Looking Back, Moving Forward: MTEPS Graduates Celebrate

In conjunction with Black History Month, Concordia gathered its Metropolitan Teachers Education Program Selection (MTEPS) program graduates to honor them for their achievements.

Twenty-five graduates were recognized at the reunion where Concordia’s multicultural choir, Shades of Harmony, and the professional vocal ensemble, Voices of Harmony, provided entertainment for a social hour. Iris Lewis ’75 then told the inspiring tale of how she overcame gender and ethnic stereotypes to receive her Concordia education through the MTEPS program. She now works for the St. Paul Public School system and is proud to say two of her children have doctorate degrees and her third child is nearing doctorate degree completion. She spoke of her anticipation to see the educational opportunities her nine young grandchildren will have.

MTEPS was developed to help the educationally disadvantaged in the seven-county metro area gain access to higher education in the field of elementary education. Concordia supported the students through personal counseling, tutoring, academic planning and other similar services.