Concordia honors alumni at 2011 homecoming celebration

The Concordia Alumni Association honored six individuals and two couples as part of its 2011 Homecoming, Alumni Reunion and Family Weekend celebration, Oct. 7-9. The awards are given annually to those who have made outstanding accomplishments in their careers, personal endeavors or in service to the university, church or world. The award ceremony took place on Saturday, Oct. 8, following the president’s brunch.

This year’s awards and honorees:

Church Worker of the Year: Henry Aschbrenner

Henry Aschbrenner has served in Lutheran education for more than 50 years. After graduating from Concordia, Aschbrenner went to Menlo Park, Calif., to teach and direct the choir at Bethany Lutheran School. In 1966 he became principal and taught at St. John Lutheran School in Napa, Calif. During his 15 years there, he directed its internationally touring choir and handbell choir. Aschbrenner worked for the Diablo Valley Lutheran Education Association from 1981-91, establishing a preschool and three elementary schools during that time. He earned a master’s in school administration from Simpson College. In 1991 he became the executive director of the “Sharing the Vision of Our Ministry” campaign for the The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod California-Nevada-Hawaii district. Aschbrenner joined the staff of Concordia University Irvine in 1994 as the director of major and planned gifts. Two years later he was named vice president and executive director of the Concordia University Foundation. He retired in 2001.

Church Worker of the Year: Gaylord Flicker

Gaylord Flicker has spent more than 35 years working in Lutheran education in Idaho and Texas. A 1974 Concordia graduate, he began teaching 5th and 6th grade at Grace Lutheran School in Pocatello, Idaho, and became principal two years later. In 1985 Flicker became principal of Prince of Peace Lutheran School in Carrollton, Texas, and in 1988 he founded Christ Our Savior School in Coppell, Texas. He earned his M.Ed. from Idaho State University. From 1991-2001 Flicker returned to Grace Lutheran as principal, where he helped the school regain its accreditation, restructure its day care and extended-day programs, add an early childhood center and establish a counseling center. Flicker won the National Distinguished Principal award from the National Association of Elementary School Principals in 2001 and is currently the executive director for Grace Lutheran. He is a presenter for the LCMS Northwest district and a volunteer consultant for schools seeking accreditation or implementing improvement plans.

Lay Worker of the Year: Timothy Moll

Timothy Moll earned his bachelor’s degree in business at Concordia in 1989, where he was named outstanding business graduate and helped form the student business organization. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law and graduated with a J.D. in 1994. Moll joined the law firm of Rembolt Ludtke, LLP in 1995 and became a partner in 2003. Moll is an adjunct professor and seminar presenter on taxation at UNL and serves on the board of directors of the Law College Education Services Corp. His memberships also include the Great Plains Federal Tax Institute and the Christian Legal Society. Moll continues to serve Concordia as a member of its Board of Regents and as a director of the Concordia Foundation, Nebraska.

Young Alumna of the Year: Margaret Ingerslew Lange

After graduating from Concordia in 2004 with a degree in business, Margaret Ingerslew Lange began working for Network Direct Incorporated and earned salesperson of the year honors there in 2005. Lange founded Making It Possible, Inc. in 2006, an organization created to help local schools and athletic clubs raise funds. Part of Lange’s fundraising efforts has been donated to medical research and building plans for developing businesses. Lange is currently a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after completing officer training in 2008. She was named a top graduate in flight school, was given the Major General William A. Cohen Strike Leadership Award for Superior Performance and now works as a navigator on a B-52. Lange is also active in community service, receiving the Nebraska chapter 2007 Mentor of the Year award by Team in Training.

Lifetime Service Award: Michael Meyer

Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Michael Meyer joined the KSRD radio staff in Seward in 1979. In 1986 he began working as an audio visual specialist for the Nebraska State Patrol, producing and editing scripts, training videos and public service announcements. Meyer also works with forensic video and audio analysis, directly impacting investigations and trials. He serves as a spokesperson for the state patrol and has worked with both local and national news organizations. Meyer is involved in youth and men’s programs at St. John Lutheran Church and volunteers for ministry campaigns and events, including a medical mission trip to Guatemala in 2009.

Partners in Mission & Ministry Award: Ivan and Jennifer Loudenback Rasch

Ivan came to Concordia as a missionary youth from Nigeria, earning his bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1991. Jennifer earned her degree in elementary education and music in 1991 also. Both of the Raschs taught in Illinois after graduating, Jennifer at Zion Lutheran School in Matteson, and Ivan at Luther East High School in Lansing. From 1994-1999, the Raschs’ teaching careers moved them to Texas. In October of 1999, Ivan was called to teach at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria, the school he attended growing up. He now works with LCMS World Mission in Nigeria and serves as volunteer coordinator and computer technician for the school, while Jennifer teaches music.

Church Leadership in Outreach Award: Patrick and Susan Frerking

After earning his bachelor’s degree from Concordia in December of 1987, Patrick taught science and coached football at Lutheran High South in St. Louis, Mo. While there he also helped start a school-wide service program. In 1993 he accepted a call to teach science at Hong Kong International School. Later Patrick also earned his master’s degree from Concordia. Patrick and Susan crossed paths first at HKIS where Susan taught language arts, physical education and social sciences. In 1998 the Frerkings became two of the first faculty members at Concordia International School Shanghai. Starting with just 22 students, the school now educates 1,200 students from 30 countries in preschool through 12th grade. The Frerkings are now in their first semester at the new Concordia International School Hanoi. Susan teaches, while Patrick serves as the middle school principal.

Friend of Concordia Award: Bruce Koeller

Bruce Koeller earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia in 1982. He then taught at Redeemer Lutheran School in South Gate, Calif., and then at Bethany Lutheran School in Long Beach. After six years Koeller moved to Colorado to begin a career as owner and manager of multiple Subway restaurants, developing employee training and support manuals. His materials were distributed to Subway restaurants state-wide. He is currently managing 11 Subway locations as well as a gelato shop.

See also: www.cune.edu/homecoming