In mid-October, a team of six visitors representing The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), under the direction of the Concordia University System (CUS), conducted a formal visitation to Concordia University Chicago. The visitation team affirmed “without concerns” Concordia-Chicago’s identity as a Christ-centered Lutheran university and praised its steadfast commitment to its mission, vision, and values–reflected faithfully and effectively across its spiritual and academic culture.

The visitation team engaged extensively with the CUC community, reviewing documents, interviewing faculty, staff, administrators, and students, and observing campus life. Over the course of the visit, the CUS visitation team observed CUC’s deep commitment to its Lutheran identity and its earnest pursuit of excellence in Christ-centered education. 

The report underscored that “CUC demonstrates a clear and intentional loyalty to its ecclesiastical mission as a Christ-centered institution grounded in the Lutheran Confessions. Its mission, vision (‘truth, freedom, vocation’) and core values are communicated consistently across the campus and reflected in the life of the university. Leadership at every level expresses strong alignment with these commitments, and the campus community exhibits genuine joy and confidence in living out its Christian identity.” 

The report also highlighted that CUC “has been blessed with a strong sense of community, where Lutheran identity is expressed through daily chapel, intentional mentoring, robust church work programs, and a shared commitment to form students for thoughtful Christian vocations. Across colleges and departments, the visitation team witnessed a sincere desire to uphold the university’s Lutheran character and extend its mission into every discipline and program.”

“We are grateful for the Concordia University System’s careful and thorough visitation and for its clear affirmation of Concordia University Chicago’s faithfulness to our Christ-centered mission and confessional Lutheran identity,” said University President Dr. Russell Dawn. “This report reflects what we strive to live out every day as a University community: joyful confidence in the truth of the Gospel and the freedom it provides us as Christians, fidelity to the Lutheran Confessions, and a shared commitment to forming students in the faith for their vocations in the Church and the world.”

The full report and determination letter can be found on the Concordia University System website. As part of the annual visitation cycle, CUS will conduct informal ecclesiastical visits in Sept. 2026 and Nov. 2027, followed by the next formal visit in Nov. 2028.