Concordia University, Nebraska recognizes faculty and staff for service to the university and LCMS

Seward, NE (02/10/2020) — On Monday, Feb. 10, Concordia University, Nebraska recognized milestones of faithful service for faculty and staff, as well as commissioned and ordained ministers of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) at a special anniversary service.

Those being honored were recognized during a special chapel service in the Weller Chapel Auditorium on Concordia's campus.

"Concordia University, Nebraska's greatest resource is the partners in ministry who serve our students so capably every day," said Dr. Tim Preuss, Concordia provost. "It is a joy to celebrate those who are celebrating milestone anniversaries of service to Concordia and to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We thank God for each of their talents and pray that God will continue to bless their efforts to support our students as they are equipped to learn, serve and lead in the church and world."

Among the especially esteemed faculty was Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, who is celebrating 40 years of service as a commissioned minister of the Gospel in the LCMS.

Sommerfeld joined Concordia's faculty in 2016 as an associate professor of theology. Three years later, he was named Concordia's interim president.

"Serving the Lord's calling as a professor at Concordia University, Nebraska is a privilege," said Sommerfeld. "It is an honor and responsibility to assist in preparing students to be servant leaders for God's Church and world. I also thoroughly enjoy the collegiality of faculty and staff as together we deliver a distinctive Lutheran education that increasingly engages and influences the world."

Sommerfeld said he finds it rewarding to engage students with the experiences God has given him in his years of serving Him and His church.

"I love serving a university in a small town and rural area where we educate students from different backgrounds for a variety of vocations," he said. "I am also stimulated by the biblical and academic growth I am experiencing while teaching the next generation of servant leaders."

Prior to joining Concordia, Sommerfeld served 12 years as president of the LCMS Nebraska District. Before leading the LCMS Nebraska District, Sommerfeld served as a pastor at congregations in Canton and Moundridge, Kansas, as well as Arapahoe and Kearney, Nebraska for 23 years.

The list of employees includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name):

Dr. Kent Einspahr, computing services, 40 years

Dr. Vicki Boye, health and human performance, 30 years

Connie Butler, human resources, 30 years

Kay Rohren, art and natural and computer science, 30 years

Dr. Robert Hermann, natural and computer science, 20 years

Rev. Dr. Paul Holtorf, theology, 20 years

Rod Kalkwarf, Aramark, 20 years

Dr. Kathy Miller, human and social sciences, 20 years

Daniel Redmond, Aramark, 20 years

Dr. Brian Albright, business, math and natural and computer science, 15 years

Diana Boring, accounting, finance and operations, 15 years

Gene Brooks, student affairs, 15 years

Dr. C. Matthew Phillips, history, geography, intercultural studies and modern foreign language, 15 years

Curtis Sherman, accounting, finance and operations, 15 years

Dr. Annette Anschutz, education, 10 years

Dr. Nolan Harms, health and human performance, 10 years

Todd Kallenbach, Chartwells, 10 years

Prof. Donald Robson, art, 10 years

Evan Balleweg, Center for Liturgical Art, 5 years

Reginald Corbin, athletics, 5 years

Ryan Dupic, athletics, 5 years

Ken Franks, Aramark, 5 years

Dr. Jennifer Fruend, natural and computer sciences, 5 years

Gerald Henthorn, Aramark, 5 years

Dr. Jamie Hink, history, geography, intercultural studies and modern foreign language, 5 years

Terry Kehm, Aramark, 5 years

Lance Korell, athletics, 5 years

Bethany Landrey, academic resource center, 5 years

Peter Landrey, classroom innovation and online education, 5 years

Prof. Christopher Luther, athletics and health and human performance, 5 years

Susan Mehl, student financial services, 5 years

Jonathon Moberly, business and math, 5 years

Matthew Myers, academic resource center and history, geography, intercultural studies and modern foreign language, 5 years

Dr. Kristen Nugent, education, 5 years

Christopher Read, Aramark, 5 years

Jessica Schauer, Aramark, 5 years

Matthew Schranz, computing services, 5 years

Stacy Tamerius, English, communication and theatre arts, 5 years

The list of ordained and commissioned ministers celebrating anniversaries of service to the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name):

Dr. David Held, 60 years

Dr. John Suhr, 60 years

Prof. William Wolfram, 60 years

Rev. Dr. Marvin Bergman, 60 years

Dr. Ronald Bork, 50 years

Dr. Stanley Obermueller, 50 years

Prof. Betty Galen, 45 years

Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, 40 years

Rev. Terence Groth, 35 years

Scott Seevers, 20 years

Dr. John Jurchen, 15 years

Dr. Anna Boriack, 10 years

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