Madison Pitsch '19 named Concordia Nebraska Young Alumnus of the Year

Seward, NE (09/08/2026) — During Homecoming weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. The Young Alumnus of the Year award is presented to an alumnus who graduated within the last 15 years and has made a significant contribution as a servant leader in the community, church and world and is a recognition for outstanding performance in his/her vocation.

Madison Pitsch '19 is an investigative reporter and news anchor at 10/11 News in Lincoln, the CBS affiliate for southeastern and central Nebraska. She has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and public relations and a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish from Concordia University, Nebraska.

Pitsch specializes in investigative reporting and also anchors the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts for the news station, where she previously served as evening anchor, weekend anchor, reporter and multimedia journalist. In addition to her work at 10/11 News, Pitsch often speaks to college students about journalism and presents at conferences. She also serves as a campaign cabinet member in the individuals and professionals division for the United Way and volunteers with the Food Bank of Lincoln.

"I spend the morning part of my day making calls, doing interviews, researching, shooting video, writing web copy and editing. In the afternoon, I transition to looking over scripts, working with reporters on their scripts and video and anchoring the shows," she explained. "I find it very fulfilling to be of service to others. Vocation has always been a big deal to me, and I was open to work however that presented. Journalism allows me to step in and ask the powerful questions, hold them to account and highlight disparities. It allows me to share valuable information that could change someone's life. It allows me to be there for people in their worst moments. Often I'm told after the camera has stopped recording that sharing a hard moment is therapeutic. That's just the top of the iceberg."

Pitsch and her husband Nate Kumwenda enjoy watching movies and going for walks with their chihuahua. When she's not working, Pitsch loves to be creative, often knitting, baking and cooking. She also enjoys spending time in nature and reading.

She said her time at Concordia Nebraska prepared her for her current work and also provided wonderful friendships that she still treasures today.

"Concordia was exactly where I needed to be at that time. I needed room to grow and figure out what I wanted, and everyone gave me enough time, space and support to find that," she said. "I built great relationships with friends, professors and mentors, and I felt incredibly supported as I stepped out into the professional world."

She said her professors were always incredibly supportive of her during her time on campus.

"As a giveaway that I would be a journalist, I had a ton of questions, and they were always willing and very patient to sit with me. When I expressed interest, or asked for an individual course, they would always work with me to develop that."

She said that Concordia Nebraska is a special place to study and grow.

"The focus on people and their inherent dignity was instrumental for me. I believe the best way to worship God is to do something for someone else, and I believe I have an opportunity to do that every day," she said. "[Concordia helped me to develop my faith because] I was allowed to explore my personal beliefs in an environment I found really supportive. I view that period as a fundamental piece of my faith, which even today is still developing."

Pitsch played golf for the Bulldogs and said that experience was also incredibly formative.

"My golf experience was one of the best preparations for adult life," she explained. "It was so valuable to me to learn that no matter what my previous shot had been like, I had to make the next play. Maybe I'd be in the trees, the sand, or God forbid, out-of-bounds, but I had to forget about how I got there and just make the next best decision. That's been an excellent lesson for adulthood. Just keep making the next right decision."

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