Written by Cassidy Stephenson
Newly inaugurated University President, Dr. Russell Dawn, is five months into his presidency while adjusting to the Chicago area with his family. Prior to accepting his role as the 12th President of Concordia University Chicago, Dawn was a professor of history and political thought at Concordia University Irvine (CUI) for seven years. Before his role at CUI, he was a professor of religion at Lindenwood University in the St. Louis area for three years. Dawn was a corporate lawyer before his teaching positions and completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree in the history of theology at Oxford in between that span of time of his lawyer and teaching occupations.
Dawn remarks how much he and his family love the Chicago area and the increase of accessibility to the downtown area compared to the two-hour commute from Irvine to Los Angeles. Dawn is originally from Colorado so the frigid temperatures of a Chicago winter have not bothered him.
When asked what Dawn hopes to change during his presidency at CUC, he states, “Concordia needs a little more financial stability and I want to help bring that. We have already started to lay out some new plans to help us be on a better financial footing.” More importantly, Dawn wants to improve Concordia University Chicago’s academic culture. CUC’s motto has remained the same for generations, it is as follows: “If you abide in My word and continue in My word, you are truly My disciples and the truth will make you free.” In regards to the motto, Dawn states, “Remaining in God’s word sets the foundation and everything is built on that. A part of the joy of being in an academic role is drawing students into the quest for truth.”
A huge part of Concordia University Chicago’s mission is to evoke a desire to serve others and their community. Another mission of CUC, according to Dawn, is to help students develop a sense of freedom. Dawn states, “Truly free people are people that govern themselves and we want students to graduate with that self-governing mindset.” Dawn wishes for the motto to be taught more to students and when people think Concordia University Chicago, to think of an institution that is complete with truth, freedom, and vocation.
The biggest surprise to Dawn in his role as president is the amount of attention focused on him. It’s an element that he didn’t think much about but something he can get used to. Dawn looks forward to Concordia University Chicago reaching its full potential and embracing its status as the flagship for all Concordia institutions.
