As Luther Classical College prepares to open to its first cohort of students in August 2025, Dr. Caleb Karges will join the faculty as dean of students, effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Karges hold a Ph.D. in Modern History from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He has extensive teaching experience in the areas of history, political science, and German. He will serve as associate professor of humanities at LCC, teaching part-time while also supervising student housing and student activities as dean of students.
“Dr. Karges brings not only academic strength, but also a track record of caring for students both inside and outside of the classroom,” notes Dr. Ryan MacPherson, LCC’s academic dean. While a professor at Concordia University Irvine, Dr. Karges and his family lived in student housing in the role of Faculty-in-Residence. He and his wife Jennifer labored side-by-side to foster a unique academic community to meet the needs of their students while modeling Christian marriage and parenting. “I think what made it truly special,” Jenn Karges reflects, “was opening up our home to our students and letting them be in the life of our family. We were able to mentor so many students, and many of them have become lifelong family friends.” Dr. Karges agrees, “This, by far, has been the capstone of my work at Concordia, and I am overjoyed that I can carry this on at Luther Classical College in my new role as Dean of Students.”
All faculty at LCC must be faithful Lutherans who uphold the inspiration and inerrancy of Holy Scripture and profess the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord of 1580 to be the correct exposition of Holy Scripture. Dr. Karges, as a rostered teacher of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, holds to this confession without hesitation. “During his interview with the faculty search committee, Dr. Karges offered a winsome apologetic for young-earth creation, the Red Sea Crossing, and, most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” notes Dr. MacPherson. “LCC will be blessed to have on its faculty a man who not only believes but also can explain to others what the Bible teaches about important issues that spread across our curriculum.”
Dr. Karges grew up in northern Nevada as the son of two Lutheran teachers. He went on to major in history and minor in pre-seminary studies at Concordia University Irvine. Dr. Karges sees those four years in Irvine as the capstone to his education in the faith. “My parents, pastors, and teachers in Nevada taught me what I believe,” Karges says, “and my professors in Irvine really helped me understand why I believe it.” His time at CUI prepared him to pursue his graduate studies in history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
It was during his graduate studies at St. Andrews that Dr. Karges developed his love of travel. His research required him to live for extended periods in England, Germany, and Austria. He received his Ph.D. in Modern History in 2016. Specializing in the diplomatic and military history of Europe, Dr. Karges’ doctoral dissertation won the 2017 André Corvisier Prize for Ph.D Theses in Military History from the International Commission of Military History. Since finishing his dissertation, Dr. Karges has continued as an active researcher in his field. During 2023–2024 academic year, he held the Fulbright Canada Research Chair in International Studies at Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada. His first book, The War of the Spanish Succession: The Violent Reordering of Europe into the Modern World, will be available in 2026. His historical research proved a training ground for his new role. Dr. MacPherson notes, “In his work, Dr. Karges, through reading primary sources, sat at the feet of some of Europe’s greatest statesmen and diplomats and watched how they strategized, considering the needs of all stakeholders in solving the great questions of their day.”
Dr. C.J. Armstrong, chair of the history and political thought department at Concordia University Irvine, had this to say about Dr. Karges’ appointment:
“We rejoice with Dr. Caleb Karges and his family as they follow God’s call to Casper, Wyoming, and prepare to serve students at Lutheran Classical College. Dr. Karges, an alumnus of Concordia University, Irvine, brought his alma mater many years of faithful service as a commissioned minister of God’s Word and called professor of History. His record of excellent teaching is matched by his service to the discipline, for which his publications and presentations continue to advance learning. Above all, Dr. Karges brings to Casper both a commitment to the intellectual and spiritual development of his students, as well as earnest devotion to Lutheran liberal arts education.”
As Dean of Students at Luther Classical College, Dr. Karges will work closely with a soon-to-be-appointed Dean of Chapel to ensure a safe, affordable, convenient, and ultimately Christ-centered residential experience for all students. Construction is currently in progress for the first campus house, while LCC already has acquired an apartment complex within walking distance of campus. Additional student housing will be provided by host families from Casper’s two LCMS congregations. Sixty to seventy students are projected to matriculate in August 2025, of whom nearly twenty-five already have been granted admission. Working closely with Dr. William Lipke, Director of Admissions, Dr. Karges will commence his duties on January 1 to assist in preparing the college for that historic first cohort of students.