Concordia University Ann Arbor and Wisconsin completes merger

Concordia University Wisconsin

After years of hard work, Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) recently announced that the merger with Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is now complete.

According to William Cario, vice president of Academics at CUW, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association approved CUW’s acquisition of CUAA in a July 9 letter to the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, president of CUW and now CUAA.

“We are excited to pursue Concordia’s mission in this new way with a new campus and the additional combined resources of two excellent faculties,” says Cario.

According to President Ferry, CUAA could not obtain needed cash flow and was not in a position to add new progressive programs. CUW did not want to lose a Concordia presence in Michigan, where it has been in existence for 50 years.

“We can bring the financial strength and experience of CUW and help change the experience in Ann Arbor,” says Ferry. “We think it’s going to be a positive, and it’s already started out very well.”

Curt Gielow, executive dean of CUW’s School of Pharmacy and former Mequon mayor, will be moving to Ann Arbor and has been promoted to Vice President of Administration and Chief Campus Officer at CUAA. Gielow will ultimately be in charge of assessing and developing the campus and its programs.

“We want to grow student enrollment, we want to improve our retention of students, we want to create new programs, and we want to build new facilities,” says Gielow. “We want to invest in a future that assures Ann Arbor’s continued success.”

On July 1, the start of the new fiscal year, CUW and CUAA began operating as one entity, although each institution will retain its distinct name and distinct identity. In fact, CUAA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a community and campus wide event Sept. 27-29.

The Ann Arbor campus has approximately 600 students and 34 faculty members on a 187-acre campus. There are currently three schools at CUAA: Arts and Sciences; Education; and Business.

Founded in 1963 as a junior college, Concordia College Ann Arbor officially became Concordia University Ann Arbor in 2001.

Its campus is located on 187 acres along the banks of the Huron River. The campus creates a beautiful and safe environment and is just minutes from the restaurants, cultural activities, and the resources of downtown Ann Arbor.

The University’s undergraduate program offers more than 60 majors and minors, with degrees in church work, education, pre-professional, business, the arts, communication and sciences. In addition, the university offers accelerated and graduate degrees at off-campus centers and through E-learning for working professionals.

The University is affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is a member of the Concordia University System, a nationwide network of colleges and universities.