New students LAUNCH into life at Concordia 2015
Concordia University, Nebraska’s LAUNCH Weekend for new students, part of the orientation program at the university, took place Aug. 21-23. The weekend is designed to help new students get to know each other, the Concordia community and Seward while settling into life as a college student.
Orientation events on campus for new students included the annual Bulldog Bash, O-Show orientation skit and other campus-wide activities with dorm neighbors and classmates. Informational sessions and a celebratory farewell dinner were available for parents who have made the trip to help sons and daughters move into the dorms.
The 122nd academic year of Concordia University, Nebraska, officially began with an evening worship service on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The service centered around Concordia’s theme Bible verse for the year, John 10:10b (ESV): “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
New faculty and staff who joined Concordia since last fall, as well as professors who advanced in academic rank, were also recognized.
New faculty and staff:
- Todd Berner, director of strength training and conditioning
- Levi Calhoun, assistant wrestling coach/PE center athletic equipment and operations manager
- Fred Donovan, program director: Master of Computer Science program
- Heather Duff, head dance and cheer coach
- Jennifer Fruend, assistant professor of biology
- Joanne Garrison, online core faculty
- Amanda Gubbels, assistant director of athletic communication
- Amanda Heins, Concordia Fund coordinator
- Nicole Jacobs, assistant professor and program director of music therapy
- Kirby Klappenback, director of risk management and Title IX compliance coordinator
- Peter Koprince, assistant professor of communication
- Lance Korell, assistant men’s basketball coach/laundry services coordinator
- Cara Kroeker, counselor
- Michael Leibert, program director: Master of Health Care Administration program
- Shannon Leinen, program director: Master of Business Administration program
- Bill Lentz, director of education administration and Omaha Public Schools coordinator
- Andrew Moffitt, head forensics coach and instructor
- Billy Moore, reference and instruction librarian
- Katelynn Moore, assistant university registrar
- Kristen Nugent, assistant professor of education/program director: secondary education
- Shanna Opfer, assistant professor of education/program director: elementary education
- Dylan Teut, Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival coordinator
- Melissa Timmons, web producer
- Angela Walston, online core faculty
Faculty advancing in academic rank:
- Dr. Charles Blanco, to associate professor of theology
- Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, to associate professor of music
- Professor Don Robson, to professor of art
- Dr. Thad Warren, to professor of human and social sciences (DCE)
