Fitting in at Concordia 4

fall 2006 volume 83 no. 2

Academy for Excellence 8 100th Commencement 20

Broadcastermagazine of Concordia University, Nebraskath

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summer 2007 volume 84 no. 1

fitting inat Concordia

fitting inat concordia

fitting inat Concordia

at Concordia

fitting in

Broadcastersummer 2007 volume 84 no. 1

The Broadcaster is published by the Marketing & Communication Office, Concordia University, Nebraska to alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends of the university. Owned and operated by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.The Broadcaster welcomes reader ideas and suggestions. Visit us online at www.cune.edu/Broadcaster.

Concordia University Board of Regents Rev. Dr. David Block, Mesa, Ariz. Dr. Paul Burger, Kearney, Neb. Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb. William Hartmann, Seward, Neb. Dr. Vance Hinrichs, Lincoln, Neb. Virginia Hughes, Seward, Neb. A. William Kernen, Omaha, Neb. Dr. Frederick Ohlde, Hortonville, Wis. Dr. Ronald Pfeiffer, Memphis, Tenn. Darla Rosendahl, Omaha, Neb. Cynthia Scheer, Wayzata, Minn. Dr. Andrew Smith, Dallas, Texas Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, Neb. Rev. Karl Ziegler, Bellevue, Neb.

Editor and Staff Photographer Dan Oetting ’87

Copy Editor Monique Peetz

Graphic Designer Lisa Nickolite

Contributing Writers Emily Barlean ’09 Lisa Bennett Coryn Berkbigler Jan Koopman co ’69, gr ’75 Lucas Mohrman Dan Oetting ’87 Monique Peetz Kristy Plander ’00

Contributing Photographers Dennis Hubbard Jan Koopman co ’69, gr ’75 Lucas Mohrman Dan Oetting ’87

Director of Marketing & Communication Kristy Plander ’00

Vice Presidentfor Institutional Advancement Pete Kenow ’88

Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing Dr. Jean Jones

Preparing Servant Leaders for Church and World

800 North Columbia AvenueSeward, Nebraska 68434www.cune.edu800 535 5494

Contents

Fitting In At Concordia 4

Academy for Excellence 8

Years of Service 9

Faculty and Staff 10

Concordia Scene 12

Athletics 16

100th Commencement 20

Homecoming 21

Alumni 24

On the cover: Who’s true blue? Ryan Zulkoski ’08 (nearest),

Andrew Koepp ’09 and Tysen Johnson ’09 went blue for a Spring

Weekend performance in 2006.

the joys and challeges of service

president's message �

Brian L. FriedrichPresident and ceoConcordia University, Nebraska

“My time at Concordia climaxed when I made the choir. God used that opportunity for me to move closer to him. He was always there but I decided to ignore his desire to be close to me until I saw and felt him in the music we made in that rehearsal room and in our performances.”

“I am a very sports-oriented person and I’m big into coaching,” he continued. “Most people that I work with now are shocked when they hear that I was in a college choir. Of all my accomplishments in life, being in the choir while at Seward is one that I’m most amazed about and very proud of.”

Fitting into an academic community doesn’t just happen. It takes work: hard work by and on behalf of many, many people. We realize that ultimately the work of “fitting in” at Concordia is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of people as He guides and leads faculty, students and staff to serve and learn in this place. The outcomes we experience through what takes place here day after day are phenomenal. Thank you for joining me in thanking God for all He is doing to build and nurture a community where students not only

“fit in” but in so doing are prepared to serve and lead in church and world.

One of the hallmarks of a Concordia University, Nebraska education is community. As the 113th academic year came to a close I received two letters that again reinforced for me the power of our Lutheran, Christian higher education community. Allow me to share quotes from the letters with you.

A father of a 2007 graduate wrote: “We thank you for providing such a rich Christian learning environment where so many young people can grow, excel and be prepared for future study and service in our church and in many other occupations…Sir Winston Churchill best summed up our gratitude to Concordia in these words: ‘so much…has been owed by so many…to so few!’ Thank you again for these past four years at Concordia!”

Communities—students!—thrive in a shared and supportive environment. That environment is built and reinforced by, among others, a faculty that cares, challenges and inspires. Concordia, I am proud to say, has that sort of faculty.

Community should also result in growth. An alumnus recently shared with me how God worked in his life when he was invited to be a member of the University A Cappella Choir:

Building community at Concordia

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Concordia’s class of 2011, this year’s incoming freshmen, has been getting a jump on getting to know each other. They’ve been talking—writing actually—to each other online since April. Times have changed when you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas to meet 80 of your fellow classmates.

The tool they have been using is Facebook.com. When students sign up for Facebook they have a Web page on which to display a photo of themselves and list their interests. They can also create and join Facebook groups dedicated to a special purpose, like being part of Concordia’s incoming freshman class.

“I have a feeling Facebook is bringing people together sooner than if we had to wait until the fall,” said incoming freshman Jennette Morrison. “I actually was friends with my roommate [on Facebook] before I even knew she was my roommate.”

“The Facebook phenomena is something you need to understand to know how students these

days relate to each other,” said Kristy Plander, director of marketing and communication at Concordia. “About 85 percent of college students use it, and now more high school students are rushing to sign up as well.”

These days it’s just a regular part of fitting in. Once the new class members get their Concordia e-mail addresses, they are able to join an even greater number of Concordia-related Facebook groups, from the one for “art nerds” on campus to the praise group that meets on Wednesday nights to the group for anyone whose name is Emily.

For new students Facebook and other online social utilities add an interesting new wrinkle to fitting in at Concordia. It’s like having the combination of a Rolodex, dorm door dry erase board and personals advertisement for anyone who’s game enough to join in. All this before anyone even drives down the road to Seward and gets dibs on the side of the room with the tighter towel rack.

Fitting in at Concordia

A Spring Weekend team mugs for a photo in front of the “Son of Man be Free” sculpture in the middle of campus. Spring Weekend is one of the most beloved traditions at Concordia, and one that involves most students either as competitors or spectators.

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Destination SewardSo, the typical freshman will have said their cyber-hellos before they get to school. How about once they’ve made it to Seward?

Sophomore Tien-yi “Chris” Lih was raised in Oslo, Norway, a city of more than a half-million people. He made the adjustment to what he called the “quiet and relaxing” peacefulness of the Midwest.

“I learned to treat people in a nicer way since most of the people here are so nice,” he said.

Concordia’s hometown is Seward, Neb., population 6,427. Students from bigger cities may need to adjust to speed limits—the limit is 25 mph nearly everywhere—and the small-town sidewalk etiquette. All Seward pedestrians, mind you, have been created with the unalienable right to smile and say hello.

The big WOWOnce new students arrive on campus, the university’s Weekend of Welcome kicks off. Better known as wow, the Weekend of Welcome is a three-day event that brings first-year students and their parents to campus just prior to the academic year.

The first day of wow includes learning essential details—where to pick up a room key, how to look up a class schedule—and a round of welcomes from the university faculty and staff.

Following an evening picnic, parents say goodbye as their sons and daughters break into teams of new students for a two-day introduction to life at college.

The teams, each led by a wow leader and a resident assistant, choose the activities they’ll take on for the rest of the weekend: participating in a service project, getting to know the Seward community, cheering the Bulldogs, worshipping,

meeting professors, a shopping trip or just “hanging” with new friends.

The sooner new students can make connections and build relationships, explained Mary Oldenburg, director of student activities and student life education, the sooner they will feel a part of the Concordia community.

Some of the crucial relationships to form are between students who share the same floor. One of the common experiences of college life, true at Concordia as well, is that so many of the friends a freshmen makes live just down the hall.

“I have made so many good friends just by knowing the girls who lived in our hall,” said Anna Joy Holbird, sophomore. “David nw Pit was fun to live on and I’ll never forget all the crazy, exciting things we did our first year.”

An academic life beginsNew students enter into the next phase of their transition to college life the day after wow ends. Classes begin, and among them will be General Studies 101, First-Year Seminar.

In the class, students sharpen their research, writing and discussion skills. Successful scholarly engagement with the material is the goal. At the same time, gs 101 professors make a point of getting to know freshmen quickly and helping them find resources to address questions and problems that might arise outside of class.

Often it’s not just a new student’s research skills that need honing. Sometimes it’s their juggling that needs work. Even the best-prepared students have to learn to integrate all of the new demands on their time and attention.

“During the first semester of my freshman year I really didn’t care much about when I went to bed,” said Caleb Kruse, sophomore.

“I’d get my homework done and then spend

Fitting-in moments: A student’s guide to the first weekID picture time And here you thought awkward photo moments were reserved for getting your driver’s license. Meet the floor mates Facebook shmasebook. No greater bond is made than with those who know you’ve just gotten a care package. The O-Show The deepest truths of life together at Concordia are expressed as kabuki theatre during this annual orientation event. Except no elaborate makeup, costumes, music or speaking in Japanese.

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time instant messaging friends from other colleges online until 1 or 2 a.m. I paid for that the next day when I had an early class.”

For the second semester, Kruse was determined to be in bed by midnight, and the self-discipline paid off. He did well in class, dated, ran track for the university and was a member of Concordia Singers.

“Time management is the biggest key. You’ve got to manage your time right or you’ll be left behind. If you don’t do it, you’ll fall behind in your homework and then your friends will wonder why you can’t hang out with them or wonder why you are always tired.”

Kruse’s advice for other students is to find the

right balance and the right habits in all areas of life. For Kruse that meant going to chapel on most days and attending Evening Prayer, a twice-weekly student-led prayer group.

“It helped me be connected with the Word and friends,” said Kruse.

Even the best-laid schemesFitting in at Concordia means being apart, for many students, from the support they could count on at home from their folks. Everything from dealing with a cold to changing majors is now in the student’s hands.

To ease the adjustment, Concordia staff members work as hard to prevent problems

Advice for parents, too“Helicopter parents” is a media buzz phrase for a new generation of mothers and fathers who have a tendency to hover over every move of their sons and daughters in college. And, according to Dean of Student Services Michelle Chaffee, Concordia’s campus is not immune.

Chaffee meets regularly with prospective first-year parents on Concordia Visit Days. In her talks with them she explains the types of changes they should expect in their offspring as they strive to become autonomous, mature young adults—a passage of life that can be more difficult when parents are hovering around every big and not-so-big decision.

Chaffee, an admitted recovering helicopter mom to four sons, encourages parents to give their college-aged sons and daughters room to grow. “You need to get to a point where a son or daughter has moved from being dependent on parents to being a functioning adult,” she tells parents.

Helicoptering as a parent shouldn’t, however, be confused with missing a son or daughter who has just started college. Sophomore Shawn Seevers’ parents live in Tokyo and would have struggled to be helicopter parents even if that was their goal. Seevers found out, though, that his parents might have missed him more than he thought during the fall of his freshman year.

“My dad called me at halftime of every [University of Nebraska football] game. Then my mom would call ... later to say, ‘Your father didn’t tell me he was calling again. Fill me in!’ Then proceeded to talk for two hours,” Seevers said.

Fitting-in moments: A student’s guide to the fall semesterLet the Floor Wars begin Pigs were not really meant to be greased. So what. It’s time to decide whether Timmy Top or Dorcas Pit really is the best floor after all. Homecoming Learn how to swing dance and wear blue face paint in the same week. Dude! Sweet! Go Bulldogs! A Concordia Christmas This is Concordia welcoming the Christ child. This is Concordia at its best.

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“By opening myself up more, I got to know

more people.”

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as they do to react to them when they occur.Academic support staff conduct workshops in time-management skills and students also have access to tutors and study groups.

Concordia’s health center provides information on a variety of topics, including healthy weight programs to combat the weight gain—the “freshman fifteen”—for which the first year of college has become known. Ongoing student surveys also help the health center identify health needs and gaps.

Concordia’s counseling office reaches a wide segment of the student body through stress management events, open houses, retreats, informa-tional materials, guest lectures and its Web pages.

A slightly higher percentage of first-year students make use of counseling services offered on campus than returning students.

“College is a wonderful and exciting experience, but different and demanding enough to prove frustrating and overwhelming at times,” said Rachel Murray, director of counseling at Concordia.

TransitionsNumbers show that Concordia ranks above the national average in freshman-sophomore year retention and that even those numbers are improving.

And like other universities, Concordia attracts its share of transfer students. Senior Jon McDaniel attended a military academy for two years prior to coming to Concordia.

“I am positive that it was God’s plan for me to go to the Air Force Academy to realize that Concordia, Nebraska was where He really wanted me to be,” said McDaniel.

McDaniel jumped into life at Concordia with

both feet, joining the University A Cappella Choir and the football team while working on a degree in secondary education.

McDaniel felt that it was well worthwhile taking on as much as he did in his first year at Concordia.

“I learned quite a few things in the classroom, but more outside of it,” he said. “The professors and students here at Concordia help promote a growing experience outside of the classroom.”

Does it feel like home yet?Ashley Lenz, senior, had set her mind on transferring away from Concordia for much of her freshman year.

She originally picked Concordia because of its strong graphic design program but had difficulty feeling settled at the university during her first year. She missed her friends and, as she put it, was feeling frustrated and “kind of rebellious.”

She didn’t want to open up to those around her at Concordia. More often than not, according to Lenz, she stayed in her dorm room rather than accepting invitations to go out with friends. She was having a hard time seeing the point.

Toward the end of her freshman year, she still intended to move on to another school, but took a different approach with fellow Concordians.

“I figured that it was the end of the year and that I should try to enjoy the time I still had here,” said Lenz. “By opening myself up more, I got to know more people.”

Lenz stuck with the approach that helped her feel like she felt at home at Concordia: She fit in when she let herself fit in.

Fast forward three years and now her friends at Concordia tease her about knowing

“everybody.”

Fitting-in moments: A student’s guide to the spring semesterConcordia Invitational Tournament weekend January road trip! Other schools have the audacity to play basketball and call themselves Concordia. Yes, they must be punished. Spring break Take your new best buddy home to meet your folks in Tulsa. Nice! Next year do a better job of saving up for Florida! Spring Weekend Concordia fun on a Brobdingnabian scale. And with a year of college under your belt, you know what Brobdingnabian means, right? In any case, nothing brings a campus together like synchronized swimming competitions in baby pools. All hail the Student Activities Council.

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More than 40 parochial junior high students visited campus March �0 with the sole purpose of trying to uncover the professor who had been dumping—so the story went—illegal chemicals on campus.

The students, taking part in Concordia’s inaugural Academy for Excellence, had been nominated by their schools for academic excellence, character and leadership qualities. The elaborate day of role-playing was designed so the students would absorb academic lessons in psychology, chemistry and environmental science while solving the environmental caper.

Concordia students pitched in as facilitators and actors. Several Concordia faculty members posed as potential suspects and most departments of the university contributed either by teaching mini-lessons or helping behind the scenes.

“I loved my character,” said Dr. Ron Bork, a suspect. “I haven’t done theatre since I was in sixth grade; so this role was unique for me.”

The junior high students, for their part, were able to interview the suspects, complete work in the field and run tests in the lab.

The day wrapped with a banquet where students shared their research and accused one of the suspects. Each student was inducted in the Academy for Excellence with a medallion and certificate. At the end of the evening the culprit, Assistant Professor Kris Kuhn, confessed to her crime.

“The work done on this was phenomenal,” said Kuhn. “I loved interacting with the young people and fielding their audacious questions.”

Next year’s academy is scheduled for April 18.

Academy for ExcellenceProfessor caught by middle school sleuths

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(Right) Student detectives uncover clues at the Founders Hall mock crime scene.

(Below, left to right) Parents and students tour campus as part of the academy experience.

Students conduct chemistry ex p e r i m e n t s to i d e n t i f y suspicious liquids found at one of three locations.

Mathematics professor Dr. Brian Albright explains key principles of logic.

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Dr. John “Jack” Kinworthy began teaching geography courses for the social science department at Concordia in 1969.

Teaching really is a two-way street. I chose teaching because I like the interaction with people and learning something new about God’s creation vis-à-vis the Earth and all its magnificence. The study of geography is not just that Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska or Mt. Everest is 2�,02� feet high. When you get people

interested in thinking about other parts of the world, other cultures, other systems of landforms and other climates, for a lot of them it clicks. Geography couples together both physical phenomena on the earth’s surface and cultural phenomena of how man uses parts of the earth.

I’ve learned a lot from our students as their energy and faith come through in the classroom and on almost 200,000 miles of u.s. study tours. They love the discipline; they want to extend their education and help in turn with public service and classroom teacher education service. We try to prepare leaders for the 21st century and our outstanding geography students going into the field will be doing exactly that because they can serve in the broader context.

I have been blessed with sharing this great adventure of teaching and learning with a lot of great colleagues. We are all here for the right reasons in terms of dedication to our students and to each other. I consider it a huge blessing and high honor for me to have been here for �8 years. And as I retire, I have lot of books to leave with the next person.

Dr. Shirley Bergman began the Lutheran Education Center on Aging on Concordia’s campus in 1�88. The center grew to become the Lutheran Institute on Aging and Family. Bergman also pioneered the master’s degree in family life ministry.

For me, it’s been just a joy to serve here. During my journey at Concordia, I have been gifted to work with outstanding faculty and administrative colleagues. One

person who made a very significant contribution to the family ministry program is Dr. Paul Vasconcellos. His commitment to family ministry and expertise made a huge impact in equipping family life ministers. Family ministry became a passion just as aging has always been a passion for me.

Family ministry strengthens families and individuals and is a difference-maker in congregations. When I see or read about the family ministries, sometimes I am moved to tears because it is just incredible what people are doing through the power of the Gospel. You hear about the challenges that they have in the church, and yet they have the gift of moving ahead and the passionate desire to serve.

There will also be multiple opportunities for people to serve in age-wave ministries. Often when people think about aging, they have the single mindset of frail older people as opposed to healthy mature people. Today we’ve been given this gift of an extra 10 to 20 years of life, and we need to think about how we might continue to equip people to gift some of that time for service ministries.

Kinworthy and Bergman reflect on years of service

10 faculty and staff

Numerous Concordia University, Nebraska faculty and staff, along with students, will be among those working behind the scenes at the 2007 National lcms Youth Gathering in Orlando, July 28 to Aug. 1.

Associate Professor of Art Paul Berkbigler will be in Orlando working with three of Concordia’s most talented design students, Michelle Roeber, Madelyn Lorenzen and Tannon Osten. The students will lay out the daily nyg newsletter and design elements for the website. “It has been a pleasure as their professor and as a professional designer to see the growth of their work and their working style as they’ve tackled the many aspects of this project so far,” said Berkbigler.

Another group of Concordia art students will work on two large-scale design projects for the nyg. The students produced a billboard to be displayed in Orlando and have created a projection of iconic buildings and monuments

Concordia well represented at LCMSNational Youth Gathering in Orlando

(Right) Michelle Roeber, Prof. Paul Berkbigler, Madelyn Lorenzen and Tannen Osten review National Youth Gathering design materials.

(Below) Prof. Kurt von Kampen will direct the National Youth Gathering honor choir during worship July 31.

from across America for the convention hall.Concordia’s Department of Music faculty

will also make a major contribution to the nyg. Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, chair of the Department of Music, has composed three pieces to be performed by the nyg honor wind symphony and honor choir.

Dr. Kurt von Kampen will direct the honor choir during the July �1 evening worship service. The honor choir, made up of youth from across the country, will be supported by Concordia’s own 16-member Chamber Choir.

Concordia’s admission and alumni offices will be present in full force, connecting with alumni and friends and sharing all that Concordia has to offer.

Orange will dot the convention hall on July �1 as all Concordia students, faculty, staff and other friends don Concordia T-shirts designed for the occasion.

faculty and staff 11

Kira Baldinger, instructor in photography, was a finalist in Photographer Forum’s Best of Photography 2006 Annual with her photo Abandoned Trailer Park. Baldinger’s product packaging for HobbyTown usa was given an Award of Merit at the 2007 Nebraska Bronze Quill awards, an annual awards program sponsored by the Lincoln, Neb., chapter of International Association of Business Communicators.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music and chair of the Department of Music, was joined by Dr. Charles Ore, professor emeritus of music, for a recital at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Neb. on April 22 for the St. John’s Organ Restoration Fund. The program included original compositions from both men as well as duets played with four hands and four feet. Blersch was also the featured recitalist at the opening hymn festival of the American Guild of Organists convention held in Lincoln in June.

James Bockelman, associate professor of art, was named one of two Merit Award winners of the 2007 Individual Artist Fellowships in Visual Arts by the Nebraska Arts Council. Awarded for his painting and drawing, Bockleman received $2,000 and will be part of an exhibition at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha in January 2008. Bockelman also completed a one-person exhibition at the Marxhausen Gallery of Art on campus in March titled Projekt Köln. Bockelman is now preparing for a one-person exhibition scheduled for fall 2007 in Berlin, Germany.

Dr. Renea Gernant, professor of communication, was elected vice-president of the National Parliamentary Debate Association. Following the organization’s procedure, she will assume the presidency in 2010. Gernant’s paper “The Emergence of Regional Culture and its Implications on the National Face of npda Debate” was accepted for presentation in the debate education division at

the National Communication Association Convention to be held in Chicago, Ill., in November. The paper examines the development of regional debate organizations and how they interact with national-level debate.

Dr. Joe Herl, associate professor of music, had a choral piece entitled Advent Alleluias published by MorningStar Music Publishers.

Dr. John Jurchen, assistant professor of chemistry, co-authored a chapter in a book dealing with ultra-sensitive bioanalysis. Published by Wiley, New Frontiers in Ultrasensitive Bioanalysis: Advanced Analytical Chemistry Applications in Nanobiotechnology, Single Molecule Detection, and Single Cell Analysis was edited by Xiao-Hong Nancy Xu. Jurchen worked with three other authors on the chapter entitled “Single Cell Measurements with Mass Spectrometry.”

Dr. Mark Meehl, professor of theology, along with two co-authors, Trude Dothan and Seymour Gitin, published a book covering the archeological digs in Biblical

Ekron entitled Tel Miqne-Ekron Excavations 1995–1996 Field INE East Slope Iron Age I (Early Philistine Period).

Ed Siffring, registrar, is current president of the Nebraska Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; he will pass the reigns in November to Kelly Rippen, a 2002 alumna who is now in admissions at Mid-Plains Community College in McCook, Neb.

Faculty & Staff Notes

As Concordia students Laura Bogenhagen and Bryan Merry read the comments submitted on the nomination forms for the Outstanding Teaching Award to the commencement ceremony audience, Dr. Kurt von Kampen, associate professor of music, did not think they were describing him.

It was not until Bogenhagen mentioned music and then choir that he realized what was going on. And then he was floored.

“This is unbelievable. I am humbled to be here,” von Kampen said during his comments following the announcement. He went on to thank the choirs he directs, his fellow faculty, his wife and the administration in their support of the arts at Concordia.

Kept a secret until the second ceremony, the annual award goes to a full-time member of Concordia’s faculty who is nominated by students and selected by a committee of students and faculty members who have previously received the award.

“This is such a surprise, and I am most honored because this award comes from the students,” he remarked afterwards. Von Kampen has been at Concordia since the fall of 1��8. He conducts the University A Cappella Choir, the Chamber Choir and the Concordia Singers.

Von Kampen honored with Outstanding Teaching Award

faculty and staff 11

12 Cconcordia scene

Reaching for the recordThis spring, Chris Whirrett, a Concordia senior, invited the campus to help break the world record for the longest ultimate Frisbee game. They began Thursday, April 1�, and clocked in at just under 7� hours before stopping very early Monday morning. Nearly 200 students helped in the effort, several of which contributed dozens of hours each.

Whirrett took up the challenge as part of his General Studies �01 course on servant leadership. As part of the attempt on the record, funds and awareness were raised for the Heifer Project International, a non-profit organization that gives livestock to impoverished people and teaches them how to care for the animals.

Players signed up to play for one or more hours, and many others simply came to the field and joined in. Players were swapped in after points had been scored.

Whirrett had set a goal of 80 hours in order to break a record claimed by Beloit College of just over 72 hours. A Sunday morning lightning storm took players off the field for just over an hour.

The Guinness Book of World Records does not yet keep track of records for ultimate Frisbee, but Whirrett has begun the paperwork—a hefty 10 pages worth—to get the category and the Concordia record recognized.

Action was still brisk in the 42nd consecutive hour of ultimate Frisbee competition. Chris Whirrett (center, right) attends to the roster, making sure to keep full teams on the field at all hours. Whirrett himself also played during 73 of 79 hours of the game.

Bonding in Bratislava and at the Black Box

In her last semester at Concordia, Greta Wendelin wanted a challenge and real-world experience. She found that in Slovakia.

Wendelin spent the semester at Evanjelicke Gymnazium Tisovec School, where her main responsibility was teaching first year English. She also worked with the debate team and felt her most rewarding experience was in March when six of the boys on the team participated in the English debates in Bratislava.

Five received speaker awards and one team won the tournament. “I was extremely proud,” Wendelin says, “it was a very, very good time getting to know some of the brightest students here a little better.”

Wendelin also became involved in youth ministry with Black Box, the nickname for a weekly youth group meeting with music and a Bible study led by David Fiala ’�� and Laurie Lenz. Black Box was especially a time to ask questions in a welcoming environment.

“Because of socialism, many families are not Christian,” said Wendelin. “So when these students come they often have little, if any, knowledge of Christianity.”

It was a moving experience for Wendelin, one that she believes she will carry with her for a lifetime. “The connections and bonds with those here have made a tremendous impression on me,” she said.

Communication major spends semester in Slovakia

Greta Wendelin poses with members of the Evanjelicke Gymnazium Tisovec School debate team during their trip to Bratislava.

Cconcordia scene 1�

Laughter and joy were the order of the day June 20 for the more than 260 attendees of Concordia’s eighth annual Early Childhood Education Conference. Attendees came from 12 states to hear keynote speaker Sharon MacDonald and learn from the experts in numerous sectionals.

“The most important thing is to remain calm,” MacDonald emphasized. “It reassures the children and lets them know you are still in charge.” She went on to explain techniques for keeping groups of young children focused and for teachers to maintain their own peace of

mind. “Sanity savers,” as MacDonald put it. To the delight of the attendees, every technique and classroom strategy came with a wry story from her decades of teaching experience.

“We have a dozen teachers with us today,” said the Rev. Robert Riggert ’70, executive assistant for education, youth and stewardship for the lcms Iowa West District.

“We came for the age-appropriate, Christ-centered resources we knew we could find to help us to continue excellent early childhood education in our district.”

Early childhood educators share laughter, lessons

Keynote speaker Sharon MacDonald shares her songs written for young children with those gathered for the June 20 Early Childhood Education Conference held on campus.

14 alumni news

Student NotesKayla Anderson was named Student Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska English

Language Arts Council. Anderson has been working in the classrooms of Seward High School to complete her student teaching requirements.

Kristen Bernhardt had a photo selected as a finalist and published in Photographer Forum’s Best of College Photography 2006 Annual.

Laura Bogenhagen was selected to receive the 2007 Eastern Nebraska Reading Council scholarship.

Jacob Cooper and Laura Knibbe were named co-winners of Concordia’s Wayne and Wanda Lillich Award for top students in graphic design.

Dayton Daberkow interned with Mike Flood, speaker of the Nebraska State Legislature.

Bryant Krieger interned with the Lincoln Saltdogs professional baseball team this summer. He worked in ticketing, merchandising, sales, guest relations, promotions and stadium operations.

Madelyn Lorenzen was given Concordia’s Outstanding Artist Award for proficiency in her graphic design concentration and also excelling in a broad range of studio arts.

Joshua Miesner and Teagan Earhart attended and performed at a master class at University of Nebraska-Kearney with Grammy Award-winning Scottish clinician, Evelyn Glennie.

Christopher Mizel and Whitney Stichka presented papers at the 27th Annual Great Plains Students’ Psychology Convention, in Wichita, Kan. They were the first Concordia students to present at the convention. Mizel’s presented his paper titled “An Exploration

of the Growth of the Mormon Church” and Stichka presented “A Quantitative Study of the Left-Brain/Right-Brain Theory.”

Kristen Peters, Erin Eitzmann and Kimberly Acker were awarded scholarships by the Department of Natural Sciences.

Megan Polson earned the Brommer Award, Concordia’s highest honor for artists who work

in a variety of media, demonstrate outstanding studio skills and exhibit Christian character.

Ana Salas and Rachel Schroeder placed third and sixth, respectively, in poetry interpretation at the National Christian College Forensics Association Championship.

Tim Shewmaker, Paul Soulek, Mark Kanitz and Audrey Herrmann participated in the annual student recital sponsored by the Lincoln Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. They joined five other students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Wesleyan University on the program.

Paul Soulek’s article “Hymn Playing 101: Empowering the Church’s Song” was featured in the April/May issue of Grace Notes, a publication of the American Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

The Nebraska Lambda Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, a communication and forensics honor society, inducted 16 new members:

MaryLou Andrews, Ruth Bartels, Amanda Broberg, Emily Bruntz, Dayton Daberkow, Alicia Foley, Elizabeth Hambrock, Alisha Hilpert, Corrie Johnson, Miranda Kamery, Jared Olson, Ashley Panwitz, Carrie Schardt, Kyra Schwartz, Rachel Simmons and Sally Wolff.

The Rho Omicron Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta English honorary society inducted five new members: Tiffany Glenn, Dustin Haider, Angela Pitkin, Rachel Schroeder and Rachelle Wilcox.

Four members of the Sower staff were honored with Golden Leaf Awards from the Nebraska Collegiate Media Association. Paul Fischer took first in the feature story category and Natalie Swanda took first in advertisement design. Second place for column writing went to Jessica Luebbe, and Zach Gunzelman was awarded third place in hard news/spot news story. The Concordia entries were judged against those from colleges with enrollments of less than 5,000 students.

The Concordia University, Nebraska Students In Free Enterprise team was named a regional champion at the sife usa Regional Competition in

Minneapolis, Minn. Judged on their projects and activities over the past year, five team members presented a report of the team’s community outreach projects to a panel of business leaders. The team advanced to the national sife competition in Dallas, Texas.

The artwork of 16 Concordia students was selected for New Generation 2006: The International Exhibition by Professors and Students of Graphic Design in New Generation held at Sangmyung University in Seoul, South Korea.

The theatre program was honored by the Alpha Psi Omega and Delta Psi Omega National Theatre Honorary Societies with the inclusion of selected performance photographs in Playbill, their annual journal. Concordia’s program has been included in Playbill each year for more than 20 years and was one of �1 selected groups.

The University A Cappella Choir released its third recording under the direction of Dr. Kurt von Kampen entitled The Light of Morning. The 1� tracks on the disc include selections from the repertoire of the past two A Cappella concert seasons with music representative of the Renaissance to present day.

Graduate studiesSavannaha Kern, master’s program in geography and planning, University of Akron, Ohio, scholarship and graduate assistantship

Sarah Kraft, master’s in social work, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration

Scott Walhaug, m.b.a. program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Leah Wisroth, master’s program in English, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., graduate teaching assistantship

Missionary work Heidi Greimann, missionary to Taiwan

Stephanie Rosburg, missionary to Papua New Guinea

Public school positions (current as of June 7, 2007) Marissa N. Kelly, Omaha Public Schools, 2nd grade teacher

Sophie L. Niemann, East Butler Public Schools, preschool teacher

14 concordia scene

alumni news 15

Synodical Church Work Placement List(May graduates; list is current as of June 7, 2007)

ARIzOnALitchfield Park, Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Korey D. Danley, dce; Tiffany Rodden Danley, 7th grade teacher

Phoenix, Christ Lutheran School, Allison M. Morton, preschool teacher and director

CALIfORnIAFremont, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Megan L. Loomis, dce

Hayward, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kayla A. Gutz, dce

Santa Cruz, Messiah Lutheran Church, Inese Pukste, dce

COLORADODenver, Denver Lutheran High School, Sarah J. Strohschein, social science teacher

Denver, St. John Lutheran School, Elisabeth A. Wright, 1st grade teacher

Lakewood, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mollie J. Fischer, dce

Longmont, Messiah Lutheran School, Melissa C. Nathan, 1st and 2nd grade teacher

fLORIDABrandon, Immanuel Lutheran School, Rebecca A. Mooney, 5th grade teacher

Ocala, St. John Lutheran School, Greta A. Gieseke, Spanish teacher

Orlando, Orlando Lutheran Academy, Tim M. Leech, religion and physical education teacher

IDAhOPocatello, Grace Lutheran School, Rebecca M. Shaffer, 2nd grade teacher

ILLInOISCollinsville, Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Susan K. Braunsroth, 6th grade teacher

Rochelle, St. Paul Lutheran School, Fredrick W. Wren, 6th grade social studies teacher

Rockford, Rockford Lutheran High School, Bethany Fale Pitman, English and religion teacher

IOWA Boone, Trinity Lutheran Church, Shannon R. Davis, �- and 4-year- olds teacher

Cedar Rapids, Bethany Lutheran Church, Ben Venteicher, dce

KAnSASIndependence, Zion Lutheran School, Jennifer Scheuring Seel, 1st and 2nd grade teacher

Topeka, Topeka Lutheran School, Andrea M. Gibson, 5th grade teacher

Wamego, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Paul White, dce

LOUISIAnA Gretna, Salem Lutheran School, Rehema B. Kavugha, music teacher

MIChIGAnRochester Hills, Lutheran High School Northwest, Molly J. Helmreich, music and English teacher

MInnESOTA Eagan, Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran School, Lindsey C. Flaten, 1st grade teacher

Hermantown, Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, Ruth Woltmann, dce

Lester Prairie, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jenna L. Hellbusch, dce

MISSOURICole Camp, Lutheran School Association, Sarah A. Sunderman, 7th and 8th grade math teacher

Columbia, Good Shepherd Lutheran School Stephen T. Gonzales, 5th, 6th and 7th grade teacher; Rachel E. Jackson, 1st grade teacher

Farmington, St. Paul Lutheran School, Kristin M. Zilm, 5th grade teacher

Gladstone, Northland Lutheran School Association, Lewis B. Evans, social studies teacher

Independence, Messiah Lutheran Church, Ken Broermann, dce

Kansas City, Lutheran High School of Kansas City, Daniel A. Bickel,

biology teacher; Amanda M. Forsberg, language arts and history teacher; Dustin O. Nelson, �th through 12th music teacher

St. Charles, Zion Lutheran School, Allison F. Raders, 1st grade teacher

St. Charles, Immanuel Lutheran School, Niccole M. Sedlmayr, preschool part-time teacher

St. Joseph, St. Paul Lutheran School, Trista A. Seeman, 5th and 6th grade teacher; Kayla J. Thole, �rd and 4th grade teacher

St. Louis, Lutheran Association for Special Education, Chelsea H. McTee, special education teacher

St. Peters, Lutheran High School of St. Charles County, Amber Morrison Maddick, art teacher

Wentzville, Immanuel Lutheran School, Elizabeth A. Rincker, science teacher

nEW MExICOLas Cruces, Mission Lutheran School, Kristen M. Pieper, 5th grade teacher

nEBRASKA Columbus, St. John Lutheran School, Mallary A. Gunnare, 6th, 7th and 8th grade teacher

Elkhorn, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Nicole Koenig, dce

Kearney, Zion Lutheran School of Kearney, Tracie L. King, 1st and 2nd grade teacher

McCook, Peace Lutheran Church, Erica L. Boleen, dce

Norfolk, Lutheran High Northeast, Sarah J. Dagel, math teacher

St. Libory, Zion Lutheran School, Courtney M. Glynn, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade teacher

Tilden, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Steven E. Dunn, dce

nEVADAReno, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Jonathan J. Kopecky, dce

nORTh CAROLInACary, Resurrection Lutheran School, Ruth Ahlman Lawson, preschool teacher

OKLAhOMABroken Arrow, Immanuel Christian Academy, Tabitha M. Hoffman, 5th grade teacher; Thad J. Sankey, 7th and 8th grade teacher

Edmond, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Heath L. Lewis, dce

TExASHarlingen, St. Paul Lutheran School, Jason T. Kuiper, 4th grade teacher; Megan R. Robertson, 5th through 8th social studies teacher

Houston, Trinity Lutheran Church, Jason Phelps, dce

Houston, Lutheran South Academy, Kristina R. Urban, pre-kindergarten teacher; Drew R. Urban, 6th grade geography and middle-level physical education teacher

McAllen, St. Paul Lutheran School, Katherine R. Jeppesen, music teacher; Kristin N. Matasovsky, 1st grade teacher;

McAllen, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Tim J. Shewmaker, dpm

UTAhSt. George, Trinity Lutheran School, Heidi K. Sanders, 7th and 8th grade teacher

WAShInGTOnSeattle, Amazing Grace Christian School, Victoria A. Preston, 2nd grade teacher

WISCOnSInGreen Bay, Pilgrim Lutheran School, Jonathan C. Himmler, 4th grade teacher

Jackson, Living Word Lutheran High School, Tim R. Gast, physical education and theology teacher

Portage, St. John Lutheran School, Ruth A. Bartels, 5th through 8th math and science teacher

Sheboygan, Trinity Lutheran School, Chelsea B. Durk, 4th grade teacher

Note: An updated synodical placement list of recent graduates will be available in early September at www.cune.edu/placements.

concordia scene 15

16 athletics athletics 17 16 athletics

athletics 17

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athletics 17 16 athletics

For the fourth consecutive year, Concordia led the Great Plains Athletic Conference in the number of naia Scholar-Athletes. Concordia, one of 1� gpac teams, accounted for 54 of 401 scholar-athletes in the conference.

In order to receive the honor, players must carry a cumulative grade point average of �.5 on a 4.0 scale and be junior or above in academic standing.

Concordia’s scholar-athletes for 2006-07: BaseBall

Todd Stahlecker, Junior, Lincolnville, Kan.Jon Mueller, Senior, St. Louis, Mo.Peter Ruhl, Senior, Exeter, Neb.

Softball Amanda Hehn, Senior, Ft. Collins, Colo. Christine Jeppesen, Senior, Pleasant Dale, Neb. Katherine Jeppesen, Senior, Pleasant Dale, Neb. Rachel Mol, Junior, Flint, Mich. Rebecca Shaffer, Senior, Lewisville, Texas

tenniS John Bussman, Junior, Cullman, Ala.Dean Flaten, Senior, Wayzata, Minn.Chelsey Bartels, Senior, Grand Island, Neb.

Men’S track Kyle Johnson, Senior, O’Neill, Neb. Kurt Jostes, Senior, Norfolk, Neb. Jonathan Rempfer, Junior, Newhall, Iowa Jonathan Ripke, Senior, Seward, Neb. Jacob Schmidt, Senior, Hickman, Neb.

WoMen’S trackErin Eitzmann, Junior, Superior, Neb. Lindsey Flaten, Senior, Mayer, Minn. Emly Hartmann, Junior, Seward, Neb. Hilary Powell, Senior, Columbus, Neb. Melissa Ruegg, Senior, St. Peters, Mo. Katie Werner, Senior, Syracuse, Neb.

Men’S baSketball Benjamin Buhr, Junior, Lincoln, Neb. Richard Schwartz, Senior, Westminster, Colo.

WoMen’S baSketball Jenni Lovegrove, Junior, Fairmont, Neb. Elizabeth Hirssig, Senior, Rochester, Minn. Whitney Stichka, Junior, Ruskin, Neb. Jordan Schmoldt, Junior, Clay Center, Neb. Elizabeth Spencer, Junior, Meade, Kan. Marie Wintz, Senior, Hartington, Neb. Emly Hartmann, Junior, Seward, Neb.

Men’S croSS countryJacob Schmidt, Senior, Hickman, Neb. Kurt Jostes, Senior, Norfolk, Neb.Kyle Johnson, Senior, Norfolk, Neb.

WoMen’S croSS country Hilary Powell, Senior, Columbus, Neb.

football Kyle Fittje, Senior, Columbus, Neb. Nathan Hannemann, Junior, Lincoln, Neb. Ben Deutschman, Senior, North Platte, Neb. Jared Oswald, Junior, Madison, Neb. Jon Mueller, Senior, St. Louis, Mo. Matt Egger, Senior, Galva, Iowa Brett Mertens, Junior, Merino, Colo. Marcus Nathan, Junior, Golden, Colo.

Men’S Soccer Andrew Nelson, Junior, Overland Park, Kan.Jeffery Weides, Junior, Kearney, Neb.

WoMen’S Soccer Gentri Brown, Senior, West Jordan, Utah

Volleyball Kate Kluge, Junior, Rochester, Minn. Natalie Koopman-Meyers, Senior, Scribner, Neb. Janell Parry, Junior, Morganville, Kan. Jaelle Rodenbeck, Senior, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Katie Werner, Junior, Syracuse, Neb.

WoMen’S golf Chelsey Bartels, Senior, Grand Island, Neb.Randi Eggers, Senior, Battle Creek, Neb.Anna Hill, Senior, Friend, Neb.

Pictured: Scholar-athlete Melissa Ruegg

Running a smart raceConcordia leads conference in scholar-athletes

18 athletics

The Concordia University, Nebraska women’s tennis team had a season to remember in 2007. The Bulldogs finished as runners-up in the Great Plains Athletic Conference, garnered the No. 2 seed in the naia Region iii Tournament and each member of the team earned All-Conference honors. Head Coach Mark Lemke also was named the Hauff Mid-America Sports/gpac Women’s Tennis Coach-of-the-Year. He guided the Bulldogs to one of their best finishes in history with a record of �-4 overall and 7-1 in gpac play.

Two doubles teams and five of the six singles players earned first-team all-conference

honors for the Bulldogs. In addition, the No. � doubles team garnered honorable mention honors.

Leah Koopman ended the season undefeated, going a perfect 12-0 at No. 5 singles. In doubles action she went 5-2 when teamed up with Hannah Krueger.

All of the Bulldogs earning first-team honors had a .500 or better record in conference play, including a pair of 6-1 records by Chesley Bartels and Heather Jackson.

Concordia wrapped up its season in the naia Region iii with a loss to Hastings College, 5-4.

Women’s tennis lands remarkable seasonTeam finishes second in conference

Coach Frank Greene rallies the team during an April 18 game against Bellevue University.

Softball team notches first GPAC tournament titleWhen Concordia’s softball team made it to the conference tournament championship, they won decisively, and in a hurry. The championship game, an 11-2 victory over the Dana College Vikings, was complete by the fifth inning. The Bulldogs have been regular-season conference champs twice since the turn of the millennium, but this was their first conference tournament title.

The fifth seeded Bulldogs finished the gpac tournament with a perfect record of 4-0, picking up wins over Midland Lutheran, Briar Cliff and Dana twice. In addition, Head Coach Frank Greene reached a milestone during the tournament, earning wins 200 and 201 of his career.

By winning the gpac Tournament the Bulldogs qualified for the naia Region iii Tournament. It is the fifth consecutive season the Bulldogs have reached regional play. At the Region iii Tournament the Bulldogs dropped a pair of games to Morningside and Dana to finish the season 26-2�, 14-� gpac.

Six different players were named to the 2007 gpac All-Conference team. Samantha Hellbusch was named to the first-team while Amanda Hehn, Kendall Burgess, Laura Fugate and outfielder Tawny Bullerdick were tabbed as second-team selections. Sarah Bergen was named honorable mention. Hellbusch was also named to the naia All-Region iii Team.

Hannah Krueger returns volley in match against Hastings College April 16.

athletics 1�

Zach Williams throws from center field in an April 29 game against Midland Lutheran; Michael Saalfeld races at the May 11 conference track meet held at Concordia; and Mike Kulzer looks to get on the green April 16 during the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite.

BASEBALL After a string of rainouts early in the season, the Concordia baseball team wrapped its regular season on a high note, winning six of their last eight games. The Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 12-�2, 10-14 gpac.

Seven different players were named to the 2007 gpac All-Conference team. Outfielder Zach Williams was named to the first-team while Todd Stahlecker (of), Nate Schmoll (of), Casey Rodriguez (2b), Jack Holmberg (util), Chris McNeil (p) and Clay Sanford (1b) were all tabbed honorable mention selections. MEN’S GOLF The men’s golf team wrapped up its season at the gpac Championships held in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Bulldogs carded a two-day total of 6�4 (�21-�1�) to finish ninth at the event. Individually, Mike Kulzer qualified for the naia Region iii Championships.

Kulzer’s two-day total of 155 at the Region iii meet put him in a three-way tie for 12th place. This was his second appearance at a naia Regional, as he also qualified during his freshman season. For the season Kulzer, an All-gpac selection, averaged a 77, the best in school history. MEN’S TENNIS Concordia finished with a record of 6-7, 2-5 gpac in men’s tennis. Dean

Flaten earned first-team All-gpac honors at No. 1 singles while Marcus Herring was an honorable mention singles selection.

The duo of Flaten and Herring paired up to handle the Bulldogs No. 1 doubles spot this season and were recognized with first-team conference honors. TrAck ANd FIELd The track and field squads wrapped up their season at the 2007 naia Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Fresno, Calif. In all, the Bulldogs finished with seven All-America performances, a top-six finish for the track program as a whole. The Concordia men earned 25 points, good enough for 15th place. The Bulldogs were bolstered by a strong group in the race walk. On the women’s side the Bulldogs finished in 24th place with 14 points.

Michelle Anderson took silver in the pole vault, clearing 12-0�.50, while Luka Thor earned All-America honors in the 10,000 (�1:55.27). Three Bulldogs earned All-America honors in the 5,000-race walk, led by Chris Tegtmeier who took third place (2�:01.4�), Jon Ripke finished fourth (25:45.1�) while Nathan Dreher took sixth place (26:14.50). Michael Saalfeld also turned in an All-America performance in the 800, taking fifth place (1:52.06) in a highly competitive field.

Spring sports: 2007 season highlights

Jon Ziegler and Gentri Brown were named the 2006-07 Bulldog athletes of the year at Concordia’s annual all-sport banquet April 25.

Ziegler, a senior from Lincoln, Neb., completed his college basketball career as the all-time leading scorer in Concordia history with 2,0�� points, eclipsing

a mark that had stood for �5 years. On five occasions this season he scored �0 or more points in a game, including a school-record 47-point performance against Sioux Falls in his final home game.

Brown, a senior from West Jordan, Utah, led the Bulldog women’s soccer team in both goals and points this season, with 1� and 42 respectively. Her 1� goals were second best in conference. Overall, during her senior season she scored just over 45 percent of the Bulldogs total goals on the season.

Ziegler and Brown named Athletes of the Year

20 commencement

It rained for Concordia’s 100th graduation day, but the only thing that suffered was the customary long walk across campus for students and faculty prior to ceremonies. Hundreds of family and friends filled the bleachers on Saturday, May 5, as more than 200 students were awarded their diplomas.

Concordia also honored five individuals—Rev. Ray Mirly, Shelia Kubwalo Okoye, Peter Richenburg, Edwin Schoening and Clark Kolterman—with honorary degrees or awards during commencement. Mirly also served as the commencement speaker for the day.

A historical dayConcordia celebrates 100th commencement

alumni 21

Follow your heart... home to Concordia!Homecoming, Alumni Reunion & Family WeekendOct. 12-14, 2007

H O N O R E D Y E A R R E U N I O N S

75th Reunion – Class of 1��2*

70th Reunion – Class of 1��7*

65th Reunion – Class of 1�42*

60th Reunion – Class of 1�47*

40th Reunion – Class of 1�67*

25th Reunion – Class of 1�82

20th Reunion – Class of 1�87

10th Reunion – Class of 1��7

5th Reunion – Class of 2002

*College and High School

Each year, for a brief time, Concordia’s

heart beats in rhythm: homecoming. At

homecoming alumni return to campus and

history walks with the here-and-now. It’s a

time to reconnect and remember—a time to

trade stories and smiles, yell for Bulldogs like

you did back when, and see what’s happening

at your alma mater. We invite you to follow

your heart home to Concordia this fall for

homecoming. Your voice will recover.

homecoming 21

22 Cconcordia scene

Upcoming reunions: Three more to save the date forContact the alumni office at Alumni@cune.edu to be on the mailing lists for these special reunions.

IMPAcT reunion June 27-29, 2008Remember those great Ambassador weekends? Did you have a Special Friend? During the late ’60s and early ’70s, a significant majority of the students at Concordia took part in the student-led impact organization, carrying out service-learning experiences. The reunion format will take a page out of the early history of impact.

Business Professionals reunion Homecoming 2008Celebrate homecoming and enjoy an

SCHEDULE OF HOMECOMING EVENTS

Friday, Oct. 128 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Concordia Bookstore open 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The Bartels Museum and Marxhausen Gallery of Art open Noon–3 p.m. Golf outing at Seward Country ClubNoon–5 p.m. Homecoming registration 5–6 p.m. Alumni Awards ceremony and presentation 5:30–7 p.m. Dinner buffet reception for Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame; tickets required7–8 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony 8:30 p.m.–Midnight Homecoming coronation & ball featuring Greg’z Big Horn Band

Saturday, Oct. 138:30–10 a.m. Homecoming registration8 a.m. Breakfast with the president; the breakfast features a message from Concordia’s 10th president, the Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich; honored guests include members of the classes of 1932, 1937, 1942 and 1947 (Class photos of the honored years)10–10:30 a.m. Health, Human Performance and Athletic Center celebration event10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Concordia Bookstore open 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Homecoming fair 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Tailgate lunch; cafeteria dining, pay at the door 1:30 p.m. Football game Concordia vs. Nebraska Wesleyan5–11 p.m. All Alumni, Family and Honored Years Reunion Gathering; old-fashioned barbecue, cash bar and singing and dancing; tickets required. Event at 4-H Pavilion at Seward Park.

Sunday, Oct.149 a.m. Concordia University worship service at St. John Lutheran Church. Alumni hymn sing immediately following.1 p.m. Alumni baseball game

Follow your heart home to Concordia!

opportunity to renew friendships, network and celebrate 25 years of preparing students for the world of business. Both business and non-business degree professionals are invited to an energizing weekend of interacting with alumni, faculty and current students.

Art reunion Summer 2009 The Concordia art department will host this art alumni reunion. Connect with faculty and current students for a reunion of Concordia art alumni from the Brommer generation, the Founders era and the cave-dwelling years in Weller.

22 homecoming

Follow your heart... home to Concordia!

annual report 2�

Number attending/tickets purchased

for confirmation of reservation

Name Class Year

Name Class Year

Address

Phone E-mail

Special needs (physical or dietary)

Honored Class Medallion 1932, 1937, 1942 and 1947 please circle which year(s) to engrave.

The Concordia medallion is a special engraved memento of your years at Concordia. _____ x $25

Events Requiring Registration and/or TicketsName tag(s) and tickets received upon arrival in registration packet. Please see schedule for complete details. To ensure accurate planning, please include the number of people attending each event below.

Friday, Oct. 12 Golf Outing-Seward Country Club Please e-mail Marvin.Plamann@cune.edu for information and to set up foursomes.

Buffet Dinner Reception for Alumni Awards and Athletic hall of fame x $10 (Advance tickets are $10 adults, $5 children age 4-12, 3 and under, free. $12 and $8 at the door) x $5

Saturday, Oct. 13 Breakfast with the President Number Attending ______

This complimentary meal is sponsored by the Alumni Association.

Tailgate Lunch Cafeteria dining, pay at the door. Number Attending ______

All Alumni, family and honored Years Reunion Gathering x $10 (Advance tickets are $10 adults, $5 children age 4-12, 3 and under, free. $12 and $8 at the door) x $5

Sunday, Oct. 14 Alumni Baseball Game Please e-mail Jeremy.Geidel@cune.edu if you would like to play.

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $ _____________________

Payment Options:

® Check enclosed (Please make checks payable to Concordia University.)

Credit Card NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD (PLEASE PRINT)

® Visa ®Mastercard ® Discover CREDIT CARD NO. EXP. DATE

Lodging Options: Reservations must be made by Friday, Sept. 14. Mention Concordia’s homecoming when reserving rooms to receive any special discounts.

East Hill Motel, Seward 402-643-3679 Liberty House Bed & Breakfast, Seward 402-643-2555 Hampton Inn Airport, Lincoln 402-474-2080 Staybridge Suites, Lincoln 402-438-7829

HOMECOMING REGISTRaTION FORM

Attendee Information (please print)

Registration due Friday, Sept. 14, 2007Please mail this entire page and payment to:

Concordia University Attn: Homecoming Weekend Registration–Weller 204

800 North Columbia Avenue Seward, Nebraska 68434

as it should appear on badge

as it should appear on badge

For the latest information, visit www.cune.edu/homecomingContact the alumni office at 800-535-5494, ext. 7240, or via e-mail at Alumni@cune.edu

aLUMNI awaRD RECIpIENTSChurch Worker Alumnus of the YearGordon Bredow ’64 St. Charles, Mo.

Young Alumnus of the Year Timothy Huntington ’02 Lincoln, Neb.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award Duane ’70 and Rosemary Weihe ’70 Miller Milwaukee, Wis.

Lay Worker of the Year Award Dr. Paul Kleine ’56Norman, Okla.

Friend of Concordia Award Marguerite Fruendt ’67 Christman Midwest City, Okla.

Lifetime Service AwardDr. Raymond ’63 and Dorothea Koepp ’62 Huebschman Seward, Neb.

Honorary Alumni Award Raymond BeckerLincoln, Neb.

Hugh Sieck Jr. Lincoln, Neb.

aTHLETIC HaLL OF FaME INDUCTEES

Rev. Timothy Marshall ’92 York, Neb., tennis

Darcy Lindner ’91 Lincoln, Neb., volleyball, track, basketball

Timothy Schwan ’73 Appleton, Wis., swimming

Devin Smith ’92 Rockford, Ill., basketball

1995 Volleyball Team40-10 overall, �-� in conference

homecoming 2�

24 alumni

You could hear German at Concordia’s orientation days in the ’50s, but it was likely only verses of the Schnitzelbank song: “Ist das nicht ein Schnitzelbank? Ja, das ist ein Schnitzelbank.” And so on. The rest was mostly English, and the bouncy sing-along fare just as light. What mattered is that they could all sing it together.

In the ’50s at Concordia everyone was invited to meet the new students before classes started. Students and faculty met for a chapel service on orientation day, had a picnic, went out on the lawn and sang together and played games—icebreakers—to help them get to know all the new classmates.

Students in the ’50s were unlikely to have met each other in person before they came, just as today, but they typically had a similar background no matter which part of the United States they were from. A similar purpose as well: Roughly nine of 10 students went on to be Lutheran school teachers.

“We talked the same way. We prayed the same way,” said Don Morner ltd ’57, at the time from Waco, Neb., and now a resident of southern California. Other things, he noted, haven’t changed so much. Seward has grown, but it’s still relatively small. And unlike so many colleges, most at Concordia simply don’t go home every weekend.

Morner counted this as one of Concordia’s blessings and important to the way that students relate to each other. “You actually build bigger bonds at a place like Concordia,” he said, “because of the campus life and the students don’t have a big city surrounding them.”

Graduating classes were in the neighborhood of 80 students in the ’50s rather than the 200-plus sized graduating classes of today. Women made up about a quarter of the typical ’50s graduating class.

Women now outnumber the men at Concordia by a small margin. Concordia’s female students also don’t have a curfew anymore. Yes,

curfew. Don Morner’s wife, Charlotte Weinrich hs ’5� Morner, and other Concordia women in the ’50s had an enforced dorm curfew. The college men didn’t.

Charlotte remembers attending pep rallies, walking to chilly football games, building floats and snapping photos for Concordia’s camera club as activities that helped her feel like she fit right in.

Charlotte’s advice to those just starting at college was to join in to fit in. “Just do it,” said Charlotte. “Get involved in what’s going on there on campus. You’ll never, ever regret it.”

Don’t be afraid to try new things, either. Corky Markin hs ’5� co ’58 played basketball

and ran track during his college years at Concordia. He didn’t let success in athletics stop him from following other interests.

It happened that two of his roommates were music majors. Besides waking him up with Purcell’s Trumpet Voluntary at 6 a.m., they also went out of their way to help him understand music. “I was pretty much uncultured at the time,” said Markin.

Markin’s new interest in music led him to try out for a musical, The Mikado, something he wouldn’t have tried apart from a roommate’s influence. He became the understudy for two parts, Ko-Ko and the Mikado, and thoroughly enjoyed it. “It was a great experience for me.”

A high school teacher and counselor for more than 40 years, Markin encouraged students to get involved in as much as they could without hurting their grade point average.

Dorm devotions and chapel were also activities that he remembered as being important to most Concordians in the ’50s and he encouraged those in school today not to neglect what’s available for spiritual growth as well.

“Attending to spiritual matters will help you right from the get-go,” Markin said. “It’s right there for you.”

Fitting in during the 1950s

“Get involved in what’s going on there on campus.

You’ll never,ever regret it.”

(Left to right) Students in 1959 line up for registration in Weller Hall library. The college pep club of 1950-51 poses for a yearbook photo. Concordia’s Sigma Pi Waitress Club listens to a dietician during the 1950-51 school year.

spiritual life 25

MasterofEducation SchoolAdministration LiteracyEducation EarlyChildhoodEducationMasterofScience FamilyLifeMinistryCertification FamilyLifeMinistry DCESpecialistDiploma

ConcordiaUniversity,NebraskaoffersaChrist-centered,academicallyrigorous

learningcommunityinwhichlife-longfriendshipsdevelopamongstudents

andwithprofessors.Ifyouareaself-starterwithcareerandministrygoals,our

chieflyonlineprogramsareagreatwayforyoutoearnyourmaster’s.

Takethenextstep!

Formoreinformationandadmissionsmaterials,contactthegraduateadmissionofficeat800-535-5494,ext.7464orGradAdmiss@cune.edu

800NorthColumbiaAvenueSeward,Nebraska68434www.cune.edu8005355494

Beijing guide, “David” (front row, left), poses with the tour group in Tian’anmen Square.

Dr. William Kuhn, the Concordia Wind Ensemble and the Shanghai Normal School Ensemble accept audience applause after their joint peformance. (Right) Alumni tour group members Maxine Fiala, Darlene Lohse and Al Lohse attend a traditional tea ceremony in Beijing.

26 alumni

“You know you’re in China when the only eating utensils you see are chopsticks and the noodles are over two feet long,” said Al Lohse, recalling his trip to China.

While Concordia’s Wind Ensemble performed in some of China’s major concert halls in May, the university’s alumni office coordinated a companion tour of China for alumni and friends of Concordia.

In addition to guided tours of many Chinese wonders, the tour participants shopped in street markets and enjoyed local food in seven Chinese cities. A series of guides from each area of China helped the group to get the most of each city and cultural excursion.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Jan Koopman, alumni director, “and our group truly soaked it all in. They had a genuine interest in learning about the history, culture and people of China.”

The participants had the opportunity to hear the University Wind Ensemble in first-class concert halls in Beijing and Shanghai and during assembly performances at Concordia International School in Shanghai and Hong Kong International School.

“We were so proud of Dr. Kuhn and our

students,” said President Brian Friedrich, who took part in the tour and was in the audience for Wind Ensemble performances. “They were enthusiastically received by those who heard them and were wonderful ambassadors for the United States, Nebraska, Concordia, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and most especially for Jesus Christ.”

The tour culminated at a Pentecost Sunday worship service at the Church of All Nations, the lone Missouri Synod church in Hong Kong and a church home to the many teachers and others that have come from Concordia. The Wind Ensemble performed and Friedrich gave the sermon.

Rev. Dale Koehneke, pastor of the Church of All Nations, described the church as a “Pentecost” congregation—a congregation of people from many “nations under heaven.”

Rob ’01 and Megan Ferrell ’0� Ferrin are serving in ministry in Hong Kong. “When you are in an international, metropolitan place like Hong Kong,” Megan said, “there is something so amazingly spiritual about seeing those from a place well loved, Seward. It really does make one realize how full heaven will be and how small the world is.”

Alumni experience Chinese culture

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A gift annuity might be right for you.You’re invited!Special events for alumni

“First Day of College” Legacy Link Photo Shoot & Alumni reception aug. 17

For new student athletes and their families

“First Day of College” Legacy Link Photo Shoot & Alumni Reception aug. 24

For new students and their families

Alumni Soccer & Volleyball Games aug. 25

Homecoming, Alumni Reunion & Family Weekend OCt.12-14

See pages 21-23 for details

A Concordia Christmas DeC. 8 Concert at St. Mark Lutheran Church,

Omaha, Neb.; holiday reception at Three Cedars, Omaha, Neb.

A Concordia Christmas DeC. 9 Concerts at St. John Lutheran Church,

Seward, Neb.; holiday buffet at the Janzow Campus Center, Seward., Neb.

CIT Jan. 25-26, 2008 Hosted at Concordia University Chicago

CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCESLCMS Church Worker Fall Conferences

Florida-Georgia District SePt. 19-21 Orlando, Fla.

Nebraska District New Worker Conference SePt. 24-25

Seward, Neb. Rocky Mountain District OCt. 3-5

Breckenridge, Colo. Iowa East/West Districts OCt. 4-5 Des Moines, Iowa Kansas District OCt. 7-9 Topeka, Kan. Nebraska District OCt. 22-24 Lincoln, Neb. Northwest District OCt. 31-nOv. 2

Seaside, Ore. Pacific Southwest District nOv. 18-20

Palm Desert, Calif.

For more information, contact the alumni office: E-mail Alumni@cune.edu Telephone 800-535-5494, ext. 7240

28 alumni news

Alumni news

1940s

In November 2006 Frederic Nitschke ’46 of Rochester, Minn., received a plaque from the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, for 60 years of service in lcms churches and schools. Fred is a charter member of the semn American Guild of Organists chapter and retains the Fellow certificate from the ago.

Louis Eberhard hs ’43 co ’46 of Brighton, Colo., was honored in November 2006 at the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Fall Leadership Conference with the Arthur C. Haake Leadership Award. The award has been presented since 1��� and recipients of the award reflect Haake’s dedication, spirit and love for the lcef ministry.

Arthur Fuchs ’49 retired in 1�8� after 41 years as teacher and principal in Minnesota Lutheran schools. He resides in Young America, Minn., with his wife, Nora, and remains active in choir and by playing the organ.

1950s

Karen Anderson hs ’52 co ’56 Annis of Scottsdale, Ariz., initiated the Stephen Ministry program at Valley Presbyterian Church, where she has been a member for 11 years. She is on the board of directors of Showcase Concerts and Friends of the metropolitan Opera, and participates in the Church Choir and Choral Union at Arizona State University. Karen worked as an elementary school teacher for 18 years. She and her husband, Larry, have lived around the world in such places as Egypt, Indonesia and the Philippines.

1960s

Florence Schaal ’60 Saeger of Kirkwood, Mo., was elected board chair of International Partners in Mission. imp has 50 projects in 26 countries around the world and works across borders of faith and culture on behalf of children, women and youth to

create partnerships that build justice, peace and hope. She and her husband, Victor, have visited projects in Nicaragua and El Salvador on Immersion Experiences and learn more about the poverty and injustices facing people of those countries.

Terry Camberg ’68 of San Diego, Calif., retired after �8 years in teaching ministry. He was commissioned in April 2006 as a Deacon in the lcms Pacific South District and now serves at Holy Cross Lutheran in San Diego.

1970s

Tobin Beck hs ’71 was named Adjunct Professor of the Year by the communication department of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where he teaches two news writing courses. The award is based on student votes.

Warren Schmidt ’72 of Morristown, Minn., was named Educator of the Year at the Minnesota South District Education Conference in Mankato in October 2006. He and his wife, Sandra Jessen ’73 Schmidt, serve at Trinity Lutheran School in North Morristown, where Warren is principal and grades 5-8 teacher and Sandi teaches kindergarten.

Thomas Chopp ’72 was featured in The Monroe Times in January for his service as a medical chaplain. For the past three years, Thomas has been ministering to patients at Monroe Clinic. He and his wife, Cindy, reside in Monroe, Wis., and have four children, Nicholas, 22; Joel, 21; Marta, 17; and Laura, 14.

Joann Raschefsky ’73 Schwan met the performance standard for National Board Certification, as set by the board of directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in December 2006. She and her husband, Timothy Schwan ’72 reside in Appleton, Wis.

William Neumeyer ’73 completed Land Rich, a documentary film about family ranches struggling to survive in Montana. He is a television and film productions teacher at Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Ind.

In January Daniel Hannemann hs ’69 co ’73 became the first full-time director of music and organist for historic (established 1752) Grace Lutheran Church in Winchester, Va. He came to the position after 27 years as director of music ministry for Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lincolnton, n.c. His duties include playing for all services and directing handbells, instrumentalists and choirs of all ages.

Mark ’76 and Leann Carlson ’76 McClain reside in La Grange, Texas, where Leann is director of music, head organist, choral and handbell director, classroom teacher for grades 1-8 and instrumental music teacher at Immanuel Lutheran in Giddings. She also assists the local public high school with uil solo accompaniments for students. Mark teaches music to more than 580 students in grades k-� at Giddings Elementary. In November 2006 he was installed as part-time minister of music for St. Michael Lutheran in Winchester, where he served six years as the organist. He is pursuing a Texas school administrator certification.

Michael Heidtbrink ’78 of San Diego, Calif., earned the title of financial consultant for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in April. He is one of 480 financial consultants nationwide qualifying for membership to this elite group representing the top quarter of Thrivent Financial representatives. Mike taught for 15 years at Lutheran High San Diego and still coaches varsity men’s basketball at the school.

Lynn Stillman ’78 Henry of Minneapolis, Minn., is one of 21 first Fellows selected for the Van Lunen Center for Executive Management in Christian Schools Fellows program at Calvin College. The program is a selective one-year fellowship designed for Christian school heads from the u.s. or Canada with two to 10 years of experience in their position. Lynn

is the chief administrative officer at Concordia Academy-Roseville.

James ’79 and Karen Donofrio ’79 Menke reside in Waco, Texas, where James serves Trinity Lutheran Church.

1980s

Eugene Bonk ’81 of Escondido, Calif., was named Top Ten World Wide Clubmaker of the Year by the Golf Clubmaker’s Association. Previously Gene had been named Western u.s. Clubmaker of the Year and Clubmaker of the Year for the state of California. Gene co-owns ads Golf in San Marcos, Calif., and teaches part-time at Grace Lutheran School in Escondido.

Elizabeth Elmshaeuser ’82 Campbell teaches children’s literature as an adjunct faculty member for St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and is the full-time media specialist for Mark Twain Elementary in Bettendorf, Iowa. Beth and her husband, Scott, reside in Eldridge, Iowa.

Eric Teegerstrom ’88, has been deployed since

October 2005 as the executive officer (2 ic) of the 1st Squadron, 167th Calvary. Major Teegerstrom spent 15 months in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Action badge for his service. His wife, Lynette, and daughters, Lydia, 6, and Sydney, �, welcomed him home in June.

Kelly Becker ’89 Aukamp and her husband, Craig, reside in Swansea, Ill., where Kelly is a stay-at-home mother to Nathan, Lydia and Sarah, and Craig is employed by Anheuser Busch in St. Louis, Mo.

1990s

Paul and Tamara Daugherty ’90 Kana of Ocala, Fla., announced the birth Amara Lorelei on May 16. Brother Tanner, 4, welcomed her home.

alumni news 2�

his doctorate of physical therapy in December 2006.

Joel and Christiane Fluegge ’99 Johnson of Cheyenne, Wyo., announced the safe birth of Annalise Rose on Oct. 1, 2006.

Brother Joshua welcomed her home and siblings Tahoe, Jonah and Dakota celebrated in heaven.

James ’99 and Sarah Brutlag ’99 Jurchen of Norfolk, Neb., rejoiced in the birth of Jonathan Paul on June 1�, 2006. Jacob and Joshua welcomed him home.

John Fenton and Amy Weisbrook ’99 were united in marriage April 2�, 2006. The couple resides in Lincoln, Neb., where Amy is a project manager for Kenexa and John is a marketing analyst for Time Warner Cable.

Charles Gebhardt co ’92 gr ’98 of Sandy, Utah, is one of 21 first Fellows selected for the Van Lunen Center for Executive

Management in Christian Schools Fellows program. The program, hosted by Calvin College, begins in July 2007 and its purpose is to provide world-class executive management education for senior leaders of schools based on the historic Christian faith. Charles is the principal and executive director at Salt Lake Lutheran High School.

Thomas ’92 and Holly Noack ’95 Guilford celebrated the birth Lydia Beth on June 12, 2006. She joined Rebekah, 7; Matthew, 5; and Andrew, 4. Tom is a teacher at St. John Lutheran School and staff sergeant in the Wisconsin Air National Guard and Holly stays home and homeschools their children and tutors high school math. The Guilfords reside in Mayville, Wis.

Mark Schlamann ’93 provides pulpit supply at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Cambria, n.y. His wife of 2½ years, Beth, lost her battle with cancer in May.

Thomas Ebel ’94 of Clovis, Minn., earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Eastern New Mexico University. Tom is an athletic trainer

at Clovis Municipal Schools. His wife, Angela Miller ’93 Ebel, is a stay-at-home mom and will aide at Immanuel Lutheran Pre-School in Clovis in fall 2007. The Ebels have four children: Alison, 10; Malia, 8; Benjamin, 5; and Joshua, 2.

Dana Truwe ’94 Netherton received a master’s degree in early childhood education from Concordia University, Nebraska in August 2006. She resides in Louisville, Ky., with her husband, Doug, and children Emily, �, and Michael, 6, and teaches first grade at Our Savior Lutheran School.

Paul ’94 and Rebecca Musselman ’95 Schkade of Fort Collins, Colo., rejoiced in the birth of Daniel Paul on Sept. 17, 2005. Paul is media specialist and international baccalaureate coordinator at McGraw ib World School and Becky is an esl teacher at Irish Elementary School.

Brian and Dawn Inselman ’95 Beck of Humphrey, Neb., announced the birth of Braiten Brian on Feb. 15, 2006. Sisters Brielle, 7, and Lily, 4, welcomed him home while brother Adian rejoiced in heaven. Brian is a sales engineer at GreyStone in Columbus, Neb., and Dawn, after teaching in Lutheran schools for 10 years, is now a stay-at-home mother.

Brandon and Rachel Doering ’95 Eells celebrated the birth of Lucinda Paul on Dec. 17, 2006. Rachel is an assistant professor in the psychology department at Concordia University Chicago and

is pursuing a ph.d. in education psychology at Loyola University, and Brandon is a voiceover actor. The

family resides in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Ill.

Jason ’95 and Heather Behrends ’95 Haynes reside in Gypsum, Colo., where Jason serves as senior pastor at Gracious Savior Lutheran Church in Edwards, Colo. They have three children: Emmalynne, 8; David, 7; and Timothy, 1.

Jonathan ’96 and Jill Saunders ’00 Baumgartel of Paullina, Iowa, celebrated the birth of Faith Jaelle on May 17, 2006. Siblings Kaleb, 5, and Micah, � welcomed her home.

Aaron Lytle ’96 and wife Sara were blessed with Zachariah Aaron on Dec. 21, 2006. Zachariah was six-weeks premature, but healthy overall. Aaron and Sara and sister Abrianna, 2, are excited to watch him grow.

Riley ’98 and Amy Schuster ’01 Hubach rejoiced in the birth of Maya Rose on Oct. �1,

2006. Maya joins Marlee, 5, and Ella, 2. The Hubach family resides in Pocatello, Idaho.

Michael and Rebecca Mannigel ’98 Robotham of Malcolm, Neb., were blessed with Cayden Michael

on May 16. Ethan, 4, and Elliott, 2, welcomed him home.

John and Jennifer Siemer ’99 Bruening welcomed Lily Joelle on Feb. 12. She joins Kylie and Gracie at

home. John is a location manager for Farmer’s Cooperative in Newell, Iowa, and Jennifer is an educational trainer for Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates. The family resides in Sac City, Iowa.Timothy and Kristin Udy ’99 Flicker of Pocatello, Idaho, celebrated the birth of Ethan Isaiah in November 2006. Kristin completed her master’s of education in instructional technology from Idaho State University in November 2006. She is a junior high teacher at Grace Lutheran School in Pocatello. Tim is a physical therapist and earned

Stay in the know with the alumni e-newsletter

The Concordia Alumni & Friends E-newsletter is easy access to the latest Concordia news. All you need is an e-mail account to receive the latest news on upcoming events, student and faculty achievements and important announcements. The e-newsletter is sent out periodically throughout the year. Visit www.cune.edu/alumni to subscribe.

�0 alumni news

2000s

Brian ’00 and Renata Wehling ’01 Ketelsen of St. Edward, Neb., celebrated the birth of Rebekah Magdalina on Dec. 11, 2006. She joins Emma, 6; Josiah, �; and Lydia, 1. Brian is pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in St. Edward and St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Neb. Renata keeps busy as a homeschooling/stay-at-home mom.

Karl ’00 and Rachel Kirchner ’03 Miller rejoiced in the birth of twin girls on April 18. Mikayla Dawn and Kelsey Ann were born almost an hour apart. Rachel is the head volleyball coach at Concordia University, Nebraska and Karl is a programmer at mds Pharma Services in Lincoln, Neb. The Kirchners reside in Seward, Neb.

Jennifer Schmidt ’01 graduated in May with a second degree in nursing, which she completed at Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health in St. Louis, Mo. She works at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis as a staff nurse in a surgical intensive care unit.

John co ’01 gr ’07 and Sarah Masenthin ’00 Weber celebrated the birth of Naomi Faith on Feb. 1�. She was welcomed by Hannah, 2. The Webers live in Grand Island, Neb., where John is the principal at Heartland Lutheran High School and Sarah is a �-5 grade teacher at Zion in St. Libory.

Thom and Lucy Schimmelpfennig ’02 Brown announced the birth of Jackson Nathaniel on Sept. 1�,

2006. Thomas Ezekiel “Zeke”

welcomed him home. The family resides in Fort Wayne, Ind., where Thom is finishing his first year at the Concordia Theological Seminary. Lucy stays home with their children.

Amber Jackman ’02 Jennings of Lincoln, Neb., begins her first year as a third grade teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Seward, Neb. in fall 2007.

Vanessa Frana ’03 Seifert of San Antonio, Texas, was accepted to the doctoral studies program at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio and begins studies in organizational leadership in fall 2007. Vanessa is a dce at Shepherd of the Hills in San Antonio and her husband, Brandon Seifert ’01, is an orthopedic surgery resident.

Timothy ’04 and Alexa Koczman ’02 Ahlman rejoiced in the birth of Adalyn Love on Dec. 18, 2006. The family resides in Winter Haven, Fla., where Tim is a

vicar. He has one more year to complete at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo.

Matthew Marty ’04 and Kayla Luehmann ’05 were united in marriage on July 6. The couple resides in Anaheim, Calif.

Daniel ’05 and Kristen Hopper ’06 Deardoff of Yorkville, Ill., celebrated Jonah’s first

birthday on April 1.

Michelle Quinlan ’05 of Lakewood, Colo., graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May with a master of science degree in statistics. She will begin pursuing her ph.d. in fall 2007 at unl.

Sarah Rehme ’06 of Seward, Neb., is a conservation technician for the non-game bird program with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in Lincoln. She assists the program manager in buff-breasted sandpiper research, endangered least tern and threatened piping plover monitoring, bald eagle nest data collection and other data management programs.

In memoriamElmer Ohlmann hs ’�2 co ’�4

Irma Vatthauser Malling ’�7

Rachel Parks ’56 Walsh

Hubert Fischer ’57

Lavada Duensing ’5� Harnapp

Kay Munter ’64 Schulz

Loretta Whisman ’6� Bode

Linda Zehe ’72 Wehrspann

Deborah Mitchell ’75 Henry

Howard Koosman gr ’76

Neil Schultz ’78

Erik Wentzel ’0�

Kristopher Whaley ’06

Brock Shaw ’06 and Esther Witte exchanged wedding vows in Panama City, Panama, on April 14. The couple resides in Seward, Neb.

About alumni newsConcordia welcomes news of alumni accomplishments and other milestones in the lives of alumni. It is preferred that alumni news be submitted directly by the featured alumni rather than a third party so accuracy may be verified. 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 in Nebraska. All submitted items may be edited.

Send submissions to Alumni@cune.edu or, by post, to Concordia University, Nebraska, Alumni News, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward, Nebraska, 684�4.

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 e-mail submission of news. A submitted digital photo should have a minimum of 1200 pixels on its longest side. Please note that sending an image does not guarantee its publication.

Please submit items for the fall issue by Oct. 1.

�0 alumni news

alumni �1

The Weller FundConcordia University800 North Columbia AvenueSeward, NE 68434

800-535-5494, ext. 7408 402-643-7408

You may also give online at: www.cune.edu/giveonline

Your gift to the Weller Fund goes to work immediately to provide the highest levels of academic and spiritual growth. In many ways the Weller Fund is the lifeblood of Concordia—it is the foundation for student scholarships, faculty retention, improvements to campus buildings and up-to-date technology and equipment. The Weller Fund is designed to enable your gift to be used where it is needed most.

Please support our students by giving to the Weller Fund today.

Your Single giFT

T h E W E l l E r F U N d

Will do more than you can imagine.

NoN-ProfitUS PoStage

P a i DP e r m i t 4SewarD, Ne

800 North Columbia AvenueSeward, Nebraska 68434

August 25 Men’s/Women’s Soccer, Alumni Game, 6/8 p.m. 26 Opening Service, St. John Lutheran Church,

7 p.m. 27 Fall term begins 29 Volleyball vs. Hastings, 6/7:30 p.m.

September 1 Football vs. Briar Cliff, 6 p.m. 2 Opening reception for FLOW

– Sheldon Statewide 2007-2008 exhibition, Marxhausen Gallery of Art, 1-4 p.m., exhibit open through Sept. 28

5 Volleyball vs. St. Mary, 7:30 p.m. 6 Osten Observatory viewing, 9-10:30 p.m. 7 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Ottawa, 4/6 p.m. 8 Cross Country Blue White Alumni Meet 15 Football vs. Midland, 1 p.m. 18 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Midland, 5/7 p.m. 25 Volleyball vs. Midland, 6/7:30 p.m. 28 Visit Day Volleyball vs. Northwestern, 6/7:30 p.m. Concordia’s Annual Shoot At (www.cune.

edu/shootat), a sporting clay tournament and pheasant hunt to raise scholarship funds

29 Football vs. Morningside, 1 p.m. Volleyball vs. Mount Marty, 6/7:30 p.m. Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Dakota Wesleyan,

6/8 p.m. 30 Opening reception for Discover Design,

Marxhausen Gallery of Art, 1-4 p.m., exhibit open through Oct. 26

October 2 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Hastings, 5/7 p.m. 4 Osten Observatory viewing, 8-9:30 p.m. 4-6 Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival 6 Cross Country Concordia Invite Women’s Golf, Seward Country Club 8 Faculty Recital – Jessica Lindsey, Music

Center 226, 8 p.m. 10 Debate Tourney PLAN 2.1, 3 p.m. Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Doane, 5/7 p.m. Volleyball vs. Doane, 6/7:30 p.m. 11 Homecoming Variety Show, Weller

auditorium, 7 p.m. 12-14 Homecoming, Alumni Reunion and Family

Weekend, see pages 21-2� or visit www.cune.edu/homecoming 13 Football vs. Nebraska Wesleyan, 1:30 p.m. 16 Volleyball vs. Nebraska Wesleyan, 6/7:30 p.m. 19-21 Fall break 19 Volleyball vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Parent’s

Night, 6/7:30 p.m. 20 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Morningside, 1/3 p.m. Volleyball vs. Sioux Falls, Senior’s Day,

1:30/3 p.m. 23 University/Community Band Concert,

Janzow Campus Center, 7:30 p.m. 26 Men’s Soccer vs. Bellevue, 6 p.m.2 6-28 The Inspector General, Weller auditorium,

7:30 p.m.

27 Football vs. Sioux Falls, 1 p.m. Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Mount Marty,

6/8 p.m. 28 Wind Ensemble Concert, Seward High

School auditorium, 3 p.m.

november 1 Osten Observatory viewing, 8-9:30 p.m. 2 Visit Day Musical Arts Day 3 Musical Arts Day Concert, Lied Center,

Lincoln, 3 p.m. 4 Opening reception for Dark Sky Preserve:

Recent Work by Sandra Williams, Marxhausen Gallery of Art, 1-4 p.m., exhibit open through Nov. 30

7 SIFE Women in Business Luncheon, Janzow Campus Center, noon

Debate Tourney PLAN 2.2, 3 p.m. 8 Honor Recital, Seward Civic auditorium,

7:30 p.m. 9-10 Women’s Basketball Cattle Classic 19-23 Thanksgiving break 21 Women’s/Men’s Basketball vs. Hastings, 6/8 p.m. 23-24 Men’s Basketball Cattle Classic 27 Women’s Basketball vs. Doane, 7:30 p.m. 28 Men’s Basketball vs. Doane, 7:30 p.m.

December 1 Visit Day 2 Opening reception for Concordia Senior Art

Exhibition, Marxhausen Gallery of Art, 1-4 p.m., exhibit open through Dec. 19

Calendar

4 Men’s Basketball vs. Nebraska Wesleyan, 7:30 p.m.

5 Women’s Basketball vs. Nebraska Wesleyan, 7:30 p.m.

8 Women’s Basketball vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 2 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 4 p.m.

Celebrating Christmas in Omaha & Seward This year the annual beloved celebration will include an Omaha concert. Mark your calendars for the second weekend in December.

8 A Concordia Christmas, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb., 2 p.m.; holiday reception at Three Cedars in Omaha, Neb.

9 Scholarship Parade of Homes, Weller, noon; A Concordia Christmas, St. John Lutheran

Church in Seward, Neb., 3 & 7 p.m.; holiday buffet at Janzow Campus Center

11 Journey to the Manger, Weller, 6:30-8 p.m. 13 Chamber Ensembles Concert, Music Center

226, 7 p.m. 14 Fall courses end Winter JazzFest, Weller auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 15 Women’s Basketball vs. Peru State, 2 p.m. 16 Handbell Concert, TLEC auditorium, 3 p.m. Advent Candlelight Service, St. John

Lutheran Church, 7 p.m. 18 University/Community Band Concert,

Weller auditorium, 7:30 p.m. 20 End of fall term

In Thy Sweet Humility: A Concordia Christmas In this newest CD release, the University A Cappella Choir and the Brass Quintet offer a collection of well-loved hymns and carols that capture the joy and reverence of the annual Christmas concerts hosted by the university. Each hymn has an accompanying Advent devotion written by a Concordia faculty member. Release date: Nov. 1. Pre-order now at www.cunebookstore.com or by calling 800-535-5494, ext. 7400.