Honorary Bulldog Award: David and Risë Lange have strong ties to Concordia Nebraska community, Seward area

During Homecoming weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. 

Concordia Nebraska’s Honorary Bulldog Alumni Award recognizes friends of Concordia who have demonstrated faithful and significant support of Concordia through contributions of time, talent and treasure. 

David and Risë Lange grew up in Seward, Nebraska, but left the area to pursue their college education. After spending six years in Wichita, they moved to Chicagoland for graduate school, then landed at the University of Illinois for 30 years. They have now have returned to Nebraska to enjoy retirement. 

“We always try to remember that God calls us to be faithful servants, and we want to follow the path He has opened to us,” said David. “The path was not always one we predicted, but we have been deeply blessed, sometimes in surprising ways. God gave us amazing parents and grandparents who modeled Christian life.” 

The Langes have three children: Micah, Jordan (married to Emily), and Abby (married to Justin Groth ’11 who serves as an assistant professor of art at Concordia Nebraska). They have six grandchildren. David’s father - Rev. Harvey Lange - taught at Concordia from 1963-1977 in the theology department. 

We always try to remember that God calls us to be faithful servants, and we want to follow the path He has opened to us. The path was not always one we predicted, but we have been deeply blessed, sometimes in surprising ways. God gave us amazing parents and grandparents who modeled Christian life.

David has a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Valparaiso University, and MBA from Wichita State University, and a doctoral degree in civil engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Risë has a bachelor of science in education from Valparaiso University. 

Over his 30- year academic career at the University of Illinois, David taught courses on construction materials and led a research group studying concrete.   He has been active in professional organizations such as the American Concrete Institute and American Ceramic Society.   He is an emeritus professor at the University of Illinois and currently serves as adjunct professor at University of Nebraska. He taught a course on repair of infrastructure in the UNL College of Engineering last year. 

“I love teaching technical courses to the next generation of civil engineers and contributing professional service,” said David. “We are enjoying being grandparents, and the move back to Nebraska puts us close to the action. We have stayed close to the Concordia Nebraska Center for Liturgical Art since its founding 25 years ago.” David serves on the Center for Liturgical Art Advisory Council. 

He is an emeritus professor at the University of Illinois and currently serves as adjunct professor at University of Nebraska. He taught a course on repair of infrastructure in the UNL College of Engineering last year. He is also affiliated with the Zhejiang-Illinois Joint Institute in Haining, China, where he taught reinforced concrete design in spring 2024. He has been appointed to other visiting and honorary positions at universities in China and Colombia. He served as president of the American Concrete Institute in 2018-19. ACI leads the concrete industry with its design code and construction practices. 

The Langes are also dedicated to serving the church and have volunteered in a variety of positions over the years.   David is currently treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church in Urbana, Illinois. Risë has also served in many church volunteer positions including Sunday School, choir and on youth board. Previously a full-time elementary day school teacher in Wichita, Kansas, and Glenview, Illinois, Risë stayed home with her children as they grew up, sometimes serving as a substitute teacher. She is now a volunteer at People’s City Mission in Lincoln, Nebraska, and at Salt and Light in Champaign, Illinois. 

“We are very blessed to be back in the Seward area where we enjoy family and friends. We believe in the mission of Concordia Nebraska and enthusiastically support its programs,” said David. 

Housed on the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska, the Center for Liturgical Art is committed to creating art for worship and witness, while advocating for visual arts in Christian life and practice.