Concordia opens 117th academic year

The 117th academic year of Concordia officially began at its opening worship service Sunday, Aug. 22, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. 

The service emphasized the university's theme Bible verse for the year, "You give life to everything," based on Nehemiah 9:6b. 

Rev. Dr. Donald Muchow preached at the service. Muchow was the U.S. Navy's twentieth chief of chaplains and serves as the chairman of the board of directors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Rev. Ryan Matthias, campus pastor, was the liturgist, and Chris Tegtmeier '10 was the reader. 

Music for the service was provided by Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, university organist, and by the University A Cappella Choir.  Concordia senior Theron Jenkins led the choir for the evening as the group's director, Dr. Kurt von Kampen, was promoted in academic rank at the service. Von Kampen  advanced to full professor status. Dr. C. Matthew Phillips also advanced in academic rank, and is now an associate professor

New faculty and staff were also recognized Sunday:

Dina Critel-Rathje, Director of Counseling Services

Patrick Hargon, Director of ADA and Academic Resource Center

Mary Knarr, Assistant Professor of History

Ed McLaughlin, First-Year Academic Advisor and Field Events Coach and Athletic Administration

Tasha Osten, Admission Counselor

Devin Smith, Director of Athletics

Andrew Swenson, Director of Marketing

Angela Wassenmiller, Director of Instructional Technology and E-Learning

Lisa White, Head Women's Soccer Coach and Coordinator of Recreation and Therapeutic Programming

Bradley Woodruff, Associate Undergraduate Registrar