Previous alumni award recipients

Gordon Bredow of St. Peters, Mo., has spent more than 40 years serving students in Lutheran schools across the country. A 1964 graduate of Concordia, Bredow has been a teacher, athletic director and a coach for basketball, football, baseball and track at Lutheran high schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Texas and three schools in California. He currently teaches, coaches and directs the athletic program at Lutheran High School of St. Charles County, St. Peters, Mo.

Young Alumnus of the Year Award

Timothy Huntington of Lincoln, Neb., has progressed quickly in the field of forensic entomology, using his skills in biology and research to aid the police and federal government in their investigations. After graduating from Concordia in 2002, Huntington earned a master of science in entomology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is currently pursuing his doctorate. Earlier this year, Huntington passed a board certification examination, becoming the youngest member of the American Board of Forensic Entomology. He has received numerous awards and fellowships during his studies, and has published an article in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Duane and Rosemary Miller of Milwaukee, Wis., have invested themselves in the lives of children in their communities for more than 35 years. Living in Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin, their methods of outreach have included expanding church youth programs, starting a neighborhood preschool, offering supplementary catechism classes, establishing teacher training programs and overseeing building programs. Currently serving at St. Martini Lutheran School in downtown Milwaukee, Duane was the author of a grant application that has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop the reading program at the chiefly Hispanic school. The Millers are 1970 graduates of Concordia.

Lay Worker Alumnus of the Year

Paul Kleine of Norman, Okla., has been a leader in education, psychology and educational research since graduating from Concordia in 1958. Beginning his career at a small school in Missouri, Kleine went on to teach and chair the division of education at the University of Wisconsin as well as teach and direct the Bureau of Educational Research Services at the University of Oklahoma. Among his many awards was a Fulbright lectureship in Portugal. He established a Habitat for Humanity chapter at the Univ. of Oklahoma while a faculty member and led construction trips for 16 years. He currently leads service-oriented construction trips to Tanzania and the Gulf region of the U.S.

Friend of Concordia

Marguerite Christman’s heartfelt friendship with Concordia is evident in all that she has done for the university and furthered through her support. Her gifts of her time and hospitality include everything from directing golf tournaments to housing traveling students from her alma mater. A 1967 graduate of Concordia, Christman spent just over 10 years teaching, substituting, coaching and working with educational media at schools in Arkansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Now living in Midwest City, Okla., she is deeply involved in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, including service on the national executive committee.

Lifetime Service Award

Dorothea and Raymond Huebschman of Seward, Neb., both graduates from Concordia in the early 60s, have more than 70 years of ministering to students between them, including Dottie’s 14 years at St. John Lutheran School in Seward and Ray’s many, many years at Concordia. The Huebschmans did not give up teaching after retirement, traveling to Indonesia with Lutheran World Mission to help in the devastated Banda Aceh region. They recently spent six months teaching both students and Indonesian teachers.

Honorary Alumni of the Year

Raymond Becker of Lincoln, Neb., was employed with First National Bank in Lincoln for 41 years, eventually becoming a vice president. He has also served as treasurer of the Wyuka Cemetary and treasurer of the Cedars Home for Children for more than 40 years. His contributions to Concordia extend beyond his energetic attendance at events to significant support of scholarships and capital projects on campus. Upon the occasion of his 100th birthday, he was given the Sower Award, Concordia’s highest honor for financial supporters.

Hugh Sieck Jr. of Lincoln, Neb., is the owner of H & S Plumbing in Lincoln and supporter of Concordia scholarships. A quick learner, he watched others in the industry when he was just starting out and gained the knowledge to run a successful business. Sieck has supported scholarships for Concordia students and he has contributed an entire lifetime of knowledge and superior workmanship on dozens of Concordia’s capital projects and has shared from his extensive knowledge during planning stages of university building and property development.

Church Worker Alumnus of the Year Award

Dennis Hintz of Topeka, Kan., has served for more than 30 years as the director of Christian education at St. John Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kan. He serves a variety of educational needs at the congregation and works on worship planning, finances and Stephen Ministry training. Hintz is a 1971 graduate of Concordia and has served on the university’s Board of Regents for three terms.

Young Alumnus of the Year Award

Andrew Knudten of Broomfield, Colo., has served others as a teacher, volunteer, biologist and church member. Knudten also participates on the President’s Athletic Council and the steering committee for the football legacy scholarships at Concordia. He is a 1989 graduate of Concordia.

Partners in Mission and Ministry Award

Rev. David and Rachel Baker have served in Almaty, Kazakhstan since 2003. Their work includes organizing humanitarian aid programs, supporting and encouraging local Believers and sharing with those who still don't know the Good News. Both are 1998 graduates of Concordia.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Rev. Scott Schmieding of Baton Rouge, La., serves Trinity Lutheran Church and Baton Rouge Lutheran School as senior pastor. Reaching out has been a major focus in the past year as Schmieding and his congregation offered practical necessities, tuition-free schooling and summer camp opportunities to hundreds of people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Schmieding is a 1987 graduate of Concordia.

Lay Worker of the Year Award: Linda Marquardt Witham of Ventura, Calif., has been a leader in education, human care and business over the past four decades, including teaching in Columbia and working with immigrants in Singapore. A 1972 graduate of Concordia, she is a managing partner for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and volunteers her development advice to Los Angeles Lutheran High School.

Friends of Concordia Award

Drs. William and Judith Preuss of Seward, Neb., have been friends of Concordia and education for more than 40 years. Bill spearheaded the development of field experiences and student teaching methods at Concordia and established the university’s director of Christian education program. Judy chaired the education department, served as dean of the college of education and was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year at Concordia in 1980. The Preusses are 1960 graduates from Concordia.

Lifetime Service Award

Dr. Allan and Sandra Schmidt of Seward, Neb., have taught, consulted and administered in Maryland, Nebraska and China. Now based in Hong Kong, Allan serves as the director for the Asia Lutheran Education Association, and he and Sandy work to build support for the large number of Lutheran schools in the region. Sandy is a 1995 graduate of Concordia and Allan was the university’s secondary education director during the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Honorary Alumni of the Year

For the past seven years, Sharon Mason of Chicago, Ill., has worked closely with Concordia student teachers in their multicultural workshop sessions. Named Teacher of the Year in 2001 by the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation, Mason has more than 25 years of teaching experience. She serves as the assistant principal and teaches math at Luther South in Chicago.

Anthony Rainey of Chicago, Ill., also leads sessions in the university’s multicultural workshops, sharing from his career of frontline experience in education. At Luther South since 1983, Rainey has served as teacher, assistant principal and coach of multiple teams, and he is currently the principal and executive director. The Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation named Rainey Teacher of the Year in 1999, and the Illinois High School Association has named him Coach of the Year six times.

Church Worker Alumnus of the Year

Hugh McGhghy of Warsaw, Mo., has served the Lutheran Church since 1949, spending more than 20 years as both a teachor and pastor. He is a 1965 graduate of Concordia.

Lifetime Service Award

Fritzie Juergensen of Seward taught Sunday school and served as a member of the Concordia Guild, Tower Guild and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She has also served as head of the St. John Prayer Chain since its inception in 1982.

Lifetime Service Award

Norma Meyer of Seward has been active in service to the Lutheran Church for the past 78 years. She was a member of the Young Women’s League from 1946-62 and has served on the Ladies Aid since 1963.

Honorary Alumni Award

Mark and Suzanne Kolterman of Seward manage the Jones National Bank and Trust Co. insurance and investment department in Seward. Mark is a past member of the Concordia Board of Regents and a past president of the Concordia Foundation Board. Suzanne offers her time to the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Board in Lincoln.

Young Alumnus Award

Christina Hergenrader has written four novels of the Novel Devotions Series. She earned the Houston area Lutheran School’s Teacher of the Year in 2002. Hergenrader is a 1996 graduate of Concordia.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Moses Ngirailab serves as a math professor at Concordia, Selma, in Alabama, and also as a men’s and women’s basketball coach at the college. Ngirailab is a 1981 graduate of Concordia.

Lay Worker Alumnus of the Year

Dr. Edwin Gerler Jr. has spent nearly 40 years of service and leadership in education. He was selected as the 1991-92 Oustanding Teacher in the college of education and psychology at North Carolina State University, and he has been selected for membership in the North Carolina State University Academy of Outstanding Teachers. He is a 1967 graduate of Concordia.

Friends of Concordia Award

Lloyd and Ann Pooker both served six years on Concordia’s Alumni Council. Ann was the first-ever member to serve a two-year term as president of the council, while Lloyd spent one year in that capacity. The couple has been actively involved with the St. Louis Chapter of the alumni, has helped organize events and provided support for choir and athletic events in the St. Louis area. Lloyd and Ann are 1970 graduates of Concordia.

Mission and Ministry Award

Mark and Ruth Kempff have served in Venezuela and Panama since 1975. Mark has served in missions with the LCMS World Mission program, while Ruth was instrumental in forming a daycare and preschool program in Venezueula and now supports training programs in Panama. Mark is a 1974 graduate of Concordia.

Young Alumnus Award

Dr. Jeffrey Stout of Coral Springs, Fla. He is an assistant professor of exercise science at Florida Atlantic University in Davie as well as a published author. He is a 1989 graduate.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award

Lois Voeltz of Glendale, Ariz., who served as an educator at the Hong Kong International School (HKIS) from 1996-2003. She is a 1969 graduate.

Lifetime Service Award

Melvin and Arlene Lillich of Deshler, Neb. Melvin, a 1953 graduate, served as an educator and administrator for 41 years at Lutheran schools in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Waco and Hebron, Neb., Fairmont, Okla., Okawville and St. Peter, Ill. and Bradley-Bourbonnais High School in Illinois. Arlene is a graduate of Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., and was a Lutheran schoolteacher in Illinois in Okawville, St. Peter and Bellevue. She retired after 13 years as a teacher at Bradley-Bourbonnais High School.

Lay Worker Alumna of the Year

Dr. Corine Schleif of Phoenix, Ariz., is a 1971 graduate and serves as associate professor at Arizona State University, where she has made a remarkable contribution in the area of art history not only in the classroom as an educator, but outside the classroom as an artist, author and lecturer.

Church Worker Alumnus of the Year

Ben Herbrich of Hollis Hills, N.Y., has served at Martin Luther High School in Maspeth, N.Y., for the past 40 years. He has served as executive director since 1988. He is a 1964 graduate.

Friend of Concordia Award

Robert Reuter of Charlotte, N.C., was chairman of the Organ and Church Music Departments of the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University for 29 years until his retirement. He is currently Minister of Music of Ascension Lutheran Church in Charlotte, N.C. Throughout his career the 1931 graduate served as an educator, composer, conductor, organist and pipe organ consultant.

Honorary Alumni Award

C.W. and Ellie Allerheiligen of Marysville, Kan. C.W. started a meat trading company, C.W. Allerheiligen Sales, in 1975 and remained until his retirement in 2000. He also is an honorary director of Concordia Foundation, Inc. Ellie worked in family businesses and raised their four children.