When the Story Blesses the Kingdom Number 11 #becauseofconcordia

 

Sometimes we just need to do something when we feel

 a situation is out of our control. 

There is currently a project to shower the students 

in dorms with some love, care and attention.

Marissa Kulig is coordinating the effort with a team

 of alumni to collect the goodies to deliver to the students.

 The CUAA Dorm Care Project developed soon after the

 announcement of the challenging future for CUAA.

If you would like to be a part of this project - 

here is the link to the Amazon wish list.

CUAA Dorm Wish List

You can be a helper and do something RIGHT NOW!

When The Story Blesses the Kingdom

                             

Marissa Kulig

I didn’t originally plan to go to Concordia. Growing up just outside Ann Arbor, I had plans to go to school anywhere BUT Ann Arbor. Yet, I found myself wanting to go to school for something very specific. I wanted to be a Child Life Specialist. I found out that CUAA had one of the best programs in the country and soon was enrolled at Concordia Ann Arbor for the fall of 2010. 

I struggled intensely at first, as I wasn’t raised Lutheran. I wondered if CUAA truly was the place for me. After my freshman year, I realized that the financial situation was not good when I lost my student worker job in the marketing department. A merger with CUW was potentially in the works. I was encouraged by some to transfer schools and I heavily considered it. But, I decided to give it one more year.  I’m eternally grateful that I did. The merger went through, finances balanced, and so did I. 

Concordia slowly but surely became my home. I was involved in Campus Leadership, part of New Crew and leading Tool Time retreats. I was involved in choir, and thanks to Dr. Altevogt’s passion developed a deep love for all kinds of music. I laughed and cried in Dr. Looker’s English courses and fell even more in love with literature. My Family Life professors mentored me, cried with me, prayed with me, and fought with me every step of the way to accomplish my dreams. They became such a huge part of my life and I credit the person I am today to their love and guidance. I developed lifelong friends and have the most cherished memories. 

I am the person I am today because of Concordia University.  While it wasn’t my first choice, it was exactly the school that my heart and soul needed. It became my home and a place I cherish almost more than anywhere else. Concordia and its community saved and changed my life and I couldn’t be more grateful. 

When I heard the news about the CUAA finances, my heart was crushed, because this school is needed. It is needed for kids like me who are looking for a place to call home. A place to find themselves. A place to know that they are SO much more than just a number.  My hope is that through this Dorm Care Project, the students will feel loved. Seen. Heard. Valued. Wanted. I pray that like me, they will give Concordia a chance and they will stay.

   

Marissa is a 2014 Alumnus of CUAA.

Her degree was in Family Life with a Childe Life Concentration.

She recently graduated with a 

Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

In the future she will be working as a therapist 

with children and adolescents. 

Her goal is to use her Child Life education from Concordia 

and specialize in working from the mental health side 

with children and families who have medical issues 

or a longterm medical diagnosis.