Concordia University Ann Arbor is celebrating 72 students as they graduate on December 17-18. Here is what you need to know about the weekend festivities.
CUAA is looking forward to commencement celebrations on December 17-18. This year, the commencement speaker is Dr. Mark S. Looker, Professor Emeritus of English at Concordia University and the longest-serving faculty member in the history of the school.
Saturday, December 17 — Nursing Pinning Ceremony
- 2 p.m., Chapel of the Holy Trinity
Sunday, December 18 — Commencement Ceremony
Tickets required for commencement attendance
- 2 p.m., Chapel of the Holy Trinity
2022 December Commencement Address: Dr. Mark S. Looker (’71)
Dr. Mark S. Looker is Professor Emeritus of English at Concordia University, where he has taught since 1975—the longest-serving faculty member in the history of the school. But his connection to CUAA goes back even further, as an alumnus of Concordia (AA degree in 1971 and proud ex-resident of Titus dorm). Dr. Looker earned a BA degree at Concordia University Chicago, an MA degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Looker’s scholarly endeavors include a book of literary criticism, Atlantic Passages, and numerous conference papers and journal articles, most recently “Post-Modernism and Race in Recent American Fiction” and “Lying with Maps in Victorian London.”
Dr. Looker has served in a variety of capacities at CUAA, including Chair of the Division of Language and Literature and Vice-President for Academics. For many years, up until his retirement from full-time teaching, he was director of the Kreft Arts Program, bringing to campus among others winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Newberry Award, Caldecott Medal, Grammy Award, and Tony Award. For eighteen consecutive years, until the pandemic forced cancellation, he conducted a May Term course in London for Concordia students.
He currently serves on the CUAA advancement committee, is a member of the vestry at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit, and is on the executive board of the Association of Lutheran College Faculties.
Dr. Looker is married to Karri Looker, for most of her career a staff nurse at the University of Michigan Medical Center and now working for the Red Cross. He has two children: Benjamin, a faculty member at St. Louis University, and Anna, a mental health counselor at Columbia College in Chicago.
Student Speaker: Abigail Penhallegon
Abigail Penhallegon is graduating with Bachelor of Arts in English. She has participated actively in campus life as a member of the Concordia Choir, and as a member of the Concordia Theater Department, performing in nine shows during her time at CUAA.
Academic Excellence Award Winners
Concordia University Ann Arbor is pleased to recognize academic excellence among its students. Each academic year (once in either December or May), a graduating student is chosen from Concordia’s academic department for their excellence in their chosen field of study. The students are recognized at the baccalaureate service preceding commencement exercises. This semester’s awardees include:
- Rebeckah Bottorff — Nursing
- Luca Ruffino — Business
- Abigail Pengallegon — English
- Isaac Riddle — Music
- Sarah Jackemeyer — Elementary Education
December Commencement Ticket Information
Ticketing is available online for the 2022 December Commencement ceremony. Graduation candidates can now register for the event and order tickets for up to six guests using their student ID number.
Want in?
For more information about December Commencement and the other festivities on campus, click the link below.