Skip to Content

Concordia University, Nebraska

  • Sign in to your Merit page
« Back to Recent News

Dr. Joseph Herl receives Outstanding Teaching Award at Concordia University, Nebraska

Seward, Neb. (05/05/2018) — Dr. Joseph Herl, professor of music, was presented with the 2018 Outstanding Teaching Award at the university's commencement ceremony May 5, 2018.

The honor is given to a full-time faculty member who has been nominated by students. A committee of students, as well as faculty members who have previously received the award, selects the recipient. The recipient's name is not revealed until it is called during commencement. Student Senate president Dakota Judd and vice president Seth Euken presented the award.

"I have nothing intelligent to say, but that hasn't stopped me in the past," said Herl.

"You all have no idea what a failure I am. In high school, my piano teacher told me I had no talent. In college, my voice teacher told me not to sign-up for voice again. In graduate school, my conducting teacher told me I'd never be an effective leader. Then, my first year at Concordia, my teacher evaluations were terrible. One student commented, 'he's a wonderful man, but has no clue how to teach.' And they were right," Herl said.

"I asked my colleagues to help me become a better teacher - and they did. I learned about lesson plans and I would stand outside the classroom door of good instructors to observe what they did. For everyone who receives this award, there are many, more deserving," Herl said.

"I have failed many times and I help my students who fail, but we're all failures and God accepts us anyway," Herl said.

Dr. Herl teaches courses in music history, music theory, liturgy, hymnody and church music. He is also an active composer with compositions and collections published by Oxford University Press, Concordia Publishing House, and MorningStar Music Publishers. Three of his original hymns, 22 hymn settings, one hymn translation and one liturgical setting were included in the "Lutheran Service Book." His book, "Worship Wars in Early Lutheranism: Choir, Congregation, and the Three Centuries of Conflict," was published by Oxford University Press and awarded the 2005 Roland Bainton Prize of the Sixteenth Century Society and Conference for best book in its field. Herl has served at Concordia for 17 years.

Students nominating Herl remarked, "The recipient is one example of many deserving professors, but despite his extreme humility, [Dr. Herl] is the best teacher I ever had. His passion for the subject matter and his wonderful quirky sense of humor, make him the ideal recipient of this award. His expertise in the field is unparalleled. His students learn from the master. He commits an insane amount of time helping students outside of class. He has a servant heart and is always an example of Christ. I love going to his classes every day."

Media Attachments

Dr. Joseph Herl]: During Concordia University, Nebraska’s commencement ceremony May 5, 2018, Dr. Joseph Herl was announced as the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Teaching Award.


SE
Seth
Euken
  • Class of 2018
  • Colorado Springs, Colo.

Concordia University, Nebraska

Sue Roush, 402-643-7266, sue.roush@cune.edu

Share this Story

  • Print
  • Email

Recent News

  • Sam Moore '20 serves as Lutheran school teacher, prepared to return to Concordia Nebraska as student in university's master's program
  • Alum Rev. Brady Finnern gives thanks for time at Concordia Nebraska, looks forward to serving at LCMS Youth Gathering
  • Concordia University System representatives visit Concordia Nebraska, submit post-visit LIMOS report
  • Zane Francescato '17 discovered Concordia Nebraska as a teen at the LCMS Youth Gathering
  • Candi (Brokaw) Menze '02 serves at LCMS Nebraska District Office, at LCMS Youth Gathering
  • Lutherans for Life's Michelle Bauman '98 to speak at National Youth Gathering
  • Rachel Brainard '12 Champions Equity in STEM Education
  • Concordia Nebraska Center for Liturgical Art provides chancel ware for 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering
  • Paul Soulek '07 serves university, Higher Things, church at large with musical talents
  • Concordia Nebraska Center for Liturgical Art to celebrate 20th anniversary, dedicate apostle mosaics crafted by Reinhold Marxhausen
… View all recent news
Copyright © 2025 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out