Concordia holds 103rd commencement

Concordia held its 103rd commencement May 8.  More than 300 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas at the Health, Human Performance and Athletic Center.  

The class of 1960, on campus celebrating their 50th reunion, was also recognized during the ceremonies.

The speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Ronald Pfeiffer, professor and vice chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. A 1965 graduate of Concordia High School in Seward, Pfeiffer received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Concordia University, Nebraska in 2001 and is currently a member of the Board of Regents at Concordia. At the University of Tennessee, his research, teaching and clinical practice focuses on Parkinson's disease.

A collection of honorary degrees and awards were bestowed at commencement. Those receiving the honors include Lieutenant General Merle Freitag of Eureka, Mo., Doctor of Laws; Martin Barlau of Loveland, Colo., Doctor of Letters; Ron Brandhorst of Lakewood, Colo., Master Educator; Colonel James Bode of Union City, Ga., Crest of Christ Award; Faye Hall of Newark, Calif., Crest of Christ Award; and Dennis Berens of Lincoln, Neb., Distinguished Service Award. Concordia alumni celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation year will also be recognized.

On Friday, May 9, a baccalaureate service was held in the evening at St. John Lutheran Church. Rev. Dr. Mark Zehnder, senior pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha, served as preacher. The liturgist was Rev. Ryan Matthias, campus pastor at Concordia.