Commencement

Christus Vivit Award

Chosen by the faculty – after consideration of personal knowledge and/or recommendations by others – the recipient of the Christus Vivit Award has demonstrated exemplary service to the church.

Kaye Dumas Wolff, a retired information and technology professional, has dedicated much of her tremendous volunteer service to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) ministries and initiatives that serve minority groups. She has worked closely with LCMS Black Ministry and other ethnic ministries. She is a founding member of Concordia Seminary’s Multiethnic Symposium committee, which began in 2008, and she remains a part of the planning committee and also is a past presenter. She also served on the advisory committee for the Seminary’s Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) during its inception in 2002. She has served as chairman of the LCMS Black Ministry Church Planting Task Force (1996-2003) and also served on an LCMS convention resolution task force (2016-19). Additionally, she has presented several LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission webinars.  

Wolff has authored articles for the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly and Bible studies for Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) groups. She also has contributed articles to Lutheran Mission Matters (formerly Missio Apostolica) and has written Lenten devotions for Lutheran Hour Ministries, where she was a MissionU witnessing facilitator for 14 years. She was instrumental in making the LCMS docu-movie “The First Rosa,” about the pioneer Lutheran educator and missionary Rosa Young (LCMS, 2014), where she served as the unit production manager.

In 2020, Wolff presented at the Theological Convocation on Race Relations at the Seminary. She also has been a guest on KFUO’s radio show “The Coffee Hour” periodically over the last six years. From 2020-22, she also served on a church worker recruitment committee.

Active in the LWML most of her life, Wolff has served in local, district and national roles within the organization. During her term as LWML vice president of special focus ministries (2015-19), Wolff started the Deaf Ministry Outreach Program to encourage hearing women to learn basic American Sign Language (ASL) and deaf culture, and to encourage and welcome deaf women into active participation in LWML groups. She currently serves as chairman of the 2021-23 Nominating Committee.

A frequent visitor to the Seminary campus, Wolff is known by many former and current students as “Auntie Kaye’” for her frequent mentoring, support and commitment to them.    Wolff and her husband, Rev. Paul A. Wolff, live in Southfield, Mich. They worship at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn, Mich., where Rev. Wolff serves as the assistant pastor. Kaye Wolff is learning ASL  and enjoys cooking and eating, dressing in cultural attire, traveling and music. She and her husband have three grown children, five granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. They enjoy frequent visits with those family members who live close by.

Christus Vivit Award

Chosen by the faculty – after consideration of personal knowledge and/or recommendations by others – the recipient of the Christus Vivit Award has demonstrated exemplary service to the church.

Dr. Beverly K. Yahnke of Brookfield, Wis., is a clinical psychologist who has provided consultation and care for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) district presidents, pastors, principals, teachers and congregations for more than three decades. She is known throughout the church as a compassionate counselor, articulate speaker and engaging teacher.  

In 2008, Yahnke accepted an invitation from the DOXOLOGY Board to serve as executive director for Christian counsel for the charitable nonprofit which is a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS. The organization is dedicated to serving pastors, lay leaders, and pastors’ wives. DOXOLOGY, founded by Yahnke and her colleague, Dr. Harold Senkbeil, is committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, especially as God gives it through the Holy Ministry. DOXOLOGY provides an innovative program of advanced study retreats to strengthen pastors for the task of faithfully shepherding the souls entrusted to their care.

Previously, Yahnke has served as professor of psychology and department chair at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon (CUW) (1978-90; 2010-15). Early in her tenure at CUW, she was named Faculty Laureate for excellence in teaching. She also received the University’s Dettmann Award for Dedicated Service.

Yahnke worked for over 20 years in private practice at the clinic she founded, Christian Counseling Services, in Milwaukee, Wis. The clinic was devoted to providing care for clients of faith, including church workers and their families. Yahnke has written numerous articles about psychology, education and faith, and is a frequently invited speaker for clergy and educator conferences throughout the United States and abroad.

Yahnke has served the LCMS as a nationally elected member of the LCMS Board for Higher Education (1998-2004). She was elected by the LCMS convention to serve as a member of the Board of Regents at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. (2016-22). In 2016, Concordia Theological Seminary awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award

Awarded to a graduate of Concordia Seminary who has rendered exceptional service in at least one of the following areas: parish ministry, mission field, preparation of church workers or Synod service.

Rev. John Barton (Bart) Day was born in Breese, Ill., to John R. and Carol A. (nee Brinkmann) Day. He attended public schools throughout his elementary, middle and high school years, then attended Concordia College, Seward, Neb. (now Concordia University, Nebraska [CUNE]), earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1992. During his time at Concordia Seminary, he spent a year studying at Westfield Theological House in Cambridge, England (1994-95), and graduated from the Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 1997. In 2019, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

Following graduation from the Seminary, Day was ordained June 8, 1997, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston. He served there as associate pastor until 2011, coordinating and developing parish education, youth and young adult activities, and worship. In 2005, he also became headmaster of Memorial Lutheran School, adding to his pastoral duties the financial oversight and day-to-day management of the school’s large budget, faculty and staff, and student body.

Day used his many gifts and talents to serve the larger church throughout his time serving in the parish, including: liturgical adviser for the Lutheran Hymnal Project [The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Commission on Worship,  2001-05]; a Lutheran Service Book presenter (2006); an instructor for Lutheran Musical Enrichment in Houston, Texas (2002); teacher colloquy at Concordia University Texas, Austin (2002-05), and LINC Houston Bible Institute program (2007-12); a presenter for the LCMS Commission on Worship Liturgy Conference in Mequon, Wis. (2002); and a mentor for Concordia Seminary’s Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (2003-04). He also served on several boards of directors, including the Friends of Westfield House, Houston (2002-present) and the Friends of Mercy, St. Louis (2005-09).

In 2011, Day became the executive director for the LCMS Office of National Mission in St. Louis. He served in this role, overseeing 20 domestic programmatic ministries supporting 35 districts, until 2017. During that time, he also served as LCMS interim chief mission officer (2014-15), LCMS interim executive director of Pastoral Education (2015-16), a board member for Lutheran Services in America, Washington, D.C. (2015-17), board member for Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services, Baltimore (2012-17), and Lutheran Hour Ministries LCMS liaison (2016-17). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation.

Since September 2017, Day has been president and chief executive officer of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) in St. Louis, providing leadership, vision and management of the fund. During his tenure, LCEF has surpassed $2 billion in total assets, making it the largest denomination extension fund.

Day has received multiple awards, including the Charis Award (Grace Place Wellness Ministries, 2016), the Award of Commendation (Concordia Historical Institute, 2016) and Alumnus of the Year (CUNE, 2017). He has written for Higher Things, Teacher Interactive Magazine, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and Strength for the Day, and has edited several essay collections, including collections for sainted Concordia Seminary faculty members Dr. Norman Nagel and Dr. Ronald Feuerhahn.

Day and his wife, Julie (nee VanOsdol), have six children: Isobo, Jonah, Seth, Caleb, Jotham and Lydia. They live in St. Louis. He enjoys hiking, attending sports event and concerts, and spending time with his wife, children and two dogs. He believes in the satisfaction that comes from hard work, the enjoyment of a job well done, and the beauty of joy and laughter in working alongside similarly motivated people.

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Awarded to a qualified person within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) or one of its partner churches who demonstrates outstanding dedication to the theology and mission of the LCMS and its international partners.

Rev. Raul Blum was born in Novo Hamburgo in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where he and his family lived throughout his childhood. Music has been a big part of his life since he was 8 years old.

Blum attended and graduated from Seminário Concórdia in Porto Alegre, Brazil, with both his pre-seminary education and a high school diploma (1967), and his seminary education and a bachelor’s degree in theology (1971). During his time in the seminary, he studied organ as his love for music continued. For 12 1/2 years, he served as parish pastor at several congregations including Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Campo Ere, Santa Catarina, Brazil (1972-77); Christ Lutheran Church in Candelaria, Rio Grande do Sul (1977-79); and Christ Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (1980-84).

From 1984 to 2002, he was professor of worship and music, teaching music and liturgy at Escola Superior de Teologia in São Paulo, Brazil, the second seminary of Igreja Evangélica Luterana do Brasil (IELB). In order to better serve in this position, Blum studied at Faculdade Santa Marcelina in São Paulo, and in 1992 graduated as conductor. To further improve his music and teaching skills, he obtained a master’s degree in church music with an emphasis in choral conducting from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, in 2001. Since the closing of Escola Superior de Teologia in 2003, Blum taught at Seminário Concórdia in São Leopoldo, south of Brazil, and retired in December 2022.

At both Escola Superior de Teologia and Seminário Concórdia, Blum established music programs with choirs, instruments and orchestra. In 1988, he began the music program Diaconia em Música (Diakonia in Music), which prepares organists, conductors and musicians for the church. This program continues today under his coordination. Since 1992, he has conducted the annual Cantate Sunday, a traditional worship service that joins choirs, soloists and orchestra on the campus of Seminário Concórdia. Blum also chairs the Worship Commission of IELB that revised the altar book and lectionaries. He took the lead in the preparation and production of a revised edition of the hymnal, Hinário Luterano (Concordia Publishing, 2016), which included scores for four voices.

Today, he and his wife, Nádia, live in São Leopoldo as Blum continues to teach at the seminary part-time. The couple has two children: Isabel Cristina and Ezequiel.

Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa

Awarded to clergy who have rendered outstanding service in church life.

Rear Adm. Gregory N. Todd is a native of Seattle, Wash. He is a 1984 graduate of Concordia College in Portland, Ore. He earned a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Charlotte, N.C.

Todd was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1986 and served in the Marine Corps Reserve while he pastored congregations in Illinois. In 1994, he superseded to active duty and served as base chaplain Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and then reported to USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), deploying to the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific for counter-narcotics operations. In his first U.S. Coast Guard tour, he was assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Activities New York. While there, he was the first Navy chaplain to respond at “Ground Zero” following the attacks on the World Trade Center and hosted the Coast Guard Chaplain Emergency Response Team to provide ministry to emergency workers and civilians.

He reported next to 2D Force Service Support Group (FSSG), Camp Lejeune, N.C., and deployed with Forward Battalion, 2D FSSG to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as chaplain with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, establishing the religious program at Forward Operating Base Ripley in Oruzgan Province. He reported to his next assignment as officer-in-charge of Marine Corps Chaplain and Religious Program Specialist Expeditionary Skills Training, Camp Johnson, before being detailed as command chaplain on USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Following his sea tour, Todd assumed duties as command chaplain for the 2D Marine Logistics Group and then was detailed as force chaplain, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Todd served as the 10th chaplain of the Coast Guard where he supervised religious ministry support for the more than 88,000 Coast Guard personnel and developed the Coast Guard Auxiliary Clergy Support Program, linking volunteer religious ministry professionals with Navy chaplains in support of Coast Guard members and their families.

In June 2018 Todd became the 20th chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps and deputy chief of Navy chaplains until assuming his current role. He is the 28th chief of Navy chaplains, where he leads the religious ministry of more than 570,000 personnel and their families of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Department of Transportation 9/11 Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and the Combat Action Ribbon.