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Jan Pogreba presented Lifetime Service Award

Seward, NE (09/26/2025) — During Homecoming weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. The Lifetime Service Award is presented to emeriti or retired faculty or a staff member who demonstrates outstanding Christian service and leadership in the community, church and world through contributions of time, talent and treasure.

Many Concordia University, Nebraska faculty, staff and students may not recognize the name Jan Pogreba, but if you mention "Brommer Jan" or "Janzow Jan," warm memories of a beloved university cafeteria cashier will spring to mind for many. Pogreba worked at the university in a variety of capacities, serving then-named Concordia Teachers College transferring data from Weller Hall to the science building in 1978 and 1979. In 1979, she found herself in multiple roles. She worked as a cashier in the university cafeteria until 3 p.m. each day, then finished the day key punching in Weller.

Prior to her start at the university, Pogreba worked at Seward's hospital from 1970 to 1978 as a registered medical technologist. With a background in medicine, she has an associate of science from then-named Northwest Institute for Laboratory Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

She worked as a cafeteria cashier in Brommer Hall and then in Janzow Campus Center from 1979 to 2018. She also worked as a certified nursing assistant and medication aid from 2005-2018.

In 2018, Pogreba moved from Seward to Austin, Texas, to be closer to her "darling daughter Lori." She worked at the university until two days before the move. Her husband Loren also served at the university, working in catering and concessions from 2014 to 2018.

Pogreba said she chose to serve at Concordia Nebraska right up until her move to Texas, because she did not want to leave her students any sooner than she had to. Students often presented her with drawings, doodles and art masterpieces when they chatted with her in the cafeteria. She recalled finding a sketch on her desk shortly before her move that proclaimed, "God is in control and His timing is perfect." She still has that sketch and many others today and proudly displays them in her home as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the many students she crossed paths with at Concordia Nebraska.

Always active in her community, she previously volunteered for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and was a member of the International Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists. She led Thrivent Action Teams to collect supplies for St. John Lutheran School in Seward and served extensively at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward, teaching Sunday school and serving as a member of the church's charity program.

Today, she volunteers with a group that sews for neonatal intensive care babies, crafting hearts that carry the scent of each baby's mother. She is also a member of the Red Hat Society.

"I'm retired. The most stress I've had is recalling the last 50 years," she laughed. "It means a lot to be recognized for serving past students. It was never a bad day when I was cashiering for the students. I loved every minute of being with and serving the needs of all of the wonderful students."

Pogreba said one thing that stands out in her mind about her time at the university is the caliber and maturity of the students she encountered at Concordia Nebraska. She said students were always "so kind and awesome".

"The students told me their professors would always take the time to help them understand material, taking as much time as needed," she said. "I saw the kindness and genuine concern the faculty and staff showed to me and to other students. They had a love of God and shared it. It was so nice to work at a job where you could talk about prayer and God. The openness of sharing and witnessing the Lord's love and mercy for us all."

During Homecoming and Alumni Reunion Weekend, Concordia University, Nebraska joyfully celebrates alumni and friends whose faith-filled service, leadership and achievements inspire the Concordia community and beyond.

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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