Faculty Profile: John Jurchen, Professor of Chemistry

John Jurchen ’97 teaches chemistry and physics classes of all levels at Concordia University, Nebraska.  He also maintains the university’s chemistry instrumentation lab. 

“I get to share details of God's world with His people in chemistry and the parts of chemistry that intersect with physics,” he explained. 

Jurchen attended Concordia Nebraska and has a degree in secondary education and chemistry as well as a Lutheran Teacher Diploma. He has taught at the university for 19 years. In 2013, the student body awarded him the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. He previously served as chair of the undergraduate council for three years. He said that without a doubt, his favorite thing about his job is the students. 

“I get to work with amazing young men and women of faith as we explore God's world together,” he said.  “There is always something new in the world of chemistry. We see it in our classes, our journal club, and when we get to discover things no one has ever seen before in the research we conduct together.” 

He added that the sense of community at Concordia Nebraska makes is a very special place to work. 

“There is a community here, rooted in the Word of God, that transcends divisions between our academic disciplines and even the divisions between students and faculty,” he said. “It's part of my vocational responsibility to give my students tests, but I can honestly tell them that their worth does not depend on their performance, but rather on what Jesus has done for them and for all of us. I get to begin each class with prayer. We begin all of our faculty meetings in prayer. They even let chemists lead chapel from time to time. It's amazing!” 

His students refer to him as "Mr. Dr. Jurchen" as opposed to "Mrs. Dr. Jurchen," who is his wife of nearly 23 years – Kristy. She teaches chemistry at the university and currently serves as department chair.  

“We have adjacent offices and share many of the same students,” he said. 

The Jurchens have two daughters who recently began high school and middle school. When he is not working on campus, he enjoyed leading Sunday morning Bible study at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, playing trumpet or French horn in the community band, writing Christian epic science fantasy and baking.  He is also a member of The Gideons International.  

Are you interested in learning more about chemistry classes at Concordia Nebraska? Discover more here.