Concordia University, Nebraska

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Auditing students award grant to Lutheran High School Fremont

by Hope Nelson

Seward, NE (01/07/2025) — Concordia Professor Ryan Burger's auditing class is continuing its biennial tradition of developing and providing a grant for a selected Lutheran organization. This year, the class's grant was awarded to Lutheran High School in Fremont, Neb., a new school opening its doors in the 2025-26 school year.

Burger, a CPA, graduated from Concordia in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and accountancy. He returned to teach at the university in 2010. His auditing class is offered every other fall semester and offers its grant each time the course is held. Lincoln Lutheran in Lincoln, Neb. received the grant in 2020, and Christ Lutheran School in Columbus, Neb. received it in 2022.

"The grant process allows students to observe and participate in different roles of a nonprofit organization," Burger said. "They experience the fundraising process, grant writing process, reviewing applications and ultimately distribution of funds to one fortunate recipient organization."

Burger explained that the grant concept has been in place since 2018, and students begin work during the first week of class.

"Students meet with potential donors, set scoring parameters, request grant applications, score the applications, determine a worthy recipient, thank applicants and plan a special evening of celebration with the winner," he said.

This year, the value of the grant was over $5,900.

According to Robert Cooksey, one of the school's directors, the funds received from Concordia's auditing class will be used to fund travel for unique experiences included in the curriculum. Every first Friday of the month, he explained, will be dedicated to community service in the Fremont area for students. Likewise, the fourth Friday of the month will provide students with field experience in the community. Funding from the grant will provide money for transportation, supplies, and lab equipment for these events.

"Supplementing fourth Fridays are school labs and demonstrations on campus which elevate student academics for insight into career pathways," said Cooksey. "These labs and demonstrations would be led by community experts from local businesses as much as possible."

He added that the funds would "make the impossible, possible because we are a new high school launching with limited funding."

The mission of Lutheran High Fremont is to "equip young people to be followers of Jesus; prepared to lead and serve their family, community and world." In other words, Cooksey said, its graduates will be "Word Ready. Faith Secure."

Burger spoke highly of the auditing class that bestowed the grant.

"The 2024...auditing class is blessed by a unique blend of caring and compassionate individuals. There are a surprising number of students who care deeply about learning and stewardship far beyond the short-sighted view of grade achievement. There is a deep desire to understand their God-given talents in the classroom and beyond. It is surprising and inspiring."

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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