Concordia University, Nebraska honors alumni and friends 

Concordia University, Nebraska recognized five individuals with awards and honorary degrees at its commencement honors dinner on May 8. The degrees and awards celebrate the contributions and service of these individuals to the Concordia University community, the church and the world.  

Dr. Alex B. Russell Jr. received the Concordia University, Nebraska Distinguished Service Award, which is given to individuals who have demonstrated the use of God’s gifts in outstanding public service. Russell attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and has a bachelor of science in pre-medical studies from the University of Georgia in Athens. After earning his doctor of medicine degree from Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, he served three years of active duty in the United States Navy beginning with rotating internships at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Subsequently, he served as a medical officer on the Ship-EAG 154 for experimental guided missiles and then as a general medical officer for the Marine Corps based in Albany, Georgia. Afterwards, he completed his residency with the Emery University Medical Program at Grady Memorial Hospital in Georgia, became a Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics and established his private practice in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1971. Russell earned his private pilot’s license while in college and went on to achieve commercial and instrument instructor’s certificates, float rating and DC3, DC6 and Lear Jet ratings. After establishing his private practice in Alaska, he began flying as a volunteer for Missionary Aviation Repair Center (MARC), which provided transportation to and from native villages. This included countless trips taking native children in remote villages to Bible camps and transporting ill villagers to receive medical care. Russell retired in 2025 at the age of 87.  

David Burgdorf received the Concordia University, Nebraska Master Educator Award, which is presented to teachers, Directors of Christian Education, school administrators or deaconesses who have distinguished themselves through prolonged superior service in Lutheran educational ministry. Burgdorf’s family is filled with life-long Lutherans including four consecutive generations of pastors: his great grandfather, grandfather, father and brother. David and his brother Dale are both alumni of Concordia University, Nebraska. David attended Lutheran schools from kindergarten through college and began his 50-year career in education as a Lutheran high school teacher and finished as a Concordia University, Irvine professor and administrator. The many outstanding Lutheran educators in Burgdorf’s life inspired him to attend Concordia University, Nebraska. He studied theology and earned a bachelor of arts degree in education from the university as well as a master of arts and certificate of advancement study degree from Northern Illinois University. He has completed additional graduate coursework at Loyola University of Chicago and at the University of La Verne. After serving as a teacher at two Lutheran schools - St. Peter’s in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Luther North High School in Chicago - he became a public school teacher and administrator in Illinois. After retirement from public school administration, Burgdorf served as professor and graduate school administrator at Concordia University, Irvine, participated in international mission work in Haiti and the Lutheran International School Tokyo, and collaborated in providing creative approaches to urban ministry for young seminary students. He has traveled to more than 80 countries.  

Marcile Brehmer received the Concordia University, Nebraska Crest of Christ Award, which honors individuals who humbly share and demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus Christ in their lives while serving public ministries and the work of the church at large. In January 2024, Brehmer retired after more than 53 years and seven months of service to Concordia Nebraska. Brehmer began her work for the university shortly after finishing high school and served in a variety of roles including admissions secretary, assistant secretary to the registrar and word processing, data processing supervisor and operations manager of the computing center. Following high school graduation, Brehmer said she originally intended to work at the university for just a few years and move on to other opportunities. She quickly discovered she had no desire to work elsewhere, and Concordia Nebraska became her second home. A long-time Seward resident, Brehmer is active with Seward’s St. John Lutheran Church, serving on the church’s worship board and altar guild. Many have commended her for her ever-present smile, faithful and diligent assistance with worship preparations, a quiet and steady dedication to serve, and a humble yet willing determination to help however is needed.  

Dr. Richard Fischer received the Concordia University, Nebraska Doctor of Letters degree, which is conferred to people who have distinguished themselves through creative contributions to their field. Fischer, Distinguished Professor of Music and The Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair for Music Performance, retired from Concordia University Chicago after serving for 51 1/2 years. He conducted the Wind Symphony and University Band and taught basic and advanced level conducting classes. He holds bachelor of music education and the master of music degrees from De Paul University, and a doctor of musical arts degree from Michigan State University where he studied under Eugene Corporon. Fischer and the Wind Symphony have performed on 108 tours in almost every state (including Alaska), Canada, Europe, three tours to China and South Africa. The Wind Symphony has had the honor of performing at many music festivals and conferences including the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), the Illinois Music Educators Conference and numerous times at the Lutheran Education Association Conference (LEA). Having performed to multiple standing ovations as the Showcase Ensemble for the New York City Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2014, the Wind Symphony was again honored to be invited as the Showcase Ensemble in 2019. Under Fischer’s direction, the Wind Symphony commissioned, premiered and recorded numerous wind band compositions. Fischer is in frequent demand as a speaker, guest conductor clinician and adjudicator in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Japan and Australia. In his retirement, Fischer is an adjunct professor of music at Concordia Chicago, conducting the 70-member University Band. He is also the French horn teacher. Currently, Fischer is writing a book called “Connecting the Head and the Heart – the Things that REALLY Matter in the Making of Music.”  

Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer received the Concordia University, Nebraska Doctor of Laws degree, which is conferred upon individuals who have distinguished themselves through prolonged superior service in their field of endeavor.  Meyer is president emeritus and professor emeritus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Meyer retired in 2020 after 15 years as seminary president. He first joined the faculty as a guest instructor in 1979, then served as an assistant professor until 1984. In 2001, he rejoined the faculty as professor of practical theology in addition to his role as president. He previously served as the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Chair in Homiletics and Literature and served as the interim president and became the 10th president of Concordia Seminary in 2005. After earning a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary, Meyer earned a master of arts and doctor of philosophy in classical languages from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his bachelor of arts at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Meyer has served The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the church at-large over the years in several capacities. He served as third vice-president of the LCMS from 1995 to 1998. He was a charter board member of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA), has served as an honorary director of God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society and as a member of the Standing Committee on Pastoral Ministry for the LCMS. He was pastoral adviser for the Southern Illinois District of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League and has served as first vice president, second vice president, secretary and circuit counselor of the LCMS Southern Illinois District. He served on the board of trustees of the American Bible Society from 2001 to 2013. Meyer has written numerous sermons and columns for Lutheran Hour Ministries. He has authored and various Bible studies and devotionals and contributed to many journals and resource publications. Meyer has been speaking and preaching for 50 years. His areas of interest and study include 1 Peter, the church in a changing culture and the Sabbath applied to life today.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.