MEQUON, Wis. - It's been a busy summer around Concordia University Wisconsin as the university completes a major facelift. Here is what has been going on.

Lakeshore Restoration Project

Work continues on the University's $8 million lakeshore restoration project. Since last June, the project has moved over 400,000 cubic yards of material to restore Concordia's 1/2 mile of beautiful shoreline. Revetments were also created to help protect the beach from future erosion and to form an artificial reef for marine species. There is now ADA approved access to the beach; a bike/walking path to the beach; and an amphitheater at the top of the new bluff. This fall, host prairie grass, wild flowers, trees and shrubs will be put into place. University officials are planning to dedicate the project in a public ceremony on Saturday, September 30, at 11:30 a.m.

New Entrance and Parking Lots

When students return on Friday, August 25, they might be shocked to find one main entrance to the University instead of two. The new grand entrance will also be home to a welcome center that everyone will check into when visiting the campus.

All of the University's parking lots have also been reconfigured and the entrance to Luther Hall is now much more inviting with the addition of colored concrete and flower planters. View the new campus map.

Courtyard being Beautified

The University's Chapel Courtyard is also in the process of being updated. The crumbling steps leading up to the Chapel of Christ Triumphant were removed last week and are being replaced. The courtyard's cracked sidewalk is also being replaced. Finally, new greenery, a coffee bar and several patios will be added to this tranquil part of campus in time for the students' return.

Inside the Chapel of Christ Triumphant, a new state-of-art sound system was installed to improve acoustics during services and concerts.

Faculty Offices

This summer, while the students were away, the faculty offices on the second floor of Luther were demolished. Now, the HVAC is complete and carpeting and ceiling tiles are being installed next week. After that, workers will be quickly putting furniture in place so the faculty can get their offices in order before the students return.