Concordia-Chicago’s annual Maroon & Gold gala honors individuals for faithful service, raises funds for future church workers
Concordia University Chicago hosted its ninth annual Maroon & Gold gala the evening of Saturday, Oct. 18 at Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, IL. The signature fundraising event brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and friends of the University to celebrate three distinguished awardees who stand tall in their vocations and to raise scholarship funds for church work students.
“Know that your generosity is shaping lives and advancing God’s work through Concordia-Chicago,” said Foundation President and CEO/Senior Vice President for Advancement Jeffrey Hynes in his welcome remarks.
Hynes encouraged attendees to “fund the five,” in reference to CUC’s Prepared to Serve initiative that guarantees church work students pay no more than $5,000 in tuition and mandatory fees per academic year. The guarantee closely aligns with The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) initiative, Set Apart to Serve, that encourages young people to pursue their calling without being held back by financial burdens.
“As a student pursuing a career in church work, this year’s Maroon & Gold event was vitally important for the continuation of our various church work programs,” reflected Shanell Jackson, a junior in CUC’s Director of Christian Education and Lutheran Teacher Education programs. “Because of the many generous donations to our Prepared to Serve initiative, we can continue to learn and serve God.”
Prepared to Serve, which was announced in spring for incoming students starting this fall, has already borne fruit. This academic year, CUC welcomed twice as many new church work students as the prior year.
“For me, becoming a pastor is about serving God’s people, ministering to them, and loving them as God would have me love them,” said Harrison Robbins, a junior in CUC’s Pre-Seminary program who spoke at the gala. “[Prepared to Serve] is important because it helps us realize as students that we do have support from all over—not just here at the University. The greater Church is supporting us, and they want to see us succeed.”
Throughout the night, scholarship funds were raised through a wine pull, silent auction, paddle raise, and golden-ticket raffle for two to join the June 2026 Classical Education Study Trip to Egypt, all expenses paid. Attendees also joined in fellowship as they shared a meal and celebrated three individuals who live out their vocations with excellence and integrity, thanking them for the ways in which they show love to God’s people.
Jonathan Schultz (BA ’90), received a Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his professional achievements, leadership, commitment to Lutheran education, and service. An attorney and businessman who now serves as president and CEO of Concordia Publishing House, Schultz is one of five siblings who attended CUC. He and his wife, Susan (BA ’90, MA ’94), also served as volunteer missionaries in Guatemala.
“We are all called to have careers for Christ in whatever vocational pursuit we take,” Schultz said at the gala. “As our culture continues to show hostility to the faith, I pray that CUC continues to encourage students to stand tall for the Gospel.”
Kaye Dumas Wolff was presented with the One Heart Award, which celebrates individuals who embody CUC’s values, excel in their vocation, and help expand the University’s impact. Wolff, a retired information and technology professional, has dedicated decades of volunteer service to the LCMS, particularly in ministries serving minority communities. She helped produce the LCMS docu-movie “The First Rosa,” held various leadership roles in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), and started the LWML’s Deaf Ministry Outreach program.
Rev. Stephen Starke (BA ’77) received the Spiritus Christi Award in recognition of his effectiveness, influence, and service to the Church. In addition to serving congregations, Rev. Starke has written more than 250 hymns, some of which have been translated into different languages and can be found in hymnals around the world.
“When I think of Concordia University Chicago, I think of all the wonderful people who have been crafted by Concordia over the years,” Starke said, before introducing a performance of his work “For Faith, We Praise You, Lord.”
And thanks to the funds raised through this event, more students will receive financial support as they study at CUC and prepare for vocations in church, family, and the world. Maroon & Gold raised more than $200,000 this year, which is projected to be enough to provide scholarships for the entire incoming class of church work students in fall 2026.
“In every vocation—whether student, teacher, parent, leader, or friend—God’s people bear witness to the living Christ by serving others with humility, compassion, and joy,” said University President Dr. Russell Dawn. “Through such service, the world glimpses a hope that does not fade, because it is grounded not in human strength or success, but in the unchanging realities of God’s truth.”
Didn’t make it to this year’s event? Mark your calendars for the tenth annual Maroon & Gold gala on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. If you would like to support Prepared to Serve before then, you can share a gift today.
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