During Concordia's 101st commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10, five individuals will be recognized with honorary degrees or awards.
Dr. Roger Finke, a 1976 graduate of Concordia, will receive the Doctor of Letters degree, honoris causa, for his contributions to the world of learning and service. A resident of State College, Pa., Finke is a professor of sociology and religious studies at Pennsylvania State University, and his research focus is the growth and cultural impact of religion. He has lectured around the world and has also won distinguished book awards from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion and the American Sociological Association. Finke is also the founder and director of the Association of Religion Data Archives, an online archive that "strives to democratize access to the best data on religion" and allows researchers, educators, journalists and congregations to utilize hundreds of professionally conducted studies. Finke is the current president of the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture and a member of the American Sociological Association. He will also be the commencement speaker.
Dr. Robert Holtz, a 1955 graduate of Concordia, will be awarded the Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, for prolonged and superior service within his field. Holtz' teaching career spans more than 50 years and includes starting a Lutheran day school in Albany, N.Y., and teaching biology for 36 years at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. He has written books on educational and scientific topics and has contributed articles to magazines and academic journals. Holtz, a resident of Roseville, Minn., is currently the adult education specialist and a naturalist at the Wargo Nature Center in Anoka County and coordinates the Youth Mentorship program for the Minnesota Ornithologist Union. His memberships extend from the National Audubon Society to the National Association of Biology Teachers to the International Society of Environmental Ethics.
Ronald Henschen of Edwardsville, Ill., will be given the Master Educator Award. Henschen, a 1972 graduate of Concordia, has taught multiple subjects, counseled students, coached multiple teams and directed athletic programs in Lutheran schools in five states. He is currently the director of guidance and counseling at Metro-East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville, Ill. He is a member of the National and Illinois Associations of Secondary School Counselors and the Lutheran Education Association. He has served The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as a synodical reconciler and the Southern Illinois District as a member of its board of directors and board of education. He presently serves on the district's school accreditation committee.
Virginia Hughes of Seward, Neb., will be honored with the Crest of Christ Award. Hughes spent many years as a teacher and substitute after earning her education degree from Concordia in 1960 and was also an active member of the Seward school board. She continues to volunteer at St. John Lutheran School in Seward. Hughes has served as a member of Concordia Foundation Inc. since 1995 and she served as a regent for Concordia from 1998 to 2007. Hughes' service has also extended to her church, St. John Lutheran, as she was a Sunday school teacher and currently acts as a Stephen Minister. Her commitment to the community has been shown with memberships on the Seward Foundation and the Memorial Health Care Systems Foundation.
Lyle Meyer of Carlsbad, Calif., will be given the Distinguished Service Award. Meyer graduated in 1953 from Concordia High School and, after earning a business degree, went on to a successful career in the insurance and pension industry. He was vice president of the Jefferson Smurfit Corporation and managed $3 billion in assets on the Board of Directors of Arch Mutual Fund. His work on the board of managers at Concordia Plan Services greatly increased the portfolio of the worker benefit program. He also served his former congregation, St. John Lutheran Church, Ellisville, Mo., by helping guide them through a period of significant growth and fundraising. He now serves Redeemer by the Sea in Carlsbad, Calif., with their long-range planning. Meyer is currently a member of the president's advisory council of Concordia University Irvine and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's board of trustees.