Arts and Sciences Dean
Dr. Sonja Wentling was named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in 2022.
The School of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most diverse school at Concordia College. The school has 18 departments and nine interdisciplinary programs that span the fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as pre-professional programs. Students in the School of Arts and Sciences are equipped with a range of skills, including effective communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively.
The School of Arts and Sciences is the foundation for all academic inquiry, building upon the oldest human knowledge to create an innovative society in which people of all backgrounds collaborate and discover strengths, opportunities, and meaning together.
Dr. Sonja Wentling was named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences in 2022.
Concordia offers a variety of majors, minors, concentrations, and preprofessional programs in the School of Arts and Sciences.
The STEM Discovery program will support STEM students who demonstrate financial need, as defined by the Office of Financial Aid who are passionate about pursuing a STEM-related career. The program is open to qualified students studying biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, environmental and sustainability studies (natural sciences concentration), mathematics, neuroscience, physics/astrophysics, or pre-engineering. Students selected for the program receive a $6,500 annual scholarship, access to one paid internship over the course of their undergraduate study, and one paid summer research experience in addition to regular professional support and mentoring within the program.
Dr. Lelwica brought us to West Central Regional Juvenile Center every week to connect with some of the youth there. Talking to someone who can speak firsthand about the discrimination and historical trauma that has taken and still takes place in their lives is critical to our learning. There are layers to racism, and it’s important to understand and validate the individual stories as well as the stories that are shared between people of color.
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Dr. Gay Rawson, chair of the world languages and cultures department and professor of French, won an award for the use of technology in world language instruction.
“When I was a student, Concordia was home. It was a place where I could be my quirky self, where I could ask deep questions about life, and where I would develop some of the best friendships I could imagine. Concordia is a place I am immensely thankful for. It shaped and crafted me into a thoughtful and informed individual who is rarely satisfied with the status quo.”
“I still say, ‘Man, I miss college.’ It feels like a home base or a foundation for me. When I graduated, I said that I knew I’d be OK because Concordia would somehow always make sure I was taken care of. I’m always welcomed back and treated like I never left, which is not something you see everywhere else.”
“Concordia was a launching pad, and I’m thankful for the international opportunities possible there. From working with international students and studying abroad, I was well-prepared for my Peace Corps role in Vanuatu and for my move to Bulgaria as well.”
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Two graduates of the Class of 2016, Molly (Lee) Lafferty and Zoey Schlemper, both work in the video game industry.
From organizing Earth Week events to dreaming of a future with the United Nations, Delaney Claggett ’26 weaves purpose, passion, and community into her college experience.