broadcaster

the magazine of Concordia University, Nebraska

winter 2014 volume 92 no. 1

from Age
to Age

Broadcaster Staff
Editors
Danielle Luebbe
Jennifer Suggitt
Contributors
Jacob Knabel
Naomi Kuddes 15
Seth Meranda
Emily Taylor 15
Designers
Sarah Bowe 16
Leah Eklof 15
Mitch Volk 16

Contents

The Man Behind the Table

Dr. Russ Moulds 76 is an expert at helping others discover their Christian faith,
despite his own unconventional journey.

Photographers
Matt Krater 17
Tyson Kriley 18
Ben Schranz 16

University Administration
President & CEO
Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich

Provost
Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke CO 73 GR 81
Executive Vice President, CFO & COO
David Kumm
Vice President for Enrollment Management
and Marketing
Scott Seevers 89

It is difficult to identify the most significant event of the

academic year, so I wont 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 youve 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.
2

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 Concordias 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 Gods 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.

Assoc. Vice President for Institutional

Advancement
Kurth Brashear, Esq.

Filling Big Shoes

The experiences of past Concordia leaders

guide Brian Friedrich as he embarks on
his third five-year presidential term at
Concordia.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics

Gene Brooks CO 91 GR 03

Board of Regents
Dr. 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 ONeill 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

Bookstore
cunebooks.com

Alumni Relations
alumni@cune.edu

Career Services
careerservices@cune.edu

Graduate Studies
gradadmiss@cune.edu

Institutional
Advancement
development@cune.edu

Undergraduate Admission
& Campus Visits
admiss@cune.edu
Athletics
athletics@cune.edu

Brian L. Friedrich
President

Center for Liturgical Art

liturgicalart@cune.edu
Marketing Office
marketing@cune.edu

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.
2014 Concordia University, Nebraska

Moving Forward

For 120 years, Concordia has continued

to progress with the social landscape of
America.

12
A Bold & Faithful Witness

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Philp 95 helps Concordia

University System institutions develop
and enhance their Lutheran identities
in an ever-changing higher education
industry.

14
16
20
27
36
41

Academics
Student Focus
Athletics
Concordia Scene
Alumni & Friends

Concordia University, Nebraska is a member of the

Concordia University System of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod.

Dr. Russ Moulds leads Concordia and colleagues within

The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod to evaluate and
define their Lutheran identity.
41
4

Photo: B. Schranz Writer: D. Luebbe

52
5

It isnt often that one of the most well-respected masters

of his craft also carries the title high school dropout.
But Concordias Russ Moulds, professor of education
and psychology, experienced a series of events that led
him from life without a diploma to a doctorate degree
and 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 wasnt
paying well, Moulds says.
Moulds trained himself for a tech job in Silicon Valley
and began running an electronics lab. He thought hed
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 his
future 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 hadnt
been baptized and suggested
it. I pointed out that I was already
a Christian by faith, and he readily
agreed and noted that baptism
isnt 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. Id never heard that before, and it
clicked instantly.

no, get toget 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 wellworked-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 didnt know what kind, but it wasnt going to be teaching.
I wasnt 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, Ill do that. Moulds got
his second bachelors 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 nonChristians had questions to
ask 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 questionswhich the Holy Spirit used to draw
me into Gods Word, Moulds says.

I entered into Christianity

not by baptism but by asking
questionslots of questions
which the Holy Spirit used to
draw me into Gods Word.

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
6

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.

Moulds cautions that its easy to get caught up in the

academic side of Concordias role and lose sight of the
Gospel itself.

We, along with other Christian colleges and universities,

have had to think through how we can provide effective,
Christian education in whats 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 Concordias
Lutheran identity.

Were not here for ourselves, he says. Were not

Lutheran for the sake of being Lutheran. So how does
Christian higher education serve to assist the ministry
of the Gospel? If were not doing that, then theres 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?

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 believes that many studentsand the church

and worldneed a Concordia education. When a strongwilled 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
Concordias identity and defending the faith so they, too,
can benefit from the education that Concordia provides.
7

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.

81
8 Photo: B. Schranz Writer: J. Suggitt

Concordias current and 10th president, Brian Friedrich

Concordias first president, George Weller

Two years. Eleven hours from home. One plan gone awry.
After years of serving in multiple cities as a pastor in
The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, Brian Friedrich,
his wife Laurie and their children moved near Lauries
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, which
meant 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.

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 anythingbut 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.

My shoes could never

be big enough to do
what these men did.

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 universitys 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
10

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
Nebraskas 10th president, and he began his third fiveyear presidential term in August 2014.
Concordias rich history of tradition and visionary
leadership has served the universityand 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 theyve
tackled challenges that only a strong leader can endure
successfullybudget 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
contributionsvery significant.
Those accomplishments have inspired Friedrich to lead
significant contributions of his own. For example, under
Friedrichs 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

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 Concordias 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 Concordiaand hehas been
blessed. He says: I have benefitted so much more from
being here than Ive 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 dayyou 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, its to
accept the responsibility when things dont 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. Its so
solid. You go back through the people, and in many ways,
I dont think it really ever changed. ... Its just awesome
to be part of it.

The Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich was installed as

Concordias 10th president in 2004. During his
tenure, with Gods blessing, the university has seen
tremendous growth and improvement.

75%

Increase in total enrollment

2004

1,332

2014

2,332

117%

Increase in academic programs

2004

41

2014

89

132%

Increase in endowment (market value)

2004

2014

$18.7 M $43.4 M

162%

Increase in NAIA Scholar-Athletes

2004

403

2014

1,056
11

Band holds its

first concert.

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.

English becomes the official language.

The Lutheran ChurchMissouri 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 didnt speak
German, which was used even at faculty parties. During World War I, faced with antiGerman and anti-parochial school laws, the Board of Control
voted to change the official language of the school to English.

A Cappella Choir takes its first tour.

Concordia is founded
as Evangelische
Lutherische
Schullehrer Seminar.
In the schools 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.

12

Illustration: S. Bowe Writer: D. Luebbe

Computer science
becomes a major.

Naked Man Run begins.

The first computer-related major

to 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.

Students elect
first black
Homecoming
King.

In 1933 when a black woman applied to

Concordia, the universitys 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.

Curfew is lifted for women.

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.

Chapel time changes.

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 hasnt 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.

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.
13

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
ChurchMissouri 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.
14 Photo: D. Oetting Writer: D. Luebbe

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, Philps
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 didnt 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.

Positive experiences continued throughout Philps

time at Concordia Nebraska. Caring faculty, a rigorous
academic environment and supportive friendships
including one with the woman who would soon become
his wifeprepared him well to enter Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, where he earned Master of Divinity and Master
of Sacred Theology degrees. He also earned a postmasters certificate in enrollment management and a
Ph.D. in education from Capella University. All of these
experiences, along with Philps innate love for Christ,
greatly influenced his views on what Lutheran higher
education can and should look like.
Defining the identity of an institutionlet alone a
nine-member university systemcan 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

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.
Were blessed in the Synod to have the institutions that
we do and the strengths that we have in those institutions,
says Philp. Its an opportunity for us to boldly build upon
and recognize that each campus is an outpost of the
Synod. Its 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 theyre connected to, but also
with the communities that theyre in.
Philp knows that through students preparation at a CUS
institution, theyre 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
theyre in.
15

Criminal Justice Offers What Students

are Asking For

First Nebraska University with Chinese

Teaching Endorsement

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.

Concordia University, Nebraska is the first university in

Nebraska to offer a Chinese teaching endorsement for
education students in the Mandarin Chinese program.

I am most excited about the program because were

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.
Its 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.

Student & Faculty

Achievements
STUDENTS

Amanda 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

16

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 bachelors 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.

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.

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.

International School in Shenzhen, China, and in Lutheran schools in Hong

Kong last summer.

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

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.

Twenty-six Concordia students and staff participated in the Beautiful Feet

Mission Conference at Concordia University, Texas, Nov. 1315. This annual
conference brings together mission-minded students from all Concordias.

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

FACULTY

Erin Kelley student taught at Concordia International School in Shanghai.

Dr. 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 Synods 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. Blerschs 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.

17

Increased Technology Support Enhances

Student Experience

Terence Groth Takes Christian

Teachings to Thailand

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.

Rev. 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 InstituteSoutheast 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 ministrymen 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.

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 resourcesprint 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.

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 Schools 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 Childrens Literacy Festival. Her session topic was Successful
Intervention Plans from Start to Finish.

18

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 instructorstrings, was featured in Octobers Inside
NET magazine for PBS and NPR in Nebraska.

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.

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.

Rev. Terence Groth taught a doctrine course for the Nebraska Districts 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.

Jessica Kite presented at The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synods triennial

Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music held in Seward July 2831, 2014. She presented on handbell techniques, resources and repertoire for
beginning choirs and new directors.

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.

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

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. Groths
curriculum taught basic topics of Christian doctrine:
revelation, God, creation, sin and evil, Law and Gospel,
the person and work of Christ and justification.

support materials Groth and Preus developed, were

translated to assist the students in their studies.

All course materials were developed based on Robert Kolbs

introductory book on Lutheran doctrine, The Christian
Faith: A Lutheran Exposition. Kolbs book, along with the

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

ISSUES in Christian Education is Concordias 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.

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 instructorcomposition, 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.

19

Sydney Olson has embraced

the challenges of her rare
disease, alopecia universalis,
and used it to inspire hope
and faith in others.
No hair. Anywhere on your body. No protection for your
head, eyes or skin. And no idea when the hair is going to
grow backor fall out again.
Just one one-thousandth of a percent of the worlds
population has alopecia universalis, the disease that has
just one symptomcomplete and total hair loss.
Concordia junior Sydney Olson is part of that one onethousandth of a percent.
But the arrival of her symptoms in June 2013 didnt 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.

intermediate writing class about a young girl with

alopecia. The childrens 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, didnt wear a wig
or a hat to school. That made everything worthwhile
because that little girl went swimming all summer. Shes
going to school with or without her wig depending on
what she feels like. Thats awesome. Thats 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, Im 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.

You have to have

hope and faith.

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 weve 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
20
201

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 lifes challenges into opportunities
to make the world a better place.
Photo: D. Oetting Writer: J. Suggitt

21

One stroke at a time,

Grace Hollenbeck outlines and creates
a masterpiece that will be washed
away with the next rain.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 dont 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.
22

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 Hollenbecks
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 credit
to 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.
Photo: D. Oetting Writer: D. Luebbe

23

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 childrens home
where 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 Katias hands and encouraging
her to gain the courage she needed to let go and walk
on her own. Katia didnt typically like people to hold
her, she didnt smile much and her stubbornness made

24

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 homes daily
focus on sharing the Gospel through devotions and
songs with the little children.

Photo: B. Schranz Writer: E. Taylor

25

Our boss told us that, yes, were here to help them

grow physically and give them food and a place to stay,
but if were 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. Its 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.

care of her when her parents couldnt, and she left the
home before Sasietas time there was finished.

If were not speaking

Jesus into their life, then
what are we doing?

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 wasnt 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 Sasietas 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
Katias 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
26

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 back
Behind 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 topfour league finish for the first time since 2001.
Its been a season of first time since mentions for thirdyear head coach Scott Matteras 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, Matteras squad
lost only twice in 12 home matches.
In 2014, Concordia volleyball buzzes on campus. Its
cool to be walking to class when someone you dont really
Photo: T. Kriley Writer: J. Knabel

27

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 GPACs 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.

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 teams 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 nations 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
Matteras 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 Concordias new leader. Now theyve come together to
collaborate on a winning program.

Were proving it to the

community that were on
the right track and were
on the way up.

In terms of the plan, Ive been

part of a couple of turnarounds.
Ive been fortunate enough to do
that. The first thing that needs
to change is the mindset about the expectations as far as
what were 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 were 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
28

Its 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 its been so fun winning games with them by
my side. It wouldve been easy to go to a winning program
and continue the streak, but theres something special
about seeing a program change and knowing you were
part of that.
Skains played a huge role in one of Concordias we-havearrived wins. The sophomore right side exploded for a
career high 20 kills, including five in the fifth set, of an

Photo: M. Krater

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.

Ill be honest, weve never had a doubt that we would get

there on the floor, Mattera says. Theres never been
an idea that somehow this would fail and we wouldnt
get there, but quietly weve always been skeptical about
whether we could draw a crowd here thats that active
and into the games. This year they have absolutely blown
me away and blown our team away.

It is an amazing and rewarding feeling, Smith says. I

really dont want this to be my last season. I see where this
program is right now and where its going, and it makes
me so proud of my teammates and coaches of where we
are and how we got here.

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
party12 of them actually.

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.

For us its a subtle mind shift, Mattera says of the

turnaround. More importantly, were proving it to the
community that were on the right track and were on
the way up.
29

A Time for Everything

With 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 Concordias history.
You probably know senior Von Thomas as Concordia
Universitys 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.
Its 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 lifehis 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 Im getting ready to graduate from college with
a degree in psychology.

30

I never set any goals as far as personal (stats), but Im going

to enjoy it, Thomas says. My teammates wont let me live
it down now. Its a great feeling.
Anyone who saw him play at Miamis 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 Paces full-time
starting quarterback until his senior yeartoo 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 didnt 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.

Its 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.

So Thomas enrolled at Alabama State for the fall semester

of 2008. However, he quickly realized, before school even
started, that the culture wasnt quite what he wanted. So
he decided to put college on hold and return home where
Blanca welcomed him back.

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.

For more than a year, Thomas worked at the Costco where

his mother served as the stores 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 wasnt
taking full advantage of the talents God had given him.
Photo: D. Oetting Writer: J. Knabel

31

A chance encounter with a former coach while walking

around his high school provided the break he needed.

He was wired early on to be tough and not show weakness.

Otherwise he could have simply been eaten alive.

One of my coaches saw me, Thomas says. He asked, Hey,

what are you doing here? Youre supposed to be in school. I
said, Yeah, I left Alabama State. Im just ready to go back to
school and play football again.

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.

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.

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 officersomething Blanca
always wanted herself as well.
Thomas plans to enter the police
academy after graduating.

I wouldnt rewrite any

story that I had here. I feel
like everything happens
for a reason.

Thomas talents were easy for Winter to see upon viewing

the Sunshine State natives 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 doesnt 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 couldnt 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 killedshot in the head
and dumped in the water, Thomas says. I contacted my
mom as soon as I found outshe was at workand 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 wasnt
there, as Thomas states.
32

fall Sports Summaries

While Thomas may not have dreamed of playing his college

football in Nebraska, hes 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 wouldnt change anything, Thomas says. I wouldnt
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.
Vons just done an amazing job, Coach Winter says. Hes
been an amazing leader for us. Hes a great competitor. I love
coaching him. I know our guys like playing for him too.

Jared Garcia

Emma Jacoby

Football

Golf

A 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 Concordias defeats came by a margin
of just six points or less. Despite a sub-.500 record, head
coach Vance Winters budding offense broke the program
record for total yards per game.

Both of head coach Brett Mullers programs have been

rising in the GPAC standings. The womens 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.

She was like, Youre not going to miss it after I did all of
this for you. I said, You got it, mom. Thomas says. Ill be
walking across that stage, and I know its something my
mom has been wanting to see for a while.

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
programs 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).

That moment will put a bow on what has been a remarkable

Concordia career for Thomasperhaps the top quarterback
in program history. Stated simply and fittingly by Thomas,
Somehow it worked out.

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 allconference accolades.

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 whos to
argue with Blanca?

Sophomore Amy Ahlers, an all-conference performer

as a freshman, ranks in a tie atop the GPAC leaderboard
with her two-round total of 78-84162. 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 mens side, senior Shawn Rodehorst has put
himself into position for a run at a third-straight allconference honor. He sits in 17th in the GPAC standings
with his total of 73-79153. While Rodehorsts 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 (74-75149).
Postseason honors will be awarded in the spring.
33

Ben Sievert

Gideon Soenksen

2014 GPAC Tournament Champions

Cross Country

Mens Soccer

Womens Soccer

The 23rd year of Kregg Einspahrs tenure as cross country

head coach produced GPAC finishes of fourth place on the
womens side and fifth place on the mens side.

For the first time since the early 2000s, the Concordia mens
soccer program advanced to the GPAC semifinals. Seventhyear 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.

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 allconference honors, one All-America plaque and five GPAC
runner of the week awards.
On the womens 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 allconference accolade. Prior to the GPAC meet, freshman
Emily Sievert, sister of Ben, had paced the Bulldogs at their
first four competitions of the season.

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.

A jubilant Concordia University womens 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 wasnt getting any warmer, but
no one associated with Concordia womens soccer bothered
to care. In their first-ever appearance in the GPAC title game,
the Bulldogs upset regular-season champion and 20thranked Hastings, 1-0, on Nov. 13. And in another first for the
program, Hensons squad earned an automatic berth to the
national tournament.
We set it as one of our goals to get to nationals, but Id be
lying if I didnt say I thought it was a little bit off the radar,
Henson said following the game. All season long weve
been competing. This team has just gotten better and
better as the seasons gone on. It started to seem like this
was within our grasp.
I cant 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

34

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 programs firstever national ranking. The 2014 team was the first to go
unbeaten against conference opponents (9-0-4).
Concordias 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 Womens 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 dont 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. Thats 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 NAIAleading eight game-winning goals heading into the national
tournament. The Bulldogs were represented on the allconference squads by first team selections in Skerston and
seniors Rachel Mussell and Melissa Stine and second team
choice Marcie Sindt.
35

Homecoming

Homecoming Highlights
Top row, left: Senior Luke Wohlgemuth demonstrates the Art Clubs
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 Fridays 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.

This year the Concordia Alumni

Association honored four individuals
and five couples for their service and
accomplishments:
Sarah (Trinklein) 07 Salzberg
Young Alumna of the Year

Martin 00 and Christin (Maxson) 00 Senechal

Partners in Mission and Ministry Award

Chara Sype 99
Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Chad Thies 00
Lay Worker of the Year

Richard 62 and Mira (Roeder) 69 Wiegmann

Lifetime Service Award

Luther 68 and Nancy Klenke

Lifetime Service Award

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

Duane and Doris Clatanoff

Honorary Alumni Award

Donald 70 and Cheryl (Kahle) 70 Klein

Friends of Concordia Award

Athletic Hall of Fame members inducted

in 2014:
Becky (Ernstmeyer) 98 Loewe
Volleyball

Mindy (Evans) 00 Miller

Softball and Volleyball

Gene Faszholz 58
Basketball

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

2002-03 Womens 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.
36

37

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

the call, says Kurth Brashear, associate vice president for

institutional advancement.

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.

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 its a blessing from God and, therefore,
whatever the cause is, if we can afford it, we like to help it.

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

Although no members of the Holthus family are Concordia

alumni, the university is a special place to the family.

38 Photo: B. Schranz Writer: J. Suggitt

We got involved [with Concordia] maybe 30 years ago,

and Id 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 thats 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.

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. Ive always been a firm believer in
giving while you are alive so you can enjoy it. And we
certainly enjoy it.
39

Alumnotes
1

Adore Him
O Come, Let Us

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 Weishaars 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 years concert series was Weishaars 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.

There are such high

expectations for Christmas
at Concordia, and we
spend every year trying
to get to the level that
everyone wants.

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
40 Photo: B. Schranz Writer: D. Luebbe

includes traditional holiday hymns, audience participation

and pieces composed or arranged by members of the
universitys music department, performed by Concordias
instrumental, choral and handbell ensembles.

I kept feeling like it wasnt going to

be ready, he says. There are such
high 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.

Theres a mass choral and band combination at the end,

and the congregation joins in singing O Come All Ye
Faithful. Its amazing to hear more than a thousand people
in sync with appreciation of the Gospel. After the big
number, youre friends with everyone in that building.

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. DeVons 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

2
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.

3
41

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 ChurchMissouri 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.
42

8
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 masters 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.

11

10

12

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. Marys Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Amalia Hillmann 09 and author Alina Sayre
published their first young adult novel, The Illuminators
Gift, in December 2013. Amalia designed and illustrated
the cover for the tale of adventures, art and faith. This fall,
The Illuminators 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.

13
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 threeyear residency in family medicine at Lincoln Family
Medicine Residency Program in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo
includes Dr. Woosters 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 masters degree in education.

43

Community Calendar of Events

January
12 Spring term begins
17-18 Sleet and Snow Forensics Invitational
19 All-campus visit day for prospective students, visit
cune.edu/visitday to register
30-31 Indoor track & field: Concordia Track and Field Classic,
Walz Fieldhouse

April
3-6
8-12
11
14

Easter break
A Cappella tour, Iowa, Illinios, Indiana, Missouri
Gathering of the Talents
Concert Band and Brass Ensemble concert, St. John
Lutheran Church, 7 p.m.

16-18 One Act Play Festival, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m.

February
4 Community Blood Bank blood drive, Janzow Campus
Center Cattle Conference Room, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6 Career and graduate fair, Janzow Campus Center Cattle

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

6 IMPROVables performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

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

16 All-campus visit day for prospective students, visit

cune.edu/visitday to register

24 Women in Business luncheon, Janzow Campus Center

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

27-28 The Giver performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

7:30 p.m.

19 A Cappella concert, Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln,

3 p.m.

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

23 Chamber Orchestra concert, Music Center Recital hall,
7 p.m.

24-26 Spring Weekend 2015

26 Male Chorus and Womens Chorale concert, St. Gregory
the Great Seminary, 4 p.m.

1 The Giver performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

4
5-10
7-15
18
20-21

January
7-9 National Association of Directors of Christian
9
18
30
30-31

Education Conference, Colleyville, Texas

Denver area alumni gathering
Phonathon 2015 begins
Michigan 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.

February
12-14 Lutheran Education Association National
Administrators Conference, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

26-29 Best Practices Ministry Conference, Christ Lutheran

Church, Phoenix, Ariz.

May
1 Spring JazzFest, Weller Hall auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
2 Handbell concert, Music Center Recital Hall, 3 p.m.
2 IMPROVables performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,
7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

March

Events for Alumni & Friends

7-10 College Class of 65 Golden Reunion

9 Commencement, Walz Arena, 10 a.m.
10-17 Chamber Choir tour, Florida

March
5-15 Symphonic Band Tour, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas
12-15 Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools
Conference, Nashville, Tenn.

21 Annual Donor Thank You Celebration, Lincoln, Neb.

28 Phonathon 2015 ends

April
8-12 A Cappella tour, Iowa, Illinios, Indiana, Missouri

May
7-10 College Class of 65 Golden Reunion,

visit cune.edu/reunions for updates

10-17 Chamber Choir tour, Florida

June
25-28 Lutheran Womens Missionary League National
Convention, Des Moines, Iowa

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

October
9-11 Homecoming & Alumni Reunion Weekend & History
Dept. Reunion

9-11 Golden Reunion of the Concordia High School Class

of 65

Concordia will attend select LCMS District Conventions during the spring and summer. Contact churchrelations@cune.edu to find out more.

7:30 p.m.

Baseball home opener vs. Grace University, 1 p.m.

Symphonic Band tour, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas
Spring break
Softball 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

22 Symphonic Band concert, St. John Lutheran Church,

3 p.m.

23-26 Osten Observatory open house, 8:30 to 10 p.m.

27 All-campus visit day for prospective students, visit

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

Check out the new

cune.edu for the most
recent schedule.

cune.edu/visitday to register
27-28 Radio theatre performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,
7:30 p.m.

29 Radio theatre performance, Music Center Studio Theatre,

2 p.m.

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

44

45

Memoriam
in

Walter Leimer HS 33 CO 43
Milton Schmidt CO 41
Marcella Moeller CO 43 Schmidt
William Schwab CO 43
Virginia Green CO 44 Melin
Dr. Loma Meyerhoff HS 46 CO 68 Meyer
Dr. L. Carl Brandhorst HS 47 CO 55
Ruth Rhode HS 47 CO 51 Hardt
Rev. Willis Piepenbrink CO 51
Dorothy Winckler HS 53 CO 55 Werschler
Rev. Gerald Preuss CO 57
Lois Bader CO 57 Watt
Darlene Bjerke CO 67 Halm
Bonita Menninga CO 67 Johnson

Dr. James Koerschen CO 68

Mark Schubarth HS 68
Jeralyn Haak HS 69 CO 73 Fischer
Rev. Douglas Heuiser CO 71
Norma Peacock CO 71 Werner
Deborah Ehrhardt CO 79 Groerich

The Powerful Impact

of Your Support
23% of current LCMS church
workers, including 40%
of Directors of Christian
Education and 38% of
commissioned teachers,
graduated from Concordia
University, Nebraska

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

Mary Niedfeldt GR 80 Mueller

Donna Burgess CO 83
Joan Brummond GR 85 Gansebom
Belinda Hall CO 91
Velma Davies GR 97 Hillman
Matthew Stefan CO 97
Mark Porter CO 02
Jennifer McGowen CO 05 Faustman

More than 20,000

living alumni serve
in all 50 states and
nearly 25 countries
around the world

100% of incoming
students receive
scholarships and
grants from Concordia
University, Nebraska

Arranged by year; information current as of Nov. 4, 2014

HS: High School, CO: College, GR: Graduate

How will you impact the church and world?

Give today at cune.edu/giving.

46

NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE

800 North Columbia Avenue

Seward, NE 68434

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.

PAI D
PERMIT no. 1322

Bolingbrook, IL