Concordia University Ann Arbor is celebrating 73 students as they graduate on December 16-17. Here is what you need to know about the weekend festivities.
CUAA is looking forward to commencement celebrations on December 16-17. This year, the commencement speaker is Dr. Kyle B. Chuhran, Elementary Education Coordinator in the School of Education at Concordia University-Ann Arbor.
Saturday, December 16 — Nursing Pinning Ceremony
- 2 p.m., Chapel of the Holy Trinity
Sunday, December 17 — Commencement Ceremony
Tickets required for commencement attendance
- 2 p.m., Chapel of the Holy Trinity
2022 December Commencement Address: Dr. Kyle B. Chuhran
Dr. Kyle B. Chuhran is currently in his thirty-sixth year in Lutheran school ministry, including twelve years as a K-12 teacher and fourteen years as a school principal. Since 2014, he has served in his current role as Elementary Education Coordinator in the School of Education at Concordia University-Ann Arbor.
Dr. Chuhran received a BA degree in Music Education in 1987 from Concordia College-Ann Arbor. In 2008, he received an MS Degree in
Educational Administration from Concordia University-Wisconsin. In 2020, he received and EdD in Teacher Leadership from Concordia University-Portland. He is a member of the Lutheran Educators’ Association (LEA), Directors and Representatives of Teacher Education Programs (DARTEP), and Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE).
He also serves as the District Commissioner for National Lutheran Schools Accreditation (NLSA) for the Michigan District, LCMS, where he advises and consults K-12 Lutheran schools as they complete the accreditation process. He is the founder of ACT Money Coaching, through which he coaches young people toward making wise money decisions.
His wife Cheryl serves as a fifth-grade teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Clinton Township. The Chuhrans reside in Lathrup Village, and are members at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Birmingham. They have four adult children and six
grandchildren.
In his spare time, Dr. Chuhran enjoys hanging out with the grandchildren, fishing, collecting antique fishing gear, and playing the trumpet in the church brass ensemble.
Student Speaker: Jonathan Jackson
Jonathan Jackson is from Granger, Indiana, and he is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a specialty in English.
During his time at CUAA, Jonathan has actively engaged in the vibrant life of Concordia. Reflecting his passion for education and children, he took on roles as Vice President and later President of the Early Childhood Education Society. Jonathan actively participated in numerous cocurricular activities, including the wind ensemble, marching band, pep band, and orchestra. Furthermore, he contributed his talents to the world of theatre, notably performing in well-received productions such as “Series of Unfortunate Events” and “The Sound of Music.”
As a dedicated student leader, Jonathan championed the interests of his peers through the Student Government Association (SGA). Additionally, he took on responsibilities as a campus ministry coordinator and played a crucial role in welcoming new students during Fall Welcome Weekend as a transition team leader. Even before new students arrived on campus, Jonathan made a positive impact by offering campus tours and serving as an ambassador for the Admissions Department throughout his entire tenure 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:
- Katherine Vivacqua — Nursing
- Jarrett Batanian — Secondary Education
- Tad Lenhard — Business
- John Markiewicz — Elementary Education
- Alyssa Kraemer — Social Sciences
- Emily Binkowski — Master of Science: Elementary Teacher Education Certificate
- Dominic Doyle — Master of Science: Secondary Teacher Education Certificate
December Commencement Ticket Information
Ticketing is available online for the 2023 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.