Nathan Bassett ’93 reflects on God’s guidance in education career

When asked about his career in Lutheran education, Nathan Bassett ’93 had this to say: “God works in ways that are not always immediately understood, and He works through inadequate and sinful people such as myself. I do not wish to take credit for the things that my 31 years in Lutheran education have produced but instead want God to receive all of the glory, honor and praise. It is He who has done marvelous things.” 

Bassett has a bachelor of science degree in education with emphases in history and English from Concordia University, Nebraska. Immediately after his time at the university, he deferred placement in a school and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a master of arts in American history. 

So how did he find his way to Concordia Nebraska in the first place? 

“In 1984, my parents – Leonard ’86 and Judith ‘86 - decided to finish their college degrees, which they had begun in 1958 but had not completed for a whole host of reasons. They decided to attend Concordia Teachers College - as it was called then - and as an 8th grader at the time, I was dragged along to Seward from our home near Detroit, Michigan, for the two years they took to finish their college degrees and accept their first calls,” he explained. “After a year in Ogden, Utah, and two in Berrien Springs, Michigan, I was now near graduation. When looking at college options, I decided against big state schools in Michigan and even Concordia University in Ann Arbor. I did not know what I wanted to do, but I knew I liked history, and I liked a smaller college feel. Upon high school graduation in 1989, I came back to Seward and Concordia.” 

Bassett took education classes at the university at the advice of his father, although he said he was not really serious about being a teacher at that time. However, student teaching caused him to rethink his career path.  

He said several things stand out to him about his Concordia Nebraska experience 32 years later: the incredible students, the supportive professors and the amazing staff. 

“The students I lived with in the dorms, the students I met in classes or worked with on campus provided many of my best memories of my college years. The students came from all over the United States and world but they had similar values and goals,” he said. “Most did not become teachers or pastors or DCEs, but they were using their God-given talents for something bigger.” 

He said that the support of his professors was critical to his academic success.  

“Without their demands, patience and encouragement I would not have grown as a student. It wasn't always easy, and I did not always take being a student as seriously as I should have, but they really helped me love learning,” he said. “And I loved the staff, like the ladies in the business office that took my tuition, room and board check each semester. They were kind and they knew my name and called me by it! When I worked in Link Library the women who were the adult staff treated me so well and got to know me as a person over my four years there. Even the Brommer ladies - Brommer is where we ate our meals -knew me and said hello. You do not get this kind of community at a large university!” 

Bassett describes his career path as “very simple, perhaps even boring!”  

“I received my first call to teach at Lincoln Lutheran in Lincoln, Nebraska. I have remained here for 31 years,” he said. “My wife and I thought we would be in Lincoln ‘a couple of years’ but God laughed and provided a wonderful life where we are. I have received opportunities to move to other places to serve… places like California, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Iowa, but none ever felt right. I asked a mentor early on when the first opportunity arose how you know when you should go, and he said ‘when you feel you have accomplished what God has called you to do in a place you go someplace else.’ After 31 years I still feel called to Lincoln Lutheran. God isn't done with me in this place. Not yet!” 

He said that his time at Concordia Nebraska prepared him for his current service. 

“I was not sure I wanted to teach; it seemed like a fallback option. But I was going to go to school until I figured it out. Despite my lack of investment, my professors did invest in me,” he said. “They planted seeds of knowledge and insight that I did not know were there. They provided many lessons and opportunities for me to grow and develop. It was more of a slow drip than a large deluge. But being part of the education community and seeing how teaching was a challenge and opportunity to share content knowledge and Christ was increasingly intriguing, even if, as I said, I wasn't there yet. The small education classes, especially those that came during my junior and senior year, were when I think I began to turn a corner and look at teaching as a vocation I could do. Professors like Dr. Glaess and Dr. Moulds were genuine people with a passion for people. They really helped me see the opportunity of serving and loving students as a calling, not just a job.” 

He said he distinctly recalls three professors encouraging him and pushing him beyond his comfort zone. 

“I distinctly recall my three history professors, Dr. Fiala, Dr. Pfabe and Dr. Grothaus, pushing me beyond the level of work I was doing. There was a lot of red ink on the papers I submitted and many comments that essentially said that I needed to improve, and they were right,” he said. “There was always helpful criticism and open office doors, and once I got over my shock and disappointment, I realized that it was for my good. It remained a challenge for me as I had more and more classes with them, but their constant insistence that I work hard paid off as I had planned from an early point in college to attend graduate school.” 

“God works in ways that are not always immediately understood, and He works through inadequate and sinful people such as myself. I do not wish to take credit for the things that my 31 years in Lutheran education have produced but instead want God to receive all of the glory, honor and praise. It is He who has done marvelous things.”

He said that when he arrived at University of Nebraska-Lincoln after his time at Concordia Nebraska, he felt very prepared for the level of expectation demanded of graduatestudents.  

“Beyond my own academic work, I saw in those three men a passion for history. Their impressive knowledge and experiences encouraged and inspired me. Dr. Fiala in particular shared numerous stories of his travels to Europe experiencing history in places it actually occurred,” said Bassett. “In my life I have traveled to 43 states and 14 countries. More than travel, though, was the love and sharing history with people. I cannot thank these men enough for their support. These are things I try to do with my own students as a teacher.” 

Bassett came to Concordia the son of called church workers and the grandson of a Lutheran pastor and synod vice president.  

“I attended Lutheran schools from kindergarten to ninth grade. Outwardly, I had a solid faith foundation. But I was not serious about or active in my faith. I remember walking on campus my first semester and seeing people with these National Youth Gathering backpacks all over the place. I had no idea there was even such a thing!” he explained. “I did take the required theology courses, and I struggled. I did attend chapel on occasion, but my campus job at Link Library and my off campus jobs meant missing chapel most days so my on campus spiritual life was limited. I did attend St. John regularly but other than that I was honestly not engaged.” 

He said Concordia provided many opportunities for Bible study, Christian fellowship and service projects, but he didn’t participate much.  

“That was my fault, not the fault of Concordia. But again, seeds were sown that would eventually grow. I think perhaps the biggest faith development came from my wife Molly (Calvin) Bassett ‘95,” he said. “She was, and is, a person who really demonstrates a love of God and who lives that out. Her example and encouragement is a reason why I, and our daughters, are the people we are. So in a roundabout way, her attending Concordia did help shape my faith.” 

At Lincoln Lutheran, Bassett currently teaches U.S. history, government and theology. 

“For the first ten years of my call I taught English, U.S. history and government. Out of necessity I also taught Spanish for the first two years here. Now I teach New Testament theology along with U.S. history and government,” he said. “I was asked to lead the drama department - with zero experience in the field - for my first two years of teaching before randomly becoming the high school soccer coach, a sport I had never played and rarely had seen be played. I coached for 21 seasons through 2017- retiring so I could watch my own daughter play soccer. Many wonderful memories come from those seasons! 

Bassett also runs the Norwegian exchange program for Lincoln Lutheran. Since 2004, he has worked with a Lutheran boarding high school in Norway in a unique, one-of-a-kind partnership that brings three of their students to Lincoln for a year and allows Lincoln Lutheran to send three students to Norway for three weeks.  

“To see and know that across the world another school in another country is working toward the same purpose and goal as we are is a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven at work on earth,” he said.  

The Bassetts moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, for their first calls. 

“Molly was from Blue Springs, Missouri, and I came from Berrien Springs, Michigan. We have been in Lincoln ever since without immediate family near us. Molly taught for seven years total but spent much of her time raising our daughters when they were young,” he said. “She has since developed her home organization business. We have three daughters, all now married, Hannah (Scott ‘19) Neihardt, Hope ‘21 (Ethan) Rickords, and Leah (Brighton) Kollipara. We are also now grandparents to Elinore (Hope and Ethan's daughter). These are some of my greatest blessings. Other than faith, family means the most to me and I am very proud of my children and the men they married. They are doing amazing things and supporting Christian ministry in their own ways. I have an amazing wife who has helped me be a better husband, father, friend and teacher. My own siblings and in-laws are dear to me as well, but because they live far from Lincoln in Missouri or Michigan, I see them less frequently.” 

When he’s not working, you’ll find Bassett spending time with family, traveling, BBQing or cooking, listening to music or watching hockey and baseball. He loves to spend time outdoors enjoying God’s creation. 

Bassett said his work days are filled with planning lessons, guiding instruction, assessing student work and encouraging and supporting kids. There’s also a lot of laughter, some frustrating and the opportunity to speak the Law and Gospel while valuing the community where God has placed him. 

“I work with great students and amazing colleagues. The teachers I know and work with here are exceptionally good at what they do,” he said. “Whether they have been here as long as me or in their first year, we have a great staff. Each day I get to spend time with sinners and saints. I get to talk about Jesus whenever I want.” 

To celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week, throughout the month of January, Concordia Nebraska will highlight stories of faculty, staff, alumni and students who have been impacted by or serve in Lutheran education. National Lutheran Schools Week provides more than 1,800 preschools, elementary schools and high schools with the public opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work among us in schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.