The 121st academic year of Concordia began with an evening worship service on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward.
The service centered on Concordia’s theme Bible verse for the year, Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV). “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Pastor Ryan Matthias, Concordia’s campus pastor, preached during the service. Rev. Dr. John Mehl, director of mission partnerships and church relations, was the liturgist. The Student Worship Committee served as acolytes, processionalists and ushers.
Music for the service was provided by Concordia’s University A Cappella Choir under the direction of Dr. Kurt von Kampen, the University Brass Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Wendy Schultz and Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, university organist.
New faculty and staff who joined Concordia since last fall, as well as professors who advanced in academic rank, were recognized.
New faculty and staff:
- Andreea Baker, Director of Health Services/Campus Nurse
- Evan Balleweg, Center for Liturgical Art Operations Manager
- Dr. Connie Callahan, Asst. Professor of Biology
- Holli Duggan, Distance Learning and E-Resource Librarian
- Ryan Dupic, Head Baseball Coach
- Miranda Fortik, Community Manager
- Patricia Jensen, Asst. Professor of Health and Human Performance
- Dr. Jamie Hink, Interim Instructor of History
- Bethany Landrey, Academic Resource and Disability Support Services Coordinator
- Peter Landrey, Instructional Innovation Specialist
- Dr. Torri Lienemann, Director of Graduate Special Education Programs
- Chris Luther, Asst. Professor of Health and Human Performance
- Jonathon Moberly, J.D., MBA Program Director
- Matthew Myers, ESL Coordinator
- Brenda Nation-Robson, Interim Instructor of Education
- David O’Neill, College of Graduate Studies Enrollment Specialist
- Chelsea Petersen, Admission Counselor
- Joel Reckewey, Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach
- Matthew Schranz, System Analyst/Programmer and Infrastructure Support
- Jennifer Suggitt, Marketing Communications Specialist
- Katherine Steffen, Senior Director of Advancement
- Jacob Waddle, Asst. Head Baseball Coach
- Theresa Webster, Director of Academic Services/504 Compliance
Faculty advancing in academic rank:
- Dr. Timothy Huntington to Associate Professor of Biology and Criminal Justice
- Dr. John Snow to Professor of Mathematics
- Dr. Laurie Zum Hofe to Associate Professor of English