Worship service opens 2011 school year at Concordia

The 118th academic year of Concordia University, Nebraska officially kicked off at the opening worship service held Sunday, Aug. 21, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The service emphasized the university’s theme Bible verse for the year, “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 ESV
Rev. Luke Schnake preached at the service. Schnake is the senior pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Rev. Ryan Matthias, campus pastor, was the liturgist, and student John Koopman was the reader.
Music for the service was provided by Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, university organist, and by the University A Cappella Choir under the direction of Dr. Kurt von Kampen.
The service also recognized new faculty and staff and those professors advancing in academic rank.
New faculty and staff:
Matthew Buns, Ph.D. assistant professor of Health and Human Performance
Zachary Fisher, B.A. athletic equipment and operations manager
Corey Gray, B.A. career counselor
Charles Gebhardt, M.Ed. director of student life and student activities
Timothy Heidorn, MBA assistant professor of Business Administration and Economics
Daneen Kovar Theye, B.F.A. head dance and cheer coach, athletic business coordinator
Carrie Merry, B.A. university events manager
Lori Read, B.A. accountant
Brent Royuk, Ph.D. dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Jacob Schmidt, M.S. system analyst/programmer infrastructure support
Bob Smallfoot, Ph. D. College of Education graduate programming coordinator
Faculty advancing in academic rank
James Bockelman, M.F.A. to professor
Paul Holtorf, Ph.D. to professor
Kathy Miller, Ph.D. to professor
Brian Albright, D.Sc. to associate professor
Nancy Elwell, Ph.D. to associate professor
John Jurchen, Ph.D. to associate professor
See also: Weekend of Welcome schedule / Returning student information