Faculty and staff honored for Concordia, LCMS service
On Monday, Feb. 7, Concordia University, Nebraska recognized milestones of faithful service for faculty and staff, as well as commissioned and ordained ministers of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) at a special anniversary chapel service.
“Today we have the opportunity to celebrate, to thank God for His many gifts,” President Dr. Bernard Bull said during the service. “Especially the gifts manifested in the people who He’s called to serve here and in the church. I believe all roads lead to the nave, that ultimately, we come here to the foot of the cross, where Word and Sacrament are received and celebrated. We also know that in the doctrine of vocation that God works through each of us, that we are the masks of God, and as He calls us to love our neighbors through our various gifts, talents and abilities, that is a key part of Concordia’s mission, lived out in action.”
Among the especially esteemed faculty and staff were Dr. Mark Blanke, Dr. Vicki Boye, Julie Johnston Hermann and Bill Schranz, who celebrated 40 years of service to the LCMS. Also honored were Matt Beisel, Dr. Bernard Bull and Dr. Nancy Elwell for their 25 years of service to the LCMS. Rev. Richard Snow, president of the LCMS Nebraska District, joined in honoring faculty and staff for their synodical service.
“This is a joyous occasion as we celebrate God’s goodness to you,” Snow said. “Together, with your loved ones, students, colleagues, friends and fellow members of Christ’s body, we not only thank God for you and his blessings upon your ministries in these many years, but also implore that he would continue to use your gifts in the years ahead.”
Employees celebrating anniversaries of service to Concordia University, Nebraska includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name):
Lon Jungemann, 50 years, IT services
Dr. Mark Meehl, 30 years, theology, philosophy and biblical languages
Dr. Ed Reinke, 30 years, business administration and mathematics; department of natural and computer science
Lisa Owens, 25 years, president’s office
Norma Guy, 20 years, Chartwells
Julie Johnston Hermann, global opportunities center; history, geography, intercultural studies and modern foreign language
Delores Kozuszek, 20 years, Chartwells
Bob Olson, 20 years, theatre
Momir Gligorevic, 15 years, Aramark
Mike Mettenbrink, 15 years, institutional advancement and alumni relations
Drew Olson, 15 years, athletics
Aaron Roberts, 15 years, admissions
Elaine Royuk, 15 years, Follett
Devin Smith, 15 years, athletics
Karri Harris, 10 years, admissions
Jane Heinicke, 10 years, education
Brett Muller, 10 years, athletics
Dr. Shanna Opfer, 10 years, education
Lori Read, 10 years, accounting, finance and operations
Jacob Schmidt, 10 years, IT services
Matt Beisel, 5 years, athletics
Dr. Anna Boriack, 5 years, education
Dr. Sara Brady, 5 years, human and social sciences
Rev. Dr. David Coe, 5 years, theology, philosophy and biblical languages
John Garbers, 5 years, Chartwells
Prof. Justin Groth, 5 years, art
Sarah Hollandsworth, 5 years, Aramark
Scott Jenkins, 5 years, student financial services
Prof. Todd Johnson, 5 years, business administration and mathematics
James Jurchen, 5 years, IT services
Sarah Jurchen, 5 years, registrar
Mandi Maser, 5 years, athletics
Ginger Mason, 5 years, Chartwells
Deanna McCartney, 5 years, Chartwells
Tae’lor Purdy-Korell, 5 years, athletics
Eleanor Rush, 5 years, Chartwells
Dr. Ken Sankey, education
Dr. Lorinda Sankey, education; health and human performance
Michael Scheer, 5 years, Center for Liturgical Art
Jaci Thorburn, 5 years, Chartwells
Kacie Wise, 5 years, student financial services
Connie Ziegler, 5 years, institutional advancement and alumni relations
Ordained and commissioned ministers celebrating anniversaries of service to the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name):
Dr. Lee Roy Holtzen*, 70 years
Dr. Eugene Brott*, 65 years
Dr. J.D. Weinhold*, 65 years
Dr. Joe Gubanyi*, 50 years
Dr. Mark Blanke, 40 years
Dr. Vicki Boye, 40 years
Julie Johnston Hermann, 40 years
Bill Schranz, 40 years
Dr. Tim Preuss, 30 years
Matt Beisel, 25 years
Dr. Bernard Bull, 25 years
Dr. Nancy Elwell^, 25 years
Prof. Cheryl Durheim, 20 years
Dr. Joseph Herl, 20 years
Prof. Amy Royuk, 20 years
Devin Smith, 20 years
Dr. Joel Helmer, 15 years
Prof. Jessica Kite, 15 years
Corby Orsten, 15 years
Dr. Dylan Teut, 10 years
*Denotes Emeritus Faculty
^ Following the completion of Colloquy, the Nebraska District Office calculates the years served at the school that issued the call.
