Concordia‑Chicago and Lutheran Church–Canada Announce University of Choice Partnership

Joint Press Release
June 3, 2026

Contacts:

Concordia‑Chicago and Lutheran Church–Canada announce university of choice partnership built on shared commitments

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) are pleased to announce a new partnership agreement affirming their shared commitment to Confessional Lutheran education and the formation of Christian leaders across various disciplines.

Through this agreement, LCC recognizes CUC as its university of choice for post-secondary and graduate students seeking a university education supportive of their Christian faith and Lutheran identity. The agreement establishes a clear and supportive pathway to earn a Christ‑centred liberal arts and sciences education within a Lutheran academic environment.

“As institutions rooted in confessional Lutheran identity and dedicated to shaping Christian leaders, this partnership reflects our mutual mission,” said CUC President Dr. Russell P. Dawn. “We look forward to welcoming LCC students into our community and deepening relationships with a church body in altar-and-pulpit fellowship with The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.”

The partnership provides financial considerations for eligible LCC students including tuition, room/board and fee parity between U.S. and Canadian currencies and exemption from CUC’s international tuition rates. The agreement includes cooperative efforts to support LCC students discerning or pursuing future enrolment in church‑work programs at either Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario or Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton, Alberta. It enhances student formation through shared resources and intentional communication about CUC programs to LCC congregations, schools, and families. The agreement will also strengthen cross‑border relationships among students, faculty, and clergy through participation by both CUC and LCC leaders in campus and church‑related events.

LCC leadership emphasized that the partnership expands opportunities for young people considering both professional and church work vocations.

“It is the hope of LCC that such students in thought, word, and deed—to the Glory of God in Jesus Christ and the good of their neighbour—will be a benefit to both the Church at large as well as the overall student body of CUC,” said LCC President Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher.

About Concordia University Chicago
Founded in 1864, Concordia University Chicago is a comprehensive liberal arts–based Christian university in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Business; College of Education; College of Health, Science & Technology; and College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, Concordia-Chicago offers an array of degrees and programs for both undergraduate and graduate students that combine academic rigor with faithfulness to the teachings of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Under the leadership of President Dr. Russell P. Dawn, the University encourages students to share the gifts God gave them and answer the call to a life fulfilled by purpose and truth as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world. Its campus is located 10 miles west of downtown Chicago in River Forest, Illinois. Learn more at cuchicago.edu.

About Lutheran Church–Canada
As a Confessional Church body, Lutheran Church–Canada is committed to conserving and promoting the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10; Rom. 16:17). It includes 262 congregations across three regions: West (Alberta, British Columbia); Central (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and NW Ontario); and East (Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes). LCC is led by President Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher and its national office is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Print this article