From the Office of University Advancement OVER THE PAST YEAR, our Concordia St. Paul alumni, donors and friends have shown overwhelming support for the mission and vision of this wonderful university. This support helps our learners afford, access, and achieve life-changing educational opportunities. President Brian L. Friedrich, BA ‘�9 reiterated his gratitude for the support CSP has received during these challenging times. “Amazing things are happening in this place where ‘Christ is honored, and all are welcome,’” he exclaimed. “I continue to be inspired and humbled by the tremendous support our students receive from our alumni and friends. Laurie and I love giving back to our alma mater that has given us so much, and we are grateful for the hundreds of donors who have joined us in blessing CSP students.” The support of our generous donors continues to be a driving force behind sustained enrollment growth. As the second-largest private university in Minnesota, we continue to serve more and more students, which means the need for additional financial resources also grows. Currently, 86% of students receive financial aid from CSP. Concordia students repeatedly show gratitude for the support they receive, and their understanding of the financial implications of attending college make for a strong culture of philanthropy around campus. This culture follows students as they graduate and become alumni, with 40% of donors during the COVID-19 pandemic being CSP alumni. Rhonda (Behm) Palmersheim, BA ’88, Associate Vice President for Alumni & Constituent Relations, believes that alumni giving will always be an important piece of Concordia’s story. “Concordia St. Paul is blessed by the support it receives from its alumni,” she said. “Your support strengthens the value of a CSP degree, honors the legacy of students spanning the last 128 years, and proclaims your commitment to our current students. Your support will make a difference today and in the years to come.” During a year that brought challenges to our students and the world at large, we are inspired by the commitment to our beloved university from alumni, donors, and friends. Thank you to those that have supported Concordia with their time, talent, and treasure. We look forward to building upon our current momentum as we enter our new fiscal year in July.
22
CSP MAGAZINE
