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Utecht family presented with Concordia Nebraska's Family Heritage Award

Seward, NE (09/30/2025) — During Homecoming weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. Concordia University, Nebraska's Family Heritage Award is given to a family that has had at least three generations attend Concordia Nebraska and that supports the university. through contributions of time, talent and treasure.

Concordia University, Nebraska holds a special place in the hearts of many members of the Utecht extended family. At least 20 members of the family spanning several generations have attended the university.

"Our family has a deep love of Concordia Nebraska and an amazing history of service that is difficult to communicate," said Mary Grace (Utecht) Oxar '82.

Mary has a bachelor of science in elementary education and special education from the university. Since 2009, she has served as a Kindergarten to grade eight elementary art teacher at Holy Cross Lutheran School in North Miami, Florida, which happens to be her husband's home congregation where he attended school from pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade. She met her husband George Edward Oxar '81 at Concordia Nebraska. George has a bachelor of arts in biology and chemistry from the university and also has a master of science in biology from Barry University, a Jesuit university in Miami Shores, Florida.

"My experience at Concordia Nebraska is a priceless treasured memory!" said Mary. "My faithgrew! The person who the Lord created me to be grew! Thank you, Lord, for that blessed and gracious season of my life!"

On her second day at Concordia Nebraska, Mary was participating in a student mixer at the tennis court, where she met "the best looking guy on campus." That guy became her husband five years later.

"Who would have thought a Miami city guy and a South Dakota country gal would create a forever love story! God's plan is totally unpredictable!" she laughed. In addition to meeting the love of her life on campus, Mary said one of her other favorite memories of her time on campus is working in the dining hall. She said she enjoyed serving meals and chatting with students as they came in for lunch and dinner each day.

"It was through this wonderfully energetic young woman by the name of Mary Utecht that I was introduced to her rather large family of fourteen siblings, which was quite a contrast from my nuclear family," added George. "It was through those experiences throughout my Concordia Nebraska years that I truly did learn about large families, country living, farm life and the challenges of a country parish, which were in sharp contrast to my small family from a large city, with an urban home congregation. I do believe the glue that kept Mary and I together, now almost 50 years later, is a common faith that is centered on our shared belief in Jesus Christ that has guided our steps in our lives together at Concordia and the years that followed."

Mary (Utecht) Oxar '82 has served in a variety of teaching roles in Florida throughout her career, and has also led Vacation Bible School programs, served as Sunday School Superintendent, participated in mission trips to Latvia, Russia and Jamaica and taught in local homeschool and co-op groups. She also has advanced open water SCUBA certification and previously served as a Civil War re-enactor.

George has taught in the Broward County and Miami-Dade County Public Schools for nearly 40 years and currently teaches at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning High School in North Miami Beach, Florida. He serves as science department chair and teaches a variety of science courses.

"I chose Concordia Nebraska due to the influence of three called teachers who were my middle school teachers and youth leaders while in middle and high school. One came from Concordia St. Paul, another from Concordia Chicago and one from Concordia Nebraska," said George. "Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, Concordia Nebraska biology professor emeritus, was my eighth-grade science teacher, and he had a profound influence on me selecting Concordia as my college of choice. His infectious enthusiasm for studying the natural world as well as stories of college experiences drew me to attend CUNE, following four years of an urban public high school, I knew in my heart that the Lord called me to go to school at Concordia over all other schools I could have attended."

George is a certified World Tae Kwon Do Federation Certified 4th Degree Blackbelt and trained for 17 years in the martial art under Grandmaster Young Soo Do. He is also a certified PADI divemaster in SCUBA diving.

"I was on the ground floor of the health science pre-professional program with plans to attend medical school," added George. "I saw Concordia as a natural fit for me which enabled me to continue my studies of the natural world in a Christ centered environment. Much of my time at Concordia was spent in the science wing studying for a variety of biology, chemistry and math courses that occupied my time and energies, however, I did enjoy the robust intermural sports opportunities that were a welcome departure from the rigors of the classroom and laboratory life. These growth experiences provided excellent opportunities to make life-long friends. In fact, an intramural basketball teammate of mine was none other than Dr. Kurt von Kampen."

The Oxars have four children, one of whom is a Concordia Nebraska alumnus. Zachary Caleb Oxar '25 recently graduated from Concordia Nebraska with a bachelor of science in mathematics and physics and is currently working at Camp Lonestar in La Grange, Texas. He attended Holy Cross Lutheran School in North Miami, Florida, from junior Kindergarten through eighth grade. This fall, he will take an EMT class and prepare to attend the Coral Springs Fire Academy in Coral Springs, Florida, following in his older brother's footsteps. He was a member of the baseball and swim teams in high school, where he was chosen as the scholar-athlete his senior year. Also, he took piano lessons from his church's organist during that time. He then started drum lessons and used his drumming talents at Concordia Nebraska to serve in student praise bands during his time at the university.

"In Zachary's case, God works in mysterious ways. He was set to follow in both of his sister's footsteps to attend Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero, Florida. That was until we traveled to Nebraska in 2019 for the wedding of Justus Utecht and Rebecca Blank Utecht, both graduates of the university in 2019. Along the way, we stopped at the university to pick up the piece of stained glass window that adorned the entry to the old science building that I had a part in designing," said Mary. "George and I took an impromptu tour of campus recounting our memories of days gone by and decided to visit the office in Weller Hall. A wonderful young lady took us on another tour of campus from a student's perspective. At that moment, Zachary declared he wanted to attend Concordia Nebraska, which was simply an amazing experience."

Zachary applied and was accepted early in the fall application cycle, much to the amazement of his college assistance placement counselor.

"Never having heard of Concordia Nebraska, she was in shock that Zachary had the notoriety of being the first senior in his class to be accepted to college coming out of the pandemic," added Mary. "His acceptance placed Concordia Nebraska on the map in North Miami Beach!"

Mary said her time at Concordia Nebraska prepared her to serve in the classroom, the church and beyond. That training, coupled with her Dad's spirit for ministry, has been the driving force in Mary's teaching ministry since her graduation in 1982. She became well known for her creative flare in her teaching, garnering the attention of local media. In 1987, she was the subject of a local news report when one of her students, whose parents owned a circus, brought an elephant to class for her animal report. In 1988, she and her fourth grade class were featured with a full-page photograph of the class on the front page of the Neighbors section in the Miami Herald, all dressed in the clown costumes for her Clown Unit culminating on a day with the theme "Fools for Christ," inspired by her experience at Concordia where she participated in Clowns for Christ. She also designed and created a full-size whale from plastic trash bags that was filled with air by box fans and was large enough to fit entire classes, sometimes three or four classes at a time. She has presented the story of Jonah and the Whale from inside the whale numerous times over the years in a presentation entitled "A Tale of a Whale"! Inside the whale, she follows in her dad's footsteps presenting the story of Jonah using a Flannelgraph to capture the attention of her students. During the pandemic she started her own YouTube channel titled "Story time with Balto and My Friends" which she used to read stories to students at Holy Cross when her students were isolated at home. She is also well known for the various characters she plays for chapel time and special student presentations, such as 007 Pigstye, Miss Cutie Pie, Miss Spitfire and Hephzibah Hattie to entertain as well as spread the gospel message.

"I always knew since second grade I was to be a teacher. My Sunday School books asked a question 'how do you want to serve the Lord when you are older?' I remember writing 'I want to be a teacher!' All of my professors guided me on this path throughout college. My second-grade plan did not waiver. I knew it was God's purposeful plan!" she said. "I don't think there was anything that could prepare a country girl to teach in the huge city of Miami, Florida. Hence, I went on faith, which totally blossomed at Concordia but, I told the Lord only five years! The Lord said with a smile, 'I have a plan for you!' Forty-three years later, I am still in Miami! The life I lived at Concordia, spiritual, academic, and social, empowered me with the self-confidence, strength and courage to step forth and do God's will."

"My reason for attending Concordia was my faith. I wanted to go to a college where the professors and students shared the same faith! I was not disappointed!" said Mary. "Through my professors' guidance and teachings, Bible studies, chapel worship, St. John worship and Christ-centered fun college trips like snow skiing in the Rockies and spiritual friend conversations my faith grew stronger and stronger."

Utecht extended family members that have attended the university include Rev. Wallace Schulz '67, Kathy (Soyk) Schulz '79, George Oxar '81, Mary (Utecht) Oxar '82, Rev. Andrew Utecht ALND '86, Lori (Kuhlmann) Utecht ALND '87, Sarah (Gaffney) Utecht ALND '90, Rev. Peter Utecht '90, Rachel (Beisel) Utecht '93, Joanna Utecht '96, Ethan Utecht '14, Justina (Strecker) Utecht '14, Rev. Titus Utecht '15, Rianne (Gross) Utecht '15, Justus Utecht '19, Rebecca (Blank) Utecht '19, Katie (Wrege) Utecht '21, Amos Utecht ALND '22 and Zachary Oxar '25.

Kathy (Soyk) Schulz '79 served as an admissions counselor for three years at Concordia Nebraska and has served for 30 years as managing editor of GOOD NEWS journal, which is now printed in 22 languages and distributed worldwide. She has also written for Concordia Publishing House. She previously served on the board of regents for Concordia University Chicago and Concordia University Portland as well as on the LCMS Board of Directors. While at Concordia University Nebraska, Kathy recalls that it was "Professors Dr. Robert Baden, Dr. Stephen Korinko and Dr. Richard Zwick that helped me settle on English as a major. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in their classes. My theology professors for my minor were also helpful in guiding me in how to apply faith to what the Lord has led me to do in life." Kathy went on to earn a master's degree in theology from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2001.

Kathy's husband, Rev. Wallace Schulz '67, served as associate Lutheran Hour speaker from 1977 to 2002, is a past LCMS Vice President and currently serves as the founding/executive editor of Good News Magazine. He also previously served on the faculty of Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was assistant pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa and served as a staff member at Concordia University Chicago. In 1986, Reverend Schulz was recognized for his work in humanity and was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the Ellis Island Honor Society. In 1991, Wallace was in Latvia during the 1991 coup that took Mikhail Gorbachev out of power following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Kathy and Wallace moved to Latvia in January of 1992 to set up the Lutheran Hour radio broadcast, spending one year there. Out of Wallace's work there came much of Synod's work in the former Soviet Union. In 1992, Wallace was awarded a doctor of letters degree for his scholarly work, as well as the 1994 church worker alumnus of the year by the university.

Kathy and Wallace have one son Paul, who studied at the University of Missouri and later at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in Canada. Rev. Paul Schulz serves at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millard, Iowa, as well as Zion Lutheran Church in Ayrshire, Iowa. Paul and his wife Clara, a graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin, have two children.

"Being a church worker, the open and friendly campus at Seward helped to prepare me for all the personalities I meet and work within the congregation," said Sarah (Gaffney) Utecht ALND '90, who transferred to Concordia Chicago prior to graduation to participate in their deaconess program. "Living in a dorm and interacting with all the students on a small campus taught me how to work with a variety of people. Students today should embrace this part of college life and not be so quick to move to an apartment. Take the opportunity to learn about the variety of people God has created."

The patriarch of the Utecht family is "Dad" Utecht, otherwise known as Rev. Robert Utecht, who served as a country pastor in South Dakota for 60 years. He served at three locations, filled a host of vacancies and served as the missionary at large to the Lakota Sioux Nation for the last 20 years of his ministry until the Lord called him home in 2012. Dad Utecht was the subject of a documentary entitled "Pastor Bob", which was entered into the 2022 On-Line Christian Film Festival by his son-in-law Curt Gienger, who went to his heavenly home later in 2022. The documentary celebrated Dad Utecht's 60 years in the pastoral ministry and features Donna (mom) Utecht and the family, as well.

His son, Rev. Andrew Utecht ALND '86 continues to serve on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations as well as at Our Savior Lutheran in Valentine, Nebraska. In addition, Andrew has continued the legacy of his dad's puppet ministry by spreading the gospel message each year for the past fifty-two years at the South Dakota State Fair at "The Puppet Place". Initially, the puppet ministry started on the Rosebud Lakota Sioux reservation. The mission work continues to be presented by Andrew, his twin brother Peter, their families and volunteers. It is sponsored by the South Dakota LWML. The ministry employs the use of marionette and hand puppets, a ventriloquism puppet Ezekial, gospel magic, juggling and life size puppets all to capture the imagination of audiences while spreading the gospel message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Andrew and Lori (Kuhlman) Utecht ALND '87 met at Concordia Nebraska. Their branch of the Utecht family has the most Concordia Nebraska alumni, even though Andrew and Lori did not graduate from the university. Andrew went on to train to be a chemical engineer, studying at South Dakota School of Mines, before attending the Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Over the years, Lori has chosen to develop a career as a substitute teacher in both the Rapid City, South Dakota, and Valentine, Nebraska, schools while being a full-time mom in support of Andrew's ministry. Andrew and Lori have been blessed with five children, Ethan, Titus, Amos and Justus, all of whom attended Concordia with their fifth child Isaac who plans to be a future Bulldog.

"Concordia was one of the best times of our lives," said Lori. "We met great people that influenced the rest of our lives. It helped form us to live out our Christian lives as adults, in a good way. It was a good Christian atmosphere to experience life apart from our parents. The professors challenged us to grow in our faith and studies with high expectations. Old and New Testament were especially helpful as we still talk about those classes and what we learned, when we thought we already knew a lot of the Bible. At Concordia you were in the Word in all of your classes along with chapel. We were encouraged to be godly every day. Concordia kept us grounded in the faith we had before attending. We were provided an atmosphere to see Christians living life in a professional way, and helped prepare us to be a pastor and pastor's wife even as a second career. It also made us want to send our children to Concordia."

Andrew's twin brother Rev. Peter Utecht '90 has served congregations in both Nebraska and South Dakota and is currently serving at Bethesda Lutheran Church and School in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He describes his time at Concordia Nebraska as a time of growing and learning. He played football for the Bulldogs and noted that the university's Christian atmosphere permeated his classes, the dorms and all relationships with others on campus. He said he was especially grateful for worship opportunities in chapel and at St. John and for frequent opportunities to take Holy Communion. "Train your body in the weightroom, train your mind in the classroom and train your soul in chapel and worship," he said.

Peter's wife Rachel has had a variety of teaching experiences for the past 24 years from Indiana, Nebraska and South Dakota. Currently, she is teaching Kindergarten and first grade at Bethesda Lutheran School in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

"I look back at my years at Concordia as some of the best years of my life!" added Rachel (Beisel) Utecht '93, whose brother Matt is Concordia Nebraska's head cross country and track and field coach. "It was a community, and I made the best of friends that I am still friends with today. I got a great education and my faith in Christ grew. My art and education degrees from Concordia have enriched my life both professionally and personally. I have a solid foundation in my faith and teaching because of Concordia." Peter and Rachel have three children.

"My experience at Concordia was life changing," added Joanna Utecht '96. Joanna has been teaching for 30 years with a variety of teaching experiences from Florida, Indiana and Nebraska. Joanna went on to earn a master's degree in biology from University of Nebraska, Kearney. Currently, Joanna is teaching family consumer science classes at Hastings Senior High in Hastings, Nebraska. "I was able to experience many different things. Being part of the A Cappella Choir helped show me the world! We travelled the U.S.A. but also spent five weeks in Germany. This started my desire to travel the world and enjoy God's creations. It helped me start to understand and appreciate different cultures, which has served me well during my teaching career. One of my favorite things about Concordia were the relationships built with others. If I had to choose other things, it would include being in choir, being a part of various drama productions, being part of the very first women's soccer team and just the overall friendly atmosphere of the campus."

Ethan Utecht '14 met his wife Justina (Strecker) Utecht '14 at Concordia Nebraska. Ethan earned a bachelor's degree in physics and mathematics at Concordia Nebraska. Currently, he works for Becton Dickinson, a global medical technology company in Norfolk, Nebraska. Justina earned a bachelor's degree in middle school education with concentrations in math as well as health and physical education. She taught middle school for four years at Trinity Lutheran in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, before using her teaching skills to raise a family. Ethan and Justina have four children. Both Ethan and Justina participated in Bulldog athletic programs for baseball and basketball, respectfully. They have fond memories of their time on campus.

"Going to Concordia, I was able to faithfully go to church and chapel as I had friends going to church weekly growing up," said Justina. "I took some classes where I got to dive deeper into God's Word than I ever had before."

Rev. Titus Utecht '15 who went on to study at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, currently serves at Sherman Oaks Lutheran Church in California. Titus was on the Concordia baseball team and describes his time at Concordia Nebraska as both formative and a whole lot of fun.

"The whole culture and community - both among fellow students and professors - encouraged, challenged, informed, and shaped me. I also met the most wonderful girl in the world there and somehow convinced her to marry me. I learned Greek and Hebrew really well, which was really helpful for seminary and pastoring. But that was the easy stuff. More importantly, I got to see and experience a Christ-centered culture and how godly friends could support one another. Since it was college, it was the first time that church and faith really became my own initiative instead of something where I was going as part of my family. Concordia was a really optimal situation for that, where I was surrounded by other people with strong faith and biblical encouragement. Also, I had a lot of really good theological conversations with both my professors and my fellow students. Evening prayer was also very meaningful and formative."

He said he and his wife Rianne (Gross) Utecht '15 had dorm rooms with windows that faced each other. "For a while we had a little pulley system made of fishing line going between our windows, and we would write notes and pass them back and forth," he laughed. Rianne earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a concentration in theology and taught third grade at Lutheran South Unity school in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, before starting a family. At Concordia, Rianne was a member of A Cappella as well as a pole vaulter for the track and field team. On campus, she was best known for "singing all over campus while either riding my bike or unicycle or even high up in a tree." In fact, Titus joined Rianne's unicycling rides across campus putting his juggling skills into action when he joined her in the fun.

Rianne and Titus have five children.

"By offering faith-grounding experiences and classes, I was fueled for life in the real world, ready to tackle life's challenges with joy, faith, hope. That reserve of faith has been foundational for persevering through the more desert times as life brings its various seasons," added Rianne. "My theology focused classes for my degree concentration were definitely a helpful time of faith explorations that allowed me to ask questions and receive answers or guidance. Always take time to be with God, even as the seasons of your life change. Intentionally prioritize time with Him and the rest of life will be blessed as you seek His face and grace to traverse the challenges and joys of life as His redeemed child."

Justus Utecht '19 and Rebecca (Blank) Utecht '19 also met at Concordia Nebraska. Both Justus and Rebecca earned bachelor's degrees in secondary education, majoring in mathematics and language arts, respectively. Justus currently teaches a variety of mathematics courses at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, Nebraska. Rebecca taught a variety of high school language arts classes for two years at Stanton Community Schools in Nebraska before starting a family, where she continues to work as a substitute teacher. Justus and Rebecca have two children.

"My favorite thing about our Concordia experience was meeting new people and making friends that became family. We still stay in touch with many of our friends from Concordia, and it is such a blessing to be part of an extended community like that. We recently attended and were part of a Concordia friend's wedding and one of the groomsmen said 'You are so blessed. God did some amazing work when He put you all together. Your friend group is so strong and full of faithful Christians. That is truly a blessing,'" said Rebecca. "I came to Concordia thinking that I was pretty involved with my faith. I would go to church every week and do volunteer work and read my Bible, but the community at Concordia really pushed me to go further. I started attending Bible studies and really incorporating my faith into all aspects of my life like never before. This was huge when I stepped out into the real world. I was better prepared to face challenges and was more ready to point others to Christ when facing challenges of their own.

Following what seems to be family tradition, Amos Utecht ALND '22 and Katie (Wrege) Utecht '21 also met at Concordia Nebraska. Amos met Katie at Concordia where he was studying mathematics and business administration, concentrating in accounting, ultimately graduating with an accounting degree from Chadron State College, Nebraska. Amos works as a certified public accountant in Deadwood, South Dakota. Katie earned a bachelor's degree middle school education with an endorsement in science education and a minor in theology. Katie taught at St. John's Lutheran in Bakersfield, California. More recently she has taught at Black Hills Christian Academy in Spearfish, South Dakota. Amos and Katie are expecting their first child at the end of this year.

"I had a very positive experience at Concordia because of the community and group of friends I found, the opportunities for faith development and professors who cared," explained Katie. "Several professors certainly encouraged me in my faith, and I had professors who noticed my strengths and shared how I could use those in my vocations."

Zachary Oxar '25 is the family's most recent graduate from the university.

"My favorite thing about my Concordia experience is the relationships that I have built with my professors and the friends that I have made at Concordia. My professors pushed me to learn and to be better every day. I can confidently say that the friends that I have made at Concordia will be friends with me for the rest of my life. I know I just graduated but continue to think about the impact that my professors had on me. They helped me realize my passion for learning and helped me pay attention to the little things."

George said he speaks for the whole family when he gives thanks for the blessing that Concordia Nebraska has been in all of their lives.

"I can truthfully say that I valued each and every professor of mine who entered the classroom and dared to teach me through the lens of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the interpretation of the Gospel message by Martin Luther," he said. "I remember each professor fondly. They were outstanding Christian role models for a college student to aspire to be like. How blessed I was to spend time with them both in the classroom, as well as outside the classroom, and most of all in worship."

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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