Broadcaster 2012 89-1 Summer

Broadcastersummer 2012 volume 89 no. 1

the magaz ine of Concordia Univers ity, Nebraska

Broadcastermagazine of Concordia Univers ity, Nebraska

listen, God is calling

Broadcaster StaffEditor

Andrew Swenson ’08

DesignersSara Fredrickson ’13

Erin Hanna ’13

Contributing writersJenny Hammond

Emily Hemphill ’14Rosanne Reese

Glen Sisk

University AdministrationPresident & CEO

Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich

ProvostDr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke

Executive Vice President, CFO & COO David Kumm

Vice President for Enrollment Management,Student Life & Athletics

Scott Seevers

Vice President for Institutional AdvancementRev. Richard Maddox

Board of RegentsDr. Dennis Brink, Lincoln, Neb.

Mr. Robert Cooksey, Kirkwood, Mo.Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb.

Rev. Keith Grimm, Omaha, Neb.Mr. Barry D. Holst, Kansas City, Mo.Mr. Mike Klintworth, Seward, Neb.Mr. James Knoepfel, Fremont, Neb.Mr. John Kuddes, Leawood, Kan.Mrs. Bonnie Meyer, Palatine, Ill.

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

Mrs. Monique Nunes, Baltimore, Md.Mr. Paul Schudel, Lincoln, Neb.

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

Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb.Mrs. Jill Wild, Seward, Neb.

Rev. Karl Ziegler, Bellevue, Neb.

College of Graduate [email protected]

[email protected]

Bookstorewww.cunebooks.com

Career [email protected]

Center for Liturgical [email protected]

General Informationwww.cune.edu 800 535 5494

Alumni & University [email protected]

Institutional [email protected]

Undergraduate Admission & Campus [email protected]

University Contacts

from the

© 2012 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA

4 Where gifts, passion

and service meetRecent graduate Amber Konz

traveled 8,000 miles to use her gifts in the fight against human trafficking.

20 Concordia Scene

42 Athletics

48 Alumni News

52 Alumnotes

SUMMER 2012

10 Healing for the whole personConcordia’s new health and human service programs offer students the chance

to prepare for care ministries.

14A mission in music

University music groups celebrate a decades-long tradition of going on tour

and proclaiming the Gospel message to audiences across the globe.

On the cover: Amber Konz ’11 serving students in Thailand Photo courtesy of Bob Bowling

The Broadcaster is published by the marketing and communication office of Concordia University, Nebraska to more than 45,000 alumni, faculty, staff, pastors, businesses, parents and friends of the university in all 50 states and over 15 foreign countries.

It’s a newer hymn of the church. Perhaps you’ve sung it. It’s become a favorite of our campus community, and I love it:

Listen: Listen, God is calling through the Word inviting. Offering forgiveness, comfort, and joy.

Jesus gave his mandate: Share the good news That He came to save us and set us free.

Let none be forgotten throughout the world. In the triune name of God go and baptize.

Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast, Walking in Your precepts, led by Your Word.

(Lutheran Service Book, 833)

This is a Kenyan hymn that becomes even more significant when one considers the Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is growing more rapidly in Africa than on any other continent.

In this issue of the Broadcaster you will find articles that reflect how God is calling students, faculty and staff. You will also read how each is responding to His call by proclaiming the Good News and sharing the love of Jesus Christ on our campuses in Seward and Lincoln, via the Internet and in countries around the world. God is calling recent graduate Amber Konz and students of the University A Cappella Choir to “share the Good News that he came to save us and set us free.” God is calling talented faculty members like Dr. Kurt von Kampen, Dr. Molly Fitzke, Rev. Dr. Kevin Kohnke and Dr. Jen Janousek, to make certain that “none be forgotten throughout the world” as they conduct the choir, develop online programs in nursing, family life, and health and human services and care for the least of these through trips of service, witness and mercy.

Listen: God is calling! As you read the articles please know that these examples are unique but not unusual. In this place each day, God is calling faculty to teach, staff to serve, students to learn, alumni to go forth and friends to support. Thank you for listening to God’s call and responding as you are moved by the Holy Spirit.

Brian L. Friedrich President

Vision: By 2015 Concordia University, Nebraska will grow and expand its influence to diverse populations by fostering collaboration and adapting to our changing environment while remaining faithful to our mission of excellent Christian education.

Mission: Concordia University, Nebraska is an excellent academic and Christ-centered community equipping men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world.

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Where GIFTS,

God calls each of us to serve in different ways. For some it’s teaching, for others it’s leading in business, and for some like Amber Konz, it’s taking an 8,000 mile journey to join the fight against one of today’s most pressing crimes against humanity—forced prostitution and human trafficking.

PASSION and SERVICE

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Attending Concordia has certainly changed the lives of thousands over the last 118 years, but it’s rare a single assignment changes the course of a life. Yet for 2011 art graduate Amber Konz, researching a single essay led to a new passion and a journey half way around the world.

In 2010, when Konz was a student in Professor Tobin Beck’s global studies class, she was assigned to write an essay about a global issue. She chose prostitution as her topic.

“At the time I was also reading the Bible and praying, asking God what it meant to be a godly woman,” she said. “I noticed that God kept talking about prostitutes in the Bible. I started thinking, what does it mean for someone who is a prostitute? And what about women who are forced into prostitution?

As Konz completed the research for her essay, she learned that the practice of human trafficking was not isolated to foreign countries—major U. S. cities such as Houston, Atlanta and San Diego are all affected. Nebraska even serves as a stopover for underground prostitution rings who transport people along Interstate 80.

“I was appalled to learn it was happening in America,” Konz said. So she decided to do something about it.

“The first step to changing anything is starting at home,” Konz said. She followed the progress of bills up for legislation and attended a meeting at the governor’s mansion to hear police and educators speak on the topic of trafficking.

When Konz learned about Slave Free Nebraska’s bench project contest, an awareness campaign that uses painted city benches in Lincoln to educate the community about human trafficking, she put her skills as a graphic artist to work and submitted a design.

“This was something I could do using the gifts God has given me to raise awareness about something I’m passionate about. I really wanted to make a difference,” she said. “I can’t go in and bust these brothels down, but this is something I could do.”

Konz’s design was one of five selected and features a bird being set free from a cage and a blue heart—the internationally-recognized symbol for human trafficking.

Konz’s dedication to this cause would not end with her bench. In high school she had gone on a mission trip to Thailand. She knew human trafficking was a significant problem there and felt called to go back and do something about it.

“I just knew I was going back to Thailand,” she recalled.

Despite her resolve, Konz had to overcome obstacles to put her plan into effect. She spent two years trying to find a group working with human trafficking in Thailand to sponsor her without success.

“I thought if God wanted me to do this, He would provide,” she said.

In October of 2011, Joel Vander Kooi visited Concordia on behalf of Hope International Schools, Inc. to recruit teachers for the School of Promise in Hang Dong, Thailand.

Konz spoke with Vander Kooi, who serves as the school’s principal, about doing some graphic design work for the newly-planted Christian school. Here was the connection she needed. Vander Kooi invited Konz to come to Thailand to volunteer at the school whose mission is to eliminate poverty and oppression though education.

“How broken they must be. I just hurt for these people. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”

While she didn’t find all the answers she was looking for, writing the paper did inspire

her to study the topic further.

Through her research on the subject, she learned most

prostitution is the result of human trafficking or modern-day human slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others.

“I quickly realized the hard truth that most women

who are prostitutes were abused or neglected as

children or trafficked before they were legal adults.

“No girl chooses to be a prostitute. Either they are forced or coerced into it, or

else they have no other means to survive and are desperate. There is so much under the surface that nobody sees.”

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“This was something I could do using the gifts God has given me to raise awareness about something I’m passionate about. I really wanted to make a difference.”

“This

was something

I could do using the gifts

God has given me to raise

awareness about something

I’m passionate about. I really

wanted to make a

difference.”

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The School of Promise is located in northwest Thailand near the border of Burma. Because of Burma’s political unrest, thousands of refugees have fled over the border into Thailand. This corner of the country is also home to several hill tribes with their own languages and culture who are not considered

Thai citizens or allowed to go to school. As a result, children from this impoverished area are often easy targets for traffickers.

The School of Promise reaches out to these children and refugees to share the Gospel and provide education—a key to breaking the cycle of trafficking.

This past January, two years after she handed in her essay on prostitution, Konz arrived in Thailand to aid in the prevention of human trafficking.

Once again Konz is using her artistic gifts. Her work at the school has included print and web design, teaching English and sharing the love of Jesus. She assisted with the summer school program that shared the Gospel with 70 children. She also

aided in the layout of a new social studies textbook rewritten from a Christian perspective, which is significant in a Buddhist country.

Her time with the students at the School of Promise ended in June 2012.

When Konz reflects on her journey, she’s amazed by the difference a year makes and what she has learned. She wants to apply her newfound knowledge to three target areas in continuing the fight against human trafficking: prevention, rescue and rehabilitation.

“Rescue is the most obvious of the three. Regarding prevention and rehabilitation, there is so much you can do to help,” she explained. Besides educating yourself and raising awareness of the problem, supporting poverty-reducing efforts decreases the risk of impoverished individuals being trafficked.

. . .

Learn MoreTo learn more about the School of Promise and see the website Konz developed visit http://schoolofpromise.squarespace.com.

School of Promise is the first school of an organization called Hope International Schools, a non-profit founded in 2008 to provide Christian education in the developing world.

To learn more about Hope International Schools and see example textbook pages, visit hopeinternationalschools.org.

Because the English program is a strong draw for families to send their kids to the school, English teachers are always in need. Contact the school through the website to find out how you can help.

Visit Konz’s blog “A Light in the World” to learn more about human trafficking and her experiences in Thailand at AmberKonz.blogspot.com.

Konz recommends the following books to learn more about human trafficking:

• Unnoticed Neighbors: a Pilgrimage into the Social Justice Story by Erina K. Ludwig

• Not for Sale by David B. Batstone

• Disposable People by Kevin Bales

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“Take a kid under your wing. Help the single mom who is struggling to provide for her kids. We need to reach out and be good neighbors. It’s about helping those around you.”

Konz’s long-term dream is to open a shelter with an orphanage, an apartment complex for struggling or single-parent families, a transitional house for abused women and an assisted living facility all in the same general location. Not only would these facilities aid in the prevention and recovery of trafficking, but the close proximity would create a sense of community and family.

“It’s being a part of each other’s lives. It’s not about who you were in the past, but who you are now,” she said. “The dream is about being the body of Christ.”

“I know that wherever I am, the Lord will use me and has me where I am for a purpose.”

“Take

a kid under your

wing. Help the single mom

who is struggling to provide

for her kids. We need to reach

out and be good neighbors.

It’s about helping those

around you.”

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HEALING

The Christian church has a long history of taking care of those who are neglected and ill—what we might call today health and human services. Jesus himself provided this kind of care as Matthew records, “Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (9:35, esv).

As Concordia continues its mission of preparing students to serve and lead in church and world, it now offers three new avenues for students to prepare for Christian service in the areas of health and human services: a master of public health, a master of human services and a registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing program.

Although other schools offer these programs, Concordia’s focus on Christian service and holistic

care—for body, mind and soul—sets them apart from others of their kind.

“You need to be a special person to work in any kind of health care area,” said Dr. Renea Gernant, who was significant in establishing the new programs. “It is a human care ministry. You are being the salt and the leavening and bringing Christ to others. Others know it is your job, but you know it is your ministry.”

The master of public health program gives graduate students the chance to obtain a degree in all areas of the public health field. Professionals involved in public health work toward improving access to health care, controlling infectious diseases and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse and injury. Some graduates will work directly with people, while others will work with products and processes relative to the public health field.ph

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for the WHOLE PERSON

Over the past twenty years the health and human services profession has grown increasingly secularized. Concordia hopes to reverse this trend by offering new programs that are firmly grounded in the Christian faith and that teach how healing is as much about soul and mind as it is about body.

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“Public health is a dynamic and growing field,” said Dr. David Lawton, assistant professor of nursing and director of the MPH program. “There is a need to provide educated professionals to serve the current and future health care needs of communities and churches.”

The master of human services program gives students an opportunity to gain a degree in a variety of areas including counseling, case management and long-term care. Employees in this field provide education, assistance and resources to others in the community.

“It is projected there will be a growing need for people trained in human services,” said the Rev. Dr. Kevin Kohnke, associate professor of family life ministry. “With the continued pressure on the federal budget it is thought that more private and church-based organizations will need to become involved in providing services to people in the community.”

The registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN) program allows registered nurses holding an associate degree to transition to a bachelor of science, usually within just two years of study.

“This program aims to prepare the bedside nurses as leaders and change agents who will practice to improve patient outcomes,” said Dr. Molly Fitzke, assistant professor of nursing and director of the program.

Students will participate in hands-on care and field work in community health settings and educate the public on important health issues. They also will complete a capstone project that may include a medical mission trip or educational seminar organized and taught by the student.

“Our program is designed to not only transform the student’s mind, body and spirit but also to empower them with the skills and proficiencies to serve with compassion and lead with conviction in their professions,” said Fitzke. . . .

These programs are among the first to be offered completely online through Concordia.

Dr. Thaddeus Warren, dean of graduate studies and adult education, said the goal of online course offerings is to reach out to those who, because of current job or family situations, cannot otherwise attend traditional face-to-face classes.

“We see a parallel to the Great Commission,” said Warren. “Rather than having them come to us for their education, we are going to them.”

Warren said those who are teaching the courses received coaching in online teaching methods to assure the rigor and high academic standards of the online classes.

“We are excited about how these programs will reach out to many more students with a real world,

Christ-centered education,” said Warren.

Along with the public health, human services and nursing

programs, Concordia continues to offer graduate

courses in gerontology and family life ministry.

As part of the gerontology program, students complete a practicum study in which they implement an aging

services program in the field of professional service

they are most interested in.

“Gerontology is a field that is not yet readily understood,” said

Kohnke. The program focuses on the needs of an older generation that now has a

higher life expectancy than ever before.

“Boomers changed society when they began entering elementary school,” said Kohnke. “Back then it was the need for more schools. Now, it’s the need for housing, services and other resources for the aging generation.”

Kohnke said people in all occupations will inevitably interact with older adults, and that Concordia’s gerontology program prepares students for this interaction, regardless of the generation gap.

“Our

program is

designed to not only

transform the student’s mind,

body and spirit but also to empower

them with the skills and proficiencies

to serve with compassion and

lead with conviction in their

professions.”

In a similar fashion, Concordia’s family life ministry program prepares students to go into the world with the knowledge and skills to function successfully in a family environment. Students learn about family dynamics through film and case studies, and then apply what they learn to real-life situations.

“The family is the foundation of society, and there are many educational components that we can teach families to be stronger, resilient and healthy,” said Kohnke.

“By offering a program in family life, we are teaching people skills that are vital to living in a family. The students can then go out and teach to others.”

The goal of all of these programs is to prepare students to go out into the world and serve, in accordance with Concordia’s mission.

“We hope that students will be prepared to serve faithfully in their respective vocations,” said Warren, “that they would be equipped to better serve those in which they come in contact, and that they would see the world with a new set of eyes.”

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Dr. Molly Fitzke wraps the leg of a patient during a medial mission trip to Guatemala this May.

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Dr. Jen Janousek, associate director of the MPH program, poses with Guatemalan children during a 2011 medical mission.

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A MISSION

(above) In 1990, the Acappella Choir visited a church in Potsdam, East Germany to see the light of Christ shining over the altar. (right) The Acappella Choir proclaims the Gospel through song at various locations throughout Germany on its tour during the summer of 1990.

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In May of 1961 a charter bus pulled up in front of Weller Hall to meet a group of students in suits and dresses standing with their suitcases and anxiously waiting to embark on an international choir tour. In just a few hours they would board a German Lufthansa flight, relax over a meal of filet mignon with mushrooms or smoked salmon and prepare to sing their way across Europe.

Fast forward five decades and a few things have changed. Students often trade suits and dresses for sweatpants on travel days and the quality of airline food has infamously declined. Still, the one thing that has remained constant is the mission of Concordia’s music groups: to take the Gospel message out in song. Whether they are traveling to Missouri or Mexico, California or the Czech Republic, Concordia’s student musicians continue to touch the hearts and souls of their audiences with the Good News of Jesus’ love and saving grace.

Nancy Middendorf, who has volunteered her time to organize Concordia music tours for thirteen years, understands how profound the mission is. “It can be life changing to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people in a dynamic way that will lift their spirits and encourage them to seek God’s presence in their lives,” she shared. “Music can do marvelous things to a parched soul that needs God’s forgiveness and love.”

Harv Miskimen was a student on the 1961 tour. As Miskimen reflects on his first trip to Europe, he still has clear memories of the flight, seeing Westminster Abbey, touring castles, being a guest of honor at a Fourth of July picnic in Switzerland, and experiencing the split between East and West Berlin.

“Seeing East and West Berlin, I remember the differences. This was weeks before the wall went up. We took pictures of East German guards—this was verboten and could have resulted in their confiscating our cameras.”

Concordia’s music ensembles have a strong history of musical excellence, but more than that, Concordia’s bands and choirs have a legacy of sharing the message of the Gospel through song. When Concordia musicians go out on tour, the power of the Holy Spirit goes with them. And lives change.

IN MUSIC

Yet what Miskimen remembers most is the effect the choir’s presence had on the people they encountered. “I remember praying the Lord’s Prayer in Belgium with the people. We prayed in English as they prayed in French, Dutch or German. What an emotional, spiritual experience that was.”

Whether it is a domestic or international tour, much work happens before one note floats to the rafters. According to Dr. Kurt von Kampen, conductor of the University A Cappella Choir, he and Symphonic Band director Professor Andrew Schultz often plan tour locations at least five years in advance. Between travel and housing, planning a tour route is extremely complex. Ten-day domestic tours often cover 4,000 miles. Arranging places to stay for more than 70 student musicians is also no small chore—students often stay with host families from congregations at tour stops.

Tour organizers also try to build opportunities for students to experience the culture of tour destinations. “While we don’t ever go on a trip .16 fe

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with the lone goal of seeing cool, historic things, we have had the opportunity to spend free time in famous cities,” said von Kampen. “We’ve toured Alcatraz and the Mall of America. We’ve seen the Statue of Liberty and the San Antonio River Walk.

We’ve watched wild fires blaze in the Rocky Mountains as we sang at a worship

service in Ft. Collins. We’ve walked alongside Amish buggies in

Pennsylvania and toured the memorial at the Oklahoma

City bombing site.”

Despite the complexity of planning, the mission of Concordia’s band and choir tours is always in focus. For the tour to Spain in 2009 and for the

upcoming 2013 Swiss-European tour, Concordia

has made working closely with mission groups a priority.

In Spain the A Cappella Choir connected with local missionaries

to design concerts that would make the church more visible to the public.

“It seems in Spain many know nothing about Lutherans, and if they do know of them, in many cases they are afraid of them and consider them

a cult,” explained Middendorf. Gospel-focused concerts can help change that perception.

“Following the first concert in Madrid, the missionaries finally understood what was happening, and they were ecstatic,” Middendorf recalls. “During the concert ordinarily mild-mannered, polite and quiet Catholic priests were weeping—at times uncontrollably.

“Many in the crowd were also weeping as the Holy Spirit fed their souls through the beautiful music and the touching presentation of students who sang from the heart. The concert placed the church before the eyes of the public in a way that made them ask, ‘Wow, what is this church all about really? They have something that is speaking to my heart, and I want to know more!’”

While tears are certainly evidence of the power of the Gospel working through song, that concert had an even more enduring effect on one family.

Santiago Keinbaum, a Lutheran missionary in Sant Sadurni, worked with Middendorf on the choir’s itinerary in Spain. His wife, Alexandra, translated the program songs into Catalan and Spanish.

As the concert approached, Alexandra remembers her

feelings. “While my husband was absolutely excited, I was

simply indifferent,” she said “I have to be completely honest and say that

I have never liked choral music. For me that was synonymous with antique, obsolete and above all boring.” But her opinion would soon change.

“My husband and I were sitting in the first row the first time I heard those angelic voices singing.

“I had been baptized the previous year into the Christian faith. I fully understood that God was not only the ultimate judge whom we have to fear, but also a loving Father. And yet, even though I understood, I could not ‘feel’ it. The Law was stronger than the Gospel for me.

“But when the choir started to sing, I fully felt the love of God which is beyond any intellectual understanding.”

The love of God Alexandra felt and the love she came to know from the Middendorfs and members of the A Cappella Choir gave the Keinbaums the courage to take an enormous step.

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“I remember

praying the Lord’s Prayer in

Belgium with the people. We

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What an emotional, spiritual

experience that was.”

“But

when the choir

started to sing, I fully

felt the love of God which

is beyond any intellectual

understanding.”

Reviving a tradition initiated in 1906, the Concert Band gave a special spring performance on the lawn west of Link Library in 1995.

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The next year they moved to Nebraska to attend Concordia so Santiago could prepare to become a pastor and so Alexandra could prepare to become a deaconess. When they are finished with school they hope to go back to the Catalonia area to start a Lutheran church for their people. The Keinbaums and their three children, Maria, Santiago and Salvador, are living with the Middendorfs, and students from the choir are still very involved in the family’s life.

Although the choir has a legacy of touching the lives of audience members like the Keinbaums, tours also leave a profound effect on the lives of students.

Throughout the years, members of the traveling music groups have kept scrapbooks from their journey. Included in the archives is a 1952 note from Concordia to parents announcing where they could mail letters to their children on tour and a post-tour note advising future travelers to buy a suitcase with

“really big wheels” and “don’t forget playing cards.”

Although today’s tour memories are often found on Facebook instead of scrapbooks, many of the sentiments remain the same—the camaraderie that comes from the close quarters of touring, the joy of sharing cookies from home and the laughs from shared memories. But most significant always seems to be the effect the music has on the audiences.

Paul Soulek ’07, director of parish and school music at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, recalls his time on tour. “The greatest joy and reward from touring is certainly serving as a messenger of the Gospel. Beyond that, touring is a great experience to get to know the fellow choir members and to really make music together as a group.” One of his favorite memories comes from worshiping at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Berlin during the 2005 A Cappella international tour. “Even though the words of the hymns and liturgy were in German, we recognized the tunes and were able to sing along,” he said. “It was wonderful to hear the pastor’s words at the altar first in German, then in English: ‘your sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ.’ I will never forget that wonderful service that illustrated how the saints in Christ truly are joined together throughout the world.”

Touching the lives of others and touching their own hearts will continue to happen when music groups from Concordia take their gifts on the road.

In a letter in the program for the 1957 tour, then President Paul Zimmermann explains that the choir members are there “telling of their faith and joy in God.” Reference to that same mission can also be found in current President Brian Friedrich’s introduction in the 2012 A Cappella Choir tour program, “We cherish the opportunity to share the message of God’s love and Jesus’ salvation through God’s gift of music.” Nick Lee, a 2012 graduate (pictured first row right),

reflects on the personal effect of his experiences on choir tours during his time as a student. Lee earned a bachelor of arts degree in music education this May.

There really is nothing quite like a choir tour. Imagine the most work you could possibly fit into a 10-day vacation, or the most fun you could ever have while performing manual labor in a tuxedo. The days are long, the mornings come early, and more often than not you have to share a bed with the same person you’ve been sitting next to on the bus all day.

I remember entering the week prior to my very first tour believing that it was some kind of reward or incentive to keep people in choir.

My idea of “tour” centered on the concept of me.

I wasn’t the only one who felt this way either. You can often see it on the new choir members’ faces as we set out on our

“vacation.” You can talk about the mission all you want, but you never quite get it until you’re in concert sweating under the lights. The mental strain required to stick your vocal part as you cascade through crisscrossing harmonies, breathe on cue, place consonants at the precise moment and correctly pronounce words in languages

you don’t speak gives a new meaning to “stressful.” And yet we all undergo the stress of tour willingly.

The passionate quest for perfection is sometimes hard to understand until you look at the motive. Singing praises to the Creator of the universe deserves nothing less than our best—that’s why it’s easy to get such a large group of people fired up about making phenomenal music.

Is it ever perfect? No, but that doesn’t slow us down. There are these great moments that happen on tour where everything lines up. The acoustics are great, everyone is in tune and the last chord of the song echoes for a moment in the vastness of the performing space. These are the moments that take a hold of you in an indescribable way.

The beauty of the music is so great that it implies the question, “How could there not be a God?”

By the end of each tour you can’t help but be changed. Even the veteran members say so. Thinking back through my tour memories, I can trace my own spiritual growth. No other event or time in my life can boast such a consistent spiritual progress. It turns out that I did in fact get a reward for being in choir other than those 10-day vacations. It was much more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.

There really is nothing quite like a choir tour.

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There’s nothing quite like a

CHOIR TOUR

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faculty notes

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GROUNDS for BUSINESSSamantha Karnes were involved in designing the space, purchasing new equipment, determining prices and changing the menu. They are also responsible for the day-to-day operations.

“As a business major, the coffee shop has given me hands-on, real-world experience,” said Gaide. “It has allowed me to have a key role in all aspects of managing a staff, inventory, sales and accounting, and has taught me many valuable lessons I couldn’t learn from a textbook.”

Drawing information about preferred products, pricing, location and hours from a campus-wide survey conducted by a market research class in 2007, sife team members created a business plan. Start-up funds were provided by the university as a low interest loan, which has now been paid back.

Even though the coffee shop began in the classroom, teaching hasn’t been limited to the faculty.

“Throughout the shop’s history, Dave Kumm [Concordia’s executive vice president and cfo] has been instrumental in mentoring sife students particularly regarding operational and financial aspects of the coffee shop,” said Dr. Kristy Plander, sife advisor.

Chartwells, Concordia’s dining hall food service provider, has also provided guidance, helping the coffee shop track its revenues using their computer system and facilitating product purchasing.

Gaide and Karnes, who both had previous barista experience, also play a role in teaching—they are responsible for training coffee shop employees.

“I learned how to make drinks when my dad used to sell espresso at his coffee shop,” said Karnes. “As far as our employees, Andie and I train them, make them practice and then give them a cheat sheet to take home and memorize.”

This year, in addition to changing locations and expanding their menu, the shop has switched to eco-friendly paper and cleaning products and created a loyalty program that encourages reuse of cup sleeves to reduce environmental impact.

Whether you’re craving a skinny latte, a caramel frappé or a Bulldog bite, Concordia’s 10:31 coffee shop is the place to go for your caffeine fix. Since opening in April of 2008, the Students in Free Enterprise project continues to grow and improve, serving the thirsty Concordia campus and providing hands-on experience for business students.

After trying a few campus locations, the coffee shop found a permanent home in the Janzow Campus Center lobby last year. Managers Andrea Gaide and

Even after successfully implementing a number of changes this year, like all smart businesspeople, Gaide and Karnes are exploring new ways to grow.

“Next year we will be able to accept student ID cards as payment,” said Gaide. “This will also provide the opportunity to serve more food items that you might see in a café, such as pastries, cereal, fruit

or sandwiches.”

More deliberate advertising and increasing revenues to fund other

projects are other objectives.

Overall, the coffee shop is a welcomed addition to Concordia.

“It’s both a learning experience and a for-profit venture,” said Plander.

“At the front end, students learn about all aspects of

business including marketing, operations, accounting,

finance and human resources.

“Also it’s an expanded opportunity for student employment on campus. The

profits we make go back into service projects for the community on campus, in Seward and beyond.”

Karnes agrees. “Managing the coffee shop has given me so much hands-on leadership and business experience that I could not have gained in the classroom,” she commented. “I’ve learned where my strengths and weaknesses lie as a leader and how to apply concepts I have learned in the classroom. I love getting to know the faculty and students as they come in to get drinks.

“I also just love coffee!”

Dr. Brian Albright, professor of mathematics, had his article, “The Distribution of the Sum of Signed Ranks,” published in The College Mathematics Journal.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music, was commissioned to compose a hymn concerto for the Eighth Lutheran Hymn Festival which premiered at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas, with a festival choir from Dallas-Fort Worth Lutheran churches, the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas and brass players for the Dallas Symphony. The hymn,

“Voices Raised to You We Offer,” is included in the 2012 Concordia Publishing House catalog.

Seth Boggs, art instructor and digital lab manager, was selected to design the logo for the 2013 National Youth Gathering.

Dr. Ronald Bork, dean of the College of Education, was accepted as a member of the National Board of Examiners for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). He has since traveled to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Penn., as a member of the visiting team for its NCATE accreditation.

Amanda Geidel, assistant professor of education, was presented with the 2012 Outstanding Teaching Award at commencement on May 5.

Dr. Renea Gernant, professor of communication, served as a technical expert on a document, “Identifying Vulnerable Older Adults and Legal Options for Increasing Their Protection During All-Hazards Emergencies: A Cross-Sector Guide for States and Communities,” released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Joel Helmer, associate professor of geography and social science department chair, received the Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Council for Geographic Education. Helmer and his students also led an event on campus in April, featuring a Nebraska Game and Parks trailer containing 17 activities to explore, for elementary students from St. John Lutheran School.

Dr. Joseph Herl, professor of music, directed the music for a Higher Things retreat in Sheboygan, Wis., with 200 high school students in attendance.

Drs. Paul Holtorf and Mark Meehl led a group of students, alumni and friends on a trip to the Holy Land in summer 2012.

Dr. Timothy Huntington, assistant professor of biology, became a founding board member and treasurer of the American Board of Forensic Taphonomy serving on its exam and ethics committees; gave numerous presentations locally and nationally, was chosen as the 2011 Lutheran High School (Indianapolis) Alumnus of the Year and is a manuscript peer-reviewer for articles

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“I’ve

learned where

my strengths and

weaknesses lie as a leader

and how to apply concepts

that I have learned in

the classroom.”

phot

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Kar

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hitt

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EYEING

Many kids dream of growing up and becoming a doctor, but few accept the challenge of tough math and science classes and preparing for entrance exams to graduate school. May graduate Tabitha Opheim is one of the few who stuck with it. Thanks to her dedication and some help from mentors at Concordia, she’s headed to optometry school in August.

“I got my first pair of glasses in the second grade,” Opheim recalls, “and I thought it was pretty cool that a piece of glass or thin plastic could correct a vision problem.”

Still filled with that wonder as she grew, Opheim shadowed eye doctors and worked at an optometry office during the summers throughout college.

While she worked toward her bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry at Concordia, Opheim kept her eyes on the ultimate goal of applying to optometry school, studying hard and preparing for entrance exams.

Opheim and her advisor Dr. Kristy Jurchen set up a four-year plan to help her get in all the classes she would need to pass her entrance exams.

“Dr. Jurchen has helped me each step of the way,” said Opheim. “One thing I

appreciated was the research she did to see what I needed for schools that

I would be applying to. Concordia provided a wonderful staff who pushed my knowledge and helped me in my struggles.”

To determine her eligibility for graduate school, Opheim was

required to take the Optometry Admissions Test. In addition, she

completed admission applications for seven schools, wrote essays and

scheduled interviews with each.

Then came the really hard part—waiting to hear if she was admitted.

“The road to optometry school is tough and a lot of work,” she admits, “but with the help of faculty and time management it all works out.”

For Opheim it did work out—this fall she will attend Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. Though for her, school is just the beginning. Opheim dreams of the day she’ll be able to work in her own optometry office specializing in sports vision.

She also plans to work with missions through Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, an international and community organization that provides vision care for those who cannot afford or otherwise obtain such services.

“My passion is to help people,” said Opheim, “I think helping others to see clearly is a great way to do that.”

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submitted to the Journal of the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction. This spring he conducted forensic entomology workshops in Grand Island for Nebraska State Patrol investigator in-service training. The training covered material on how to recognize and collect insect evidence from death scenes and other crime scenes, and was presented to more than 50 investigators from around the state.

The efforts of Lon Jungemann, computing services, and Dave Werner, instructional technology coordinator, have made it possible to webcast video live from softball and baseball games held in Seward. Prior to this, only audio was transmitted.

Jeff Keele, adjunct voice instructor, sang in the role of Betto in Puccini’s opera, “Gianni Schicchi,” at Opera Southwest in Albuquerque, N.M.

Rev. Dr. Kevin Kohnke, associate professor and director of family life ministry, presented at the 15th annual Iowa District West Junior Youth Gathering and at the Deshler circuit seminar, Convocation on Marriage and the Family.

Aaron Madsen, assistant athletic trainer, received the 2011 George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer of the Year award and a 10-year service award at the District V Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association Symposium in Topeka, Kan. He was also re-elected and inaugurated as vice-president of the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Executive Board.

Bryan Moore, assistant professor of communication and theatre, participated on two panels, “Collaborative Approaches to Teaching Dramaturgy: A Legacy Left by LMDA’s Dramaturgy SourceBook” and “Boldly Crossing the Grain: Multicultural Dramaturgy and Directing Beyond One’s Own Culture,” at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education Conference in Chicago.

Drew Olson, women’s basketball head coach, was named the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Coach-of-the-Year and Region 2 Coach-of-the-Year.

Shanna Opfer, interim education instructor, presented “The Wiki Way” about sharing information in the elementary classroom at the Technology EDGE conference at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Dr. Jerrald Pfabe, emeritus history professor and the university’s archivist, received an award of commendation from the Concordia Historical Institute for his article, “Was It Foretold?: Theodore Graebner, Millennialists and the World Wars.”

Kevin Potratz, computing services system analyst, was chosen to help lead 36 scouts to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.

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. . .

“My

passion is to

help people. I think

helping others see

clearly is a great way

to do that.”

photo by Karen Chittick

optometry school

For many college students, Friday is reserved for kicking back, relaxing and procrastinating the homework that’s due Monday.

Senior Katie Keily reserves time on Friday too, but instead of catching up on last week’s episode of American Idol, she gives piano lessons to homeless and impoverished children and adults at People’s City Mission in Lincoln, Neb.

“I began going to People’s City Mission in order to fulfill my field experience hours that are required for my education classes,” said Keily, a music and secondary English education major.

During her field experience hours, she worked with kids in Club edefy (Encouragement, Discipleship, Evangelism and Fellowship for Youth), a program that offers games, activities and a Bible study for kids staying at pcm.

“While I was at Club edefy some of the students found out I was a music student at Concordia and a piano teacher,” said Keily. “Many of them begged for piano lessons and expressed a real interest in wanting to learn more about music.”

Keily and a few classmates responded by developing a program to teach music fundamentals. Two years later, she still hasn’t stopped going back. Keily and junior Will Vann currently teach between 5 to 15 students every week, regardless of age.

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Don Robson, art department chair, had two works accepted for inclusion in the Northwest Art Center’s Americas 2012: Paperworks exhibition in the Hartnett Hall Gallery at Minot State University.

Jacob Schmidt, system analyst/programmer and infrastructure support, successfully defended his thesis, “Issues in VoIP Communication for Enterprise Deployment,” earning a master’s degree in computer science.

Lynn Soloway, professor of art, created the artwork for the annual Christmas greeting card of the LCMS communications office and KFUO Radio in St. Louis and has been commissioned to create adornments for the Hitchcock Museum Store at the Joslyn Art

Museum, Omaha, Neb., in conjunction with the Egyptian artifacts exhibition from the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Kay Thaden-DeBoer, gift processor in the office of development, retired in April after 30 years of dedicated service to Concordia.

Dr. Kurt von Kampen, professor of music, led a high school choral clinic at Parker Lutheran High School in Colorado. His new composition,

“Under the Stars One Holy Night,” was commissioned by Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb. He was also selected to direct the National Youth Gathering choir in 2013.

Angela Wassenmiller, director of instructional technology and e-learning, presented

“International Congress for Qualitative Inquiry” at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and “Creating Feedback Rich Learning Environments: Teaching Qualitative Methods in Traditional, Blended, and Online Formats” with Dr. Wayne Babchuk (UNL). She was also elected to the Nebraska Educational Technology Association’s board of directors.

Concordia University, Nebraska received the Council President’s Award of Marketing, Media Appreciation Award from the Boy Scouts of America’s Cornhusker Council in appreciation of the summer 2011 Broadcaster article about the Merit Badge University.

Concordia’s music department now offers a new course online, Mu 161 – Introduction to Music Therapy.

The biology department used a donation to purchase a forensic science comparison macro/microscope, which is used by forensic science and research classes for comparing two objects simultaneously and making physical matches. The scope is used to visualize cartridge casings, bullets, hair, fibers and virtually any form of trace or impression evidence.

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“If someone

comes in to take

piano lessons we won’t

turn them away—it

can be anybody.”

“If someone comes in to take piano lessons we won’t turn them away—it can be anybody,” Keily said.

Having access to only two pianos at pcm, Keily had to find teaching techniques to accommodate so many students at once. Students begin practicing

notes and scales on paper piano keyboards. Once they’ve mastered the basics, they are given

the chance to play on a real piano. Keily said in most cases students can walk

away from just one or two lessons playing actual songs.

“We try to teach the students as much as we can about music in a short amount of time,” she said. “That way if that is their last encounter with music lessons,

they can walk out of pcm having acquired a foundational knowledge

of music.”

Aside from volunteering at pcm, Keily sings in Concordia’s University A Cappella

Choir, accompanies the Seward Community Youth Choir and teaches private piano and voice lessons for middle school students.

“I really wish that I could have pcm students in my piano studio here in Seward so I could give them the full attention that they deserve,” she said.

Keily says she hopes to stay involved in the pcm after graduating from Concordia.

“I would like to stay in the area, at least for a while, and try to get this program on its feet for other students to participate in after I leave.”

PLAYING

photo courtesy of Will Vann

on PAPER PIANOS

. . .

Thanks to a partnership with Jones National Bank & Trust in Seward, each year Concordia brings an artist or musician to campus to work with Concordia students and connect with the community. This year, Concordia had the privilege of hosting Steven Roden, an internationally-respected artist who is known for stretching the boundaries of what is considered art.

“Steve Roden’s visit, which entailed an exhibition, two workshops, studio visits, a performance on Sunday, and a dinner with students provided an incredibly focused weekend,” said Jim Bockelman, director of the Marxhausen Gallery.

“While bringing an artist with international credentials to our town is simply an amazing opportunity, even more significant is Steve’s unique way of finding the

beautiful within the everyday, allowing mistakes to become purpose-filled, and sharing all of

this in a humble and honest manner.”

Roden received an mfa from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and a bfa from Otis Parsons in Los Angeles. He has taught at numerous institutions,

The works of four young artists will soon be prominently displayed on the walls of Thom Leadership Education Center on Concordia’s campus. The pieces were selected from 128 works of art submitted for Concordia’s inaugural Juried High School Art Exhibition.

Works winning the purchase awards were “Erase Me” by Brandon Metzler, “Planet

Sepia” by Sebastian Tine, “Pop Art Self Portrait” by Michael Maxwell and “This Hand” by Mark Sabaliauskas. In addition, “Mammal” by Michael Maxwell, was recognized as Best of Show.

“There was strong participation and the work was good,” said Don Robson, chair of the department of art. “We plan to do this every year.”

In all, 94 schools from four states participated in the show.

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See participated in international performance groups and lectured on his work at numerous universities, including Harvard University and the San Francisco Art Institute.

Roden’s experimentation with chance as an organizing principle for visual and sound compositions made his exhibition a unique experience. Paint, drawing, collage, text, sound scores, video and performance art were all featured in his “Notations” exhibit.

More than 40 people participated in Saturday’s workshop in which Roden challenged participants to think and draw beyond traditional boundaries. He encouraged participants to understand that drawing can be more than just producing a realistic image of an object. Bockelman explains, “To map the contour of a rugged surface is a drawing. To transcribe sounds into visual marks is a drawing. To play a color-scaled glockenspiel while looking at a still life of colored objects is a drawing.”

Concordia’s advanced studio art majors had the opportunity to not only attend workshops, but also to meet with Roden individually and discuss their work.

“Roden had a new way of thinking about things for everything,” said senior Todd Meier. “For example, he had us look at a still life and draw it with little xylophones. It was quite an amazing experience. It seems to me that people like him are the ones who will truly make new inventions.”

A performance with Roden and Concordia students concluded the weekend. Roden performed first, taking the stage with a mixer and a bank of pre-recorded sounds. Much of what Roden played was ambient sound, such as the crackling of fire or the drone of a generator. The students joined the end of the performance by playing the glockenspiels. Within these simple sounds, the audience was asked to listen for nuances in rhythm, pitch or volume.

One of Roden’s original drawings, his donation to Concordia, has become part of the university art collection.

CONCORDIA HOSTS

. . .photo by Dan Oetting

the

SoundJURIED ART SHOW

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outside the

LINESEach year, Concordia’s Looking Beyond Speaker Series brings a diverse set of speakers to campus and gives Concordia students the opportunity to grapple with new ideas. This year in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Rev. Dr. Victor J. Belton spoke about the Christian opportunity for service in a presentation entitled “Color Outside the Lines.”

Introducing himself as a preacher and not a historian, Belton began his presentation with these words from Romans, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (12:1 esv).

The stature that King reached, Belton explained, was only possible because God called King and he answered, because he presented himself as a living sacrifice to God. Belton challenged his audience: “Each of you has that capacity in the way God has called you to serve.”

There is a duty, Belton said, to raise a generation to challenge the status quo in love for others and in concert with the guide of Jesus Christ. These are the individuals who need to break boundaries and “color outside the lines with wisdom.”

“God says don’t fill someone else’s shoes,” he continued, “but make tracks. Let them fill your shoes.”

A one-time brick mason and computer operator, Belton attended Concordia College in Bronxville, N.Y. and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He currently serves as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Decatur, Ga. Belton has spoken nationally and has helped to begin a ministry in Sudan, Africa with Sudanese Evangelist Pastor Bafel Paul Deng.

Belton’s presentation was made possible through an ongoing gift from Dr. Martin and Regina Maehr.


Concordia awarded 585 graduate and undergraduate degrees at the 2012 commencement ceremony held May 5 in the Walz Human Performance Complex arena. Historically, the class of 2012 earned one of the highest total number of degrees the university has given to a single graduating class. Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich addressed the class, telling graduates to “go with abundant gifts, talents and abilities.”

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photos by Dan Oetting and Matt Wingert

CONGRATS GRADS!

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“Teaching comes from the heart,” said assistant professor of education Amanda Geidel as she accepted the 2012 Outstanding Teaching Award.

This honor, given during the commencement ceremony on May 5, recognizes a faculty member who has been nominated by students and selected by a committee of students and faculty members who have previously received the award.

“Receiving this honor is very meaningful to me because the recipient is chosen by the students,” said Geidel.

Geidel received her bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia and her master’s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is currently working toward a doctorate degree in education.

Before teaching at Concordia, Geidel spent six years working with regular and special education students in both Lutheran and public school settings.

“I really feel that my number one priority at Concordia is to prepare my students as best as I can for working with children and youth who have special needs,” she said.

student notes Austin Albers, Kirsten Awe, Elizabeth Bargar, Brittany Becker, Nick Butcher, Kristin Easler, Martin Kois, Nick Lee, Andrew Metcalf, Daniel Miller, Tory Petz, Jordan Schultz, Caitlynn Schwehn and Steven Whitney were inducted into the Nebraska Omega Lambda chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, a national theater honor society.

The following dce students begin 12-month internships the summer of 2012: Jill Andre, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rolla, Mo.; Bethany Andrews, Salem Lutheran Church, Springdale, Ariz.; Megan Billos, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Fla.; Paige Edgington, Trinity Lutheran Church, Litchfield Park, Ariz.; Ruth Furr, Our Father Lutheran Church, Centennial, Colo.; Ethan Volzke, Pointe of Hope Lutheran, Blue Springs, Mo.

Taylor Baumeister, Sarah Dinger, Heather Eden, Andrea Gaide, Caylen Grasz, Lindee Jackson, Tonya Johnson, Naomi Kuddes, Michala Maurer, Emily McAllister, Allison Mellick, Zach Pilfold, Stephanie Schroeder, Emily Taylor and Megan Thornburg were inducted into Pi Kappa Delta, a national collegiate forensic organization.

Taylor Baumeister placed fifth at the Gorlock Gala tournament held at Webster University in St. Louis.

Brittany Becker, Leah Eklof, Jenelle Hallaert, Micah Hollenbeck, Hayley Koeritz, Laura Kresha, Winonah Krug, Mary Masur, Alyssa

McAfee, Briar McCoy, Elise Ortmeier, Brandon Ramos, Luke Riley, Jennifer Smith, Dane Stahr, Jessica Wagner, Alyssa Wilson and Luke Wohlgemuth received Marxhausen Endowment Awards in recognition of exceptional ability from across the majors of art education, graphic design, studio art and liturgical art.

Lara Bergdolt was named Outstanding Freshman in Chemistry for her superior first-year performance in chemistry courses.

Kathleen Bergt, James Clause, Connie Kettner, Peter Klinge, Aaron Kortze and Sarah Schultz presented an organ recital at Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln.

Crystal Bauer received the Brommer Award, which is given to an art major of junior class standing who exhibits artistic skills and Christian ideals. Her short film, “Egg Video I,” was accepted into a juried exhibition entitled, Little Waves Show, held at the Rotunda Gallery at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Rebekah Brisbois, John Chatwell, Natalie Jeppesen, Mikaela Klein, Nick Mann, Tory Petz, Adam Prahlow, Lauren Root, Aaron Skipworth, Erienne TeSelle and Nate Von Rentzell, presented results of their Bio-399 ballistics research projects at the Student Research Symposium.

Geidel began teaching part time at Concordia in 2001 and transitioned to full time in 2008. She currently teaches special education and psychology, works with moderately handicapped students and prepares future teachers to include special education students in regular classrooms.

“I feel so much more sense of mission here, as I truly believe that what I am teaching the students will be used in their own teaching careers very soon,” said Geidel.

“I have this drive to be sure that they ‘get it,’ so my teaching may be more directed and purposeful,” she added.

As she accepted the Outstanding Teaching Award, Geidel spoke about two special education students who influenced her career choice. These students, she said, helped her develop a passion for working with students with special needs.

“I most enjoy working with and making lasting relationships with the students at Concordia. It is also so rewarding to see students, who had never considered it, choose the field of special education.”

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Daniel Brown, Sarah Dinger, Kara Dunn, Ryan Fiero, Emily Hemphill, Kaellyn Marrs, Christina Sereda and Hillary Snyder were inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, a national English honor society.

Katelyn Butts and Michael Tewes were each awarded Natural Sciences Scholarships, which is considered the science department’s highest honor.

Robert Cody, Kelly Jacob, James Jensen, Connie Kettner, Peter Klinge, Sarah Langness, Jordan Miller, Jonathan Poarch, Brianna Ritter, Ben Sievert and Luke Wohlgemuth were selected for the 2012 spring honor recital.

Chelsey Creedon was accepted into the doctor of physical therapy program at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Josh Duncan received the Leo Sieck Scholarship, which is given to a student in the top ten percent of his or her class who shows promise and academic potential as an artist and scholar.

Kristin Easler was accepted into the illustration graduate program at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga.

Kara Einspahr and Alicia Smith were awarded Science Careers Support Scholarships, which recognizes students who have demonstrated great potential in the sciences early in their college education.

Sara Fredrickson received the Wayne and Wanda Lillich Scholarship, which is given to a student in the field of graphic design who exemplifies professionalism within the discipline, a high attention to craft and sophistication toward design or illustration work.

Andrea Gaide and Samantha Karnes attended a national Students In Free Enterprise (sife) Summit in New York City.

Kelsey Gebauer was accepted to the U.S. Army physical therapy program at Baylor University.

Kaela Geyer received the Golden Scalpel Award as the top student in Gross Anatomy, Concordia’s human cadaver dissection course.

Marcus Gubanyi was named Outstanding Lab Assistant in the area of physics.

Maggie Hein and Brad Pohlmann were accepted into pharmacy school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Sarah Heins was selected as an integrated communications intern at the Midwest Dairy Association in Overland Park, Kan.

Grace Hollenbeck received the Class of 1933 Scholarship, which is awarded to a first year art student who is committed to the Lutheran teaching ministry and service to the church at large through art and practice.

Daniel Klinge was accepted into the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Officer Program.

One of the founding members of Concordia’s business department and its chair for the past 28 years, Dr. Stan Obermueller, retired at the end of the spring semester. Concordia praises God for Dr. Obermueller’s 42 years of service to the Church.

Obermueller was initially unsure he wanted to return to his alma mater.

“It was certainly nothing I planned,” Obermueller said. “I really felt after the interview that Concordia was where the Lord was leading me—even though I was being lead reluctantly.”

As Concordia’s first full-time business faculty member, Obermueller began service as department chair in 1984, advanced to associate professor in 1987 and to full professor in 1995. While teaching at Concordia, Obermueller earned his Ph.D. from Walden University in 1993.

In 2008 Obermueller helped lead Concordia’s business department to full accreditation through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (iacbe), the leading outcomes-based professional accrediting organization for business programs in student-centered colleges and universities throughout the world.

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Over the past three decades, Obermueller has been instrumental in building a solid business program that turns out Christian leaders prepared to serve and lead in church and world.

“I’ve been very satisfied with the growth of our program,” he said, “but what’s more satisfying to me is that I’ve had the opportunity to influence people’s lives in some small way.

“The most important thing has been getting really successful grads out there. And we’ve done that.”

Although he has officially retired, Obermueller isn’t quite done with the classroom yet. He will return to teach a few advanced accounting classes next year.

“It’s nice that I get to ease out by teaching my favorite classes one more time,” he said.

Obermueller also plans to spend time managing his father-in-law’s Christmas tree farm, visiting his four children and seven grandchildren and painting.

BUSINESS

Dr. Stan Obermueller graduated from Concordia with a degree in elementary education in 1968 and began his career as a teacher. During his time in the classroom Obermueller earned a master of science in education degree from Indiana-Purdue University.

After 12 years of teaching, Obermueller decided to go back to school at Indiana-Purdue to study business, earning a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting in 1982.

Obermueller earned his Certified Public Accountant certificate in 1985. His cpa Exam score was the highest in Nebraska and within the top 120 scores in the nation.

In 1982 Obermueller received a call from former mathematics professor Rich Luebbe to interview for a new position teaching business at Concordia. . . . ph

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The reading was organized by director of theatre Bryan Moore. Moore took on the role of Malcolm X with seniors Patrick Tyrance III and Charles Washington playing King and Malcolm X’s body guard, Rashad, respectively.

Moore wanted to raise awareness of the efforts and messages of these two men through the reading. In the play, King and Malcom X’s conflicting approaches to improving the lives of African-Americans is symbolized by the men arm wrestling to a tie at the end of the performance.

“Though their methods differed greatly, they both had similar interests for and the best intentions of African-Americans,” said Moore. “More generally, I hope it shows how much we can learn from each other through dialogue instead of just impulsive action or avoidance.”

The two performances were well-attended, filling the Thom Leadership Education Center auditorium.

“We received a positive response to the play by both campus and community members,” said Moore. “I had a few people relate the information in the play to their own experiences during the time of the Civil Rights Movement, which is always exciting. I was especially humbled by the student response, including those who wrote their thanks for and shared their experiences watching and learning from the play. As an artist and educator, I strive for and appreciate that level of engagement of the audience.”

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What would happen if Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, two of the most influential men of the Civil Rights Movement, had actually met?

This February in conjunction with Black History Month, Concordia staged a dramatic reading of The Meeting, Jeff Stetson’s one-act play that

proposes an answer to such a question. The play captures a hypothetical dialogue between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. one week prior to Malcolm X’s assassination in 1965. It explores both similarities and differences between the two leader’s views.

Megan Kophamer and Aaron Kortze were selected as the newest members of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society recognizing the music achievements of students and faculty.

Aaron Kortze was accepted into the graduate music program at the University of Notre Dame.

Louisa Mehl and Rebecca Monnier were selected as fellows by the Lutheran Malaria Initiative and will travel to Africa in the summer of 2012.

Todd Meier was accepted into the master of fine arts program in painting at Boston College. He also received the prestigious Constatin Alajalov Scholarship.

Kaylie Mellema and Jessica Wagner will have photographs featured in Nikon USA’s publication Best of College and High School Photography 2012.

Heidi Niedfeldt placed sixth at the Gorlock Gala forensics tournament held at Webster University in St. Louis.

Andrew Rogers was accepted into the doctorate of chemistry program at the University of California, Berkeley.

Nate Sindt was accepted into the doctorate for biological chemistry program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Preston Sunderman and Drew Oswald presented papers at the Great Plains Undergraduate Theology

Conference held at Sioux Falls Seminary in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Erienne TeSelle was named Outstanding Lab Assistant in the area of chemistry.

Rebecca Walker was accepted into the architecture graduate program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Levi Wiseman was named Outstanding Lab Assistant in the area of biology.

Alicia Wosepka was chosen for an internship this summer at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis.

Students from the Cell and Molecular Undergraduate Research Group celebrated Brain Awareness Week by teaching the students at St. John Lutheran School about brain health and their senses. They also presented at the Seward Memorial Library a review of the drug development process and the classes of drugs now used or being developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

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MEETING

Alumni & Friends Eastern Europe TourMay 15–27, 2013

Join the University A Cappella Choir, President Friedrich and fellow alumni and friends on a breathtaking, luxurious tour of Eastern Europe. Take in the Bavarian Alps with its famed castles and lakes. Embark on a river cruise inspired by classic ocean yachts down the beautiful Danube River, with daily onshore excursions, bike tours and wine tastings. Sample Mozart in Vienna, and finally conclude your tour in Budapest.

Come, travel with your Concordia friends and family—experience the beauty of God’s creation, explore the historic sites of Eastern Europe, the thrill of the music on an international choral competition and so much more!

Travel itinerary and reservation details are available from the alumni office at 800–535–5494, ext. 7341 or [email protected]. Space is limited. Reservations confirmed by October 1, 2012 will guarantee a savings of least $200 per person and the best available cruise cabin options.


It’s no secret that college students’ relationships—with their friends, siblings, parents and grandparents—change when they move out of the house and into the dorms. Concordia has always sought to support students and their families through the college transition, but this fall Concordia will be offering a new opportunity in its first stand-alone Family Weekend Nov. 2-4.

are developing opportunities for families to meet professors. One popular Concordia event, “CU on Mainstreet,” in which each academic department sets up a booth in a common area on campus, has been scheduled during Family Weekend.

“The purpose of CU on Mainstreet has always been to allow students to meet faculty from all departments, explore different majors or learn more about the major they’ve already chosen,” said Julie Johnston Hermann, director of student servant leadership.

“Moving CU on Mainstreet to Family Weekend allows parents to talk with faculty in a relaxed and open way. Certainly many parents talked with professors during campus visits before their children enrolled, but now that they’re here, they likely have new questions.”

The theme of giving families a window into the Concordia experience is also echoed by director of student life Charles Gebhardt. “The last time most parents were on campus was when their son or daughter moved into the dorms. Since move-in time is pretty hectic, Family Weekend gives parents the opportunity to see what their child’s dorm floor is like once everything has settled down and relaxed a bit.”

Pastor Joe Rodriguez from Liberty, Mo., the father of senior Joey and sophomore Emmalyn, thinks Family Weekend is a good idea for parents. “It’s nice to have the chance to go up and make sure they’re doing okay,” he said. “In November it’s been a while since you’ve seen them, so the draw for me is having the opportunity to spend some time with them.”

To learn more about Family Weekend as updates become available, visit www.cune.edu/FamilyWeekend

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Family Weekend was designed through a collaboration of campus departments and will feature an opportunity for parents, siblings, grandparents and extended family to visit Concordia and partake in an open schedule of events—including athletic contests, arts performances, academic open houses, a breakfast with President Friedrich and more.

“Parents and families will get a chance to see the day in the life of their college student,” said Marty Kohlwey, assistant director of student life. “They’ll not only be able to sit in on a class, but they’ll also see the community that’s become their student’s home-away-from-home. Family Weekend is about connecting a student’s home family with their Concordia family.”

In addition to providing a chance for students to share their Concordia friendships, academic departments

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At a time when basketball fans are star struck by players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, when a team goes 36-3 it seems only natural to wonder what star player elevated the team to that level of success.

For the Concordia women’s basketball team—that clinched both the gpac regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the semi-finals of the naia national tournament—time on the court was never about single-star power.

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“This was a special team. It wasn’t about one player—they sacrificed for each other, trusted each other and trusted the coaching staff,” said head coach Drew Olson. “I am so proud of this team.”

Things began to come together for the Bulldogs against the Briar Cliff Chargers, who were ranked second in the nation at the time, at home on Dec. 7. In that contest, sophomore Lori Laboda drilled a game-tying three pointer with 14 seconds left in regulation as

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“They had an incredible will to win.”

Unfortunately Concordia’s ride came to a stop in the naia semi-finals as the Bulldogs lost to College of Ozarks, 74-70. Rich and Kistler led the way for Concordia, finishing with 20 and 17 points respectively.

Following the season, Kistler looked back fondly on her final season as a Bulldog.

“This was an unbelievable season. I’m just glad God blessed me to be part of such as wonderful team.”

Concordia rallied from an 11-point deficit to force overtime. The Bulldogs eventually claimed an 89-87 victory, outscoring Briar Cliff 24-11 over the final nine minutes.

“Beating the number two team in such an intense situation was a big accomplishment,” said senior Amber Kistler. “It showed all of us that we were as good as or better than any team in the nation.”

The Bulldogs went on to win 24 of the next 25 games, including the final 15 games of the regular season. That streak propelled Concordia’s rise in the national rankings as they eventually reached the number two spot on Feb. 6.

The team began the post-season with three comfortable victories in the gpac tournament, sending the Bulldogs into the naia National Championship with an 18-game winning streak.

Concordia faced Sterling College (Kan.) in the opening round of the tournament. Junior Katie Rich led the Bulldogs with a season-high 20 points, helping Concordia coast to a 78-54 victory.

Concordia’s next opponent was 15th ranked Cardinal Stritch (Wis.). Defense was key to secure this win, as the Bulldogs established their dominance with a 12-1 lead in the opening five minutes and held the Wolves to a shooting percentage of just 22 percent in the first half. Four Concordia players finished in double figures, led by 13 points each from Rich and Laboda in the 69-48 win.

Just one win away from the second NAIA semi-final appearance in school history, Concordia met seventh-ranked Grand View (Iowa). This time it was Kristen Conahan’s turn to step forward. The sophomore guard led the Bulldogs with a season-high 26 points on 10-of-14 from the field. Despite Conahan’s performance, Concordia needed to overcome a 10-point deficit in the final period. Trailing 63-62 with 7:59 left, the Bulldogs mounted a 13-3 surge. Rich and freshman Bailey Morris combined for 12 points during the run.

“The run we had at the end of the season was awesome. In so many games, we needed big plays to be made. Time and time again our players came up with the plays,” commented Olson.

The Concordia Invitational Tournament is one of the longest-standing traditions both among the Concordias and in college basketball. This year Concordia Nebraska left it all on the court as they clinched both the men’s and women’s titles.

“It was a clearly-stated goal of this year’s team that we wanted to win the cit championship,” said men’s head coach Grant Schmidt, who this year tied the record for the most cit titles with 16.

“It’s really a credit to the program,” he added. “The tradition has continued to be passed down and cherished by all the players in our program year in and year out.”

This year’s tournament included Concordia University teams from Ann Arbor, Mequon and Seward in addition to Chicago, the tournament host.

The Bulldog men won over the CU-Wisconsin Falcons to claim the championship title. As a result of tournament play, Porter Birtell and Beau Smith were named to the cit All-Tournament Team. Smith was also named tournament mvp.

The Bulldog men’s basketball team has earned 24 championship titles since the tournament began in 1951. The Bulldogs last earned the title in 2009.

The Bulldog women won over CU-Ann Arbor in the final round. This was the team’s fourth title in the last five years, boosting their record to 15 of the last 17 championship wins.

Katie Rich and Amber Kistler were named to the cit All-Tournament team. Kistler was also named tournament mvp.

Participating Concordias take turns hosting the annual tournament. Concordia Nebraska will host next January’s contest in Seward.

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Baseball Concordia set a new school record with 25 victories in 2012. The Bulldogs closed the season 25-28 to place sixth in the gpac. Unfortunately the season ended with back-to-back losses in the gpac tournament. Senior Zak Goodrich, Lutz, Fla., was an all-gpac first team selection, while junior Ray Finley, Tucson, Ariz., and freshman Andrew Yerrell, Santa Fe, Texas, were named to the all-gpac second team. Six Bulldogs earned all-gpac honorable mention: seniors Josh Anderson, Westminster, Colo., Anthony Flores, Craig, Colo., Steven Ivanoff, Tucson, Ariz., Martin Rodriquez, Tucson, Ariz., junior Kyle Ivanoff, Tucson, Ariz., and freshman Michael Hodges, Colorado Springs, Colo.

. 45 athletics .Golf Concordia golf programs climbed from last place finishes in the gpac in 2010-11 to a ninth place finish for the women’s team and an eighth place finish for the men. Juniors Chelsea Peck, Lincoln, Neb., and Makenzie Deutschman, North Platte, Neb., capped the 2011-12 women’s season by earning spots on the all-gpac women’s golf team. Peck led the Bulldogs in the gpac championships with a combined score of 354 to place ninth overall at +65. Deutschman, meanwhile, delivered a combined score of 371 (+82) to finish in 15th place.

Softball Concordia ended the 2012 season with a 20-19 overall mark and a 13-7 record in gpac play to finish third in the conference. The Bulldogs went 1-2 in the gpac tournament, winning their opening round before bowing out with consecutive losses. Following the season, seniors Nicole Sempek, Columbus, Neb., Alyssa Bauwens, Perryville, Mo., junior Natalie Svoboda, Lincoln, Neb., sophomore Shelby Morose, Claremore, Okla., and freshman Molly Madsen, Thornton, Colo., were named to softball all-gpac teams. Sempek received the highest honor, earning a spot on the all-gpac first team. Madsen and Svoboda earned all-gpac second team recognition, while Bauwens and Morose earned all-gpac honorable mention.

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Men’s BasketballDespite finishing with just a 13-17 overall record, the 2011-12 Concordia men’s basketball season delivered several highlights. Two of the most impressive achievements of the season came from senior Tyler Byrd, Bennington, Neb., and junior Porter Birtell, Madison, Neb. The duo each reached the 1,000-point mark during the 2011-12 season. Birtell did so on Feb. 1 in the Bulldogs’ 67-47 win over Nebraska Wesleyan, and Byrd reached the mark just 11 days later in an 87-83 loss to Dordt. The two combined to post 733 points this season led by 516 for Birtell. Byrd finished his Concordia career with 1,095 points, while Birtell will enter his senior season with 1,084 points. Birtell collected several honors, including naia All-American recognition. Birtell and junior Beau Smith, McKinney, Texas, were named to the Omaha World Herald All-Nebraska naia team. Birtell, Smith and freshman Joel Haywood, Lakewood, Colo., earned all-gpac honors. Haywood was named the gpac co-freshman of the year.

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Dance In its third year of competition, the dance team finished third in the Challenge Cup at the 2012 nca/nda Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in April.Tennis

The Concordia men’s and women’s tennis programs battled through the 2011-12 season, bowing out in the opening round of the gpac tournament. The men’s squad finished the year with an 8-11 record, while the women’s team finished 7-10. Four players from each team were recognized with all-gpac selections. Seniors Danny Frastaci, Parma, Ohio, and Jeremy Jank, Hastings, Neb., junior Cole Egger, Galva, Iowa, and sophomore Nathan Wingfield, Greendale, Wis., nabbed the honor. Receiving honors for the women were juniors Lindsea Vaudt, Kalispell, Mon., and Mikaela Barz, San Antonio, Texas, sophomore Katelyn Koll, Wilber, Neb., and freshman Grace Hollenbeck, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

Track and FieldThe Bulldogs had another spectacular year in track and field. The indoor season concluded with 25 Bulldogs heading to Geneva, Ohio, for the naia Indoor National Championships. Senior Martha Meineke, Denver, Colo., sophomore Jamie Crouse, Belgrade, Neb., and freshman Brittany Erdmann, Chanhassen, Minn., highlighted the tournament with finishes in the top eight spots to earn All-America honors in the mile run, weight throw and shot put. Concordia’s 4x800 and 4x400 men’s relay teams also achieved All-America status.

Concordia’s outdoor season raised the bar even higher as the women’s team won the GPAC Championship by 30 points and head coach Kregg Einspahr claimed his third GPAC Women’s Coach of the Year honor in the past four years. The Bulldogs sent 27 representatives on to the NAIA National Championships to close the season in Marion, Ind. Concordia claimed four individual All-America honors and two relay team All-America accolades. Individual honors went to senior Lauren Eickemeyer, Houston, Texas and Erdmann in the shot put, and senior Sara Retzlaff, Pierce, Neb, and Crouse in the hammer throw.

WrestlingAfter ranking nationally in the top 20 all season, the tenth-ranked Bulldogs headed to the naia National Championship with eight wrestlers qualified to compete: sophomore Adam Joseph – 133, Hastings, Neb., sophomore Jacob Williams – 141, Rio Rancho, n.m., sophomore Alex Stepanek – 141, St. Paul, Neb., junior Brandon Starkey – 149, St. Paul, Neb., junior Alfredo Torres – 174, Pamona, Calif., freshman Seth Crane – 184, North Platte, Neb., senior Julian Silva

– 197, Covina, Calif., and sophomore Dillon Heesch – heavyweight, Dayton, Iowa. Three Bulldogs earned All-American honors: Joseph with a fifth place finish, and Silva and Williams each with eighth place finishes, all in their respective weight class. Joseph and Williams were named to the all-gpac first team, while Torres and Heesch were second team all-conference selections.

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Come join us for the chance to reconnect, remember and renew your experience at Concordia!

This year’s homecoming and alumni reunion celebration will include a special emphasis on music. Special events include

the opportunity to observe band and choir rehearsals and roundtable discussions in the area of music education, traditional and contemporary church music and ensemble

leadership. Concordia music professors Dr. Kurt von Kampen, Andrew Schultz, Jessica Kite, Cassie McMahan,

Peter Prochnow and Dr. Charles Ore will lead the sessions.

Also included in the schedule of events is a hymn festival and organ recital by Dr. Charles Ore ’58 and Paul Soulek ’07.

Bulldog Classic Golf Tournament at Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln, Neb. July 27 Register online at www.cune.edu/golfclassicpayment

“First Day of College” Photos July 23 and 30—Jump Start Days Aug. 10, 17 and 24—Weekend of Welcome (wow) Welcome for new students and their families sponsored by the Concordia Alumni Association.

Annual Alumni Athletic Events—Volleyball, Football and Soccer Visit www.cune.edu/athletics for game times and locations.

Fan Appreciation Day Tailgate BBQ and Football Game Aug. 25—Bulldog football vs. Benedictine College

lcms Fall Professional Church Work Conferences in select Districts Visit the Concordia University, Nebraska exhibit for your alumni gift and attend special gatherings as scheduled with the district conference committees.

Musical Arts Day Concert in the Walz Human Performance Complex arena Oct. 26 Visit www.cune.edu/music for further details and scheduling.

Family Weekend Nov. 2–4 Families of Concordia students are invited to visit campus, attend classes, special arts presentations, athletic events and much more. See firsthand what your student’s daily life is like! For complete schedule and featured events visit www.cune.edu/FamilyWeekend

Lutheran Hour Ministries Reformation Service Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Walz Human Performance Complex arena. Celebrate the heritage of the Reformation with Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Greg Stultz, the University A Cappella Choir and Brass Ensemble.

Concordia’s Founders Day Celebration—Chapel Service and Reception Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Christmas at Concordia Concerts and Holiday Buffet Dinner Dec. 7–9 Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 Concerts at 3 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 with Holiday Buffet Dinner between concerts Concert at 3 p.m. on Dec. 9 Note change of weekend and additional Friday evening concert. Online registration will be available Nov. 1. Visit www.cune.edu/ChristmasatConcordia

Scholarship Parade of Homes Dec. 9 from 12 to 5 p.m. Tour Seward area homes all decked out for the holidays and support the efforts of alumni and friends to raise scholarship funds. Online registration available Nov. 1. Visit www.cune.edu/SPOH

Lutheran Invitational Tournament Jan. 4–5 in the Walz Human Performance Complex arena

62nd Annual Concordia Invitational Tournament Jan. 25–26, 2013 Come cheer on the Bulldogs in the Walz Arena when Concordia hosts this annual tradition of basketball, alumni gatherings and inter-collegiate competition. Special CIT weekend alumni events: • AthleticHallofFameInducteesBreakfast,Saturday,Jan.26at8:30a.m. • All-AlumniReceptionbetweentheSaturdayConsolationandChampionshipgames,3:30–5:30p.m. Games begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan.25 and at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26. Visit www.cune.edu/CIT for complete schedule information.

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Homecoming & Alumni Reunion October 12–14, 2012

For a pdf document of this form and for the latest information, visit www.cune.edu/homecoming

Contact the alumni office at 800-535-5494, ext. 7408, or via email at [email protected] with questions.

Please return by Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 or register online beginning Aug. 1.

Attendee Information (Please PRINT. Note name as it should appear on badge.)

Name ___________________________________________________ Class Year(s) ______________________

Name ___________________________________________________ Class Year(s) ______________________

Street Address _____________________________________________________________________________

City _________________________________ State _____________________ Zip _______________________

Phone ( ) ________________________________ Email _________________________________________ For confirmation of reservation and credit transactions

Honored Reunion Year College & Concordia High School Classes of 1937, ’42, ’47, ’52 and ’62

The Concordia medallion is a special engraved memento of your years at Concordia.

Members of the above honored reunion classes may order the medallion. ______ x $25 = $ _________

Please indicate which year(s) to engrave ______________________________________

Events Requiring Registration and/or Tickets

See the complete schedule of events online at www.cune.edu/homecoming Name tag(s), event tickets and a detailed schedule with locations of events will be included in your packet at registration. Please fill in the number of people attending each event below. All prices include tax.

Friday, Oct. 12

chs and ctc Classes of ’37 through ’62 Reunion Lunch (complimentary) Number attending ________

Music Reunion Reception (complimentary) Number attending ________

“Welcome Home to Concordia” President’s Reception/Social Hour (complimentary) Number attending ________

chs ’62 Golden Reunion Dinner ______ x $15 = $ ______________

Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet ______ x $15 = $ ______________

Advance tickets: adults, $15; 4–12 yrs., $8.50; 3 and under, free ($17 and $10 at registration) ______ x $ 8.50 = $ ____________

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Number attending ________

Saturday, Oct. 13Breakfast with the President ______ x $10 = $ ______________

Advance tickets: adults, $10; 4–12 yrs., $6.50; 3 and under, free ($12 and $8 at registration) ______ x $6.50 =$ _____________

Alumni Awards Program Number attending ________

Old-Fashioned Pre-Game Tailgate Barbecue on the Bulldog Stadium Concourse ______ x $10 = $ ______________

Advance tickets: adults, $10; 4-12 yrs., $6.50; 3 and under, free ($12 and $8 at registration) ______ x $6.50 =$ _____________

TOTAL $

Payment Options

Check enclosed (made payable to Concordia University, Nebraska) Check number ___________________________Visa MasterCard American Express (circle 0ne) Credit card number _________________________________________ exp. date ________________________ Name as it appears on card (please print) _________________________________________________________ Please note: There is a $2 credit card processing fee.

Register online at cune.edu/homecoming beginning Aug. 1 ORMail entire page and payment by Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, toConcordia University, Nebraska, Attn: Homecoming Registration–Weller 206800 N. Columbia Ave.Seward, NE 68434

Homecoming 2012 Registration Form—Register online at www.cune.edu/homecoming. 51 alum

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Friday, Oct. 128 a.m. Golf Outing (Contact scc; 402.643.6659; mention Concordia for reduced rate)8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Visit Day for prospective students (register online at cune.edu/VisitDay)8–9 a.m. Visit Day Registration – tlec Mainstreet9:30 a.m. Chapel10–5 p.m. Homecoming & Reunion Registration/Check In – jcc Main Lobby10–11 a.m. Music Department Reunion Round Table Discussions 11:30 a.m. Golden Years Reunion Lunch – complimentary for current and former golden reunion alumni (reservations required)1–3 p.m. Alumni Pictorial Historical Revue – tlec Auditorium1–2 p.m. Music Department Reunion Round Table Discussions 1:30–4 p.m. Campus Open House – Wander the halls, visit with faculty and students, see the latest at Concordia! 1:30–3 p.m. Heritage Society Reception & Presentation – Link Library3 p.m. Guided Campus Tour – leaves from jcc Main Lobby3:30–4:30 p.m. Gala Recital featuring Faculty/Ensembles/Students – Music Building5–6 p.m. Music Reunion Reception (reservations required)5–6 p.m. Welcome Home Social Hour (reservations requested)6 p.m. chs Class of ‘62 Dinner & Class Meeting – Seward Country Club (reservations required)6–7 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet (reservations required)7–9 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Program

Saturday, Oct. 138 a.m. Breakfast with the President (reservations required)9 a.m. “Concordia’s Top 10 – What Are Yours?” – Pres. Brian Friedrich 9:30–11 a.m. Alumni Awards Presentation 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Homecoming Fair11 a.m.–12 p.m. Organ Hymn Sing/Recital Featuring Dr. Charles Ore and Paul Soulek12 p.m. Music Reunion Group photo – Recital Hall12–1 p.m. Alumni Pictorial Historical Revue – Walz hof or Viewing Suite12:30–1 p.m. Honored Years Class pictures in Walz11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Pre-game bbq Tailgate (reservations are required)1 p.m. Football Game (tickets are needed)5 & 7 p.m. Women’s and Men’s Soccer 5–8 p.m. Class Reunion Get-togethers (see cune.edu/homecoming for location and host details)9 p.m.–midnight Homecoming Dance

Sunday, Oct. 14 8:30 a.m. Worship at St. John (A Cappella/Brass Ensemble featured)

Visit www.cune.edu/Homecoming for the complete schedule with times and locations.

Homecoming & Alumni Reunion Schedule of Events

Church Worker of the YearRonald J. Royuk

chs ’59 and co ’63

Lay Worker of the YearGerrod K. Lambrecht ’97

Young Alumnus of the YearKurt M. Jostes ’07

Lifetime Service AwardDr. Charles W. Ore ’58 Dr. Leah M. Serck ’58

Dr. Theodore R. von Fange chs ’35, co ’38, co ‘41

Partners in Mission and Ministry Award

Duane H. co ’74, gr ’89 and Mary E. (Cash) Hilgendorf

co ’73, gr ‘89

Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Jerold D.chs ’62, co ’70, gr ’77 and

Karen J. (Fredericks) Markin co ’84

Friend of Concordia AwardFred Schmidt

Honorary Alumni AwardJeffrey A. Craig-Meyer

Honored Year Reunion Guests50th Reunion of the chs Class of 196275th Reunion of the Class of 1937*70th Reunion of the Class of 1942*65th Reunion of the Class of 1947*60th Reunion of the Class of 1952*40th Reunion of the Class of 1972*30th Reunion of the Class of 198225th Reunion of the Class of 198720th Reunion of the Class of 199210th Reunion of the Class of 20025th Reunion of the Class of 2007

*College and Concordia High School

Concordia Nebraska Alumni Association

Alumni Awards

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Vic Peter ’56Matt List ’91

Rachael Geidel Burger ’01Jennifer Davis Schwartz ’05

1991–92 Men’s Basketball Team

Walter O. Bartels hs ’39 co ’52 celebrated 70 years of ministry and his 90th birthday. After retiring from teaching and his position as principal at Immanuel Lutheran in Albuquerque, n.m., he continues to serve

as organist, choir member and Workday participant.

Ernest Freudenburg hs ’64 co ’69and his wife, Kathy, of Rochester, Minn., will serve as directors of Adult Lutherans Organized for Action at Colorama Lutherhostels I and II,

held at the Heartwood Retreat Center in Trego, Wis., the weeks of Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. aloa identifies and serves the needs and interests of Lutheran senior adults.

Dr. John Fricke ’66 was appointed as adjunct curator at the Michigan State Entomology Museum. His wife, Karen Maurer ’66 Fricke, volunteers at Sparrow hospital. The Frickes live in East Lansing, Mich.

Dr. David Polnick hs ’68 co ’72 is publishing a book in honor of his wife Mary Ann Meimerstorf ’73 Polnick. Mary Ann died Feb. 3 after a three-year battle with frontotemporal dementia. David is a retired superintendent of the Abilene Independent School District. Mary Ann taught for 35 years.

Marilyn Marcinco ’69 Kent co-authored Perpetually Preying Praying Mantis. Kent retired after 36 years as a teacher.

Warren Frank ‘70 played John Bergfeld in the movie Walther produced by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He directed the musical The Fantasticks for Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, Ill., His wife, Ann Voges ‘71, was the musical director.

Rev. Thomas Chopp ’72 of Monroe, Wis., offered the invocation at a rally for Senator Rick Santorum on March 27. He presented Santorum a Risen Christ Crucifix imported from

Germany as a welcoming gift to Wisconsin.

Rev. Dr. James R. Thomas ’72 was granted tenure by the board of directors of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, s.c., on March 9. He is the associate professor of church and ministry, the North Carolina Men in Mission professor of Bible and mission and the director of African Descent Outreach.

Cassandra Jones ’72 Wagener received the outstanding educator of the year from the Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Wagener,

in her 36th year of teaching, currently teaches third grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Waconia, Minn.

John Reeb hs ’73 co ’77 earned his doctorate in ministry leadership from Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, Ind., in March 2011. Reeb lives in Colorado with his wife, Deborah Thome ’78 Reeb.

Raymond L. Mueller’s ’74 donation of a kidney on April 3 began a chain that resulted in four transplants on that day. He is a self-employed video producer and lives with his wife, Mary Beth, in Stanhope, n. j. They have three children: Hannah, Luke and Grace.

Randy Einem ’76 was honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as one of the nation’s 61 best elementary and middle school

principals. Einem is principal of St. John’s Lutheran School in Orange, Calif., and chairman of the National Lutheran School Accreditation’s executive board. He and his wife, Karen Graft ’76 Einem, have one daughter, Tracey.

James Sollenberger ’76 received the 2012 Reams Family Award for Excellence in Teaching. He teaches sixth grade

at St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Columbus, Ind.

Gwen Bedient ’78 joined the u.s. Foreign Service in March 2010 as a member of the 112th Specialist class, serving at the u.s. embassy in Algiers, Algeria. In September she will move to the u.s. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, France.

Michael Heidtbrink ’78 represented the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans southwest region in El Salvador in May. He resides in San Diego with his wife, Elaine ’79 Malotky, and

three children. Their oldest son, Seth Heidtbrink ’10, teaches at Heartland Lutheran in Grand Island, Neb.

Terry Wetzel ’79 is a 2011 Texas Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. He is a major league baseball scout with the Colorado Rockies.

Kim Weinhold co ’81 gr ’95 Marxhausen won the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award and is working on a doctorate in educational psychology at unl. She also teaches in Concordia’s early childhood master’s program.

David Steinbacher ’83 was selected as the 2012 Science Teacher of the Year by the Academy of Science in St. Louis, Mo., and memc Electronic Materials. He teaches at Lutheran High School in St. Charles County, Mo.

Dr. Douglas Tewes ’83 and wife, Denise, announce the adoption of a daughter, 12-year-old Kristina Elizabeth from the Ukraine. Pictured with Kristina and her parents is the Tewes’ son, Tom.

Joy Malchow ’89 Barefoot and husband, Tom, rejoiced in the birth of their son, Luke Daniel, on June 22. Luke was welcomed by big sister, Rachel. Joy works at Divine Shepherd

Nursery, and Tom coaches volleyball and substitute teaches for Omaha and Bellevue Public Schools.

Peter Morkert ’90 successfully defended his dissertation on Traits of Successful School Principals on July 27, 2011, at Argosy University in Phoenix, Ariz. He currently serves as principal of Madison Rose Lane School in Phoenix.

Sherry Moentmann CO ’93 GR ’01 has completed her second master’s degree. She earned a Master of Arts in English from Pittsburg State University in July 2011. She is an adjunct English instructor at two different higher education institutions.

Geoffrey Heinicke ’97 graduated with a master in public health degree in health management and policy from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. He is now the environmental health manager for Plano, Texas.

Lisa Holloway ’97 O’Brien is the 2012 Lutheran Education Association’s Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Administrator. She works as an administrator at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran School in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Michael Weider ’98 and Sarah Blakley ’97 Weider taught in Indonesia for four years. Michael is now enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in the alternate route program. Michael and

Sarah have three children: Gabriel, Sheralynn and Bethany.

Elizabeth Krenz ‘99 married Ryan Laux on Nov. 26, at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Mich. Lisa teaches first grade at St. Lorenz and Ryan drives a semi for the local flour mill.

April Fett co ’99 gr ’06 Reed announces the birth of twin boys, Tyler and Nicholas, on April 23, 2011.

Jered Sprecher ’99 was a visiting artist and lecturer at the University of Iowa Art Building West in February. He teaches at the University of Tennessee and received a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship award in 2009. He is married to Christine Bergt ’98 Sprecher.

Jessica Dawson ’00 Mouis and husband, Keith, welcomed twin daughters, Mylee Ann and Bella Rae, Sept. 22. The family resides in Yorkville, Ill., where Jessica is a special education teacher at Cross Lutheran, and Keith

is a senior loan officer for Mortgage Services III.

ALUMNINOTES

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Christine Otte ’08 married Brad Ekberg of Osmond, Neb., July 1, in Denver, Colo. The couple resides in Pierce, Neb., where Christine is a director of Christian education at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norfolk.

Heidi Bartlett ’09 was accepted to graduate school at the University of Iowa. Her Master of Fine Art emphasis will be in intermedia and drawing.

David Hasseldahl ’09 and Lisa Piel were married on July 9 in Marengo, Ill. Parents of the groom are Cindy (Moderow) Hasseldahl ’80 and Greg Hasseldahl ’81. Also in the wedding was the groom’s brother, Kevin Hasseldahl ’06. David and Lisa teach at Zion Lutheran School in Marengo, Ill.

Carson Stokebrand ’09 graduated in August from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Master of Arts degree in journalism with an emphasis in broadcasting. Stokebrand received the Hitchcock Graduate Fellowship award for his documentary project which explored undocumented immigration in Nebraska.

Charista Zehnder ’10 Baye graduated with a master’s in business administration from Creighton University in May. She plans to start her own business.

Ashton Mueller ’10 and Brett Waite ’11 were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward on January 3. Ashton edits grant proposals at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Brett is completing additional degrees in

math and physics at Concordia. The Waites live in Seward.

Meghann Pinter ’10 and Nicholas Yosten ’11 were married June 25, 2011 in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee. They now live in Farmington, Mo., where Meghann teaches fifth grade at St. Paul Lutheran School, and Nick works in siding construction.

Mary Lou Benesch gr ’07 will represent the Plains Region on a teacher advisory panel for the International Reading Association. This is Benesch’s 17th year teaching

at Dodge-Howells Elementary School in Schuyler, Neb.

Constance Kruse ’07 and Captain Bryan Powell, U.S. Air Force Reserve, were married in Raleigh, n.c., on 11.11.11. They won a Veteran’s Day wedding through Operation

Marry Me Military. The Powells reside in Atlanta, Ga.

William ’07 and Kristen Peters ’08 Newell announce the birth of Josiah Phillip on Dec. 12. Josiah weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz.

Jonathan Jank co ’08 gr ’11 and Christopher Whirrett ’08 achieved a world record by coordinating efforts to play 80 hours, 30 minutes and 15 seconds of Ultimate Frisbee.Whirrett went on to establish a flying disk company. Jank is director of economic development for Seward County, Neb.

In MemoriamGeorge Bluma hs ’33 co ’49

Alwin Wied hs ’35 co ’38 gr ’48W. Edmund Hafemeister hs ’36 co ’39

Elizabeth Kutsch Brandt ’37Iddo Heinicke hs ’41

Lawrence Dittmar ’42David Moeller ’42

Rhoda Roemhildt Swonger ’45Paul Hillmann ’46

Lois Schormann Evans hs ’47 co ’64Duane Blobaum ’48Kenneth Seevers ’49

Edward Lochmoeller ’51Darlene Kollmorgen Oerman hs ’51

Esther Hembd Todd ’51Gail Hummel ’54

Dennis Sprandel ’56William Ebel ’57

Pauline Franz Day ’58Sandy Weich Cates ’61

Virginia Hufnagel Dowding-Thelen ’61Ernest Quillen ’61Robert Esch ’62

Erlyne Rupprecht Ernst ’62Ronald Pfluger ’64

Ardis Gnewuch Radintz ’64Larry Lebrecht ’65Lynn Niemeier ’65Richard Luttrell ’68

Lynn Ponivas ’69Jerald Heuer ’70

Dennis Meyer ’71Michael Moddelmog ’71

John Pride ’72Mary Meimerstorf Polnick ’73

Robert Ziegler ’75Mike Light ’77

Cynthia Stolte Tysdahl ’77Sandrel Knight Lakoh ’81

Gene Prussman ’88Laura Genter Geske ’96

Kirk McCoy ’96Kathy McConaughey Starr ’05

C.W. Allerheiligen Honorary Alumnus

Brady Gurganious ’00 and wife, Lark, welcome Ruth Eloise, born Feb. 12. Brother, Noah, and sister, Miriam, are excited to have a little sister.

Dr. Korrey Klein ’01 and wife, Alana, announce the birth of a son, Tucker James, on Oct. 8.

Jill R. Naeve ’02 Lorenz released the book, Remembered Always: Our American Soldier, on Dec. 13. She works as a poet and day care provider in Columbus, Neb., where she lives with her family.

Aaron ’03 and Maria Schardt ’03 Castens celebrated the birth of Brielle Barbara on April 11. Brielle was welcomed by big sister, Lexi. Aaron works for the Crohn’s

and Colitis Foundation of America, and Maria teaches math at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas, Nev.

Michael Kipp ’05 began as director of Christian education at Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, Wis., in February. He serves as director of youth and families and assists with the music program.

About Alumni NewsConcordia welcomes news of alumni accomplishments and other milestones in the lives of alumni. Alumni news needs to be submitted directly by the featured alumni rather than a third party. When submitting a death notice, please send a copy of the obituary, if possible, and include the names and class years of any survivors who attended Concordia, Nebraska. All submitted items may be edited. Address updates can be made at www.cune.edu/broadcaster.

Send submissions to [email protected] or, by post, to Concordia University, Nebraska, Alumni News, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward, Nebraska, 68434.

Photos are welcome, whether printed or digital versions. Photos will not be returned. When possible please send your photograph as a jpeg attachment along with your email submission of news. A submitted digital photo should have a minimum of 1200 pixels on its longest side. We encourage photos with the alumni in the picture. Please note that sending an image does not guarantee its publication. Please submit items for the winter 2012 issue by Oct 1. .54 al

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Class Endowment UpdateTotal Gifts & Pledges as of May 31, 2012

Class of 1932 Endowment – $259,521 Class 1933 Scholarship Project Endowment – $111,662 Class of 1941 Endowment – $149,192 Class of 1946 Church Worker Endowment – $94,584 Class of 1948 Endowment – $13,959 Class of 1950 Scholarship Endowment – $23,190 Class of 1952 Endowment – $52,284 Class of 1956 Scholarship Endowment – $31,919 Concordia High School Class of 1956 Endowment – $27,412 Concordia High School Class of 1957 Endowment – $19,173 Class of 1958 Scholarship Endowment – $13,765 Class of 1959 Scholarship Endowment Fund – $47,570 Class of 1960 Scholarship Endowment – $28,887 Class of 1961 Scholarship Endowment – $39,150 Class of 1962 Church Work Scholarship Endowment – $12,810 Concordia High School class of 1962 Scholarship Endowment – $23,882 Class of 1970 Scholarship Endowment – $18,645 Class of 1972 Endowment – $38,174

. . .

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CalendarVisit www.cune.edu/events for the most recent schedule and ticket information. Home openers and major meets or tournaments are listed below for athletics.

July 27 Bulldog Golf Classic, Hillcrest Country Club, Lincoln

August 24–26 Weekend of Welcome (wow) for new students 25 Football home opener vs. Benedictine, 6 p.m. 26 Opening service, St. John Lutheran Church, 7 p.m. 27 Fall Term Begins 27 The Original Art Show: Celebrating the Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration open through Sept. 28, Marxhausen Gallery

September 1 Men’s soccer home opener vs. William Woods, 3 p.m. 6 Observatory Open House, Osten Observatory, 9–10:30 p.m. 7 The Original Art Show reception, Marxhausen Gallery, 1–4 p.m. 11 Community Blood Bank Blood Drive, Cattle Conference Room, Janzow Campus Center, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. 11 Volleyball home opener vs. Doane, 6/7:30 p.m. 15 Cross Country at Woody Greeno Invite, Lincoln, 10 a.m. 19 Women’s soccer home opener vs. York, 5 p.m. 20–22 Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival 21 Plum Creek Play Performance, Studio Theatre, 7 p.m. 23 Music Faculty Showcase Recital, Recital Hall, 3 p.m. 28 IMPROVables Performance, Studio Theatre, 7:30 & 9 p.m. 30 Judgment and Grace: The Story of Noah from the Collection of Carl Rehwaldt, open through Nov. 10, Marxhausen Gallery

October 4 Osten Observatory Open House, 8–9:30 p.m. 5–6 Experience Art Day, Brommer Art Center 7 Judgment and Grace: The Story of Noah from the Collection of Carl Rehwaldt opening reception in Marxhausen Gallery from 1–4 p.m. with exhibit talk at 2 p.m. 12 Visit Day for prospective students, visit www.cune.edu/VisitDay to register 12–14 Homecoming, Alumni Reunion Weekend, see pages 49–51 19 Fall Break 26 Musical Arts Day Concert, Walz Arena, 7 p.m. 28 Symphonic Band & Concert Band concert, Hillcrest E-Free Church, 3 p.m.

November 1 Chamber Orchestra Concert, Recital Hall, 7 p.m. 1 Osten Observatory Open House, 8–9:30 p.m. 2 Women’s basketball home opener vs. McPherson, Walz Arena, 8 p.m. 2 Into the Woods Performance, Weller Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 2–4 Family Weekend, see pages 38-39 3 Into the Woods Performance, Weller Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 4 Lutheran Hour Ministries Reformation Service, Walz Arena, 3 p.m. 4 Into the Ashes II: Recent Drawings by Marlene Mueller open through Dec. 17, Marxhausen Gallery 9 Visit Day for prospective students, visit www.cune.edu/VisitDay to register 9 Into the Woods Performance, Weller Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 9–10 Concordia basketball hosts Cattle Classic 16 Founders Day chapel, 9:30 a.m. 17 Men’s basketball home opener vs. Mount Marty, Walz Arena, 4 p.m. 19–23 Thanksgiving Recess 29 Wrestling opening home dual vs.York College, 7 p.m.

December 2 Senior thesis opening reception in Marxhausen Gallery from 1 to 4 p.m. with artists’ talk at 2 p.m. 7 Visit Day for prospective students, visit www.cune.edu/VisitDay to register 7 Christmas at Concordia concert, St. John Lutheran Church, 7 p.m. 7 IMPROVables Performance, Studio Theatre, 7:30 & 9 p.m. 8 Christmas at Concordia concerts, St. John Lutheran Church, 3 & 7 p.m. 9 Scholarship Parade of Homes, Seward, 12–5 p.m. 9 Christmas at Concordia concert, St. John Lutheran Church, 3 p.m. 14 Winter JazzFest, Weller Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 16 Handbell Concert, Recital Hall, 3 p.m. 16 Advent Service, St. John Lutheran Church, 7 p.m. 17 University Concert Band Concert, Weller Auditorium, 7 p.m.

January 4–5 Lutheran Invitational Tournament (lit) 14 Spring term begins 14 isms: Concordia’s Permanent Collection in Context open through Feb. 15, Marxhausen Gallery 19–20 Indoor Track hosts PolarDog Indoor Meet 19–20 Sleet and Snow Forensics Invitational 21 Visit Day for prospective students, visit www.cune.edu/VisitDay to register 24–26 Men’s and Women’s basketball hosts Concordia Invitational Tournament 27 isms: Concordia’s Permanent Collection in Context opening reception from 1 to 4 p.m. in Marxhausen Gallery with exhibit talk in Thom Leadership and Education Center Auditorium at 2 p.m.

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