Concordia Nebraska Director of Advancement Operations Joel Endorf reflects on influence of former university advancement employee Shirley Liesener

Blessed with a zest for life, a generous spirit and a beautiful smile, Shirley Liesener made an impact wherever she went. She served the Concordia Nebraska advancement office from 1990 until her retirement in 2007. 

Liesener’s life featured solid faith, hard work and a heart for giving. A life-long Lutheran, she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church and raised by loving parents who faithfully taught her about Jesus. After earning a math degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, she wrote computer programs for the design of jet engines at General Electric Co., then served as a software analyst at Control Data Corp. until she joined the advancement team at Concordia Nebraska. 

Known for her heart for service and philanthropic focus, she also served on the stewardship and coordinating council boards at Seward’s St. John Lutheran Church. She was also the congregational secretary and monthly newsletter editor for a time in addition to a variety of other roles at the church. She also volunteered with the Seward Relay for Life and was named the 2007 Outstanding Woman in Business by Concordia Nebraska. 

At the time of Liesener’s retirement from the university, she was director of development operations and annual giving at Concordia Nebraska. 

In what can only be described as a full circle moment, Concordia Nebraska Director of Advancement Operations Joel Endorf CO ’08 GR ’11 recalls his many interactions with Shirley over the years and the divine providence that ultimately landed him in a role in the university’s advancement office that is very similar to the role Liesener filled many years ago. 

Endorf came to Concordia as a student, unsure if he wanted to pursue teaching (like his parents Glen and Jan (Cornwell) Endorf and his sister Jamie (Endorf) Diliberto). After brief studies in the education department, he switched his major to business administration. He worked in the university’s admissions office right after graduation and said one of his favorite things about that role was asking students about their interests, passions and future vocational aspirations while also getting to know their parents by asking about their jobs, vocational paths and interests.  

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew I wanted to help people and was interested in finance,” he explained. “Following graduation when the admissions job came up, it felt like one foot in business and one foot in education, and that was a good fit at the time. I spent five years there.” 

During that time, Endorf attended church with Liesner, and they served on the St. John coordinating council together, but they really got to know each other well serving with Compass-Finances God’s Way, Nebraska teaching financial principals based on God’s Word. 

“She just loved talking about first fruits giving and the joy of giving generously. She wanted everyone to know and experience the joy of giving as well,” said Endorf. “She experienced more joy in giving than anyone I’ve ever met. And she loved her job at the university. That’s what she talked about the most because it was in the philanthropy realm. She loved her job at Concordia so much that she barely talked about her previous jobs, even when I asked. It's like she didn't think her past work on jet engines was interesting. She just wanted to get back to talking about the joy of giving and working in the office that received gifts on behalf of Concordia.” 

“What brought us together was our shared heart for giving. And I ended up serving in almost the same job at Concordia she worked in and loved before me.” 

Following his first stint as an employee at the university, Endorf explored financial advising, janitorial support and farming, then spent ten years in tax planning and tax preparation. He said God eventually led him back to the university where he began his current role in August 2025. Endorf said he was not looking for a job in advancement or with the university when he became aware of the opportunity that became his current role. He said it took him a long time and a lot of prayer to consider the position. 

“The crazy thing is, I didn’t know that this was the job I was applying for. After I got settled in this position, I was looking around in past folders and things and realized I was literally sitting in Shirley’s seat,” he laughed. “My sister was also a student worker in this office and worked with Shirley a little bit. Talk about a full circle moment! What brought us together was our shared heart for giving. And I ended up serving in almost the same job at Concordia she worked in and loved before me.” 

Endorf said work in the university’s advancement office gives him a front row seat to see the joy of giving lived and embodied by alumni and friends of Concordia. Endorf and the advancement operations team are responsible for receiving, properly recording and designating about 9,000 gifts that come into the campus each year.  

“It sounds simple but there are over 400 endowments at Concordia and three designations to the Concordia Fund: unrestricted, church work and academic scholarships,” he explained. “My job on the operations side of advancement includes a lot of data, and that data integrity helps with university decision making and budget planning. That fundraising data helps us communicate with our donors, prepare for audits, provide proper information to our advancement officers and communicate clearly to campus leadership.” 

Endorf said working with Liesner to serve St. John and Compass finances God’s Way, Nebraska gave him many opportunities for conversation. Listening to her talk about her work at Concordia and her heart for giving made him realize that they were both passionate about giving to support operations.  

“Endowments are wonderful vehicles for giving, but Shirley and I both knew that the annual budget is what drives the engine. She was always giving to supportcurrent operations, and that’s where my passion lies as well” he said. 

Endorf said he is thankful for all that he learned from Liesner and is grateful that he’s had the opportunity to follow in her footsteps. Liesner passed away in 2024. He said he thinks about her often as he walks to work, knowing that she traced almost the same path years ago, since her home was not far from where Endorf lives now.  

“I distinctly remember one of the first Sundays after she passed. As the pastor read, “with angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven” I had a thought come to mind: hey, I get to have a meal with Shirely and all the company of heaven now!” he said. “I got to know her faith heart and see and experience her passion for first fruits giving. I got to hear it directly from her and life, and then I read it in her obituary. Her personal mission statement was ‘to communicate the joys and blessings of first-fruits giving in a way that conveys the rich spiritual blessings that come from giving, transforming lives and giving glory to God.’ It gives me joy to saythat she lived and communicated this mission statement to the fullest. And I continue to be inspired by her example and give glory to God to this day.” 

This March, we invite you to join us for Seeds of Generosity, a month-long celebration of giving and impact at Concordia University, Nebraska. Together, we’re sowingseeds of faith, learning and service that will grow for generations to come. Every gift—whether large or small—helps sustain our mission to provide Christ-centered education, support our students and prepare servant leaders for the church and the world.