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From The President

June 25, 2022 - 2 minute read


Dr. Michael Thomas

Dear Friends,

Concordia University Irvine prepares students, graduate and undergraduate, for all of life’s vocations. Each student is guided to find their own balance between academics, athletics, music, art, theatre, service, worship, family responsibilities, and other activities. As alumni of Concordia, each of these students lives out our university’s mission in their day-to-day lives.

This issue of CUI Magazine features several alumni who showcase the breadth of the vocations that a Concordia education provides. You’ll read the amazing stories of Cindy Steinbeck and Steve Schedler. Our Lord has guided their paths, through many twists, turns, and challenges. Through the decades, they each devoted themselves to sharing the gospel both in church and beyond. Steve serves as a professional church worker, and Cindy shares the gospel in a unique way. Having taken over the family business, Steinbeck Winery in Paso Robles, Cindy shares the story of John 15 on her vineyard tours. Yet together their witness is even stronger, and we celebrate that both Cindy and Steve call CUI home.

The alumni feature story focuses on three alumni, Chris and Beth Vecera and Joshua McArthur, who carry out their vocations in the coffee industry. And three additional stories focus on current and recently graduated students who have been formed by Concordia’s staff and faculty during their time as Concordia Eagles. Christopher Aceves recently was awarded a national award for costume design as a theatre student. Parker Hicks, a biology graduate, recently presented his published research at the President’s Academic Showcase. Finally, Michaela VanderKlugt, having set numerous Concordia records on the court, just signed with a professional basketball team in Germany.

Each of these stories provides just a snapshot into the transformative education each of them received at Concordia. As I reminded recent graduates during Commencement, the faculty and staff are exceedingly proud of our graduates, but we are more proud of them for the people that they have become. As alumni, they have many vocations that they will carry out in the coming years, but nothing is more important than bringing hope to a world that is in desperate need.

Join me in thanking our Lord for his ever-present blessings, and let me thank each of you for your ongoing support of Concordia University Irvine. It is your support—through your time, talents, treasure, and prayer—that enables CUI to provide an exemplary private Christian education that changes lives and prepares alumni who will serve the world.

For His Students,
Michael Thomas, PhD

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