Concordia University announces new Paul Scholars program participants

Concordia University, Nebraska recently accepted 10 new students into its Paul Scholars  work education program. The Paul Scholars program equips Concordia students to be Christian leaders within a distinctly Lutheran academic scholarship community through Christ centered service, hands-on work experiences and engaging learning. 

The program launched in the fall 2024 with its first cohort of 10 students. Students accepted into the program earn full tuition covered through a combination of institutional aid, a Paul Scholars scholarship and work income while gaining experience in their chosen career field. The program is in its third academic year. Next year’s recruiting team will fill out four full cohorts from freshmen to seniors. 

Through the program, students are placed in on-campus worksites for the first two years and then moved to a placement either on-campus or with a community partner for their junior and senior years. Since the program is in its third year, this is the first year that a cohort of scholars will have been moved to community partner placements. 

“Paul Scholars serve all over campus, and now across Seward and the region, in work roles that keep the community running with the heart of a Christian leader. They are becoming men and women who bring out the best in everything and everyone we serve through work, learning and faithful service in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.”

The program is directed by Paul Berggren. He said that the program encourages young adults to bring out the best in everything they do and in everyone they serve. 

“Paul Scholars serve all over campus, and now across Seward and the region, in work roles that keep the community running with the heart of a Christian leader,” said Berggren. “We are becoming men and women who bring out the best in everything and everyone we serve through work, learning and faithful service in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.” 

New students accepted in the Paul Scholar program include: 

Teagun Quinlan, Ninilchik, Alaska, B.S. Biology 

Isabel Rolfes, Hartington, Nebraska, B.A. Behavioral Science 

Cooper Reed, Lincoln, Nebraska, B.A. Business Administration 

David Schenker, McCune, Kansas, B.S. Marketing 

Josiah Pearson, Papillion, Nebraska, B.S. Agricultural Science 

Andrew Koch, Tucson, Arizona, B.A. Business Administration 

Charlotte Sanio, Lincoln, Nebraska, B.A. English 

Katelyn Nettleton, Fort Collins, Colorado, B.S. Business Communication 

Natalie Taylor, Fairmont, Minnesota, B.S.Ed. Elementary Education 

Tessa Esser, Ames, Iowa, B.A. Criminal Justice 

Paul Scholars applications are currently open for the 2027-2028 academic year.