Worship service opens 2011 school year at Concordia

Published by Concordia University, Nebraska 13 years ago on Fri, Aug 12, 2011 5:00 PM

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

No topics.