Change is good: Highlighting 10 years of improvements on the CUAA campus

Kreft Center for the Arts renovated (2015)

The Kreft Center for the Arts underwent a $4.5 million remodel soon after the merger was finalized. Considered vital to CUAA’s flourishing arts programs, the Kreft Center houses state-of-the-art rehearsal, performance, and gallery venues, including the Black Box Theatre, the Kreft Gallery, and the Kreft Recital Hall.

Cardinal Stadium Constructed (2015)

Cardinal Stadium is home to the football, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. It was once a primitive field with large rocks impeding play until Concordia’s board approved a $5 million revamp of the field. The project brought the facility up to elite college-level standards, adding Pro-Grass synthetic turf to the field. In 2021, the university dedicated the field as “Ferry Field” in honor of President Emeritus Rev. Patrick T. Ferry, PhD.

Cardinal Fieldhouse renovated (2015)

In 2015, Concordia board members also approved a $7.5 million expansion and remodel of the Concordia Fieldhouse. Home to the volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, cheer, STUNT, and dance teams, the Fieldhouse is one of the most widely used facilities on campus. In 2018, the university refinished the floor to incorporate new branding and further modernize the space.

North Building Acquired (2016)

In October of 2015, Concordia University purchased the former Cooley Law School, located just under three miles north of its main campus on Geddes Road. In 2016, the “North Building” officially opened for classes. This major purchase demonstrated the university’s clear commitment to adding a new slate of programs in the healthcare disciplines. Shortly after the acquisition of the building, the Michigan State Board of Nursing approved Concordia’s proposal to add a School of Nursing. Today, along with nursing, the North Building is home to athletic training, health and human performance, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician’s assistant studies.

Thunder Sports Complex constructed (2018)

Home to the men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams, the Thunder Sports Complex is also used as a practice field for the football, soccer, and lacrosse teams. The complex was built in 2018 and dedicated to the late Kay Thunder-Haab in 2019.

School of Health Professions wing at North Building created (2021)

This renovation significantly expanded the scope of offerings by the CUAA School of Health Professions, including a new Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program—the first doctorate degree to be offered by the CUAA campus.

Workers tackled more than 7,300 square feet to create an intentionally and expertly designed shared space for future occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students. The upgrade was on top of significant renovations that the university undertook in 2015 for its School of Nursing and in 2020 for its Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

Chapel of the Holy Trinity pipe organ restored (2022)

The hallmark of the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, CUAA’s 53-rank Schlicker pipe organ was originally dedicated in 1967. After more than 50 years of use, a campaign to restore it to top condition it was launched in 2020, leading to its rededication in 2022.