Concordia University, Nebraska

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Six theater students from Concordia University, Nebraska traveled on a study tour through the United States and Canada May 12-26.

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.

The Department of Natural Sciences at Concordia University, Nebraska recognized exceptional work and contribution to the science department at its 13th annual awards banquet. Graduating seniors were also honored at the banquet.

The Sower is a bi-weekly newspaper that covers campus news for the Concordia student community while also providing valuable pre-professional experience for student staff members.

Concordia University, Nebraska names 2013 Homecoming Court.

The co-chairs organize and oversee Homecoming activities including appointing committee chairs for the various event and coordinate all efforts.

Concordia University, Nebraska held its third-annual Research Symposium on Tuesday, April 16. The symposium gave students the opportunity to present personal research and advanced projects. Thirty-nine students presented their research, literature reviews and projects. Projects were divided into four presentation categories. The empirical research category included the presentation of data collected by an individual or team through observation or sensory experience, of empirical or non-empirical research, literature reviews and advanced projects. The non-empirical research category included projects in which the student developed a thesis and defended it using source texts or peer-reviewed research. Literature reviews were presented by students who had written academic papers based on the review of peer research articles on a specific field-related study. The Advanced Project category allowed presenters to showcase service learning projects, course culminations and highlight their work in interdisciplinary studies. "Everyone who attended this year from fellow students to faculty and staff, and even individuals who participated in studies was impressed with the quality of work presented," said Dr. Nancy Elwell, associate professor of psychology and coordinator of the symposium. "It is truly an event that celebrates the talent of Concordia University, Nebraska students." Presenters from your area are listed along with the title of their project:

The Pre-Seminary Club promotes fellowship, education, spirituality, maturity and faith of those who seek to be pastors in The Lutheran ChurchaEUR"Missouri Synod, through fellowship activities, service events on and off campus, weekly meetings and a bi-annual retreat. Students from your area who are members of the Pre-Seminary Club for the 2012-2013 school year at Concordia University, Nebraka include:

Student Activities Council (SAC) members plan and implement activities to entertain and promote the social and spiritual well-being of the student community with dances, holiday activities, musicians, comedians, bands, games, and Homecoming and Spring Weekend activities. SAC is affiliated with the National Association for Campus-Activities. Students from your area who are a member of SAC for the 2012-2013 school year at Concordia University, Nebraska include:

The Student Worship Committee (SWC) at Concordia University, Nebraska is committed to ensuring meaningful worship experiences for students and assists with Concordia's worship and praise opportunities. Students from your area who are members of SWC for the 2012-2013 school year at Concordia University, Nebraska include:

The Sower is a bi-weekly newspaper that covers campus news for the Concordia student community while also providing valuable pre-professional experience for staff members. Students from your area who are a member of The Sower's staff for the 2012-2013 school year at Concordia University, Nebraska include: