Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska's Institute for Religious Education (IRE) recently announced that senior Ardin Mignea of Las Vegas, Nevada is the first-ever IRE student scholarship recipient. Mignea will receive a $2,000 scholarship and will be tasked with supporting the promotion of the IRE among the university's campus church work students and will also partner with IRE leadership to develop a resource to be made available on the institute's website.

Senior Olivia Kohl of Springfield, Nebraska, is majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry at Concordia University, Nebraska. She plays soccer for the Bulldogs and is the president of the university's Monarchs and More Conservation Club.

Luke Scholars is Concordia University, Nebraska's honors program and its oldest scholars program. The program is in its eighth year and is defined by its desire to instill in students a recognition of the talents and intellect with which they have been blessed.

Concordia University, Nebraska's annual Christmas tree lighting and open house is a beloved tradition that kicks off the holiday season. The event draws hundreds of members of the Concordia campus and greater community each year and allows them the opportunity to enjoy fellowship together. This year's event will be held on Weller Lawn at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18.

Concordia University, Nebraska launched the Solomon Scholars program this fall with its first cohort of nine students. Solomon Scholars is for students pursuing careers in computing, technology and problem-solving fields. Students accepted into this program receive mentorship, professional development opportunities, real-world experiences in computing, service projects and a close-knit scholarly community of like-minded individuals.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Uzziah Ag Scholars program aims to increase the number of future stewards of God's earth, who will learn and serve as leaders in agriculture for the sake of others.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently accepted 10 new students into its Paul Scholars work education program. The Paul Scholars program equips Concordia students to be Christian leaders within a distinctly Lutheran academic scholarship community through Christ centered service, hands-on work experiences and engaging learning.

Senior Lance Kiango of McKinney, Texas, is studying psychology and behavioral science at Concordia University, Nebraska and spent the last four years playing for Concordia's men's soccer team.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Micah Pre-Health Scholars program is entering its third academic year. The program is designed to help students interested in healthcare careers by giving them hands-on experiences, a community of students and professors with similar interests and graduate school preparation.

On Sunday, October 11, the Concordia University Wind Symphony presented an afternoon performance at 4 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska. The performance included a repertoire presented by the ensemble but was also a worship opportunity giving band members and the audience the opportunity to pray the Litany from the Lutheran Service Book.

Sophomore Aspen Hansen of Wahoo, Nebraska, is majoring in studio art and minoring in graphic design and vocational leadership at Concordia University, Nebraska. Part of the university's Paul Scholars work education program, she works in the university's Fan Shop and occasionally attends activities presented by the university Art Club.

Sophomore Nathan Lindesmith of Minnetrista, Minnesota, is majoring in public health and fitness at Concordia Nebraska and plays basketball for the Bulldogs.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Vocal Jazz Choir has planned a full fall performance season traveling and performing across Nebraska. The season includes a performance at the Great Plains Lutheran Educators Conference (GPLEC) Banquet on October 18. The banquet is at 6 p.m. in the Seward County Ag Pavilion in Seward, Nebraska, not far from the Concordia University, Nebraska campus.

The Concordia University, Nebraska Chamber Choir will present a prelude performance for world-renowned chamber choral ensemble VOCES8 at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 4 at 4 p.m.. This performance is a part of the University Chamber Choir's fall 2026 performance season, which includes multiple performances in various parts of Nebraska.

Senior Teya Badger of Brandon, South Dakota, is majoring in physics and chemistry and minoring in mathematics at Concordia University, Nebraska. She is also on the powerlifting team, the tennis team and serves as a physics lab assistant and biochemistry lab assistant.

The Concordia University, Nebraska Vocal Jazz Choir will perform at the Nebraska Chapter of the American Guild of Organists' (NEAGO) annual kickoff banquet. This performance is a part of their fall 2026 performance season, which includes multiple performances in various parts of Nebraska. The NEAGO performance will take place on September 27.

The Concordia University, Nebraska Vocal Jazz Choir will kick off its 2026-2027 season by traveling parts of Nebraska and South Dakota. The trip will take place the weekend of September 11-13, with the opening performance at the Orphan Grain Train (OGT) International Convention in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Senior Cassie Peatrowsky of West Point, Nebraska, is studying elementary education and K-12 art education at Concordia Nebraska. She is also a pole vaulter on the university's track and field team.

Concordia Nebraska junior Joshua Ringler of Seward, Nebraska, is majoring in agricultural science and plays football for the Bulldogs. He said he appreciates that Concordia's agricultural science program is different from other universities due to small class sizes which allow for more conversational and personalized learning.

Each summer since 2000, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod youth from across the country have gathered to worship, study God's word and fellowship with other young Lutherans at Higher Things conferences. Several of Concordia University, Nebraska's faculty, alumni and students help to make this event happen each year.

Concordia Nebraska junior Abigail (Abbie) Kromarek of Plainview, Nebraska, is majoring in biology with an emphasis in pre-med and a minor in chemistry. She plays basketball for the Bulldogs and also participates in intramural softball on campus.

Concordia Nebraska junior Erin Meyer of Winfield, Kansas, is majoring in chemistry with minors and math and physics. Active on campus, she will serve as an RA in the fall and is also a Luke Scholar, participates in intramural sports and helps lead a weekly on-campus Bible study.

Concordia University, Nebraska criminal justice students recently had the chance to study real world applications of what they are learning in the classroom. Co-led by Professor of Criminal Justice Edward Hoffman and Professor of Sociology Dr. Kathy Miller, the 8-day study tour to San Diego provided students with field experience in immigration, law enforcement and other fields.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently celebrated the first graduates of the university's Marriage and Family Therapy master's degree program. The program features a Scripture-infused view of modern psychology and therapy that transforms marriages, families and communities by focusing on faith and family perspectives. The program's first graduates included Hannah Haas of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Emily Morris of Grand Island, Nebraska; Anna Herl of Seward, Nebraska; Breanna Romero of Seward, Nebraska; Elena Phahongchanh of North Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kimberly Dixon of Reno, Nevada.

As an active participant in many of Concordia University, Nebraska's music ensembles, I have traveled over 20,000 miles for tours in the past two years. This spring, I had the opportunity to travel internationally to Ireland as a part of the University A Cappella Choir.

Concordia University, Nebraska students, faculty, staff and alumni recently visited Australia to learn more about the country's biology, agriculture and geography. The tour was co-led by Dr. Kimberly Clark,Concordia Nebraska associate professor of agricultural sciences and Dr. Joel Helmer, chair of Concordia Nebraska's department of history, geography, intercultural studies and modern languages.

Hunter Remington '26, a recent music and pre-seminary graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska was recently awarded the William Wolfram Student Award in Liturgical Art for his "At The Lamb's High Feast" stole.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently named 266 students to its 2026 Spring Term Honors list. Students must earn a GPA of at least 3.90 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours to be eligible for this list.

Concordia University, Nebraska agriculture students put into practice the skills and knowledge they learned in the spring semester at the annual McLean Beef Dinner. The April 21 event was hosted by McLean Beef and students from Concordia's agriculture program. Dr. Kimberly Clark, Concordia Nebraska associate professor of agricultural sciences, helped organize the event.

The spring semester let Concordia University, Nebraska's Speech and Debate team see the payoff of the promising fall semester results. The team had been consistently ranking in the top spots at tournaments and doing very well as a team. Behind the scenes, the students were putting in a lot of work refining their pieces. The debate team worked on skill building and presentation of ideas to hone their persuasive capabilities. All of their work culminated in the team earning a second place rank at the state tournament, three state champion rankings and a spirit of KNIFA winner.