Meet Concordia Nebraska junior Erin Meyer

Concordia Nebraska junior Erin Meyer of Winfield, Kansas, is majoring in chemistry with minors and math and physics. Active on campus, she will serve as an RA in the fall and is also a Luke Scholar, participates in intramural sports and helps lead a weekly on-campus Bible study. 

“Both my parents and grandparents went to Concordia, so when I was planning to visit colleges, it was close to the top of my visit list,” she explained. “Once I visited, I was impressed by the sense of community that seemed to be present throughout the campus. I was also looking for a strong Christian community that would strengthen my faith as I prepare for a career in the scientific field.The professors here also impressed me with their knowledge and their ability to connect with and advise students well, so I knew they would aid me as I figured out what I wanted to do in life to best serve my neighbors.” 

She said one of the things that makes Concordia special is the opportunity to build deep and meaningful relationships with faculty and staff.  

“Concordia, being a smaller university allows for smaller class sizes and more one-on-one interaction with the professors, which by itself is great, but when you pair that with the faith centered approach that the professors take when teaching or advising you, it can be life changing. They constantly remind you of your purpose and worth that is found in Christ and that is something that changes your outlook, especially if you are struggling in a class,” she said. “Along with your relationships with your professors being different, your relationship with your classmates is also allowed to be deeper by your shared faith. This faith allows you to come together as a community and to support one another in all things. It gives your perspective and is seen as people who are quick to have grace and love be their first response in all situations.”  

She said Concordia’s natural sciences departmentis vastly different than other universities because it approaches the study of God’s world from a perspective that allows students to wonder at the greatness of God’s awesome creation as they work hard to study the intricate details of it.  

“Concordia, being a smaller university, allows for smaller class sizes and more one-on-one interaction with the professors, which by itself is great, but when you pair that with the faith centered approach that the professors take when teaching or advising you, it can be life changing.” 

“Along with this perspective, this department is great because, due to the small class sizes, we are allowed an opportunity to get some impactful hands-on work in labs or while working through problems, along with the time that we get with our professors and advisors,” she said. “This is also an amazing department, because, unlike public universities, we get to talk through the controversial sides of science with the backing of faith which will prepare us well to tackle those topics in our future careers.”  

Meyer said one of her favorite things about her time at the university has been the opportunity to meet people from a variety of majors and interests.  

“They all have such unique talents and areas of study and being able to interact with all of them has allowed me to gain depth of perspective along with some wonderful friends,” she said. “And  the professors help me to discover my purpose by encouraging me to challenge myself and by sharing their Christian perspective and pointing me back to Christ and the purpose that I am given in Him.”  

Meyer has five siblings, a sister-in-law and a niece. “My niece is the cutest ever, and I have the best mom and dad!” she said. “My family is so fun and chaotic, I love spending time with all of them. We have lived in a variety of places since my dad is a pastor, but we have always been a great team through it all.”   

When she’s not in class, you’ll find Meyer hiking, running and spending time outdoors. She also loves reading, painting, playing board games with family and watching baseball and football with her dad.  

Following her time at Concordia, she hopes to attend graduate school and become a chemical engineer, possibly serving in the food processing industry. 

“This university has, thus far, provided me with an opportunity to learn and challenge myself to gain the knowledge needed for my future vocation. Beyond this education it has also given me the chance to work in a variety of team environments and strengthen my faith so that I will have a solid foundation for whatever comes up in my future vocation,” she said. “Concordia is constantly helping develop my faith as it offers countless chances to be in the word with others from daily chapel to praise to weekly student-led bible studies. These chances to discuss our faith and our place in the world with my peers are incredibly important as they allow me to deepen my faith”  

Concordia University, Nebraska’s Department of Natural Sciences provides students with strong foundations in research, discovery and critical thinking to equip them for future careers, as well as many vocations serving the community, the church and the world. Here, students grow their sense of scientific inquiry and knowledge of God’s universe as they pursue a career in health, education, research or industry.