Concordia to honor alumni at homecoming

The Concordia University, Nebraska Alumni Association will honor seven inpiduals and two couples as part of its 2010 Homecoming, Alumni Reunion and Family Weekend, taking place Oct. 1-3.   The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, following a 9 a.m. brunch hosted by President Brian Friedrich. Both events will be in The Cattle Conference Room, Janzow Campus Center. 

The awards are given each year to those who have made significant accomplishments in their professional lives, personal pursuits or service to the university, church or world.  This year's awards and honorees: 

Church Worker of the Year: Leland P. Jackson '80

Leland Jackson has spent 30 years in service by ministering to the children and youth of multiple congregations. He earned both a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a director of Christian education certificate at Concordia. He has served youth in Minnesota and in Kansas, and he continues to work with youth and college students. Jackson is a member of the Lutheran Education Association and the National Association of Directors of Christian Education. Jackson has served on the boards of the local YMCA child care and ABC Pregnancy Center. He works with a local shelter called the Emmaus House, Habitat for Humanity and initiated the Garden City recycling program.

Young Alumna of the Year: Gretchen M. Staude '97 Jameson

Gretchen Jameson has used her skills in teaching and communication to serve in schools, national entities within The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and nonprofit organizations in her time since graduation. She was named the secondary student teacher of the year at her graduation from Concordia and awarded a Pew Younger Summer Fellowship. Jameson answered the call to teach at Milwaukee Lutheran High School and Lutheran High School North, St. Louis. In 2002 she joined the staff of the youth ministry office of the LCMS.  She later became the  director of public relations and corporate communications at Concordia Publishing House and served there until this spring when she founded her own public relations company, purePR. Jameson is also a senior associate at The Holden Group, LLC, providing communication strategy consulting to national and international businesses. She earned a master's degree in public relations from Webster University, St. Louis, in 2009.

Partners in Mission and Ministry: Spencer R. '77 and Rhonda Apple '78 Peregoy

Spencer and Rhonda Apple Peregoy have been partners in life and in their careers in education for more than 30 years. Spencer graduated from Concordia in 1977 with a bachelor's in education. He began his teaching career at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Lancaster, Calif., then moved to Martin Lutheran School in Phoenix, Ariz., St. Paul Lutheran School in San Diego, Calif., and is presently principal at St. John Lutheran School in Ellisville, Mo. He has been a classroom teacher, a coach, an athletic director and an administrator during his career in education. Rhonda graduated from Concordia in 1978 with a degree in early childhood education and joined Spencer at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Lancaster, Calif. She currently teaches at St. John Lutheran School in Ellisville, Mo.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award: Bruce M. Wall '04

Through Bruce Wall's teaching and missionary efforts, thousands across the country and around the world have been touched by his service. Wall earned a degree in electronic engineering in 1995 and began his professional career as a quality assurance technician in Louisiana. Wall pursued a career in teaching after earning his degree at Concordia in 2004. In his first year of teaching, Wall taught science and theology as well as coached volleyball and baseball at Orlando Lutheran Academy in Florida. He joined LCMS World Mission in 2005, developed the current short-term mission program of the synod and facilitated hundreds of short-term mission experiences. Wall and his family currently are missionaries based from Panama City, Peru. He is serving partner churches and missionaries through strategic mission planning and developing new mission work for Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. 

Lay Worker of the Year Award: Dr. Carl D. Langefeld '83

Dr. Carl Langefeld is a statistical geneticist whose research involves mapping complex human genetic traits in an effort, ultimately, to prevent and treat disease. Born and raised in Seward, he earned a bachelor's at Concordia with a double major and earned a degree in education as well. He continued his education, earning a master's in ecology and evolutionary biology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1986 and a master's in applied statistics from Florida State University, Tallahassee, in 1988. Langefeld took a position in the emerging field of biostatistics at Indiana University School of Medicine and went on to do research and teach at Indianapolis University and at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. After earning his doctorate in biostatistics from the University of Michigan in 1999, Langefeld accepted a position at Wake Forest University. He is currently the director of the Center on Public Health Genomics and the associate chair of the Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences.

Friend of Concordia Award: Benjamin F. "Corky" Markin '58

Benjamin Markin has dedicated his life to education. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Concordia in 1958, he began his career teaching high school biology, science and physical education at the Concordia Collegiate Institute, Bronxville, N.Y. He earned his master's degree in biology and ecology from Long Island University in 1964. Spanning 42 years, Markin has pursued his career in education in New York, Oregon and Washington. 

Lifetime Service Award: Eugene R. '58 and Marian E. Faszholz

Eugene and Marian Faszholz are being honored for their service to their church, community and alma mater. After working for the St. Louis Cardinals and serving in the army, Eugene came to Concordia and earned his degree in education. His first call took him to St. Peters Lutheran School in San Leandro, Calif. He then worked at Concordia High School in Seward and Martin Luther High School in Greendale, Wis. Eugene retired after 37 years of teaching and coaching. Marian earned her nursing degree in 1950 and worked in hospitals in California, Wisconsin and Nebraska for more than 32 years. She earned her bachelor's in health science from St. Francis College, Joliet, Ill., in 1987. Retiring to Seward in 1995, the Faszholzs are active at St. John Lutheran Church, Concordia Guild, Scholarship Parade of Homes, with the Seward Hospital auxiliary and in the community.

Honorary Alumna Award: Marie T. Bader

Marie Bader has contributed decades of service to her church and community. She taught in Seward County for three years before marrying Alois Bader and joining him in his work on the farm. She has been active at St. John Lutheran Church as a member of the St. John Lutheran Women's League and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. In the community she served as the president, vice president and treasurer of the Seward County Extension Club and volunteered with the Seward County Fair. Bader continues to manage the family farm.

Honorary Alumna Award: Shirley A. Liesener

Equipped with a bachelor's degree in math from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa,

Liesener joined the staff of General Electric Co. in 1957 to write computer programs for the design of jet engines. After 10 years, she was hired by Control Data Corp. as a software analyst. She worked on projects in Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, becoming the manager of a team of 50 software analysts and engineers. When Control Data Corp. reorganized in 1990, she joined the development office at Concordia, retiring in 2007. Liesener serves on the stewardship board at St. John Lutheran Church, as the congregational secretary, as the monthly newsletter editor and on the coordinating council.  She is treasurer for the Seward Relay for Life and was named a 2007 Outstanding Woman in Business by Concordia.