It’s a really great campus and people care about whether you do well or not. They want to know how you’re doing and if they can help in some way.
Melonie Kotschwar, like so many soldiers before her, came back from her tour in Iraq with posttraumatic stress disorder. She had anxiety and low self-esteem.
Then Melonie found Concordia. “It’s a really great campus,” she says, “and people care about whether you do well or not. They want to know how you’re doing and if they can help in some way.”
Melonie is also grateful to have found a Christian community. “God made us and he loves us. We don’t internalize that until we have to. I have a lot of hurt and pain in my life, so this is a great place for me. I need a Christian foundation.”
Another integral part of Melonie's healing process is being on the speech and debate team. “I have more confidence in front of people. My self-esteem is much better. Every time I get up there I get nervous, but each time it gets better.”
For those considering Concordia and the forensics program, Melonie says, “The first year will be the hardest year. Don’t get down on yourself. You don’t have to be perfect. You’ll always eventually get there.”