evening ended on a high note as the Concordia students sang a medley of theme songs from each branch of the military. Current and former veterans were invited to stand and be recognized for their service to the country, and the evening ended with a rousing rendition of “America” as fireworks illuminated the screens and guests flocked to the stage for a chance to meet Mr. Zamperini.