Concordia University, Nebraska

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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'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.

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."

Concordia University, Nebraska's natural sciences department recently held its annual banquet, recognizing graduating seniors and students who have displayed outstanding service and scholarship during their time at the university. Students and faculty enjoyed each other's company, fellowship, prayer and the game, "Are you smarter than a middle schooler?" The banquet featured a presentation from Josiah Rensner '19, who majored in education, chemistry and biology during his time at Concordia. Resner is currently completing his Ph.D. in chemistry at Iowa State University.

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.

On Friday, May 9, Concordia University, Nebraska will recognize the professional church work graduates at a sending service. The worship service allows for the students who are going out to serve the world through the church to be recognized for their work and dedication before they either take a call or go on to further their education. The service was started about seven years ago by Concordia Director of Dual Credit, Dr. Beth Pester. When Concordia was Concordia Teacher's College, the Lutheran teacher graduates would have experienced something similar to call day at the seminary at their graduation. Dr. Pester wanted to celebrate the people choosing to go into professional church work degrees. She talked to the university about implementing something that would do that and got approval to create the opportunity. She and Rev. Dr. John Mehl, Executive Director of Mission of Christ Network, collaborated to create a sending service that could become a Concordia tradition.

Over 60 students presented at the 14th annual Academic and Research Symposium at Concordia Nebraska on April 28, 2025. The event, which takes place in the Dunklau Center for Math, Science and Business, includes both poster and oral presentations throughout the late afternoon and evening. Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Brian Albright has been coordinating the event for the past four years. The symposium gives students the opportunity to present original research and significant projects they've worked on over the course of the semester in an interdisciplinary setting. This year, majors from history and psychology to biology and English were represented at the event. A total of 62 students gave 38 poster and 23 oral presentations on topics ranging from chiropractic care to football recruiting. This year, the event concluded with a lecture by keynote speaker Lyman Stone, a Lutheran demographer and senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies. Stone's presentation was entitled "What Tomorrow May Bring: Evidence from the Lutheran Religious Life Survey Revealing How the LCMS is Changing."

Selected music students performed vocal and instrumental works at Concordia Nebraska'ssemiannual honor recital on April 26. Honor recitals are designed to allow students who perform at a high level to showcase their musical abilities in front of a live audience. Placement in the honor recital program is determined by auditions that take place earlier in the semester and are judged by music department faculty members. All students who participate in an applied music lesson are eligible and encouraged to audition. This semester's recital included works by composers like Benjamin Culli and Claude Debussy, with performances vocally and on instruments including organ, piano, trombone and flute.

On April 27 at 7 p.m., Concordia Nebraska music students will perform original works on various instruments at the 2025 spring composers' recital. The annual recital offers students a chance to perform their original compositions in front of a live audience. This year, the recital will take place at St. John Lutheran Church. The program features pieces by five different Concordia students and is set to include instruments such as flute, clarinet, piano and organ. Adjunct Professor of Music John Kosch teaches Concordia Nebraska's composition courses and coordinates the annual composers' recital. Kosch has won several composition awards from the NAfME and other organizations. His works have been selected for performances at regional and national Society of Composers conferences as well as the Brevard Music Festival, Charlotte New Music Festival and the Cortona Sessions for New Music.

Concordia Nebraska's theatre department will perform "WhoDunit...and to Whom?" as their spring mainstage play on March 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and March 30 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the Black Box Theatre in the Borland Center for Music and Theatre on campus. The play was originally written by professional writer and actor Robert Frankel, who has published over 30 works in his lifetime.

Concordia University, Nebraska has awarded the university's President's Scholarship to 25 students for the 2024-2025 school year. The scholarship acknowledges freshmen with excellent academic performance, notable extracurricular involvement and high test score achievements. "While Concordia Nebraska is honored to have faculty and staff who are devoted to Christ-centered excellence, it is the students who play a central role in maintaining such a legacy," said Concordia University, Nebraska President Dr. Bernard Bull. "President's Scholarship recipients exemplify a commitment to excellence and, in doing so, promote a Christ-centered academic community that embraces a relentless pursuit of excellence, truth, beauty, goodness and using their gifts to be a future blessing to their families, churches, communities, and workplaces."

Four Concordia Nebraska students - Gracie Flamig, Mackenzie Houser, Megan Eurich and Yaire Ojeda - were recently inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, the national criminal justice society. Concordia Nebraska's chapter of this society is called Pi Epsilon Eta and requires students to hold a minimum 3.2 grade point average overall and in four criminal justice courses.

Senior Joseph Kahrs of Franklin, Nebraska, is majoring in agricultural science and plays football for the Concordia Nebraska Bulldogs. He said he chose to attend the university because it offered him the opportunity to focus on the two things he loves - football and agricultural science - while studying at a university that offers a Lutheran, Christian focus.

Concordia University, Nebraska sophomores Reagan Martens and Abigail Kollbaum are both currently serving on the executive leadership team for YouthLead, the youth organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Office of National Missions. For 40 years, YouthLead has equipped teens to develop and use their leadership skills to serve Christ in various capacities in their communities and congregations. The YouthLead executive team is elected for three-year terms by peers during Youth Leadership Training events. Martens, Kollbaum and four other teens were elected to this team by their peers at the 2022 event. Their duties as members include facilitating annual YouthLead events, becoming leaders in their own congregations and even helping with key aspects of the upcoming National Youth Gathering (NYG).