Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska recognized graduating seniors with outstanding academic achievements at an Academic Honors Reception on Friday, May 10. Every year, each academic department may give two or more awards, depending on the size of the department and number of students. Each department establishes its own criteria for award recipients, but the criteria must consider the student's grade point average, level of service to the department and level of service to Concordia University. Students honored from your area include:

Concordia University, Nebraska announced its term honors list for the second semester of the 2012-13 academic year. The top 25 percent of undergraduate students who complete at least 12 credit hours qualify for the honors list. Founded in 1894, Concordia University, Nebraska is a fully accredited liberal arts university committed to excellence in Christian higher education. Concordia was named to the top tier in a U.S. News & World Report's 2012 "America's Best Colleges" ranking in the Regional University- Midwest category and 28th in the "Top 50 Baccalaureate Colleges" of the 2011 Washington Monthly College Rankings. It is one of ten institutions belonging to The Lutheran ChurchaEUR"Missouri Synod's Concordia University System. The list of students includes:

The Concordia University, Nebraska theater department's annual One Act Festival held April 18-20 showcased four student-directed plays that were performed in the Music Center's Studio Theater. Students have the opportunity to direct a play as part of Concordia's Play Production course, taught by Assistant Professor of Communication and Theater Bryan Moore. In the course, the students learn how to choose their material, manage a cast, set the stage and direct rehearsals. The class is meant to give students behind-the-scenes experience, since many have participated as actors in Concordia's theater program, but not as directors. The one acts also give other students an opportunity to participate in theater in a less demanding production than a full stage play. "Although there's a great amount of work that goes into the production, it's still rewarding in the end, when the shows are performed and the audiences are crying because they are laughing so hard," said senior Steven Whitney. "I learned a lot about how to work with actors," said senior Sarah Dinger. "Directing is really just teaching, and every actor learns differently. I also learned that the act of creating a vision is a really amazing thing. The show didn't turn out the way I imagined it would. It was better." Students from your area include:

Student art honors and scholarships were announced at Concordia University, Nebraska's annual student art exhibit held in the Marxhausen Gallery of Art on the Concordia campus. Media used in the roughly 200 pieces on display includes wax, wood, thread, paint, ink, wire, clay, video, stoneware, digital images and even sugar sculptures. Entries are judged by Concordia's full-time art faculty, with scholarships and awards selected according to criteria set by those who established the endowments for each award. Students from your area and their awards include:

A tropical ecology class from Concordia University, Nebraska, visited Costa Rica on an 11-day study tour March 6-16. Led by Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, professor of biology, the group of 13 students studied the biodiversity and characteristics of the country's tropical rainforests. "Costa Rica is a model nation when it comes to protecting its rainforests," said Gubanyi. "As a result, it is one of the best places in the world to see and study rainforests." Gubanyi has visited the country more than 10 times and leads study tours every spring. The tours alternate between Costa Rica, where students study rainforests, and Belize, where they study tropical marine biology. Gubanyi also led a tour to Churchill, Manitoba, to study arctic biology last June. Students met with Gubanyi for eight weeks of classes before leaving for Costa Rica. On the tour, the group spent time hiking rainforest trails, observing plant, animals and ecological patterns. They were able to see and study wild monkeys, bats, toucans, parrots, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and many other creatures both in the daylight and at night. The class visited the San Jose area and Poas Volcano National Park before driving to La Selva Biological Station, where it studied lowland tropical wet forests. The group then spent the night at Palo Verde National Park to observe tropical dry rainforests. From there, they traveled to Monteverde to study a cloud forest and spent the night at the Monteverde Tropical Science Center. The tour and tropical ecology course are designed for students in biology and natural science programs. However, Gubanyi opens the experience to anyone interested in exploring other countries. Students included:

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:

Eight Concordia University, Nebraska students were recognized by Phi Epsilon Kappa, a health and human performance honorary society, for excellence in scholarship for 2013. Members of the honor society were nominated for their excellence in scholarship by Dr. Jennifer Janousek, their chapter adviser. Each eligible nominee must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA in their major area of study in addition to the requirements for PEK membership PEK is a national professional academic honorary society for students engaged in or pursuing careers in physical education, health, recreation, dance, human performance, exercise science, sports medicine and sports management. In order to become a member, students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.25, major in some aspect of health and human performance, have at least junior standing, provide service to the Concordia community, participate in extracurricular activities and lead a healthy lifestyle. Concordia's Eta Theta chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa began in 2011 and is one of 60 active chapters nationwide. Students from your area who were recognized include:

Sixteen Concordia University, Nebraska art students spent spring break in Chicago as part of a Concordia Art Club tour. The students visited the Art Institute of Chicago and explored the artistic attractions, music and cuisine of the city. Brenda Robson and art instructor Jennifer Bockelman led the group. The Art Club's purpose is to create opportunities and experiences for art students outside of the classroom such as Art Walks and Saturday School for elementary students to create art projects. Concordia's art department regularly hosts events for the public including Experience Art Days for high school students and art gallery exhibitions for the community. Concordia University, Nebraska students who went to Chicago are listed below, followed by their class year and hometown.

Sixteen Concordia University, Nebraska art students spent spring break in Chicago as part of a Concordia Art Club tour. The students visited the Art Institute of Chicago and explored the artistic attractions, music and cuisine of the city. Brenda Robson and art instructor Jennifer Bockelman led the group. The Art Club's purpose is to create opportunities and experiences for art students outside of the classroom such as Art Walks and Saturday School for elementary students to create art projects. Concordia's art department regularly hosts events for the public including Experience Art Days for high school students and art gallery exhibitions for the community. Concordia University, Nebraska students who went to Chicago are listed below, followed by their class year and hometown.

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:

Sigma Tau Delta is a national honor society for students studying English, devoted to promoting scholarship among students of English and interest in English languages and literature among all students on campus. Students from your area who are members of Sigma Tau Delta for the 2012-2013 school year at Concordia University, Nebraska 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:

More than 30 Bulldog student-athletes at Concordia University, Nebraska have been named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes for the 2012 and 2013 sports seasons. 2012-13 NAIA Scholar-Athletes at Concordia University, Nebraska include:

Over spring break, 12 Concordia University, Nebraska students visited Zacapa, Guatemala, for a week-long medical mission trip in conjunction with the Central American Lutheran Mission Society. Led by Dr. Jennifer Janousek, director of the Master of Public Health program at Concordia, the group of students traveled with a pediatrician, nurse and dentist to host medical and dental clinics. The team visited three villages: QueBrada de Aqua, Roblarcito and San Miguel. While on the trip, the team also taught children and adults about hygiene and nutrition, built latrines and stoves, and held Bible studies for children. "In my opinion, there are no words to describe the experience we had in Guatemala. We are so very grateful for the time God blessed us with in this wonderful country," said sophomore Morgan Vitosh in the team's blog. The full blog as well as photos and a video can be found at http://cunetoguatemala.blogspot.com/. Now back in Seward, the team members are readjusting to life in the United States. "We can only pray that the relationships made with the Guatemalans and the assistance we offered has made an impact in their lives," said sophomore Anna McDaniel. "We are Christ's hands in this world." Student participants' academic majors include pre-medicine, community health, exercise science, education and behavioral science. The Master of Public Health program at Concordia focuses on the fundamentals of public health, placing emphasis on practical experience through practicum work and mission trips. Based on Christian faith and values, the program prepares graduates to use their knowledge and experience to improve the state of public health around the world. Mission team members include:

Eleven Concordia University, Nebraska musicians performed in the spring honor recital on Tuesday, April 9, in the Music Center's recital hall. Top students in Concordia's music program are selected to perform based on auditions before a panel of Concordia's full-time music faculty. The recital is intended to showcase exceptional student talent and effort in preparation and performance. "I feel very excited and honored to be a part of the recital," said performer Elyssia Finch. The musicians, including Finch, seek to master their performance repertoire through private vocal and instrumental lessons and hours of rehearsal each week. Honored musicians include:

Over spring break, 12 Concordia University, Nebraska students visited Zacapa, Guatemala, for a week-long medical mission trip in conjunction with the Central American Lutheran Mission Society. Led by Dr. Jennifer Janousek, director of the Master of Public Health program at Concordia, the group of students traveled with a pediatrician, nurse and dentist to host medical and dental clinics. The team visited three villages: QueBrada de Aqua, Roblarcito and San Miguel. While on the trip, the team also taught children and adults about hygiene and nutrition, built latrines and stoves, and held Bible studies for children. "In my opinion, there are no words to describe the experience we had in Guatemala. We are so very grateful for the time God blessed us with in this wonderful country," said sophomore Morgan Vitosh in the team's blog. The full blog as well as photos and a video can be found at http://cunetoguatemala.blogspot.com/. Now back in Seward, the team members are readjusting to life in the United States. "We can only pray that the relationships made with the Guatemalans and the assistance we offered has made an impact in their lives," said sophomore Anna McDaniel. "We are Christ's hands in this world." Student participants' academic majors include pre-medicine, community health, exercise science, education and behavioral science. The Master of Public Health program at Concordia focuses on the fundamentals of public health, placing emphasis on practical experience through practicum work and mission trips. Based on Christian faith and values, the program prepares graduates to use their knowledge and experience to improve the state of public health around the world. Mission team members include:

Concordia University, Nebraska announced its term honors list for the first semester of the 2012-13 academic year. The top 25 percent of undergraduate students who complete at least 12 credit hours qualify for the honors list. The list of students includes:

Concordia University, Nebraska hosted its annual Christmas at Concordia concerts Dec. 7-9 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. An additional concert was added to the slate of Christmas at Concordia performances this year to better accommodate demand. In recent years all tickets have been reserved within a few days of becoming available. More than 2,000 people attended the four concerts. Multiple ensembles from the music department at Concordia took part in sharing the Christmas message. The four concerts featured the University A Cappella Choir, the University Symphonic Band, Male Chorus, Handbell Choir, Women's Chorale and the University Brass Ensemble. The groups performed traditional hymns of the season and request audience participation throughout the concerts. Scripture readings and original music from Concordia students and faculty also were part of the celebration. Students from your area who took part in the concert include:

Seven students from Concordia University, Nebraska's global and multi-cultural studies class recently completed a mission trip to Latvia Nov. 17-24. The group's goal was to encourage Latvians in the Christian faith and to learn about the country's culture. During the trip, the students took part in local worship, visited families and children at afterschool centers to sing, played games and encouraged both students and teachers in faith. The group also left Bibelots, small clay trinkets, as reminders of faith with the Latvians. "This experience was more than I had hoped," said Tim Rippstein, assistant professor of education and leader of the group. "There were tremendous mission opportunities to encourage and support Latvians who have endured a deeper economic recession, personal and social challenges, and to share the Gospel of Christ and his love." Since the trip occurred over Concordia's Thanksgiving break, the mission team prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal to share with the Latvian people. The students explained the tradition, the purpose behind the meal and the history of the Thanksgiving holiday, followed by a game of football outside. The course, Topics in Culture and Ministry in Latvia, aims to teach students about the country of Latvia and its people, history, political and economic situations. In addition to mission work during the trip, students ate traditional Latvian foods and studied the WWII history of the area as well as the post-war occupation by the USSR. Concordia students who visited Latvia include:

Concordia University, Nebraska's computer science department sent two teams to the ACM North America North Central Regional Programming Contest, held Nov. 3 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Contest sites were spread across the region for contestants to participate. The teams, made up of three members each, competed in the day-long event against hundreds of other teams across the region, writing computer programs to solve nine different problems within a five-hour time period. The Association for Computing Machinery hosts the contest each year from locations around the North Central region, made up of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Western Ontario, Manitoba, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and part of Michigan. The top teams in regional competition advance to the world finals, to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 30-July 4, 2012. All contests this year are sponsored by IBM. Concordia team members included:

Concordia University, Nebraska's Chamber Orchestra gave its first concert of the season on Sunday, Dec. 2, in the Music Center's recital hall. The orchestra, which formed last fall, has increased in size this year. The string section has doubled in size since the ensemble's first performance in October of 2011, now numbering nine stringed instruments in addition to the rest of the orchestra. "My goal for our ensemble this year is to present polished performances and explore literature for small orchestra from a variety of contrasting time periods," said Dr. Christopher Nichols, conductor of the orchestra. The concert began with Robert W. Smith's arrangement of "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Gustav Holst. Because the piece was arranged for a symphony orchestra, Nichols says he adapted the score for the lighter instrumentation of the Chamber Orchestra. Next, the ensemble presented three minuets by Giacomo Puccini, a composer known for his operas of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These pieces featured the ensemble's string section. Emily Brandt, senior, of, Loveland, Colo., and Kelly Jacob, junior, of Winnebago, Neb., performed a concerto by Georg Philipp Telemann. The concerto will set Brandt's flute and Jacob's bassoon talents against the rest of the orchestra. The piece also utilized the unique sounds of a harpsichord. In closing, the orchestra performed excerpts from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Musical Offering, BWV 1079." This piece, based on the "thema regium" or "theme of the king," according to Nichols, was composed after Bach's visit to King Frederick II in 1747. The orchestra performed several short sections from the hour-long composition.

The theatre department at Concordia University, Nebraska presented "Into the Woods," a musical production depicting troubled fairy tale creatures, based on the works of the Brothers Grimm. The musical was performed Nov. 2-3 and Nov. 9-11 in the Weller Hall Auditorium. "Into the Woods," written by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, follows the stories of several fairy tale creatures including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack from "Jack and the Beanstock" and Rapunzel. The stories weave with the tale of a baker and his wife on their quest to start a family as they discover they've been cursed by an evil witch. The following Concordia University, Nebraska students were a part of the cast or crew:

Concordia University, Nebraska inducted nine students into Phi Epsilon Kappa, a health and human performance honor society, during a ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 4. Phi Epsilon Kappa is a national professional academic honorary for students engaged in or pursuing careers in health and human performance. Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.25, major in the health and human performance department, have at least junior standing, provide service to the department and Concordia community, participate in extracurricular activities and lead a healthy lifestyle. "We are excited to add nine new members to the honorary," said Megan Shrum, graduate teaching assistant for Concordia's health and human performance department. "Each is a great addition and will continue to be a great service to the HHP department and Concordia community. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to their academics."

One hundred thirty-five undergraduate and graduate degrees were awarded in August at Concordia University, Nebraska. "We are proud we continue to grow the number of graduates serving and leading in the church and every sector of the workforce," said Concordia President Brian Friedrich. Undergraduates earning degrees from Concordia were eligible for distinction or high distinction honors. Up to 10 percent of those who earned, at minimum, a 3.75 GPA were designated as graduating with high distinction. An additional 15 percent of those who earned degrees with at least a 3.5 GPA graduated with distinction.

A group of Concordia University, Nebraska students took part in a study tour to the Holy Land June 6-20. The tour, led by Dr. Mark Meehl, professor of theology, included visits to Galilee, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. The tour was designed, according to Meehl, as a pilgrimage tailored to the needs of Concordia's students, alumni and friends. Participants had the opportunity to meet and speak with people of the regionaEUR"Palestinians, Israelis, Christians, Jews and MuslimsaEUR"as well as take part in a 13th century worship service in the Crusader Chapel of Jerusalem. The tour highlighted important biblical sites and events in order to help students better understand and relate to both the Old and New Testaments. "The best part of the trip was being able to learn a lot about God's Word, Middle Eastern culture, and biblical history every day knowing that I was walking where Jesus walked," said Tyler Zander, a senior theology education major. "A journey like this makes everything you learn in Sunday school, church, and in a Lutheran school classroom growing up seem and feel more real." Those participating in the tour included:

Concordia University, Nebraska announced its term honors list for the second semester of the 2011-12 academic year. The top 25 percent of undergraduate students who complete at least 12 credit hours qualify for the honors list. Founded in 1894, Concordia University, Nebraska is a fully accredited liberal arts university committed to excellence in Christian higher education. Concordia was named to the top tier in a U.S. News & World Report's 2012 "America's Best Colleges" ranking in the Regional University- Midwest category and 28th in the "Top 50 Baccalaureate Colleges" of the 2011 Washington Monthly College Rankings. It is one of ten institutions belonging to The Lutheran ChurchaEUR"Missouri Synod's Concordia University System. The list of students includes:

A team of students and two professors from Concordia University, Nebraska embarked on a study tour of four national parks May 7-18. The group visited Death Valley, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite national parks in California. "The objective of the trip is to open the eyes of students to the wonderful system of national parks we are blessed to have in this country," said Dr. Joel Helmer, associate professor of geography and leader of the trip. "I always tell them aEUR~it's your land, go see and use it.'" Students were required to select a resource management issue in the parks. They then researched the issues through interviews with park personnel, photographs, journaling and information from visitor centers. Each student also completed a digital journal of photos, writings and observations. "This was a trip of a lifetime," said junior Matt Wingert. "Never again will I go to that many national parks or learn that much in one trip. Dr. Helmer did an outstanding job. I can't wait to go visit those parks again and share with my friends and family the things I learned," he said. The trip included a hike on the sand dunes and a visit to the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley, exploring the backcountry in Jeeps, viewing the world's largest tree in Sequoia, and camping and hiking in Yosemite. The following local students participated in the national parks study tour:

A group of Concordia University, Nebraska students traveled north to Canada as part of an artic study tour June 13-25. Led by Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, professor of biology, the group examined northern ecosystems and studied plants and animals of the region. Their studies took them as far north as Hudson Bay, where they cruised the icy waters in Zodiac boats among a school of beluga whales and icebergs. "It was an amazing experience to witness the amount of marine life and dynamic physical characteristics of the Hudson Bay," said John Chatwell, a senior biology major from Lincoln, Neb. Through the course of the trip, students visited ecosystems ranging from boreal forest, tundra, fens (arctic marshes), and arctic coastal marine environments. They also studied tundra biology in northern Manitoba at Churchill Northern Studies Centre, a field station established for research and education of the arctic. "Working out of a facility built specifically for the development of sub-arctic research gave our group the chance to work with other researchers and experience the real-life challenges and skills needed to be an on-site research specialist," said Chatwell.