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Alumni Awards

Service to the Church Detailed Information

Overview

I. Purpose

The Service to the Church award is conferred upon alumni who have modeled for others a life of dedicated service to God and humanity, for enlightened care of God’s creation, all within the context of the Christian Gospel (John 3:16); who have used the gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); have acknowledged and used their gifts from the Holy Spirit, (I Corinthians 12); loved God and their neighbor (Matthew 22: 37-39) and are witnesses of the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).

II. Presentation

Awards will be presented annually by the Alumni Association at Homecoming or as otherwise determined by the Alumni Advisory Council Awards Committee.

III. Nominations

  1. Nominations shall be solicited on an ongoing basis by the Alumni Council from the alumni, the university’s president, former and present faculty and staff, former recipients of the award, officials of the church, etc. Nominees shall be eligible for selection for two years following the date the nomination is received.
  2. Individuals are only eligible for nomination in one of the two categories.
  3. Eligibility – Service to the Church – Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
    • Be a living alumnus/alumna of Concordia University or Concordia Academy (prior to 1972) when nominated (an award may be given posthumously if the recipient was living when nominated);
    • Have served for a minimum of 10 years
    • Be a rostered member of the LCMS
    • Be currently serving, or have served in an LCMS congregation or institution
  4. Eligibility – Service to the church at large 
    • Be a living alumnus/alumna of Concordia University or Concordia Academy (prior to 1972) when nominated (an award may be given posthumously if the recipient was living when nominated);
    • Be an alumnus/alumna of at least 10 years.
    • Be a member in good standing of their home congregation (LCMS or otherwise).
  5. Selection Criteria
    • Distinctive, exceptional work fulfilling the mission of Concordia University St.Paul through service to the church.
    • Modeled a life of dedicated service to God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39);
    • Demonstrated service through using the gifts of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23);
    • Dedicated witness of the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20);
    • Distinctiveness of performance above and beyond others.
  6. The nominator must provide:
    • A completed nomination form.
    • Two reference to provide additional material and information.

IV. Selection of the Recipient

  1. The call for nominations shall be regularly advertised via direct e-mail, alumni e-newsletter and on the official university alumni & friends website. The deadline for submitting nominees being at least six months prior to Homecoming each year. 
  2. The selection committee, which consists of the Alumni Director and the Alumni Advisory Council Awards Committee, shall make the selection(s) and least four months prior to Homecoming.
  3. The Alumni Advisory Council Awards Committee chairperson shall announce its selection(s) to the Executive Committee.
  4. After the council has reviewed the selection(s), the following procedures will be followed:
    • The university president will call the nominee(s) to inform them of the award.
    • The Director of Alumni Relations will send a follow-up letter of congratulations signed by the President. 
    • The Director of Alumni Relations will:
      • Include in the letter the request for a picture and a biography that can be used for publicity.
      • Order the presentation award and provide all pertinent information for inclusion in the Concordia St. Paul Magazine.
      • Write and thank all people that sent in nominations. The letter would also include the information as to who received the award.
      • Shall be responsible for maintaining the files on nominees and for award correspondence.

(Updated January 2021)