Sophomore Ethan Olson plays football for the Bulldogs, dreams of aerospace engineering career

Concordia Nebraska sophomore Ethan Olson of Juniata, Nebraska, chose the university because of the opportunity to study physics and math and play football for the Bulldogs. 

“I chose to study at Concordia because I love the Christian culture and the people on campus. I also had the best scholarship offer and a chance to play football,” he said. “Concordia is different from other universities because the Word of God is talked about and presented everywhere by students and staff. Concordia’s physics department is different from other universities because we are taught to understand the world God created and the physical laws He set in place from the beginning of time. “ 

Olson took a tour of Concordia Nebraska his junior year of high school because he loved the campus and its culture, but was initially frustrated because the university does not offer an engineering program. 

“Both of my parents graduated from Concordia, and they encouraged me to apply,” he said. “Then, I met an engineer who graduated from Concordia with a physics degree and played football. Since I had the same opportunity, I decided to follow the same path and come to Concordia.” 

He said his favorite thing about the university is the daily chapel services, which allow faculty, staff and students the opportunity to worship together. 

“Concordia is different from other universities because the Word of God is talked about and presented everywhere by students and staff.”

As he considers his future, Olson said his professors are helping him to discover his purpose by challenging him academically so that his passions will present themselves in perseverance, which will then become purpose.  

“My Concordia experience will prepare me for my vocation by providing me with the foundation I need in Jesus Christ to go out and serve him in all I do when I leave Concordia,” he said. 

Following graduation, he dreams of earning a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, then working for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works or a Formula 1 team. 

He said his time at the university is helping to develop and strengthen his faith in Jesus Christ. 

“Concordia helps me develop my faith through religion and theology classes, such as Old and New Testament and Faith and Life,” he said. “It also helps develop my faith through the daily chapel services.”  

His father Rev. Darren Olson is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juniata and his mother Susan serves at the seventh and eighth grade teacher at the church’s school. He has three younger brothers: Luke, Joshua and Benjamin. When he’s not in the classroom or on the football field, you’ll find Olson playing frisbee golf with his siblings, collecting shoes or playing the saxophone.  

Physics lies at the core of all scientific and technical disciplines. The physics program at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students who make a wide range of career choices with an outstanding learning experience in which they develop strong analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills with a deep appreciation of the role physics plays in technical innovations and fosters cutting-edge research that expands the horizons of our knowledge of God’s universe.