Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia Nebraska sophomore Ethan Olson of Juniata, Nebraska, chose the university because of the opportunity to study physics and math and play football for the Bulldogs. "I chose to study at Concordia because I love the Christian culture and the people on campus. I also had the best scholarship offer and a chance to play football," he said. "Concordia is different from other universities because the Word of God is talked about and presented everywhere by students and staff. Concordia's physics department is different from other universities because we are taught to understand the world God created and the physical laws He set in place from the beginning of time."

From February 20-23, Concordia University, Nebraska's Chamber Choir will tour through Iowa, Indiana and Illinois as a part of their spring 2026 tour. Their tour involves a series of concerts, worship services and assemblies. Students in the Chamber choir are representative of a variety of academic studies across the university. Members are chosen by audition, and all are members of the internationally acclaimed A Cappella Choir.

Prior to coming to Concordia University, Nebraska freshman Emma Fiala lived in Herculaneum, Missouri, for 11 years, but she calls Brezno, Slovakia, home. She is majoring in secondary education with an endorsement in mathematics, minoring in physics and earning a Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD). She is the university's Luke Scholars honors program, Cantamus women's choir, Mixed Chorus and does technical crew lighting for the university's theater program.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently named 267 students to its honors list for the Fall 2025 semester. Students must earn a 3.90 GPA or higher while also completing a minimum of 12 credit hours to be eligible for this list.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Lighthouse Club raised over $12,500 in December 2025 with their Dressember fundraiser. Dressember is an anti-human trafficking fundraising and awareness campaign that is connected to the nonprofit International Justice Mission. Dressember is intended to encourage conversation by participants wearing dresses, ties and skirts for a day or the whole month of December.

In December 2025, Uzziah Ag Scholar Benjamin Steffens attended the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

Concordia Nebraska Associate Professor of Agricultural Science Dr. Kim Clark, Professor of Education Dr. Amanda Geidel, adjunct instructor Jason Hirschfeld '22 and four university education students, Jenna Muntz, Kailyn King, Lane Schoff and Jesse Herndon, recently enjoyed an experience of a lifetime. The group partnered with Nebraska Public Media in Lincoln to create curriculum to support an hour-long documentary called "Steak Science." "This is a film about the beef industry in Nebraska," explained Geidel. "Through Jason's collaborative efforts, Nebraska Public Media decided to partner with our students to develop curriculum that would go along with the documentary. The project began in September. Students developed their lessons, each covering a different segment of the film. They pitched their lessons at NPM to get feedback, tweaked them, and then each student taught their lesson to two different ag classes in Nebraska schools." The project culminated with a final meeting where Concordia students shared about presenting their lessons in the schools. Clark said the group discussed the possibility of partnering with NPM for future projects to develop additional documentaries for use by Nebraska teachers. "This project is a testament of the academic success at Concordia in the agricultural program and other academic areas," said Clark. The Steak Science video is available on Nebraska Public Media's webpage. The student-developed curriculum will soon be available for public use. "I was so proud of these students and thrilled to see how amazing this opportunity was for them," said Geidel. "The NPM team didn't have enough words to express their admiration for our students, professors and program at Concordia. It was awesome!" "The recognition these students have and will receive from this collaboration is something they should be proud of," added Clark. "These students have applied their knowledge through this project and enhanced skills such as planning, collaboration, communication, network and many more."

Freshman Emily Lindau of Omaha, Nebraska, is majoring in secondary education with theology and history endorsements at Concordia University, Nebraska. She is also pursuing a Lutheran Teacher Diploma and is part of the university's Luke Scholars honors program. She is a member of the University A Cappella Choir and The Attic Team. She chose to study at Concordia Nebraska following recommendations from mentors who cited the university's matchless community and welcoming atmosphere. "It was immediately apparent to me that everyone here wants newcomers to be a part of the 'inner ring' of culture, rather than putting them down for not knowing what's going on," she explained. "Concordia Nebraska also allows me to get to know a lot of other current and future church workers and learn in a smaller classroom setting. I was encouraged to go into church work, so coming here to meet the people I will work with my whole career just made sense!" Lindau said that she has been blessed to meet many students on campus who are all very excited about serving in church work in variety ways. She added that dorm life is a wonderfully immersive experience that allows her to enjoy daily life with like-minded friends. Even when the homework piles up and the days are filled with challenges, she said she receives constant encouragement and support. "I have a professor who consistently reminds me of the reason I am really here so I do not get caught up in all the stress of grades as much," she said. She said her short time on campus has strengthened and developed her faith in Jesus Christ. "I have several professors that I have talked to about faith outside of the classroom," she explained. "Additionally, the opportunity to be surrounded by worship and Bible study opportunities to attend with my friends has really helped to strengthen my faith community." Lindau's aunt and grandparents all served in church work and have encouraged her to pursue church work as well. Her father is a surgeon and her mom volunteers at the schools Lindau once attended and also serves on various community boards. When she's not studying, you'll find Lindau outside climbing trees, golfing, singing, playing board games, babysitting, reading or crafting with friends. Lindau said she feels blessed to be surrounded by so many current and future church workers, and that the community she is building with those and others is encouraging and uplifting. She dreams of teaching and said each day in class at Concordia prepares her for that future. "I would love to teach in a Lutheran high school, preferably teaching theology and history," she said. "I would like to be in a school that is small enough for me to be able to have a genuine connection with my students. It is really important to me to be heavily involved in whatever school community I am placed in."

Freshman Camryn Beikmann hails from Palmer, Kansas, although her family moved to Pierce, Nebraska, last summer. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary education and Lutheran Teacher Diploma from Concordia University, Nebraska. She is also in Concordia Ringers and is in the Luke Scholars honor program.

Concordia University, Nebraska's speech and debate team is wrapping up their fall semester. Their regular season will continue after Christmas break. Coach Malia Frerking expects the team to finish in the top 25 at nationals next semester.

Senior Kristin Vieselmeyer of Holyoke, Colorado, is majoring in exercise science at Concordia University, Nebraska with minors in psychology and biology. She plays basketball for the Bulldogs. "I chose Concordia because I knew it would be a place where I could be provided a great Christian education as well as grow in my faith in a loving community. I also admired the small town feel you get from Seward. My sisters, Erin Carper '17 and Megan Schipper '19 both attended and graduated from Concordia."

Freshman Keith Siek of Saint Joseph, Michigan, is majoring in journalism at Concordia University, Nebraska and is in the pre-seminary program. He runs cross country and track for the Bulldogs and is involved with the university's swing dancing club, intramural flag football, pre-sem club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Men's Chorus and German club. He enjoys attending evening prayer and several student-led Bible studies each week.

The gift of music frequently brings together people from across the world in fellowship, and Christmas at Concordia is no exception. Over the course of four performances the weekend of December 5-7, over 2,400 students, faculty and staff, and Concordia community members gathered in St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the salvation that the world receives through him.

On November 6-9, 25 Concordia University, Nebraska students across a variety of programs attended the annual Beautiful Feet Mission Conference. This year, the event was held at Concordia University, Wisconsin.

Senior Hunter Remington of Bristow, Oklahoma, is pursuing a bachelor of arts in music from Concordia University, Nebraska. He is in his fourth year as a member of the University A Cappella Choir and is coordinator of the university's twice-weekly Evening Prayer services. He chose to attend the university after visiting campus during a Higher Things conference in 2019.

Alison Roehrig of Archbold, Ohio, is a junior at Concordia University, Nebraska studying theology and preparing to serve as a Director of Christian Education. On campus, she's involved in Concordia Youth Ministry, Mission Minded Students and Bulldogs4Life. She transferred to Concordia Nebraska from Concordia University Ann Arbor, where she was in the Director of Family Life Ministries program.

Junior Nolan Graupmann of Goddard, Kansas, is majoring in exercise science at Concordia University, Nebraska and minoring in biology and sports psychology. He is also on the university's lifting sports team.

Senior Adrian Wambua of Nairobi, Kenya, came to Concordia Nebraska to play soccer for the Bulldogs. He discovered a Christ-focused community that is encouraging him in his studies and helping him pursue his dreams.

Elizabeth Salo is studying history and English at Concordia University, Nebraska. This summer, she will be volunteering as a College Conference Volunteer (CCV) at the Higher Things conference taking place at Concordia Nebraska.

Sophomore Rachel Amey from Wichita, Kansas is double majoring in criminal justice and psychology and double minoring in Spanish and servant leadership at Concordia Nebraska. She is part of the university's inaugural cohort of Paul Scholars, Concordia Nebraska's work education program and works in the university's safety and security department.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Center for Liturgical Art has had the opportunity to provide chancel furnishings and communion ware for past LCMS Youth Gatherings and was asked to do so again for this year's event, which will take place July 19-23 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Communion ware pieces for the youth-focused event were designed by Concordia Nebraska Associate Professor of Art Justin Groth '11.

Autumn Consier is studying criminal justice, psychology and theology at Concordia Nebraska. This summer, she will be volunteering as a College Conference Volunteer (CCV) at the Higher Things conference taking place at Concordia Nebraska. Learn more: https://www.cune.edu/news/sophomore-autumn-consier-serve-others-higher-things-conference-dreams-attending-law-school

Concordia University, Nebraska's Concordia Catalyst Competition (C3) is a multi-part event that spans months. Mentor Night occurs prior to the fall Pitch Competition and the spring Business Plan Competition. C3 was created to provide practical experience for those formulating and executing business plan ideas and is open to high school students, community members, current Concordia Nebraska students and alumni of the university. This spring's Business Plan Competition winners included: First Place: Nathaniel Sizer and David Marin Second Place: Lane Schoff Third Place: Mark Arp Fourth Place: Cael Washburn

Concordia University, Nebraska recently named 241 students to its honors list for the Spring 2025 semester. Students who earn a 3.90 GPA or higher while also completing at least 12 credit hours during the semester qualify for this list.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently honored 27 graduating seniors who maintained high levels of academic excellence during their time at the university at the 2025 Commencement Honors Dinner on May 9. Each year, academic departments may confer two or more awards, depending on the department's size and the number of students in a particular program. Each department may determine the basis for students' attainment of these awards; however, they must consider the student's grade point average, service to the department and service to the university.

Concordia University, Nebraska recently announced its upcoming Student Senate leadership team, which will take over the governance of the club starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Officers for the upcoming school year include senior Quinlan Hendrickson of Lincoln, Nebraska as president, senior Ramona Ojeda of Lexington, Nebraska, as vice president, senior Emma VanTol of Unionville, Michigan, as treasurer and junior Kayla Korb of Burley, Idaho, as secretary.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Competitive Leadership Team was started in 2017. What started with one team of six students has doubled in size in the past eight years. The team has traveled to places like Cleveland, Ohio, and Norfolk, Virginia, for past Collegiate Leadership Competitions (CLC) and this spring traveled to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for the regional competition. This year's Competitive Leadership Teams won the Midwest Regional Championship finishing in first and second place. Team member Victor Santana said that the trip to Oklahoma City allowed the team to grow both competitively and in their relationships with each other. The teams also finished in second and fifth place in the online Global Competition. Other teams that participated attended schools such as Brigham Young University, the University of Toronto, Old Dominion University and Southwest Oklahoma State University.

On May 10, Concordia University, Nebraska awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 430 graduates. The class of 2025 was honored during an undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremony.

The Concordia University, Nebraska speech and debate team participated in the AFA-NST (American Forensics Association - National Speech Tournament) at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte campus April 4-7, 2025. This intense, three-day competition features schools from across the United States who compete division free.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Uzziah Scholars recently enjoyed a spring industry tour to Fredericksburg, Texas. Students in attendance on the tour included Lane Schoff, Nathan King, Jenna Muntz and Kailyn Paul. The tour was led by Uzziah Agriculture Scholars Program Director Kellie Nelson '24. "This trip was designed to broaden the horizons of Uzziah Scholars students by immersing them in agricultural industries and practices distinct from those found in Nebraska," explained Nelson. "Through hands-on experiences and in-depth tours, students engaged with diverse agricultural operations, explored the influence of regional climate on production and gained insights into local cultural dynamics. This tour not only expanded their agricultural knowledge and exposure to innovative management practices but also fostered team building, collaboration and a deeper appreciation for the varied landscapes of American agriculture."