2009 alumni award recipients
Church Worker Alumna of the Year: Virginia R. Kohtz
Virginia R. Kohtz of Seward, Neb., has spent almost fifty years working with young people. Kohtz came to Concordia as a 13-year-old high school freshman, earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1961 and her master’s degree in 1973. After beginning her teaching career at Atonement Lutheran in Dearborn, Mich., and then moving to Bethlehem Lutheran in Roseville, Mich., Kohtz returned to Seward in 1967 to serve at St. John Lutheran School. She remained at St. John’s for 38 years, teaching mostly first grade. Kohtz retired from teaching in 2005 but remains active at the school, working in the library. She is involved in the congregation of St. John Lutheran Church in the Stephen Ministry, Christ Care, tape ministry and as a greeter. She also is active in the community through her work with the Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival, the Memorial Hospital auxiliary and the Concordia University book fair.
Young Alumna of the Year Award: Tasha E. Fingerlin
Tasha E. Fingerlin of Aurora, Colo., has distinguished herself as a scientist and teacher since graduating with high distinction from Concordia in 1997. Fingerlin went on to attend the prestigious University of Michigan, earning her master’s degree in biostatistics and her Ph.D. in epidemiology. Presently, Fingerlin is an assistant professor in the departments of epidemiology and biostatistics and informatics at the Colorado School of Public Health of the University of Colorado Denver. At Our Father Lutheran Church in Centennial, Colo., Fingerlin is a member of the bell choir, a Barnabas minister and a lay minister. She is also involved in the American Society of Human Genetics and in the American Diabetes Association.
Lifetime Service: Rev. Gerald W. and Judith A. (Werth) Roggow
Rev. Gerald and Judith Roggow of Enid, Okla., have served in education and in pastoral work for more than 45 years. After meeting at Concordia and graduating in 1963, the Roggows moved to California where Judith taught at First Lutheran School in Alhambra, and Gerald was principal at Highland Park Lutheran. Gerald then accepted a call to Christ Lutheran School in Norfolk, Neb., to serve as principal. He completed his master’s degree in elementary administration from Concordia and his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., before serving as a pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Bancroft, Neb., and at St. John Lutheran Church, Ord, Neb. Judith worked at Abbey Christian Book Store, Norfolk, Neb., Concordia Publishing House Book Store, St. Louis, Mo., and Bancroft Community Preschool, Bancroft, Neb., while raising their five children. Presently retired, Gerald serves part time as pastor at First Lutheran Church in Pond Creek, Okla., and Judith teaches Sunday school and works part time as the church secretary. The Roggows have served Concordia University through its Alumni Association, the Concordia Guild and the Board of Regents.
Church Leadership in Outreach: Eric J. and Karin L. Semler
Eric and Karin Semler have been involved extensively in mission service in Asia. Eric earned his bachelor’s degree from Concordia in 1994 and student taught at Hong Kong International School. After graduation, he taught English as a Second Language and English Bible studies in Japan through the Volunteer Youth Missionary program. Karin graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., in 1993 with a Director of Christian Education degree. She also served in Japan through the Volunteer Youth Missionary program. The Semlers returned stateside in 1997, and Eric served as a teacher, choir director, band director and assistant principal at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Collinsville, Ill., while Karin worked at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod World Mission in St. Louis, Mo. Eric earned his master’s degree in educational administration from Concordia University, River Forest. In 2005, the Semlers returned overseas to work with Christian education in Indonesia. They are now serving in China at Concordia International School Shanghai.
Partners in Mission and Ministry: Martin E. and Zella Schmidt
Martin and Zella Schmidt of Tai Tam, Hong Kong, have spent more than 25 years involved in teaching and human care service in Hong Kong. After completing his bachelor’s degree in education at Concordia in 1990, Martin accepted a call to teach at Hong Kong International School. He now serves in a ministry-share position, both teaching at HKIS and encouraging human care projects in Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and other Asian countries through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod World Mission. He earned a master’s degree from Concordia and a doctorate at University of Western Australia. Zella also teaches at HKIS. The Schmidts are active members of Church of All Nations.
Lay Worker of the Year: James M. Miller
Jim Miller of Brookfield, Wis., earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Concordia in 1970. Miller began his career in education serving as principal and athletic director at St. Paul Lutheran School in Fort Worth, Texas. He has held many positions in development including positions at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Texas, The YMCA of Fort Worth, Texas, and The Wyman Center of Eureka, Mo. He applied his fund-raising expertise to his role as director of development of Lutheran Hour Ministries and as executive director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod ministries support program at the Lutheran Church International Center in St. Louis, Mo. Miller was executive vice president and CEO at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., and currently serves as Children’s Hospital and Health System of Wisconsin foundation president and CEO.
Friend of Concordia University, Nebraska: Mike D. Pomerenke
Mike Pomerenke of Carmel, Ind., has served in the public education sector for over 25 years. After graduating from Concordia in 1981, he served as a teacher, coach and administrator in New Orleans, La., and in Indianapolis, Ind. For the past 22 years he has led in various administrative roles in Washington Township, Ind., presently as principal of Allison Elementary School. Pomerenke earned a master’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in educational administration from University of New Orleans and a life license in administration from Butler University, Indianapolis, Ind. Pomerenke is active in his congregation, Carmel Lutheran Church, serving on many committees and on the governing board and teaching Sunday school. He also sits on the board of directors and on the personnel committee of Indianapolis Lutheran High School.
Honorary Alumni: Rev. Edward G. and Marilyn Bertram
Rev. Edward and Marilyn Bertram of Etowah, N.C., are both graduates of Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Ind. Edward continued his education at Concordia Seminary and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. The Bertram’s served as missionaries to Taiwan for 12 years. After returning to the United States, Edward was director of development for the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee, president of the Lutheran Church Charities Fund in Addison, Ill., and an assistant pastor for Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle, Ill. He then moved into the public sector as president of Tripar International, Schaumburg, Ill., as well as Aaron Associates and Chicago Import-Export, both of Elgin, Ill. Most recently, Edward has held the position of senior principal gift officer for the “Fan into Flame” campaign of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod World Mission. After her graduation, Marilyn earned her teaching certificate from Concordia, Seward. She worked with students in kindergarten through fourth grade during her teaching career. At their home congregation, Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, in Henderson, N. C., the Bertrams are involved in stewardship, evangelism, adult instruction and campaign leadership.