Joy in Finishing Well

For five dedicated faculty members, the 2021-22 academic year marked the end of their time on the CSP faculty and the beginning of their retirements. We reached out to them to find out more about their years at CSP and what their post-retirement plans include.

Dr. Sally Baas

Professor of Teacher Education, Director of SEAT Program

Years at CSP: 20

Greatest Joy: “My greatest joy at CSP has been my opportunity to work cross-culturally with students from around the world: directing the Southeast Asian Teacher Program, designing and directing the Hmong Culture and Language Program and representing Concordia at Hauhua University with a focus on creating an exchange partnership for students, in addition to sharing my expertise in children's mental health with teacher education students…”

Post-retirement Plans: “As the founder and president of the Tapestry Intergenerational Education Foundation, my focus will continue on enabling students from around the world to be successful in their mental health; globally empowering youth and adults’ wellbeing by weaving together creativity, inspiration, and belonging.”

Dr. Phyllis Burger

Assistant Professor of Education

Years at CSP: 14

Greatest Joy: “...[O]ur graduate students! As their instructor it was an honor for me to see them thrive, grow in their educator leadership roles, and celebrate academic success.”

Post-retirement Plans: "Providing mentoring, professional development, and organizational training for missionaries focusing on trauma-informed support; partnering with a global organization to write a devotional book for incarcerated women; spending extended time with my family, church family, and friends!"

Dr. Thomas Hanson

Professor of Management and Law

Years at CSP: 37

Greatest Joy: “Teaching, advising, and mentoring thousands of students over the years has been rewarding for me, especially how much I have learned from those students. I have stayed in touch with many of them after their graduation and have seen them grow their families as well as their careers.”

Post-retirement Plans: “My short-term plans are to spend more time with family and friends. I have been blessed with five sons and their families including five granddaughters and two grandsons so far…I'm also enjoying more time with my four siblings' families.”

Prof. Craig Lien

Professor of Graduate Business Administration

Years at CSP: 31

Greatest Joy: “The satisfaction and humility of creating a student engaged learning environment that transformed the professional lives of so many.”

Post-retirement Plans: “Lake living, jet skiing, pontooning, beautifying my yard, and tons of exploration day trips in my Jeep.”

Rev. Dr. Mark Schuler

Professor of Theology, Greek, and Archaeology

Years at CSP: 28

Greatest Joy: “My students; the University Honors Program (twelve classes); the Northeast Insulae Project at the Hippos Excavations (a twenty-year project); working with colleagues in the Dept. of Theology and Ministry of which I was chairperson from 2008-2019 (I truly believe that I worked with the finest department of theology at a CUS school in the LCMS: Lumpp, Hequet, Koschmann, Deressa, Lewis, and R.Schuler).”

Post-retirement Plans: “I am confident that the Lord of the Church will guide my discernment process as I seek to serve Christ and the Church.”