Concordia University, Nebraska

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."

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Forty-three Concordia students gathered on October 24 for an evening of nachos and presentations about summer opportunities for education majors. The Concordia Ambassador Students in Education (CASE) organization hosted the event, at which nine education students presented and introduced others to their experiences during the summer of 2023, when they each served in unique mission- and education-related capacities around the country and the world.

Each year, Concordia University, Nebraska art students submit work for the university's annual Student Art Exhibition, and awards and scholarships are earned based on submitted work. This year's art scholarship and award recipients were announced at the Marxhausen Gallery of Art on April 23. The Student Art Exhibition is on display through May 3.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Department of Science recently held their annual banquet and recognized students for their outstanding work in the department.

The Concordia University, Nebraska forensics team competed in several national championship events in March and April 2022, making a strong showing for a small school team. The first nationals event the team participated in was the Asynchronous Speech Championship, which took place virtually March 24-27. Gwen Gaunt, a sophomore from Hastings, Nebraska, and Alia Hurst, a senior from Fairmont, Nebraska, advanced to the quarter finals in Dramatic Interpretation, while Sabrina Reed, a junior from Crete, Nebraska, advanced to the semi-finals in Poetry and Dramatic Interpretation. The team overall placed No. 2 in the River Division Team Sweepstakes, a division for teams of 15 entries of less) and No. 9 overall in the Ocean Division, which includes all 33 schools at the tournament, regardless of entry size. At the National Christian College Forensics Invitational at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, March 18-20, Thomas Welch, a sophomore from Jefferson City, Missouri, received a speaker award in Parliamentary Debate. "Because of the distance to the National Christian College Forensics Invitational, which was held in-person this year, we were only able to bring a few students," said Joe Davis, director of forensics at Concordia Nebraska, "but with our newly-founded debate presence, we look forward to making a larger competitive splash at Christian Nationals in the future." The Concordia Forensics Team was one of only two Midwest schools to qualify more than 10 competitors to the prestigious American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 1-4, 2022. Fourteen different competitors earned the team sweepstakes points in preliminary rounds, which includes members of all classes, senior to freshman. Concordia ranked No. 22 in the nation, regardless of division, maintaining their placement from the 2021 tournament. "So much of our competitive success is derived from an intentionally team-centered effort," said Davis. "Our speech participation is some of the largest in the country, and I look forward to growing the debate program in a manner that not only is reminiscent of our university's impressive forensics history but works towards accomplishing our goal of becoming the best Christian collegiate forensics program in the country."

Three teams of computer programming students from Concordia University, Nebraska competed in the annual Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) North Central North America Regional Programming Contest Oct. 31, 2015. Concordia's team called FFoD placed 39th out of the 223 teams at the event.

Three students from Concordia University, Nebraska received College Student of the Year awards at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE Nebraska) awards luncheon in Kearney, Nebraska, on Nov. 3, 2015.

A group of 20 Concordia University, Nebraska students, alumni and friends embarked on a tour of the Holy Land from June 11-25, 2015. The tour, led by Dr. Mark Meehl, professor of theology, included visits to Galilee, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and other Biblical sites in the surrounding areas.

Students from Concordia University, Nebraska joined St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, from June 19-29, 2015, on the church's sixth annual mission trip to Akiachak, Alaska, a remote Yupik village along the Kuskokwim River.

Concordia University, Nebraska students are teaching English and American culture to students in grades kindergarten through eighth at Buena Vista Concordia International School during two three-week camps this summer, scheduled for June 22-July 10 and July 13-31. The school is located in Shenzhen, China, and is the first school in mainland China sponsored by the The Lutheran Church--Hong Kong Synod.

Concordia University, Nebraska Professor of English Lisa Ashby and Associate Professor of Communication and Theatre Bryan Moore led 10 Concordia students on the university's first New England study tour that focused on both theatre and literary sites on the East Coast.

Concordia University, Nebraska students traveled throughout Spain on an art and communication study tour from May 12-24. The tour was directed by Professor of Art Lynn Soloway and Professor of Communication Bruce Creed.

Concordia University, Nebraska, honored graduating seniors who achieved outstanding academic accomplishments during their college career at its annual Academic Honors Reception. This year's reception was held on Friday, May 8, 2015.

Concordia University, Nebraska inducted junior Clarisa White into the Mu Tau chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, an international geographic honor society.

Three Concordia University, Nebraska students won Student Project Showcase awards at the Nebraska GIS/LIS Symposium, which was hosted by the Nebraska GIS/LIS Association and was held April 14-16 in La Vista, Nebraska. Fourteen Concordia students participated in the symposium.

Sixty-six students presented a record number of 58 academic projects from a variety of disciplines at Concordia University, Nebraska's Fifth Annual Academic and Research Symposium on April 13.

The Concordia University, Nebraska forensics team earned the title of national champions in Reader's Theater and earned a second place Individual Events Sweepstakes overall for Division III schools in the 18th annual Christian College Nationals at Colorado Christian University March 20-22.

A group of three computer programming students, called the J-Team, from Concordia University, Nebraska placed in the top 10 percent of the region in the ACM North Central North America Programming Contest held Nov. 8 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Three teams participated in the contest.

Twelve Concordia Nebraska students will teach English and American culture to students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, this summer.