GREETINGS FROM CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGES
Dear Friends of Concordia Language Villages,
This past year has been one of reflection, renewal, and hard but hopeful work. As interim director after Mary Maus Kosir’s departure, I have been honored to witness a deep spirit of collaboration and creativity guiding us through an important period of transformation. Together, we are not only preserving the legacy of Concordia Language Villages but preparing it for a vibrant and sustainable future.
Early in the year, we established a task force on innovation and sustainability, bringing together CLV and Concordia College leaders to help imagine how our programs can meet the needs of future generations while maintaining financial responsibility. This group has taken a bold look at every aspect of our operations — exploring new models for programming, strengthening and growing enrollment in existing programming, developing more intentional connections between CLV and Concordia College, and making thoughtful recommendations to ensure CLV remains resilient and innovative as it lives out its mission.
During this time, we have undertaken significant restructuring efforts to strengthen fiscal accountability and better align with Concordia College. These important efforts ensure we continue to deliver the immersive, life-changing experiences that have defined the villages for more than six decades. Our shared work with the college has already led to deeper collaboration in facility management, marketing, enrollment, and operational strategy — creating stronger pathways for future growth.
Amid this important work, we also found moments of joy and celebration. This year marked the 60th anniversary of Lesnoe Ozero, our Russian village, and we also recognized the 65th anniversary of Waldsee, our German Language Village. The German celebration featured a special Tikkun Olam (“repairing the world”) program, where villagers, staff, and alumni reflected on their shared responsibility to build a more just world. It was a moving reminder of how language and culture can inspire empathy, understanding, and action across generations.
As we move forward, we do so with commitment and with purpose. Our focus remains clear: to innovate boldly, to steward our resources wisely, and to continue inspiring courageous global citizens who imagine — and create — a more peaceful and just world.
Thank you for walking with us through this time of transformation. Your continued belief in our mission sustains us, challenges us, and reminds us why this work matters so deeply.
With gratitude,
Susan Larson
Interim Director | Concordia
Language Villages
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL LEADERSHIP GROUP
Michael and Lorie Afremov
Wayzata, Minnesota
Sarah and Scott Bjelde
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Greg Cash
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Andre Gauger
Covington, Louisiana
Keith Johanneson
Bemidji, Minnesota
Ilya Katsnelson
Copenhagen, Denmark
Ross King
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Kent Knutson
Washington, D.C.
Anne Linnee
Bloomington, Minnesota
Margaret Cuomo Maier
Manhasset, New York
David and Audrey Olsen
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Sophie Pederson
Spicer, Minnesota
Molly Steenson
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Steven Pollei and Solveig Storvick Pollei
Tacoma, Washington
Christine Schulze
Moorhead, Minnesota
Benjamin Squire
Topanga, California
JoAnn True
Casper, Wyoming
John “Jack” Tunheim
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Robert Waldron and Leona Werner
Edina, Minnesota
EMERITUS:
Georg Gauger
Mound, Minnesota
Clinton Gilliland and Mary Turner Gilliland
Menlo Park, California
Alfred Harrison and Ingrid Lenz Harrison
Wayzata, Minnesota
David Oprava
Mineola, New York
Ellen Frierson
Program Director
Martin Graefe
Senior Program Director
Director, Concordia Language Training Center
Amanda Hand
Program Director
Candace Harmon
Director of Media Relations and Communications
Marc Johnson
Director of Development
Susan Larson
Interim Executive Director
Jon Suomala
Director of Finance and Administrative Services
Danielle Thorson
Human Resources Business Partner
U.S. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Grand Opening of Sup sogŭi Hosu
In July 2024, Concordia Language Villages celebrated a historic milestone with the grand opening of the permanent site for Sup sogŭi Hosu Korean Language Village. Nestled among the pine and birch forests near Turtle River Lake, the new campus blends traditional Korean architectural design with modern sustainability, featuring a dining hall, administrative complex, and villager cabins designed for full cultural immersion. The event brought together campers, alumni, community members, and international guests to honor years of vision and partnership — including Kenny and Simone Park of the Simone Corporation, who made a lead gift of $7.5 million to initiate construction of the village.
2-Week High School Credit Program
Summer 2024 marked the successful launch of Concordia Language Villages’ new two-week High School Credit Program, designed for students with limited time or those not yet ready for a four-week session. This innovative option allows participants to earn one semester of high school language credit in just two weeks, all while experiencing full cultural and language immersion. The program quickly exceeded expectations with strong enrollment and enthusiastic feedback from students and families.
AmeriCorps NCCC Team
From September through November 2024, Concordia Language Villages was honored to host an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team, whose hard work made a lasting impact across our sites. Over eight weeks, the Maple 3 team tackled a wide range of projects — from staining cabins at Salolampi Finnish Language Village and power-washing El Lago del Bosque to constructing benches and roofing at Sup sogŭi Hosu and Waldsee. They also assisted with environmental efforts, including planting native trees and performing controlled burns, and volunteered with local organizations like the Headwaters Science Center and Habitat for Humanity. Their energy, teamwork, and service spirit helped preserve and enhance the villages for future generations of language learners.
50th Anniversary of Sjölunden
In August 2024, Sjölunden Swedish Language Village marked an incredible milestone — its 50th anniversary. Nearly 250 alumni, villagers, and staff gathered to celebrate five decades of Swedish language and culture at the village with songs, laughter, and shared memories (and a few raindrops!). The day featured activities, reunions, and a special presentation of a commemorative quilt crafted from vintage village t-shirts by longtime volunteer Barbara Keith and presented by former dean Linda Wallenberg.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
SOURCES OF GIFTS AND GRANTS
ALLOCATION OF GIFTS AND GRANTS
In 1960, Gerhard Haukebo, a Concordia College faculty member, suggested the College initiate an experimental program using immersion techniques to teach language. The intent of the program was to teach young people about other languages and cultures, while giving Concordia students the opportunity to gain practical teaching experience.
Concordia College sponsored the project in the summer of 1961. The College rented Luther Crest Camp, north of Alexandria, Minnesota, for the first two-week German session for 72 campers aged 9-12. By all accounts, it was a resounding success.
Interest in the program increased steadily and more villages were added. Today, thousands of participants enroll in immersion programs in 15 languages, in both residential and Virtual Village sessions. Nine architecturally authentic sites on Turtle River Lake (near Bemidji, Minnesota) support year-round programming for thousands of youth, adults, and teachers every year.