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broadcaster the magazine of Concordia University, Nebraska winter 2014 volume 92 no. 1 from Age to Age

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Winter 2014 issue of the Broadcaster, Concordia University Nebraska's flagship magazine.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Broadcaster Winter 2014

broadcasterthe magazine of Concordia University, Nebraskawinter 2014 • volume 92 • no. 1

from Age to Age

Page 2: Broadcaster Winter 2014

© 2014 Concordia University, Nebraska

The Broadcaster is published by Concordia University, Nebraska and distributed to 50,000 alumni, faculty, staff, pastors, businesses, parents and friends of the university in all 50 states and over 15 foreign countries.

Broadcaster StaffEditors

Danielle LuebbeJennifer Suggitt

ContributorsJacob Knabel

Naomi Kuddes ’15Seth Meranda

Emily Taylor ’15

DesignersSarah Bowe ’16Leah Eklof ’15Mitch Volk ’16

PhotographersMatt Krater ’17

Tyson Kriley ’18Ben Schranz ’16

University AdministrationPresident & CEO

Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich

ProvostDr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke CO ’73 GR ’81

Executive Vice President, CFO & COO David Kumm

Vice President for Enrollment Management and MarketingScott Seevers ’89

Assoc. Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Kurth Brashear, Esq.

Vice President for Student Affairs and AthleticsGene Brooks CO ’91 GR ’03

Board of RegentsDr. Dennis Brink, Lincoln, Neb.

Mr. Robert Cooksey CO ’84 GR ’90, Omaha, Neb.Dr. Lesa Covington Clarkson ’80, Woodbury, Minn.

Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb. Rev. Eugene Gierke, Seward, Neb.

Rev. Keith Grimm, Omaha, Neb.Mr. Barry D. Holst ’86, Kansas City, Mo.Mr. Richard Huebner, Centennial, Colo.

Mrs. Jill Johnson, Seward, Neb.Mr. James Knoepfel CO ’87 GR ’99, Fremont, Neb.

Mr. Lyle Middendorf, Lincoln, Neb.Mr. Timothy Moll ’89, Seward, Neb.

Mrs. Bonnie O’Neill Meyer, Palatine, Ill.Mr. Paul Schudel, Lincoln, Neb.

Mr. Timothy Schwan ’72, Appleton, Wis.Rev. Dr. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, Neb.

Dr. Andrew Stadler, Columbus, Neb.Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb.

General Information cune.edu 800-535-5494

Alumni Relations [email protected]

Graduate Studies [email protected]

Undergraduate Admission & Campus Visits [email protected]

Athletics [email protected]

Bookstore cunebooks.com

Career Services [email protected]

Institutional Advancement [email protected]

Center for Liturgical Art [email protected]

Marketing Office [email protected]

The Man Behind the TableDr. Russ Moulds ’76 is an expert at helping others discover their Christian faith, despite his own unconventional journey.

A Bold & Faithful WitnessRev. Dr. Paul A. Philp ’95 helps Concordia University System institutions develop and enhance their Lutheran identities in an ever-changing higher education industry.

AcademicsStudent FocusAthleticsConcordia SceneAlumni & Friends

Filling Big ShoesThe experiences of past Concordia leaders guide Brian Friedrich as he embarks on his third five-year presidential term at Concordia.

Moving ForwardFor 120 years, Concordia has continued to progress with the social landscape of America.

Contents

It is difficult to identify the most significant event of the academic year, so I won’t attempt to do so. However, it is easy to identify one of the mountaintop experiences of the year: Christmas at Concordia. As I welcome guests to the concert, I describe it as “a collage of music, Scripture and song that is intended to be seamless.” It is all that and much, much more. If you’ve not attended one of the concerts, I urge you to add it to your “bucket list.”

Over the years my favorite carol of the concert has become “A Stable Lamp is Lighted,” the words of which were written by the poet Richard Wilbur. You may imagine my delight when the principal architect of the C. G. “Kelly” and Virginia Holthus Family Plaza suggested that the final verse of the hymn be etched into the first set of risers leading to the top of the new plaza. (It is worth adding to your “places to visit” bucket list!)

The verse reads:But now, as at the ending, The low is lifted high; The stars shall bend their voices, And every stone shall cry. And every stone shall cry In praises of the Child By whose descent among us The worlds are reconciled.

In this issue of Broadcaster, we recognize and celebrate the winding, Spirit-led faith journey of Professor of Education and Psychology Dr. Russ Moulds, significant experiences that have shaped my tenure as university president during the past 10 years, firsts etched into the stones of Concordia’s 120-year history and experiences that led alumnus Rev. Dr. Paul Philp to his current role of serving the Concordia University System. We also highlight a few students who have recently had unique personal experiences that are, by God’s grace, further equipping them as both leaders and servants as they prepare to transition to the next phase of their life.

If there is a common theme in these stories, it is the work of God in Jesus Christ “by whose descent among us the worlds are reconciled” so that you and I might give to the Babe of Bethlehem, the Bright Morning Star, the praise of our lives and the songs of our lips. As 2014 concludes and 2015 begins, it is the love, forgiveness and salvation of Jesus that I pray is etched firmly upon your heart, soul and mind.

Brian L. FriedrichPresident

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Concordia University, Nebraska is a member of the Concordia University System of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

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Dr. Russ Moulds leads Concordia and colleagues within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to evaluate and define their Lutheran identity.

Photo: B. Schranz Writer: D. Luebbe

Page 4: Broadcaster Winter 2014

It isn’t often that one of the most well-respected masters of his craft also carries the title “high school dropout.” But Concordia’s Russ Moulds, professor of education and psychology, experienced a series of events that led him from life without a diploma to a doctorate degreeand expertise in teaching and faith identity.

It began when he decided he was done with high school.

“In my senior year, I concluded as an impatient adolescent that high school was no longer a productive use of my time. Going to school was going to work, but it wasn’t paying well,” Moulds says.

Moulds trained himself for a tech job in Silicon Valley and began running an electronics lab. He thought he’d never set foot in a high school again.

He did earn his GED and then go to college, however, at California State University in San Jose, while working at the lab. During his early college years, Moulds was exploring his faith, the Gospel and different Christian ideas. He was introduced to Jesus through a Baptist friend and attended Baptist services for a few years without becoming a member or being baptized.

Then, at a Bible study held in a restaurant, Moulds met hisfuture wife, Kriss. She, with some other friends, began to explain the traditions and tenets of the Lutheran faith.

“A Lutheran pastor friend would call me from time to time to chat and see how I was doing,” Moulds remembers. “In one of those conversations, he realized I hadn’t been baptized and suggestedit. I pointed out that I was alreadya Christian by faith, and he readilyagreed and noted that baptism isn’t a law or a requirement. But then he mentioned that baptism was simply another way that God affirms his promises to us sinners and could be especially meaningful for adult converts. I’d never heard that before, and it clicked instantly.”

Moulds was also interested in being baptized for a different reason. Kriss. “I was smitten, but it took me four years to get her to accept a ring from me. I did have to—

no, get to—get baptized first. I definitely got the better part of the deal in all ways.”

And the Lutheran faith made sense to Moulds. “As I explored the Lutheran take on Christianity, the well-worked-out doctrine appealed to me. That systematic approach to themes in faith told me that these Reformers had done their homework and thought carefully about what they believed and why they believed it.”

Moulds was working for a Fortune 500 company in management by that time but decided he wanted to do something to further his own faith and the faith of others. He began to look into opportunities for Lutheran ministry.

“I didn’t know what kind, but it wasn’t going to be teaching. I wasn’t going back into schools.”

So he and Kriss left everything in California and came to Seward, Nebraska, to Concordia. “As it turned out, the quickest way into some form of ministry was high school teaching. It was the most practical route in, so, being a practical person, I said, ‘Okay, I’ll do that.’” Moulds got his second bachelor’s degree in education and went on to teach religion at Lutheran High School in Baltimore for 12 years. He also served as director of chapel there before returning to teach education and psychology classes at Concordia in 1988.

As Moulds’ faith was refined by the work of the Holy Spirit and interactions with thousands of students over

the years, he found that, like him, many Christians and non-Christians had questions toask about the richness of the Scriptures and the promise of the Gospel. And he knew where to start looking for answers based on his own baptismal experience. “I entered into

Christianity not by baptism but by asking questions—lots of questions—which the Holy Spirit used to drawme into God’s Word,” Moulds says.

Questions are at the heart of how Moulds teaches and the way he is helping to guide Concordia to a consistent, well-defined identity as a Lutheran entity and institution of higher education. Since Concordia Teachers College became Concordia University, the school has been in

an ongoing process of examining and re-examining its identity, defining where it has been and where it is going.

“We, along with other Christian colleges and universities, have had to think through how we can provide effective, Christian education in what’s becoming the normative secularism,” says Moulds, who has been leading a series of what he calls Table Talks, interactive faculty and staff meetings designed to reassess Concordia’s Lutheran identity.

When the faculty and staff gather for the Table Talks, they engage in what Martin Luther called “mutual Christian conversation and consolation.” According to Moulds, “Doing so alerts and prepares us for listening to our students and devising effective and engaging ways to respond to their questions and concerns, patiently drawing them into the Scriptures, matters of faith and ways of living out their faith.”

Moulds cautions that it’s easy to get caught up in the academic side of Concordia’s role and lose sight of the Gospel itself.

“We’re not here for ourselves,” he says. “We’re not Lutheran for the sake of being Lutheran. So how does Christian higher education serve to assist the ministry of the Gospel? If we’re not doing that, then there’s no reason for us to exist. If Concordia is simply providing higher education that looks like higher education that you could get anywhere else, then who needs Concordia?”

Moulds believes that many students—and the church and world—need a Concordia education. When a strong-willed but curious Moulds joined Concordia as a student, he was determined to resist a future in teaching. Instead, he now stands behind the table instructing students and leading colleagues, examining the idiosyncrasies of Concordia’s identity and defending the faith so they, too, can benefit from the education that Concordia provides.

“I entered into Christianitynot by baptism but by askingquestions—lots of questions—which the Holy Spirit used to draw me into God’s Word.”

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As Brian Friedrich begins his third five-year presidential term at Concordia, he relies on God and reflects on the wisdom and experiences of past Concordia presidents to guide his steps.

8 9Photo: B. Schranz Writer: J. Suggitt Concordia’s first president, George WellerConcordia’s current and 10th president, Brian Friedrich

Page 6: Broadcaster Winter 2014

Two years. Eleven hours from home. One plan gone awry.

After years of serving in multiple cities as a pastor in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Brian Friedrich, his wife Laurie and their children moved near Laurie’s parents in northern Wisconsin, ready to live a more stable, settled life close to their extended family.

But after just three years there, Friedrich was presented with an opportunity to take a two-year appointment at Concordia University, Nebraska, whichmeant moving his family 11 hours away from his in-laws.Laurie reluctantly agreed,declaring, “Well, OK, two years. Probably could do anything for two years, but you have to promise me, every time we have a chance to go home to Wisconsin, we will go.”

So they did. The couple moved to Seward and, in the first year alone, made the 660-mile, one-way trip to Wisconsin eight times. Despite the hectic travel schedule and pressures of a new job and community, Friedrich says, “It all worked out very well.”

It must have, because 23 years later, Friedrich is still working at Concordia, leading people and initiatives as successfully as when he first stepped foot on campus.

Friedrich started working for the university in the Development Office as the director of the centennial campaign, leading the two-year charge to double the endowment as the university was preparing to celebrate its anniversary in 1994.

As the campaign was due to wrap up, the goal increased from $4 million to $8 million, and the campaign was completed with more than $11 million in gifts, pledges and deferred gift commitments raised. At that time an unexpected opening on staff gave Friedrich an opportunity to become the dean of development and college relations, a full-time position during a challenging time in the university’s history.

“We were still digging out of a financial hole, and we really had very little money, if any, to invest,” he says. “This is how crazy it was. We had these goals for annual fund

Walz Human Performance Complex, a $24 million arena, field house, training office and classroom facility that rivals those at some Division I universities.

In 2013-14 Friedrich led Concordia into a partnership with sister Concordias in Oregon and New York to create Concordia Online Education. This partnership combines the Concordias’ expertise in faith-based academics with online delivery and teaching methods to deliver graduate degrees to thousands of students across the country and world.

As Concordia’s passionate, humble leader, Friedrich is quick to acknowledge Christ and give credit for success to God, often telling the university community that it is

“by the grace of God” that Concordia—and he—has been blessed. He says: “I have benefitted so much more from being here than I’ve benefitted this place.”

Friedrich has also endured some challenges during his career, including the Great Recession of 2007. He dubs these challenges the “1s,” as compared to his proudest accomplishments, the “10s,” and he knows he will continue to experience both highs and lows nearly every day of his current career.

“One of the realities of being president is you deal with the 10s and the 1s,” he says. “And many times you deal with them on the same day, sometimes back to back within an hour. So, I can go home and say, it was an average day—you dealt with a 10, and you dealt with a 1. In many ways, the job of the president is to receive the thanks and appreciation for what the whole faculty and staff do so very, very well. At the same time, it’s to accept the responsibility when things don’t go the way you hoped and prayed they would.”

Friedrich continues to pray for the university, trusting God to lead him and the Concordia community through the 10s and the 1s and every experience in between.

He also often prays that God will bless Concordia with the very best people possible to help fulfill its mission.

“Concordia has really been a wellspring, a constant wellspring of people, of students, of constituents, that are so committed to the mission of this institution. It’s so solid. You go back through the people, and in many ways, I don’t think it really ever changed. ... It’s just awesome to be part of it.”

and scholarship fund, and we, for many years, on June 30 were still out collecting checks to make sure that we had achieved the goals and that the budget was balanced. There was just absolutely no margin for anything—but God blessed us with all this success, and then as we thought about the future of the institution ... we said, what if we took a more comprehensive approach to advancement and thought about it in the totality of all the ways we

could advance an institution? So, at that point in time, student recruitment became part of what I did as well.”

Over the coming months and years, Friedrich increased his responsibilities to include

not only student recruitment, but also university relations, strategic planning and duties related to assisting President Orville Walz. In 2004, he became Concordia Nebraska’s 10th president, and he began his third five-year presidential term in August 2014.

Concordia’s rich history of tradition and visionary leadership has served the university—and Friedrich—very well. Of the previous nine presidents, Friedrich knew five personally, and over the years he learned and examined their experiences to help ensure he has a successful presidency as well.

The past presidents improved the university by expanding academic programs, making improvements to campus and growing enrollment, to name a few. And they’ve tackled challenges that only a strong leader can endure successfully—budget restraints, economic downturns, changes in the education industry, personnel issues and the need for a higher endowment and capital funding.

“My shoes could never be big enough to do what these men did,” Friedrich says. “I think of each one of them and the contributions they made, and when they made those contributions—very significant.”

Those accomplishments have inspired Friedrich to lead significant contributions of his own. For example, under Friedrich’s leadership Concordia completed the largest capital campaign in its history, a 7-year, $63 million campaign predominately for scholarships, endowment, capital construction and operations. The campaign included more than $10 million for the building of the

“My shoes could never be big enough to dowhat these men did.”

Increase in total enrollment

Increase in academic programs

Increase in endowment (market value)

Increase in NAIA Scholar-Athletes

75%

117%

132%

162%

The Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich was installed as Concordia’s 10th president in 2004. During his tenure, with God’s blessing, the university has seen

tremendous growth and improvement.

20041,332

2004403

200441

2004$18.7 M

20142,332

20141,056

201489

2014$43.4 M

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Page 7: Broadcaster Winter 2014

In the school’s call for students in “Der Lutheraner” in November 1894, Concordia advised, “The enrollees are to bring the necessary changes of clothes and bedding, two quilts and one blanket. The expenses for books, food, heat and oil (for lamps) will not exceed the sum of $60 this school year.” The price dropped to $50 the next year.

The 36-piece band, mixed choir and chorus created by Karl Haase gave their first concert as an open-air event. Held on a Tuesday evening, over 800 Seward residents came to watch, most of them walking the mile to campus. The program

consisted of 31 numbers, and

a free-will donation

was taken from the crowd

to support the band.

Concordia is founded as Evangelische Lutherische Schullehrer Seminar.

English becomes the official language.The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod believed that speaking German kept those in LCMS schools from mingling with the general population and “forfeiting their identity.” While at school, students used English only among themselves. University President F.W.C. Jesse pushed to change the language, in part because his wife didn’t speak German, which was used even at faculty parties. During World War I, faced with anti-

German and anti-parochial school laws, the Board of Control voted to change the official language of the school to English.

12 Illustration: S. Bowe Writer: D. Luebbe

In 1933 when a black woman applied to Concordia, the university’s leaders questioned whether to admit students of different races. It was put to a vote by the faculty who decided, “Members of non-Caucasian races shall not be denied admission if they meet all the requirements.” As a result, segregation never occurred at Concordia. That led to the 1952 election of Hollis Gordon as Homecoming King. Gordon was a black student who was a member of the student council, yearbook staff and football team.

Since 1894, Concordia has remained true to its core convictions and equipped men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. These 10 milestones in the history of the university illustrate some changes that have taken us from a parochial German, Lutheran high school to a dynamic, Christ-centered Lutheran university serving more than 2,300 students from across the country and around the world.

This year marks a change to chapel. The previous start time of 9:30 a.m. has been adjusted to 11 a.m. in an attempt to provide an even more convenient opportunity for students to attend. So far, the change hasn’t negatively impacted chapel attendance. According to Campus Pastor Ryan Matthias,

“The really neat thing about this campus is that if there is worship, the students will show up.”

Chapel time changes.

A Cappella Choir takes its first tour.

Computer science becomes a major.

Before female dorms were built on campus, women lived in private homes in Seward. According to the student handbook, they were to be inside by 7 p.m. on school days and 9 p.m. on weekends. After Strieter Hall was built as a dorm for women, the curfew was 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday,10:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 11 p.m. on Saturday. Beginning in 1974, only first-semester, first-year women had to abide by the curfew hours of 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. All curfews were lifted in 1977.

The first computer-related majorto be offered by Concordia was computer science. One required class was Introduction to File Processing, which dealt with “storage, manipulation, and retrieval of information stored in large files on bulk storage devices such as disks and tapes.”

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Band holds its first concert.

Students elect first black Homecoming King.

Curfew is lifted for women.

Naked Man Run begins.

Page 8: Broadcaster Winter 2014

Concordia Nebraska alumnus Rev. Dr. Paul A. Philp is the director of institutional research and integrity for the Concordia University System, a position that allows him to combine his love of the Lutheran church and higher education.

When Rev. Dr. Paul A. Philp ’95 was called to serve the Concordia University System (CUS) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as director of institutional research and integrity, he knew it was a call that combined his love for the LCMS with his passion for Lutheran higher education.

As director, Philp assists Concordia University System institutions with curriculum review and assessment, coordination of best practices and matters related to Lutheran identity.

His goal is that students, staff and faculty within the CUS keep the Lutheran identity of their institution in mind as part of everything they do. He says, “Our hope is that they will look with an eye towards how preparing leaders in a particular vocation might provide an opportunity for the church to expand its work and to carry its bold witness into a new place.”

Positive experiences continued throughout Philp’s time at Concordia Nebraska. Caring faculty, a rigorous academic environment and supportive friendships—including one with the woman who would soon become his wife—prepared him well to enter Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he earned Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees. He also earned a post-master’s certificate in enrollment management and a Ph.D. in education from Capella University. All of these experiences, along with Philp’s innate love for Christ, greatly influenced his views on what Lutheran higher education can and should look like.

Defining the identity of an institution—let alone a nine-member university system—can be a seemingly overwhelming challenge. Recently, Philp, working with the presidents of the CUS institutions, helped to develop a set of Lutheran Identity Standards to reinforce the institutions’ deep commitment to delivering excellent

Philp himself has been a bold and faithful witness for Christ from a young age. Combining his enthusiasm for the church and education, attending a Lutheran university and the seminary seemed like the perfect fit. The summer before his senior year of high school, Philp’s mother, Karmin (Zimmerman) Philp, decided to come back to Seward for a reunion. She is the daughter of former Concordia Teachers College President Rev. Dr. Paul Zimmerman (1954-1961) and was part of the Concordia High School class of 1963. Although she didn’t graduate from CHS, the class nonetheless asked her to join them for the reunion. Paul had been researching and visiting colleges, but none of them felt like the right fit. On a whim, he decided to accompany his mom to Nebraska.

“I had heard about Concordia Nebraska growing up,” Philp says, “but I had never been here until we came that weekend. I had a very positive visit experience and got home and applied and came.”

Lutheran higher education. He is thankful for the presidents’ work and sees it as a foundation for the continued growth and development of the CUS.

“We’re blessed in the Synod to have the institutions that we do and the strengths that we have in those institutions,” says Philp. “It’s an opportunity for us to boldly build upon and recognize that each campus is an outpost of the Synod. It’s an opportunity to make connections and work through existing structures at those institutions, not only with the students that go there and the families and congregations and schools they’re connected to, but also with the communities that they’re in.”

Philp knows that through students’ preparation at a CUS institution, “they’re being shaped in a Lutheran, Christian setting, and I hope they are doing their work to the glory of God and that they are a witness in the environment that they’re in.”

Photo: D. Oetting Writer: D. Luebbe14 15

Page 9: Broadcaster Winter 2014

STUDENTSAmanda Abbott, Rachel Dahlke, Cody Eitzman and Katie Peterson served on the Alaska mission team with St. John Lutheran Church last summer.

Jon Bartels and Jordan Miller, Praise Band leaders, played at the Nebraska District Youth Gathering on Nov. 22.

Devin Burmeister, Erica Ellis, Naomi Iltis, Kayla James, Katelyn Peterson, Allie Schieffer, Courtney Upmann and Kendra Vanness participated in the Master of Public Health and RN to BSN mission trip to Belize in October.

Kara Einspahr, alumnus Evan Kucera ’13 and Alexander Scheiber were accepted into medical school at University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Tom Forke, Paige Hemmer, Jillian Janousek, Taylor Johnson, Karlie May, Amy McDaniel, Anna McDaniel, Nicole Phelps, Lydia Pomerenke, Alyssa Renken, Rosemary Selking and Renee Williams developed English as a Second Language curriculum and then used it at Buena Vista Concordia

International School in Shenzhen, China, and in Lutheran schools in Hong Kong last summer.

Jillian Janousek and Amy McDaniel helped a local nonprofit, Foster Friends, get volunteers on Saturdays and bring organization to all the clothes and items they had collected. Foster Friends serves foster families and other families in need.

Danielle Jarvis spent fall semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy.

Nicole Jensen, Aleya Robinson and Kelli Ryddner worked at Bethesda’s Camp Matz in Watertown, Wisconsin, last summer as camp leaders serving hundreds with significant disabilities. All three are special education majors.

Erin Kelley student taught at Concordia International School in Shanghai.

Hannah Keuning conducted the premier performance of a new hymn concertato on “Light of Light, O Sole-Begotten” at the Iowa District West Church Musicians Workshop held at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa, on Oct. 4.

Katie Peterson studied in San Jose, Costa Rica, during the fall semester.

Dane Stahr, graphic design art major, studied abroad during fall semester in London, England. Dane also interned as a graphic designer for DK Pearson (Penguin Books) in London.

One of Concordia’s nine praise bands led worship at the Nebraska District Teachers conference Oct. 23 in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Twenty-six Concordia students and staff participated in the Beautiful Feet Mission Conference at Concordia University, Texas, Nov. 13–15. This annual conference brings together mission-minded students from all Concordias.

FACULTYDr. Vicki Anderson, associate professor of education, with the help of her husband, Jon Anderson, adjunct professor, led two teams of Concordia undergraduate students to Shenzhen, China, and to Hong Kong from June to August. The teams received English as a Second Language training, developed ESL curriculum and then used it at Buena Vista Concordia International School in Shenzhen, China, and in various Lutheran schools in Hong Kong.

Dr. Vicki Anderson gave an invited lecture at the special ESL sectionals held as part of the Asian Lutheran Educators Association Conference held in Hong Kong on March 29. The name of her talk was “Beyond the Worksheet: Increasing EFL Competence with Conditional Verbs.”

Dr. Vicki Anderson published a monograph through the American Dialect Society entitled “Bidialectalism: An Unexpected Development in the Obsolescence of Pennsylvania Dutchified English,” a work detailing the life cycle and impending demise of the English dialect spoken in south central Pennsylvania, where she grew up.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music, was a featured performer and clinician at the annual convention of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians held in St. Louis July 14-17, 2014. Blersch led a hymn festival featuring his own compositions and arrangements at the Chapel of Sts. Timothy and Titus on the campus of Concordia Seminary with the Archway Brass Quintet and an 80-voice choir from various congregations in the St. Louis area. He also taught an organ master class at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown St. Louis.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch was a featured performer at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s triennial Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music held in Seward July 28-31, 2014. In addition to leading the song at the opening Divine Service, he was one of the organists for the conference hymn festival featuring the hymns of Paul Gerhardt. Blersch’s new arrangement of the hymn “Evening and Morning” was premiered at the festival. He also taught classes on service playing and organ registration, and he collaborated on a section entitled “The Pastor and the Part-Time Musician Working Together” with Rev. Andrew Kennell from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Staplehurst, Nebraska.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch had four new collections of compositions published by Concordia Publishing House in its 2014 catalog.

Dr. Ron Bork, professor of education, served on a national accreditation team for NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) in early October and will serve on another in the spring semester.

Student & Faculty Achievements

Students can now fulfill their dream of being a police officer, paralegal, probation officer, detective, security manager or social worker in a correctional facility, among many other possibilities, by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Concordia. The academic area was previously only offered as a minor.

“I am most excited about the program because we’re offering something that many of our students have been asking for. There is a lot of growth potential in this major,” said Dr. Timothy Huntington, associate professor of biology and criminal justice.

The degree requires 36 credit hours of study in areas such as criminology, ethics, law enforcement and the American legal system. A variety of electives are offered within the major including photography, forensic science, social problems and psychology.

“It’s always exciting to teach classes that students are genuinely interested in that will afford them real-world critical thinking skills and make them better citizens and more aware of our American legal system,” Huntington said.

Huntington, the head of the program, is one of just 15 board-certified forensic entomologists, an insect expert who consults on and testifies in high-profile criminal cases. He consulted on the Casey Anthony trial, along with more than 100 death investigations spanning 13 states and four countries.

Concordia University, Nebraska is the first university in Nebraska to offer a Chinese teaching endorsement for education students in the Mandarin Chinese program.

“We want to prepare educators to fill the need for language teachers who can teach Mandarin and teach it well,” said Assistant Professor of Education Vicki Anderson.

“This endorsement will make a teacher candidate who graduates from Concordia all the more marketable.”

The endorsement equips future educators to teach Mandarin Chinese to students in grades seven through 12. The endorsement requires 30 hours of course work including courses in Mandarin and language education plus a required semester studying abroad.

As part of the Mandarin Chinese program at Concordia, the university welcomed a new graduate assistant instructor, Ling-Yi Shao, to teach Mandarin courses this year. Shao grew up in Taiwan and received her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in applied Chinese from Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages. She previously worked as an English and Mandarin tutor before applying for the scholarship program that assigned her to Concordia.

“I am very thankful and appreciate that they matched me with this school since this is a Christian school,” Shao said. “Teaching Mandarin is very interesting, and because Mandarin is a tonal language, it will be a lot of fun to practice the pronunciation with students.”

First Nebraska University with Chinese Teaching Endorsement

Criminal Justice Offers What Students are Asking For

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The Center of Liturgical Art installed a large mosaic chancel cross for Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, created chancel furnishings at the request of Orphan Grain Train to assist the congregation in Pilger, Nebraska, whose church was destroyed by tornadoes, built a glass mosaic cross for St. Paul Lutheran Church and School’s event center in Orange, California, and installed windows for the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Amanda Geidel, assistant professor of education, presented at the 2014 Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival. Her session topic was “Successful Intervention Plans from Start to Finish.”

Amanda Geidel serves as a university liaison to the LCMS Disability Task Force. Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, assistant professor of music, was a guest artist at the Lectures in Church Music Conference at Concordia University Chicago in October, performing a solo piano recital. Her repertoire included classical works with sacred themes such as Bach, Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann.

Rev. Terence Groth taught a doctrine course for the Nebraska District’s adult education program. The course leads to certification for various District lay ministry programs. Students in this class were all involved in prison ministry in Nebraska.

Joseph Herl, professor of music, served on a panel at the American Musicological Society conference in November on the current state of research in hymnology. He presented on preparing a hymnal companion using primary sources for research.

Dr. Tim Huntington presented at the 2nd Annual Medical Legal Investigation of Death Continuing Education Program at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, on Nov. 1. The presentation, “Medicocriminal Entomology,” provided death investigators with background information and techniques on how insects are used as forensic evidence during investigations.

Dr. Jen Janousek, program director for Master of Public Health, presented on stress, exercise and nutrition at the Kansas LCMS District Pastors Conference. Titles of presentations were “Stress Happens” and “Banish the Belly Bulge.”

Michael Keelan, music instructor—strings, was featured in October’s Inside NET magazine for PBS and NPR in Nebraska.

Jessica Kite, adjunct instructor of music, completed the Level III Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln last June. This training included 65 contact hours in pedagogy, movement and recorder.

Jessica Kite presented at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s triennial Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music held in Seward July 28-31, 2014. She presented on handbell techniques, resources and repertoire for beginning choirs and new directors.

Rev. Dr. Kevin J. Kohnke, associate professor of family life ministry, director of the human services program, family life program and gerontology program, led a Bible study at the LCMS Pacific Southwest District Fall Pastors Conference. The theme of the conference was Link Ages: linking all ages together for the

transference of the knowledge, attitudes, ideas, and actions by which the Holy Spirit creates, nurtures and sustains faith.

Dr. Kathy Miller, professor of sociology, and her cultural anthropology class participated in Project Homeless as navigators on Oct. 1 in Lincoln. Class members accompanied people who are homeless or almost homeless as they visited with social services organizations present at the event. Miller and the class were honored for this service by Lincoln Homeless Coalition on Nov. 21.

ISSUES in Christian Education is Concordia’s online publication (cune.edu /issues) that explores questions and practices related to the educational mission of the church. As ISSUES’ editor Marvin Bergman concludes 25 years of service, Dr. Russ Moulds, professor of education and psychology, is transitioning into the role of ISSUES editor. The editorial board also includes Dr. Charles Blanco, assistant professor of theology, Seth Boggs, assistant professor of art, J. Dirk Reek, assistant professor of theology, and Dr. Daniel Thurber, professor of English. Marlene Block continues to serve faithfully as the ISSUES copy editor, and Concordia President Brian Friedrich is publisher.

Don Robson, associate professor of art, received honorable mention at the Nebraska Art Teachers Association Art Show in September.

Don Robson attended and presented a sectional entitled “The Importance of Diversity in Higher Education” with two Concordia students, Ana Cuellar and Ceron Francisco, at the 79th Annual Conference of The Association of Lutheran College Faculties last October in Selma, Alabama.

Lynn Soloway, professor of art, was invited to participate in the Annual Artisan Showcase at the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Nov. 19.

Lynn Soloway was invited to display her Oberon adornments at The Lux Center for the Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Jan. 30, 2015, for a special gala event, the LUXurious Trunk Show.

Dr. Daniel Thurber, professor of English, taught more than 200 students and faculty at Nantong University in Nantong, China, during May. He taught lessons on the topics of “Significant European and American Novelists in the Modern Era” and “The Universal Appeal of Shakespeare.”

Dr. David von Kampen, music instructor—composition, achieved first place at the 2014 San Francisco Choral Artists “New Voices Under 30” Composition Contest with his piece “Over Hill, Over Dale” for unaccompanied mixed chorus.

Dr. David von Kampen had four choral settings in the Concordia Publishing House 2014 new releases.

Dr. David von Kampen is currently writing commissions for the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the Nebraska Music Teachers Association.

Dr. Kelly Wheeler, adjunct instructor, and Heidi Gubanyi, director of RN to BSN program, led 16 students on the Master of Public Health and RN to BSN mission trip to Belize in October.

The need for enhanced technology and technology support on campus continues to increase. Angie Wassenmiller, director of classroom innovation and online education, and her team support technology implementations at both undergraduate and graduate levels to ensure a positive student experience surrounding technology at Concordia.

Technology support needs increased greatly in fall 2014 when education programs began using iPads in the classroom and students’ coursework for nearly all teacher education program courses.

“The teachers we graduate need to be ready for the changing classrooms they will face,” said Concordia Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke. “School districts are increasingly using tablet technology to enhance learning opportunities for their students, so our graduates must be prepared.”

Many instructors in non-education programs also use tablets, and university leaders anticipate that technology will increasingly be integrated into Concordia classrooms.

Concordia also recently added a distance learning and e-resource librarian position to provide online students the same library resources and services as on-campus students. “The library exists to help students and faculty find the right information resources—print and digital—and make good use of them,” said Director of Library Services Philip Hendrickson. “That assistance is just as important for distance learners as for those in Seward.”

support materials Groth and Preus developed, were translated to assist the students in their studies.

Groth and Preus team taught the courses, which were delivered in a week-long intense session because the men cannot take long breaks from their work and ministry, with their greatest need being to develop competent indigenous teachers of the faith.

Increased Technology Support Enhances Student Experience

Terence Groth Takes Christian Teachings to ThailandRev. Terence Groth, assistant professor of theology, used his expertise in the Christian faith to spread the Gospel in Thailand last summer. Dr. Gerhard Michaels Jr., executive director of the Luther Institute—Southeast Asia (LISA), invited Groth and Dr. Jack Preus III, former president of Concordia University in Irvine, California, to develop curricula that would educate men in their fourth year of training for the pastoral ministry—men who are already pastors of the Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia and are receiving their theological education as they serve.

“This was a unique opportunity,” said Groth. “The students were coming from Buddhist backgrounds, which were not welcoming to Christian converts, but they had already taken courses in teaching the faith. My curriculum was focused on learning the content of the faith. These pastors would in turn train others. They are obviously best equipped to communicate in their languages and cultures.”

Groth developed course materials for one of two doctrine classes taught during their time in Thailand. Preus developed materials for the second course. Groth’s curriculum taught basic topics of Christian doctrine: revelation, God, creation, sin and evil, Law and Gospel, the person and work of Christ and justification.

All course materials were developed based on Robert Kolb’s introductory book on Lutheran doctrine, “The Christian Faith: A Lutheran Exposition.” Kolb’s book, along with the

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201

No hair. Anywhere on your body. No protection for your head, eyes or skin. And no idea when the hair is going to grow back—or fall out again.

Just one one-thousandth of a percent of the world’s population has alopecia universalis, the disease that hasjust one symptom—complete and total hair loss. Concordia junior Sydney Olson is part of that one one-thousandth of a percent.

But the arrival of her symptoms in June 2013 didn’t stop her from coming back to Concordia for the fall semester to continue earning her degree in biology so she can someday be a medical doctor. In fact, during that semester, she embraced her disease, shaving her head, playing taps to add some humor to a difficult reality and walking across campus bare-headed to conquer her fears of being judged.

With the support of her family and her best friend Chyanne Barnhill,

Olson chose an outlook on life that challenges the circumstances before her. “My family, Chyanne and I

believe that you have to have hope and faith,” Olson explains. “This is what we’ve been given, and now

we ask ourselves, ‘How are we going to handle this? And how are we going to make it better

for everyone around us?’”

Olson channeled her fears and desire to cope with the loss of her hair—

and to a degree, her identity—by writing a story for her

intermediate writing class about a young girl with alopecia. The children’s fiction book, “The Curse of the Fates” was published in May 2014, and Olson has already experienced how the story is helping others cope with their own difficult life circumstances.

Olson says, “When ‘The Curse of the Fates’ was finally published, a little girl from Ohio sent me a message that after reading it she, for the first time, didn’t wear a wig or a hat to school. That made everything worthwhile because that little girl went swimming all summer. She’s going to school with or without her wig depending on what she feels like. That’s awesome. That’s why I did it. That made it worth every hour of staring at a manuscript, knowing that I gave another little kid confidence.”

As Olson continues her education at Concordia, she keeps her focus on living life to the fullest and experiencing “being part of life again.” She says of her disease, “It

really helped me figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. I want to be the strong person who people can ask and look to and be a role model and be like, yes, I’m different, but I did something good with being different. And not all of us are perfect. We all have our quirks, and no one knows the battle each of us fights.”

Through her book, her positive attitude and her desire to serve others struggling with medical issues, Olson demonstrates how the hope and faith she and her family rely on heavily can turn life’s challenges into opportunities to make the world a better place.

Photo: D. Oetting Writer: J. Suggitt

“You have to have hope and faith.”

Sydney Olson has embraced the challenges of her rare disease, alopecia universalis, and used it to inspire hope and faith in others.

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When most people think of sidewalk chalk, they envision children scribbling and drawing on a sunny, summer day, with no direction or restrictions. For a chalk artist, however, the process is much more involved. One stroke at a time, the artist outlines and creates a masterpiece that will be washed away with the next rain.

Grace Hollenbeck started creating with sidewalk chalk when she was 10. Her dad, Mark ’86, took her to see the Denver Chalk Art Festival the first year they held the event, and the next year they were back, working on their own chalk art piece.

Mark, a high school art teacher, created the bulk of the drawing but used the opportunity to teach Hollenbeck by giving her smaller sections to complete. “If my dad had not trusted me with those small jobs the first couple of years, I don’t think I would have continued in the medium as confidently or enjoyed it as much as I do now,” Hollenbeck says. Her brother, Micah ’13, also became interested, and now the whole family is involved in creating sidewalk art.

One stroke at a time, Grace Hollenbeck outlines and creates

a masterpiece that will be washed away with the next rain.

Hollenbeck is a senior at Concordia pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, as well as a Lutheran Teacher Diploma. And when the weather turns warm, she breaks out her box of chalk. “I love working on large-scale drawings, and I love experimenting with color and the constant state of refinement that goes into it,” she says.

Hollenbeck competes in two or three chalk art festivals a year, and she likes that the art can only be completed at certain times of the year, which keeps her from getting burnt out.

Aside from putting their skills into practice, artists connect to the community through their chalk drawings. This social aspect of sidewalk art is one of Hollenbeck’s favorite parts. Because the work is created in public, people often stop by to watch the process and ask questions. In their interest and in her talent, Hollenbeck gives the creditto God. “It brings me joy to hear that they enjoy something I have drawn. In all of my chalk drawings, though, God deserves the glory, as it is the Holy Spirit who inspires joy.”

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Thousands of miles away from home, Maria Sasieta learned the value of letting go of her own desires and being a better servant by relying on Jesus.The Costa Rican sun beat down on her T-shirt, but Concordia junior Maria Sasieta was committed to completing her mission outside the children’s homewhere she served for 11 weeks last summer.

On this day, she was walking back and forth endlessly with Katia. The 1-year-old had lived at the home for weeks since her parents could no longer meet her needs, so her development and well-being relied solely on the support of caretakers like Sasieta.

The pair walked back and forth in the grassy backyard with Sasieta holding Katia’s hands and encouraging her to gain the courage she needed to let go and walk on her own. Katia didn’t typically like people to hold her, she didn’t smile much and her stubbornness made

it a challenge to teach her how to walk. But Sasieta was committed to connecting personally with Katia and helping her flourish during her time at the home.

A behavioral science and Spanish double major, Sasieta spent her summer caring for orphaned children like Katia at Hogar de Vida, meaning “Homes for Life,” in Atenas, Costa Rica, along with other caretakers, called “tias,” or aunts.

Throughout the weeks, Sasieta and the other tias watched Katia and dozens of children like her grow in skills, confidence and curiosity, developing a close bond with them strengthened by the home’s daily focus on sharing the Gospel through devotions and songs with the little children.

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“Our boss told us that, yes, we’re here to help them grow physically and give them food and a place to stay, but if we’re not speaking Jesus into their life, then what are we doing?” she says. “They work very hard to hire tias that are there for the service and not for the job. It’s a very Christian environment, and all the tias are very loving toward the children and treat them as if they were their own. You can just tell that they give their all.”

From 6 a.m. until the children went to sleep at night, Sasieta and the other four tias in her house cared for 11 children under 2 years old. They experienced lack of sleep, personality conflicts and a language barrier that was greater than Sasieta anticipated, despite her training in Spanish. But Sasieta turned to God in those times and discovered that when serving in the name of Jesus and relying on Him and His guidance, challenges were more easily overcome.

“There was just kind of this underlying theme that God was reminding me the whole time I was there,” says Sasieta. “It was really simple. He reminded me that my experience wasn’t about me. I had to let go of my own desires, wants and worries for me to be a better servant.”

Sasieta had all of these lessons in mind as she walked back and forth with little Katia between the three houses where orphans of Atenas relied on strangers to help them survive. Katia clutched Sasieta’s hands with teetering steps, until she too was finally able to let go.

Sasieta saw Katia take her first steps that same day, and their relationship began to blossom. Katia smiled more, came to Sasieta when she was crying and made her Katia’s tia of choice until the two said a tearful goodbye. Unlike some of the children at the home, Katia was reunited with a family member who was willing to take

care of her when her parents couldn’t, and she left the home before Sasieta’s time there was finished.

“It was really cool to know that you had a big part in their life,” says Sasieta. “We were very excited that she had a new home, but it was just bittersweet.”

Sasieta is considering her options for future service in the church and world. “I would definitely like to go back one day,” she says. “I would love to do this type of thing again.” In the meantime, she holds memories of Katia and dozens of other struggling children and servant-focused friends from Costa Rica in her heart.

How Concordia Volleyball Got Its

GROOVE backBehind six all-conference players, the 2014 Bulldogs racked up 20 wins and their first top-four conference finish in 13 years.Sept. 24, 2014, is the date that Concordia volleyball got its groove back. A large white-out student contingent made Walz Arena quiver as the Bulldogs took out GPAC rival and 18th-ranked Hastings in a thrilling five-set victory. The breakthrough win propelled the Bulldogs to a top-four league finish for the first time since 2001.

It’s been a season of “first time since” mentions for third-year head coach Scott Mattera’s program. It had been seven years since the Bulldogs had defeated either Doane

or Hastings, upended a ranked opponent or racked up 20 wins in a season. It had been 11 years since Concordia claimed a win at Morningside. The program had waited six years for a GPAC tournament triumph. The Bulldogs happened to accomplish all of those things in 2014, and behind those raucous, party-like crowds, Mattera’s squad lost only twice in 12 home matches.

In 2014, Concordia volleyball buzzes on campus. “It’s cool to be walking to class when someone you don’t really

Photo: T. Kriley Writer: J. Knabel

“If we’re not speaking Jesus into their life, then

what are we doing?”

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know very well yells, ‘Hey, awesome game last night!’” sophomore setter Alayna Kavanaugh says. “I have heard a lot more chatter about the volleyball program (on campus), and it feels pretty great.”

Excitement on campus began to brew in 2013 when the Bulldogs recorded their first winning season since 2007. Mattera, who arrived at Concordia in the spring of 2012, quickly helped the program become competitive, even when faced with some of the GPAC’s heavyweights. While the Bulldogs had averaged just over 10 wins per season over the four prior seasons, the former Montreat College assistant believed strongly he could steer Bulldog volleyball back up the league standings.

Mattera enjoyed several advantages from a Concordia program that had experienced success in recent history, hanging a GPAC title banner in 2000 when Rachel Miller starred prior to becoming the Bulldog head coach and guiding her teams to 107 wins from 2005 to 2011.

The new head dog may have inherited a ninth-place team, but there was a lot to like beneath the surface.

“When God opened the door for me to be here, I knew the infrastructure was in place with the beautiful facilities and the support athletes are given here,” Mattera says. “The foundation was already here.

“In terms of the plan, I’ve been part of a couple of turnarounds. I’ve been fortunate enough to do that. The first thing that needs to change is the mindset about the expectations as far as what we’re capable of and what it looks like. That first year was just about building trust, getting back to the basics of volleyball and implementing the things we’re going to do in the future.”

Miller, who now serves as an operations assistant to Mattera, succeeded greatly at building positive relationships with student-athletes, so some students, like then freshman defensive specialist Carli Smith, struggled at first with the news that the coach who recruited her to Concordia was stepping away.

“She was a great coach, and I have so much respect for her,” Smith says. “As every athlete would have been, I was a little

skeptical going in to the process of finding a new coach. However, this situation worked out great. Coach Mattera has come in and has done a fantastic job of turning this into a great winning program. We, as a team, have a lot of respect for him as a person on and off the court, and he has really made these years enjoyable for us as a team.”

With defensive specialist Carli Smith, middle Mariah Schamp and other current seniors such as Amanda Abbott, Kayla James and Jami Nekoliczak, Mattera had a group of exemplary leaders. Plus Schamp was already one of the team’s most athletic players, but reinforcements were needed.

Enter the 2013 recruiting class of high school standouts Paige Getz, Kavanaugh, Tiegen Skains, Taylor Workman and NCAA Division II Washburn University transfer Claire White. All five have been instrumental in the resurgence of the program. White possesses an incredibly well-rounded game, Getz and Skains hit bullets on the ends, Kavanaugh facilitates one of the nation’s top offensive attacks and Workman dominated in the middle until tearing her ACL on Sept. 27.

Skains, who had shown interest in Montreat with Mattera still on staff, committed to the Bulldogs first following

Mattera’s introduction as head coach. Workman had already been recruited by then graduate assistant Alex Szalawiga. Getz and Mattera met at a University of Nebraska camp, and Kavanaugh, though not a setter in high school, sent in video that caught the eye

of Concordia’s new leader. Now they’ve come together to collaborate on a winning program.

“It’s awesome being part of the class that helped turn things around and to have people recognize that,” Skains says. “Paige, Alayna, Taylor and Claire are all awesome athletes, and it’s been so fun winning games with them by my side. It would’ve been easy to go to a winning program and continue the streak, but there’s something special about seeing a program change and knowing you were part of that.”

Skains played a huge role in one of Concordia’s ‘we-have-arrived’ wins. The sophomore right side exploded for a career high 20 kills, including five in the fifth set, of an

upset of No. 21 Dordt on Oct. 25 that suddenly made an at-large national tournament bid seem like a possibility.With Skains flooring momentum-building kills over, around and through an imposing Defender front row, Concordia sat on the verge of locking up that heavily sought after top-four GPAC finish. At that point, there was no turning back. The culture had transformed.

“It is an amazing and rewarding feeling,” Smith says. “I really don’t want this to be my last season. I see where this program is right now and where it’s going, and it makes me so proud of my teammates and coaches of where we are and how we got here.”

The elevated play has brought a dynamic electricity to the game day atmosphere. The student sections have been large and boisterous, and they have embraced Hawaiian, Halloween and pink night themes. Opponents are finding out what a chore it is to come out of Walz with a win.

“We’re proving it to the community that we’re on the right track and we’re

on the way up.”“I’ll be honest, we’ve never had a doubt that we would get there on the floor,” Mattera says. “There’s never been an idea that somehow this would fail and we wouldn’t get there, but quietly we’ve always been skeptical about whether we could draw a crowd here that’s that active and into the games. This year they have absolutely blown me away and blown our team away.”

With the bulk of its nucleus returning in 2015, this past season may be used as a springboard for even bigger things. While the Bulldogs may soon reach tremendous heights, the season gone by will always be viewed as a special year. If you missed it, you missed one great party—12 of them actually.

“For us it’s a subtle mind shift,” Mattera says of the turnaround. “More importantly, we’re proving it to the community that we’re on the right track and we’re on the way up.”

Photo: M. Krater

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You probably know senior Von Thomas as Concordia University’s starting quarterback. GPAC opponents know him well, too. They fear him for his ability to tear them apart through the air or by gliding past their defense before it even knows what happened.

But Thomas is more than just the guy who directs an explosive Bulldog offense. His story is one that began in a humble neighborhood on 101st Street in Miami, Florida. It’s a vibrant city where his passion for football spawned, where his dream of becoming a police officer took hold and where tragedy struck extended family members.

A strong leader on the field and a fun-loving guy off it, Thomas traces his positive traits back to his roots and to the most influential person in his life—his mother Blanca.

“My mom was tough. We knew right from wrong,” Thomas says. “We would get disciplined and everything as you can imagine. We are the way we are now because of my mom. It was just her. She raised three boys. My oldest brother is in the army. My other brother works for the county back home. Now I’m getting ready to graduate from college with a degree in psychology.”

It’s been an incredible experience for a guy who, during his freshman season, at times missed classes. He grew and he learned better of it. Look at him now.

This season Thomas launched an assault on the Bulldog football record book. He surpassed former star quarterback Jarrod Pimentel for career total yards of offense and career total touchdowns, and he holds the single-season records for passing touchdowns, total offense, completions, passing attempts and completion percentage.

“I never set any goals as far as personal (stats), but I’m going to enjoy it,” Thomas says. “My teammates won’t let me live it down now. It’s a great feeling.”

Anyone who saw him play at Miami’s Monsignor Edward Pace High School knew Thomas had the potential to become a collegiate star. But he was overshadowed by future NFL players like Kayvon Webster (Denver Broncos), Demarcus Van Dyke (drafted by the Oakland Raiders) and Adrian Bushell (signed as an undrafted free agent with the Raiders). Plus Thomas did not become Pace’s full-time starting quarterback until his senior year—too late in the game to draw the attention of some college recruiters.

But the talent was hard to ignore. NCAA Division I schools were interested in Thomas, but they wanted him to try receiver. That made Thomas uneasy.

“I didn’t have any film at that position because I just played quarterback in high school,” Thomas says. “Alabama State ended up picking me up late. I went on a visit late and told them I was coming.”

So Thomas enrolled at Alabama State for the fall semester of 2008. However, he quickly realized, before school even started, that the culture wasn’t quite what he wanted. So he decided to put college on hold and return home where Blanca welcomed him back.

For more than a year, Thomas worked at the Costco where his mother served as the store’s supervisor. Thomas pushed carts, rain or shine. He was happy to help his mom and keep her company with both of his older brothers having already moved out of the nest. At the same time, he knew he wasn’t taking full advantage of the talents God had given him.

A Time for EverythingWith the encouragement of his mother and a desire to use his God-given talents, senior Von Thomas conquered challenges both on and off the football field to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in Concordia’s history.

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He was wired early on to be tough and not show weakness. Otherwise he could have simply been eaten alive.

“I tell people now that back home you had to learn to defend yourself,” Thomas says. “People are crazy back home. You had to learn how to fight. My brothers taught me a lot.”

Those roots also have influenced Thomas’ aspirations. This past summer he interned with the Seward Police Department, learning what it will take for him to fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer—something Blanca always wanted herself as well. Thomas plans to enter the police academy after graduating.

While Thomas may not have dreamed of playing his college football in Nebraska, he’s not complaining about the way his life has transpired. Concordia has become a second home and the place where he met his future wife.

“I wouldn’t change anything,” Thomas says. “I wouldn’t rewrite any story that I had here. I feel like everything happens for a reason.”

Thomas’ story has thrilled Bulldog fans throughout his time at Concordia. With his play on the field and his big smile off it, Thomas has had little trouble endearing himself to others.

“Von’s just done an amazing job,” Coach Winter says. “He’s been an amazing leader for us. He’s a great competitor. I love coaching him. I know our guys like playing for him too.”

Thomas will head back to Florida after graduating in December, but he will return to Concordia in May to walk across the stage at graduation. Mom insists. And who’s to argue with Blanca?

“She was like, ‘You’re not going to miss it after I did all of this for you.’ I said, ‘You got it, mom.’” Thomas says. “I’ll be walking across that stage, and I know it’s something my mom has been wanting to see for a while.”

That moment will put a bow on what has been a remarkable Concordia career for Thomas—perhaps the top quarterback in program history. Stated simply and fittingly by Thomas,

“Somehow it worked out.”

A chance encounter with a former coach while walking around his high school provided the break he needed.

“One of my coaches saw me,” Thomas says. “He asked, ‘Hey, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in school.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I left Alabama State. I’m just ready to go back to school and play football again.’”

That coach had a connection with a Concordia coach at the time. Thomas was put in touch with Bulldog Head Football Coach Vance Winter, and Thomas’ return to collegiate football was set into motion.

Thomas’ talents were easy for Winter to see upon viewing the Sunshine State native’s high school film. In December of 2009, Thomas visited Concordia for the first time and signed on the dotted line to become a Bulldog. Thomas remembers, “That was my first time experiencing snow.”

A little snow would not bother someone as tough as Thomas, now known for his disdain for running out of bounds. An oncoming defender looking to lay him out doesn’t seem so daunting when compared to some of the other things Thomas has faced in his life.

Thomas admits to being oblivious to the violence that occured in his area, and Blanca and his brothers Arnold and Chris never allowed Thomas to even think about veering down the wrong path. Still, occasional reminders of trouble couldn’t be avoided. Blanca had to move the family out of their house after it was twice robbed in broad daylight. Then in 2011, with Thomas settling in at Concordia, something much worse occurred.

“I received a call from one of my cousins back home saying that our cousin Michael had been killed—shot in the head and dumped in the water,” Thomas says. “I contacted my mom as soon as I found out—she was at work—and my brother as well.

“I lost two of my close cousins and we were all the same age range. That was pretty tough.”

Thomas also dealt with other challenges like not seeing his father, who lives in Hallandale, Florida, and just “wasn’t there,” as Thomas states.

“I wouldn’t rewrite any story that I had here. I feel

like everything happens for a reason.”

fall Sports Summaries

FootballA season characterized by close losses concluded in a positive fashion as senior quarterback Von Thomas and the Bulldogs defeated No. 24 Dakota Wesleyan and Briar Cliff in the final two games of the 2014 campaign for a 5-6 overall record. Five of Concordia’s defeats came by a margin of just six points or less. Despite a sub-.500 record, head coach Vance Winter’s budding offense broke the program record for total yards per game.

Individually, Thomas added to his multitude of school records by throwing 21 touchdown passes, and his favorite target, freshman receiver Jared Garcia, set a new program standard with 11 touchdown receptions. In addition, sophomore running back Bryce Collins churned out more than 100 yards six times on the way to becoming the program’s fifth 1,000-yard single-season rusher. Defensively, the Bulldogs got big seasons from senior defensive lineman Kyle Rakow (second team all-conference) and freshman defensive back Tarence Roby (second team all-conference).

First team all-conference recognition went to Collins, junior kicker Adam Meirose and senior offensive lineman Josh Powell. A total of 17 Bulldogs received some form of all-conference accolades.

GolfBoth of head coach Brett Muller’s programs have been rising in the GPAC standings. The women’s golf program went from 11th place in 2012-13 to sixth place in 2013-14 to third this season after two fall conference qualifiers. Meanwhile, the men will enter their 2015 spring season in fifth place, up three spots from their finish in 2013-14.

Sophomore Amy Ahlers, an all-conference performer as a freshman, ranks in a tie atop the GPAC leaderboard with her two-round total of 78-84–162. She tops the team with a season average of 83.2 after six fall rounds. Freshman teammate Emma Jacoby has nearly kept pace. She is one stroke off Ahlers for the conference lead and carries an 18-hole average of 85.2.

On the men’s side, senior Shawn Rodehorst has put himself into position for a run at a third-straight all-conference honor. He sits in 17th in the GPAC standings with his total of 73-79–153. While Rodehorst’s 75.4 season average leads the Bulldogs, freshman Russell Otten has turned in the best performances in qualifier rounds. He is tied for eighth in the GPAC (74-75–149). Postseason honors will be awarded in the spring.

Jared Garcia Emma Jacoby

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Cross CountryThe 23rd year of Kregg Einspahr’s tenure as cross country head coach produced GPAC finishes of fourth place on the women’s side and fifth place on the men’s side.

Although both teams fell short of receiving invitations to the national championships, senior Ben Sievert made his fourth-straight appearance on the national stage. Sievert followed up a fourth-place GPAC finish with a 39th-place claim at the national meet, coming up just shy of a top-30 placement needed to garner All-America status. Sievert concluded his Concordia cross country career with four all-conference honors, one All-America plaque and five GPAC runner of the week awards.

On the women’s side, junior Kim Wood put together her best race of the season at the conference championships in placing 12th. That allowed her to seize her first career all-conference accolade. Prior to the GPAC meet, freshman Emily Sievert, sister of Ben, had paced the Bulldogs at their first four competitions of the season.

A jubilant Concordia University women’s soccer team continued its on-field celebration following the biggest win in the 19-year history of the program. The moment was much too fresh for head coach Greg Henson to even comprehend what had occurred. “Is this real? Did that really just happen?” Henson asked as bone-chilled Bulldog fans continued to file onto Lloyd Wilson Field in Hastings, Nebraska.

The brisk November night wasn’t getting any warmer, but no one associated with Concordia women’s soccer bothered to care. In their first-ever appearance in the GPAC title game, the Bulldogs upset regular-season champion and 20th-ranked Hastings, 1-0, on Nov. 13. And in another first for the program, Henson’s squad earned an automatic berth to the national tournament.

“We set it as one of our goals to get to nationals, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I thought it was a little bit off the radar,” Henson said following the game. “All season long we’ve been competing. This team has just gotten better and better as the season’s gone on. It started to seem like this was within our grasp.

“I can’t be any happier or more proud of the players on this roster.”

The signature win highlighted a campaign that included program records for wins (15), shutouts (12) and fewest goals allowed (19) in a season. In addition to capturing their

Men’s SoccerFor the first time since the early 2000s, the Concordia men’s soccer program advanced to the GPAC semifinals. Seventh-year head coach Jason Weides’ squad defeated Doane, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and then came within two minutes of upsetting No. 11 Hastings in the semifinals. The Bulldogs finished 10-6-4 overall and claimed fifth place in the conference regular-season standings. The 2014 campaign marked the fourth-straight year that Weides has guided the Bulldogs to 10 or more wins. Included in that number was a 2-1 overtime victory on Oct. 21 over a Midland team that finished second in the GPAC.

Junior midfielder Gideon Soenksen topped the team in both goals (six) and assists (four) on the way to earning first team all-conference honors. Senior midfielder Chris DeFeyter (five goals) and sophomore defender Mark Campbell both netted second team honors and two Bulldogs were named honorable mention, including senior goalkeeper Brendan Buchanan, who made a season high 11 saves in the semifinal loss at Hastings.

first-ever GPAC tournament title to clinch their first-ever national tournament bid, the Bulldogs checked in at No. 24 in final regular-season coaches’ poll for the program’s first-ever national ranking. The 2014 team was the first to go unbeaten against conference opponents (9-0-4).

Concordia’s 13-game unbeaten streak ended on Nov. 22 with a 4-0 loss to No. 9 Benedictine in the opening round of the 2014 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championships, but that defeat is not what the 2014 season will be remembered for.

“Making it to the national tournament has always been the goal,” senior defender Marcie Sindt said. “But I don’t think it was until probably two or three weeks were left in the season that we started looking at each other and thinking,

‘Wow, we could actually do this.’ Cool things happen when you have a coach who believes in you. That’s when you start to believe in yourself.”

Individually, sophomore Chrissy Lind broke single-season school goalkeeper records with 10 shutouts and a goals against average of .860. Freshman forward Jessica Skerston shattered a program single-season record with an NAIA-leading eight game-winning goals heading into the national tournament. The Bulldogs were represented on the all-conference squads by first team selections in Skerston and seniors Rachel Mussell and Melissa Stine and second team choice Marcie Sindt.

Ben Sievert Gideon Soenksen 2014 GPAC Tournament Champions

Women’s Soccer

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Homecoming Highlights Homecoming

Sarah (Trinklein) ’07 SalzbergYoung Alumna of the Year

Martin ’00 and Christin (Maxson) ’00 Senechal Partners in Mission and Ministry Award

Chara Sype ’99Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Chad Thies ’00Lay Worker of the Year

Richard ’62 and Mira (Roeder) ’69 WiegmannLifetime Service Award

Luther ’68 and Nancy KlenkeLifetime Service Award

Michael Held HS ’62 CO ’66Church Worker Alumnus of the Year

Duane and Doris ClatanoffHonorary Alumni Award

Donald ’70 and Cheryl (Kahle) ’70 KleinFriends of Concordia Award

Athletic Hall of Fame members inducted in 2014:

Becky (Ernstmeyer) ’98 LoeweVolleyball

Mindy (Evans) ’00 MillerSoftball and Volleyball

Gene Faszholz ’58Basketball

Stan Schlueter Served Concordia 1966-2009 in various roles such as athletic equipment manager and athletic trainer

2002-03 Women’s Basketball Team 36-2; Todd Voss, head coach

1964 Concordia HS Baseball Team Recognition

Read more about the Alumni Association and athletic honorees at cune.edu/homecoming. You may also access nomination forms on that page.

This year the Concordia Alumni Association honored four individuals and five couples for their service and accomplishments:

Top row, left: Senior Luke Wohlgemuth demonstrates the Art Club’s Homecoming Fair activity, painting graffiti on a wall of saran wrap. Top row, right: The Bulldogs rolled over Dordt College, winning 38-14.

Middle row, left: During Friday’s pep rally, members of the cross country team were challenged in a silly competition, moving a foam ball from their stomachs to their heads without using their hands. Middle row, center: Montana Hayes and Kade Clark fist bumped in celebration of representing the senior class as 2014 Homecoming King and Queen. Middle row, right: Concordia alumni award honorees were recognized Saturday. Recipients include, from left to right: Duane and Doris Clatanoff, Luther and Nancy Klenke, Michael Held, Chad Thies, Sarah Salzberg, Richard and Mira Wiegmann, Christin Senechal, Cheryl Klein, Martin Senechal, Donald Klein. Not pictured: Chara Sype.

Bottom row, left: Vern Harnapp shares his vision for The Vern R. Harnapp Family Fountain at its dedication on Oct. 4. Bottom row, center: Maggie Weber, senior cheerleading captain, supported the Bulldogs during the chilly Saturday football game. Bottom row, right: Bruiser provided entertainment for the youngest of Concordia fans and kept the older fans rowdy during the Homecoming football game.

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Page 20: Broadcaster Winter 2014

Thanks to their example, the Holthuses have inspired others to support their various causes, including Concordia, as well.

Brashear says of the couple and their dedication to giving back: “Kelly and Virginia generously share what they have been given with so many, recognizing it is all a blessing from God, and encourage others to do likewise, multiplying the effect of their generosity.”

In brief comments at the plaza dedication, Kelly noted that he believed it is important to give people a chance to give, saying “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to give to Concordia. I’ve always been a firm believer in giving while you are alive so you can enjoy it. … And we certainly enjoy it.”

the call,” says Kurth Brashear, associate vice president for institutional advancement.

“We come from very humble beginnings, and I think when you do that, you feel very blessed that, why were we so lucky to have the funds to be able to give?” Kelly says. “And I think we know it’s a blessing from God and, therefore, whatever the cause is, if we can afford it, we like to help it.”

Although no members of the Holthus family are Concordia alumni, the university is a special place to the family.

A friend can be a partner. A reliable listener. A financial, emotional or spiritual supporter. Kelly and Virginia Holthus of York, Nebraska, are all of these things to Concordia.

“We got involved [with Concordia] maybe 30 years ago, and I’d come over and teach one class a year on banking.

… Orville Walz was president, and he asked me to serve on the Foundation Board, and that’s how I really got to know Concordia, and I was always very impressed with the faculty, the dedication, the students and what they could do.”

Kelly and Virginia have been inspired over the years to support various Concordia projects, from highly visible capital projects like the plaza and the Walz Human Performance Complex to student-focused gifts like support for scholarship funds. They often consult their children to humbly consider each opportunity, knowing that each gift, no matter the size or visibility, can make a difference.

The Holthuses are the lead donors of The C. G. “Kelly” and Virginia Holthus Family Plaza that was dedicated on campus on Oct. 27.

Both natives of Bertrand, Nebraska, Kelly, one of the most successful bankers in the state of Nebraska, and Virginia have given back to various organizations and causes over the decades.

“Kelly and Virginia are the kind of people that you can just call when you need advice or assistance, and they’ll take

Photo: B. Schranz Writer: J. Suggitt38 39

Page 21: Broadcaster Winter 2014

Betty Sellers ’56 Janke was honored by Houston Lutheran South Academy as a member of the first graduating class in 1952. The Houston Lutheran South

“Pioneer” publication carried an article about her many years of service in education and music at Lutheran schools. Betty taught at Denver Lutheran High School for 16 years and has served as director of music for 54 years at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado.

Roland Steele ’66 is currently working on his fourth solo piano recital in the nine years he has studied piano at Del Mar Junior College. He is hoping to take it to Malaysia for a series of recitals in the summer of 2015. More details are available at rolandpublishing.com.

DeVon Lark ’69 retired from the teaching ministry on June 20, 2014, after 45 years of teaching. Thirty of those years were at Concordia Academy in Roseville, Minnesota. DeVon was the school counselor for the last 23 years and coached football and track for a number of years in Lutheran high schools. DeVon’s wife, Sandra Kaempfe

’71 Lark, retired from the Child Development Center at Northwestern University in Roseville, Minnesota. The couple has retired to the Lincoln, Nebraska, area to be close to children and grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. James R. Thomas ’72 was presented with the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago on June 18, 2014. He has devoted many years to teaching future leaders of the church and is associate professor of church and ministry at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Columbia, South Carolina. He

Joshua Weishaar ’15 felt overwhelmed. There were hundreds of people in the audience, and he was intimidated even though he had memorized the cue that would tell him when to start walking and the exact placement of the steps he had to take. He had memorized the thick packet of hymns and spent months preparing, practicing with the choir until everything was perfect. It all led to that moment. He hoped he could sing past the lump caught in his throat. That was Weishaar’s first Christmas at Concordia experience.

The annual series of four Christmas at Concordia concerts draws more than 3,200 attendees every year. This year, all tickets were reserved in less than 20 minutes.

This kind of demand inspires students like Weishaar to perform at their very best, giving audience members a spiritual experience unlike any other during the holidays.

During the concerts, Scripture readings are woven with Christmas music from around the world. The program

also serves as director of African American ministries. In addition, James is a reservist with Christian peacemaker teams serving with the Israel/Palestine team.

Rev. Jay West ’79 published his third book, “Kingdom Encounters,” which accompanies “Downloads from Heaven” and “Willing to Yield.” Jay recently planted a new church in Omaha, Nebraska, which is also called Kingdom Encounters. Jay and his wife Diane Steffen ’82 and their son Jason were appointed as the Nebraska representatives for the United States National Prayer Council.

Terry Wetzel ’79, special assistant to the president of baseball operations and general manager with the Washington Nationals professional baseball team, was elected to the Midwest Baseball Scouts Association Hall of Fame. In 2011 he was inducted into the Texas Baseball Scouts Association Hall of Fame. Terry has a career of more than 30 years in Major League Baseball in various roles.

Dr. Ralph Steele ’80 made a presentation in Madrid, Spain, on the topic “Settling Complex Cases for International Corporations.”

includes traditional holiday hymns, audience participation and pieces composed or arranged by members of the university’s music department, performed by Concordia’s instrumental, choral and handbell ensembles.

This year’s concert series was Weishaar’s fourth and final Christmas at Concordia. The senior music education major says that after four years of rehearsing and performing, he no longer felt intimidated. But the nerves remained.

“I kept feeling like it wasn’t going to be ready,” he says. “There are suchhigh expectations for Christmas at Concordia, and we spend every year trying to get to the level that everyone wants.”

For Weishaar, the climax of his last Christmas at Concordia was the end of the concerts.

“There’s a mass choral and band combination at the end, and the congregation joins in singing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’ It’s amazing to hear more than a thousand people in sync with appreciation of the Gospel. After the big number, you’re friends with everyone in that building.”

Alumnotes

1 2

“There are such high expectations for Christmas

at Concordia, and we spend every year trying to get to the level that

everyone wants.”

Adore HimO Come, Let Us

Photo: B. Schranz Writer: D. Luebbe

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Karin Strom ’08 Meissner and husband Josh welcomed their first child, Josiah Karl, on Nov. 2, 2013.

Heather Christine Jackson ’09 received a doctor of medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee at its 101st annual commencement exercises, May 16, 2014. Her residency is in family medicine at Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Amalia Hillmann ’09 and author Alina Sayre published their first young adult novel, “The Illuminator’s Gift,” in December 2013. Amalia designed and illustrated the cover for the tale of adventures, art and faith. This fall,

“The Illuminator’s Gift” earned the silver medal for First Book - Chapter Book at The Moonbeam Awards. Their journey continues in an action-packed, fully illustrated sequel to be released early this December.

Nathan ’10 and Anna Brack ’09 Neugebauer welcomed a baby boy, Emil, born on May 15, 2014. They also have a son, Karsten, born on Dec. 23, 2012. Nathan was ordained and installed on July 27, 2014, and is serving in his first call as pastor of St. John Lutheran and Bethlehem Lutheran churches in Revillo and Milbank, South Dakota.

Dr. Elizabeth Wooster ’10 graduated May 17, 2014, from Creighton University School of Medicine with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. She will complete a three-year residency in family medicine at Lincoln Family Medicine Residency Program in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo includes Dr. Wooster’s parents Dr. Larry ’82 and Lynette

’83 Wooster.

Aaron GR ’11 and Natalie Danekas GR ’10 Madsen of Kearney, Nebraska, are proud parents of a first daughter, Halle Faith, born May 22, 2014. Aaron and Natalie relocated from Seward to Kearney during the fall of 2013. Aaron is the clinic administrator for First Care Medical, PC of Kearney and Ravenna. Natalie is a social science teacher and head softball coach at Kearney High School.

Rachel Sprengeler ’11 and Chris Mann were united for life in the Lord on Aug. 2, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone, Iowa. Rachel is an account representative at Heuss Printing in Ames, Iowa. Chris is the Boone High School boys’ and girls’ swim coach, as well as a substitute teacher for the Boone Middle School and High School, and he is working on his master’s degree in education.

Dr. Sheryl Honig ’83 has been named director of the elementary education program at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. She oversees all matters regarding the program, including curriculum, clinical experiences, student issues and professional development. NIU is a comprehensive teaching and research institution with a student enrollment of nearly 22,000.

Alan Runge ’87 accepted a call as head of school for Hong Kong International School, beginning in January 2015. HKIS is a Lutheran PK-12 school affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Office of International Missions. HKIS is one of the highest performing American curriculum international schools in the world. Alan will be joined by his wife, Sherri, and youngest son Elijah, age 2.

Lon and Elizabeth Castens ’98 Renner celebrated the birth of Elsa Noelle on December 15, 2013. Her sisters, Naomi and Marta, welcomed her home.

In August 2014, Lyle E. Buettner ’99 completed an M.A. in Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary.

Renee Prill ’01 Scott and Jared Scott welcomed Micah James Scott, into the world on Sept. 5, 2014. Renee and Jared currently reside in Memphis, Tennessee.

Samuel Travis Armknecht was born Aug. 24, 2014, 10 weeks early, to Travis Armknecht ’03 and Erin Ashmore

’02 Armknecht. Travis and Erin live in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mickey Ebert ’04 has been hired to be the assistant principal at Chiefland High School in Chiefland, Florida.

Mike ’04 and Sara DeFreece ’05 Grein celebrated the birth of Levi James on April 4, 2014. He joins brothers Isaiah (6) and Josiah (4).

Michael Rohr ’06 was named director of public relations for Lutheran High School of San Antonio.

Mark ’07 and Kayla Ueding ’07 Anderson welcomed Evan Paul Anderson on June 25, 2014. Kayla also received her master’s degree in education in adolescent literacy curriculum and instruction from Concordia University-Portland.

Nicole Koenig ’07 Tubandt and husband Rick had their second child, Claire Noelle, on April 24, 2014. Claire joins sister, Eva Grace, who was born on Jan. 3, 2012.

4 5 9

13

10

7 86 11 12

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Community Calendar of Events

Spring term beginsSleet and Snow Forensics InvitationalAll-campus visit day for prospective students, visit cune.edu/visitday to register Indoor track & field: Concordia Track and Field Classic, Walz Fieldhouse

1217-18

19

30-31

January

Community Blood Bank blood drive, Janzow Campus

Center Cattle Conference Room, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Career and graduate fair, Janzow Campus Center Cattle

Conference Room, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

IMPROVables performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

All-campus visit day for prospective students, visit cune.edu/visitday to registerWomen in Business luncheon, Janzow Campus Center

Cattle Conference Room, noon to 1:30 p.m.

“The Giver” performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m.

4

6

6

16

24

27-28

February

“The Giver” performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m.

Baseball home opener vs. Grace University, 1 p.m.Symphonic Band tour, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas

Spring breakSoftball home opener vs. Peru State College, 5 p.m.24-Hour IMPROVathon, Janzow Campus Center, 7:30 p.m.

to 7:30 p.m. on March 21

Symphonic Band concert, St. John Lutheran Church,

3 p.m.

Osten Observatory open house, 8:30 to 10 p.m.

All-campus visit day for prospective students, visit cune.edu/visitday to registerRadio theatre performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m.

Radio theatre performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

2 p.m.

Chamber Choir concert, St. John Lutheran Church, 3 p.m.

1

45-107-15

1820-21

22

23-2627

27-28

29

29

March

Easter breakA Cappella tour, Iowa, Illinios, Indiana, Missouri

Gathering of the TalentsConcert Band and Brass Ensemble concert, St. John

Lutheran Church, 7 p.m.

One Act Play Festival, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m.

A Cappella concert, Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln,

3 p.m.

A Cappella concert, St. John Lutheran Church, 7 p.m.

Chamber Orchestra concert, Music Center Recital hall,

7 p.m.

Spring Weekend 2015Male Chorus and Women’s Chorale concert, St. Gregory

the Great Seminary, 4 p.m.

3-68-12

1114

16-18

19

1923

24-2626

April

Events for Alumni & Friends

Spring JazzFest, Weller Hall auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Handbell concert, Music Center Recital Hall, 3 p.m.

IMPROVables performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

College Class of ’65 Golden ReunionCommencement, Walz Arena, 10 a.m.

Chamber Choir tour, Florida

122

7-109

10-17

May

Early Childhood Conference, campus, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.17

June

National Association of Directors of Christian Education Conference, Colleyville, TexasDenver area alumni gatheringPhonathon 2015 beginsMichigan Alumni and Friends event at the Pizza House, Ann Arbor, 6 to 8 p.m.

Concordia Invitational Tournament, Concordia Ann Arbor,

visit cune.edu/CIT for more information. Alumni reception will

be Friday at 6 p.m.; visit cune.edu/CIT for location.

7-9

91830

30-31

January

Lutheran Education Association National Administrators Conference, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Best Practices Ministry Conference, Christ Lutheran

Church, Phoenix, Ariz.

12-14

26-29

February

Symphonic Band Tour, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas

Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools Conference, Nashville, Tenn.

Annual Donor Thank You Celebration, Lincoln, Neb.

Phonathon 2015 ends

5-1512-15

2128

March

A Cappella tour, Iowa, Illinios, Indiana, Missouri8-12

April

College Class of ’65 Golden Reunion, visit cune.edu/reunions for updatesChamber Choir tour, Florida

7-10

10-17

May

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League National Convention, Des Moines, Iowa

25-28

June

Higher Things Youth Conference, Seward, Neb.28-31

July

Homecoming & Alumni Reunion Weekend & History Dept. ReunionGolden Reunion of the Concordia High School Class of ’65

9-11

9-11

October

Concordia will attend select LCMS District Conventions during the spring and summer. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

Check out the new cune.edu for the most

recent schedule.

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MemoriaminThe Powerful Impact

of Your Support

How will you impact the church and world? Give today at cune.edu/giving.

23% of current LCMS church workers, including 40%

of Directors of Christian Education and 38% of

commissioned teachers, graduated from Concordia

University, Nebraska

More than 20,000 living alumni serve in all 50 states and nearly 25 countries

around the world

Program offerings increased from 41 to 89 in the past 10 years, inspiring and equipping students to serve others in numerous

professional vocations using their Lutheran,

Christian education

100% of incoming students receive scholarships and

grants from Concordia University, Nebraska

Walter Leimer HS ’33 CO ’43Milton Schmidt CO ’41

Marcella Moeller CO ’43 SchmidtWilliam Schwab CO ’43

Virginia Green CO ’44 MelinDr. Loma Meyerhoff HS ’46 CO ’68 Meyer

Dr. L. Carl Brandhorst HS ’47 CO ’55Ruth Rhode HS ’47 CO ’51 Hardt

Rev. Willis Piepenbrink CO ’51Dorothy Winckler HS ’53 CO ’55 Werschler

Rev. Gerald Preuss CO ’57Lois Bader CO ’57 Watt

Darlene Bjerke CO ’67 HalmBonita Menninga CO ’67 Johnson

Dr. James Koerschen CO ’68Mark Schubarth HS ’68Jeralyn Haak HS ’69 CO ’73 FischerRev. Douglas Heuiser CO ’71Norma Peacock CO ’71 WernerDeborah Ehrhardt CO ’79 GroerichMary Niedfeldt GR ’80 MuellerDonna Burgess CO ’83Joan Brummond GR ’85 Gansebom Belinda Hall CO ’91Velma Davies GR ’97 HillmanMatthew Stefan CO ’97Mark Porter CO ’02Jennifer McGowen CO ’05 Faustman

HS: High School, CO: College, GR: GraduateArranged by year; information current as of Nov. 4, 2014

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800 North Columbia AvenueSeward, NE 68434

NON-PROFITUS POSTAGE

P A I D PERMIT no. 1322 Bolingbrook, IL

This hand-drawn map of campus, dated 1946, was found in the photo album of alumnus Henry Knueppel ’51. It also appears in the 1949 yearbook.