Graduation photos by Hailey Waryas, Athena White Photography Concordia University Ann Arbor’s campus was filled with joy, gratitude and celebration on Dec.14, 2025, as graduates, families and faculty gathered to mark a major milestone — the December Commencement ceremony.
Held in the fieldhouse, the event honored 137 students earning associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. From the first pinning to the final procession, the weekend was a meaningful culmination of years of dedication, growth, and faithful pursuit of purpose.
Weekend of ceremonies
Graduation festivities began Saturday, December 13, with two important pre-commencement traditions: the Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony at 2 p.m. and the Nursing Pinning Ceremony at 5 p.m., both held in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. On Sunday morning, the Physical Therapy program held its hooding ceremony — another milestone for CUAA’s newest doctoral graduates.
The official Commencement Ceremony took place Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., with friends and family in attendance and many more joining via livestream. Dr. Erin Laverick, associate vice president of campus operations and student success, offered a warm welcome to the assembled crowd.
Campus Pastor Anthony Sikora set a reverent tone for the event with an invocation and opening prayer, followed by the reading of Philippians 2:5–11 — a passage that points to Christ’s humility and exaltation, and one that speaks directly to the kind of servant leadership CUAA encourages in its graduates.
“It’s a big day for you. It’s a big day for your family. It’s a big day for all of us here at Concordia. Congratulations. You made it. You did it,” Sikora said. “And now you stand at the crossroads. Life changes. Vocations change. Daily routines will change. Most, if not all of you, will probably change your address at some point. You’ll move out. You’ll move out into the world. And the world changes because of you.”
Desiray Williams delivers student address
Desiray Williams, a graduate of CUAA’s Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction program, served as the student speaker. A native of Detroit and passionate educator, Williams currently teaches third-grade dance, art, and poetry. Her message — in the form of a poem she wrote, titled “For Such a Time as This” — offered a heartfelt, faith-centered reflection on perseverance, purpose, and God’s presence throughout the journey of earning a degree.
“You are not behind.
In fact, you are on track.
Better yet, you are in God’s will.
Perhaps you are worried about what may be next, but remember the same God who brought you this far,
he has not done with you yet.
Whether you are becoming a teacher, doctor, or attorney, whatever it may be,
your purpose is not over and it was not missed.
Take a moment and think that maybe perhaps you were created for a time as this.”
Williams’s message echoed CUAA’s mission to develop students in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world — a mission she carries into her vocation with grace and resolve.
A moment to celebrate — and to look ahead
Sunday’s ceremony was more than a conclusion; it was a launchpad. For each graduate, it marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunity, calling and Christ-centered leadership.
As faculty and families blessed the next steps of CUAA’s newest alumni, the celebration stood as a reminder of the university’s purpose: to prepare students not only for careers, but for lives of service, impact and faithfulness.
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Concordia University Ann Arbor is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.
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