Concordia Nebraska Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Drew Gerdes selected as first Lois Nielsen Endowed Faculty in Education position

Seward, NE (08/05/2025) — Dr. Drew Gerdes has served as an early childhood teacher and administrator at schools in the United States and Asia for nearly three decades. A professional who loves to share and develop other educators, Gerdes is a sought-after speaker on a variety of topics in early childhood education and Lutheran school ministry. He has served at Concordia University, Nebraska since 2023 and is the university's early childhood education program director and director of student teaching. Gerdes was recently selected as the university's first Lois Nielsen Endowed Faculty in Education.

The recently-established Lois Nielsen Endowed Faculty in Education position was established and funded by George Nielsen '54 to honor his late wife and passionate educator Lois (Mueller) Nielsen '55. George was inspired to create the endowment with a $250,000 gift after reading about the university's Janet Hillmann-Cramer Endowed Professor of Education position. Each year, a portion of the endowment income will be reserved for a professor's use for research, conferences or special projects.

Gerdes seeks to enhance his professional learning and growth through visits to the Fred Rogers Institute in Roger's hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

"I believe Fred's faith-filled background fueled his desire to make a difference in the lives of children and adults. His dispositions, topics, and ways of interacting with others are models that still hold value today," said Gerdes. "For many years, I have been engaged in resources provided by the Fred Rogers Institute. These resources include webinars, professional readings and online forums. This past year, I was provided the opportunity to be chosen as a select group of higher education faculty to engage even further in the Fred Rogers Institute's Educators' Neighborhood. Through the Educators' Neighborhood, I have had the opportunity to connect with higher education faculty from around the globe in collaborative conversations about Fred's work, philosophies and how we can keep them alive in our communities today."

Gerdes said he looks forward to directly interacting with and learning from Institute staff who oversee the library of archives of Rogers' writings, television shows and artifacts.

"Spending time at the Fred Rogers Institute and researching Fred's materials in person would provide me with an exceptional opportunity to professionally write and present on the work and philosophy of Fred Rogers," he added. "The messages and practices of Fred Rogers are extremely valid today, especially as they relate to strong understandings in child development and what we know is needed for a foundation for further growth and learning."

Gifts for endowed positions are professionally invested, with a portion of the annual investment income used to support the faculty or staff member's salary and benefits. Another portion affords discretionary funding for scholarly research or professional growth. Gifts to any endowment provide perpetual, reliable funding from the endowment's investment returns. Endowed positions serve as effective tools to recruit and retain talented professors and coaches.

Prior to 2024, the university had four endowed positions or departments benefitting faculty and staff, with five additional positions expected through documented estate gifts. In the past two years, Concordia Nebraska has received pledges and gifts to add seven additional endowed faculty and staff positions. New estate plan gifts will create an additional four positions when they are realized. In total, 11 endowed faculty/staff positions or departments will be blessing the university over the next few years and, in the future, an additional nine will be added through deferred gifts for a total of 20.

A product of Lutheran education, Gerdes seeks to inspire students to live out their vocations in meaningful ways that serve both God and the community. Through his engagement in LCMS School Ministry, Lutheran Education Association, Asia Lutheran Education Association and by writing numerous devotional and curriculum materials for educators, Gerdes seeks to develop a collaborative space for deeper learning, life-long learning and learning that points people to Jesus.

"I feel strongly about sharing knowledge obtained as a life-long learner; it is a professional responsibility and honor to do so," added Gerdes. "My passion for Lutheran schools, early childhood and primary level education and families fuels my desire to learn more and contribute more. I want students in my university courses to be well-prepared with research-based learning that contributes to their excitement to be in a future classroom. Through sharing with university students, authoring academic publications, and presenting this topic to conference events, I look forward to furthering my knowledge of the work of Fred Rogers, hoping it can impact many for future generations."

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