Kaye Wolff and Stephen Starke Honored by Concordia University Chicago2 min read

On October 18, 2025, at the Maroon and Gold Scholarship Fundraising Gala, Concordia University Chicago (CUC) honored alumni and non-alumni for their contributions to the Church and the world. Two of the award recipients hail from the Michigan District.

The Spiritus Christi Award

Established in 1966, the Spiritus Christi Award is presented to an individual who has performed his or her responsibilities with unusual effectiveness, influence, and with the highest quality of service to the Church at large. This year’s Spiritus Christi Award was given to Rev. Stephen Starke (Emeritus, Bay City), who graduated from CUC in 1977.

Starke has written more than 250 hymn inspired by Scripture since graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne in 1982. He is frequently commissioned for special hymn compositions and leads workshops, including at CUC’s annual Lectures in Church Music conference. In 2023, he received the Faithful Servant Award from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians at their national conference in recognition of his service as pastor, hymnwriter, and editor for the Lutheran Service Book. He has served congregations in Illinois, Connecticut, and Michigan. Rev. Starke was honored with the Spiritus Christi medallion in recognition of his effectiveness, influence, and highest quality of service to the Church at large.

One Heart Award

Established in 2021, the One Heart Award is drawn from the meaning of “Concordia” and celebrates an individual who embodies the University’s core values, excels in their chosen vocation, and expands the University’s impact through their association with Concordia Chicago. The 2025 One Heart Award was given to Mrs. Kaye Dumas Wolff.

A retired information and technology professional, Kaye Wolff has dedicated decades of volunteer service to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), particularly in ministries serving minority communities. She played a key role in producing the LCMS docu-movie The First Rosa (2014), serving as unit production manager. Wolff has also held numerous leadership roles in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) at local, district, and national levels. Wolff received the One Heart Award that celebrates a non-alum who embodies CUC’s values, excels in their vocation, and expands the University’s impact through their association.

Congratulations to both honorees!

_{Photos courtesy of Concordia University Chicago}