Highlights Winter 2022
Student Highlights
Seniors Alyssa Barnhouse, Hannah Eatherton, Madison Owen, Ariana Sauder and Rebekah Stadler were the first students to shadow an early childhood director as part of their learning experience in Dr. Annette Anschutz’s EDUC 452 Early Childhood Program Organization and Management course. The experience provided opportunities to learn skills that assisted them in building on course instruction and gain a better understanding of the qualities of exemplary leadership in early childhood programs.
Brynna Bruxellas, geography major and geospatial technology minor, spent eight weeks this past summer at North Carolina State University completing a National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates program. On Nov. 8th, she presented her research titled UAV-Based Characterization of Micro-Topographic Features for Use in Estimating Soil Moisture and Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Agriculture Fields, at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Md.
Concordia’s A Cappella Choir represented the university at the Nebraska Music Education Association conference on Nov. 18. The choir performed a half-hour set, “The Emerald Isle: Inspirations of Ireland” to music educators and attendees of the conference at St. Paul Methodist Church in Lincoln.
Concordia Handbell Choir gave a handbell performance at the Performing Arts Center in Central City, Nebraska, on October 23rd, 2022. This performance was sponsored by the Merrick Arts Council. They were directed by Jessica Kite '02, Concordia's director of handbell choirs and adjunct professor of music.
The CUNE Theatre Department inducted six new members into its Omega Lambda chapter of the Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society in May 2022: Grace Babbitts, senior; Rose Grothaus, senior; Caleb Jalas, sophomore; Faith Jonas, junior; Brett Mueller, senior; and Adam Prince, sophomore.
Education majors Jaelyn Adler, Elizabeth Ascher, Lauren Dawson, Hannah Eatherton, Rhaya Kaschinske, Kayla Loesche, Stephanie Mashuga, Teagan Meyer, Hannah Mundt, Mary Pennekamp, and Shelby Timmerman were selected as inaugural participants in the C.A.S.E. (Concordia Ambassador Students in Education) association. C.A.S.E.’s directive is to promote service and build community within CUNE’s Education programs, and to represent the Education Department to external constituents.
Sarah Armbrust accepted a position at Stephen Joseph in Lubbock, TX as a surface designer and illustrator.
Professor Ryan Burger's BUS 422 Auditing class performed a "Benchmark Ratio Analysis: A Learning Project for Not-For-Profit Auditing." Using Excel, charting data from IPEDS, and using other relevant data; the students were able to calculate and analyze financial statement ratios for Concordia Nebraska relative to other Concordia institutions and evaluate indicators of financial strain and financial strength. A summary of results was presented in class and is available for public review.
Eleanor Clausing and Emma (Noel) Ruwe (Elementary Education and ESL Endorsement majors) developed English language teaching curriculum that was used by Mission of Christ Network volunteers to teach six weeks of English lessons on the Fruit of the Spirit to high school students in Parrita, Costa Rica. This initiative is part of the Mission of Christ Network Lighthouse Parrita ministry run by Concordia alumni Ethan and Amanda Hutton, Zach Barz, and Ruth Moon.
Hannah Cmeyla earned first place in the Classical 7B (College Senior Women) Class for the state of Nebraska at the National Association of Teachers of Singing – State and Regional Student Auditions.
Chloe Dahn, Kalie Dalen, Madison Ellis, Susan Goehmann, Rachel Johnson, Christina Lee, Lydia Schultz, Rosanna Scott and Calli Terrell joined Julie Johnston Hermann and Rebekah Freed at the annual Beautiful Feet Mission Conference, Nov. 3-5, 2022, at Concordia University, Irvine.
Drew D’Ercole (recreation & sport studies), Erin Mapson (exercise science) and Josie Puelz (physical education) were honored by SHAPE Nebraska [Society of Health & Physical Educators] as Outstanding Majors of the Year for Concordia University on November 6th
Callum Goldsmith secured a position as a Research Assistant with Dr. Gaelle Doucet at Boys Town National Research Hospital for Spring 2023. He will be conducting data analysis on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
Annah Heck with her co-authors, Gabrielle Luehr, Hayley Steinbauer, Abi DeLoach, Tabitha Ristvedt, Megan Garbe, Caleb Gierke, Cecilia Minchow, and Jonah Weyand, submitted the manuscript, “Misery Loves Company, but Only if It’s Funny: The Relationship Between Perceived Dark Humor and Depression” to the Journal of Psychological Inquiry.
Megan Kroeker completed her music therapy internship at Truman Medical Center this past summer.
Lee Perez, CUNE TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) master’s degree candidate and Omaha Public Schools ESL middle level ESL teacher, has been serving this year as the Nebraska 2022 Teacher of the Year; in this position he has given more than 150 invited presentations across the state and the region, including at the MIDTESOL (MidAmerica TESOL) association’s annual conference in Kansas City in September 2022. He also has been named a finalist for the Horace Mann Foundation’s National Education Association national Teacher of the Year for 2023 (Teacher of the Year selection will take place in Washington, DC, in May). Lee is the first English as a Second Language teacher and first Latinx recipient of the Nebraska Teacher of the Year award.
Joel Rathe and Camden Sesna, with Dr. Joe Gubanyi, discovered a very dark American kestrel, an unusual bird in Seward County. They wrote and submitted an article to the Nebraska Bird Review, published by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union. It was published in the December issue (Volume 90 June 2022 Number 2).
Alexandra Ryks completed her music therapy internship at Easterseals Midwest this past summer.
Students in Concordia’s Writing Club, sponsored by Sigma Tau, the English honor society, published Potpourri 2022, a volume of creative writing from Concordia students, edited by Caleb Gierke.
Students in Dr. Kathy Miller’s Family class went to Greene Place Assisted Living Community in Seward. They shared donuts, coffee and conversation with some of the residents. Students listened to the residents talk about their lives, their family and interests.
Laura von Kampen ‘23 exhibited her photography work at Neutral Grounds in Seward, Nebraska, in May and June of 2022.
Bethany Zeckzer received the Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition from the Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago for her SATB choir anthem “An Evening Prayer.”
Faculty and Staff Highlights
Dr. Vicki Anderson, associate professor of education and program director for Master of Education in TESOL, gave the following presentations at the Concordia Mission Institute in Concordia, Missouri, on July 12, 2022: “Building Ministry Motivation in a World of Constant Change” and “Scripture Engagement, Long-Distance: Overcoming Student ‘Virtual Fatigue’ in Online Bible Teaching.”
Dr. Vicki Anderson gave the following presentations at the MIDTESOL (MidAmerica TESOL) annual conference in Kansas City on September 23, 2022: “Online ESL Curriculum Building: Lessons Learned from and with ESL Teacher Candidates” and “Building English Learner Self-Efficacy though Self-Reflective Feedback Opportunities.” Dr. Anderson also serves on the MIDTESOL Board as Communications Director for the organization.
Dr. Vicki Anderson gave a presentation at the Lutheran Educators Association Convocation in Milwaukee on October 7, 2022, entitled “Academic Success through Academic Vocabulary Acquisition.”
Dr. Vicki Anderson traveled to Ethiopia in October 2022 on behalf of Mission of Christ Network to conduct a viability study to investigate the potential of developing an English Language Resource Center and intensive English program for students and faculty at the Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa. Dr. Anderson provides ESL teacher training and teacher support and consultation for Mission of Christ Network new mission partners and mission partners stationed throughout the world.
Dr. Annette Anschutz, associate professor of education and early childhood program director, presented to a variety of audiences at the following workshops and conferences, “The Many Hats of Leadership,” Lutheran School Administrators Conference, March 2022, “Team Ministry,” California, Nevada, Hawaii Early Childhood Directors Retreat, April 2022, “A Few of My Favorite Things and Authentic Assessment,” Iowa Districts East and West, August 2022, “Keynote: Assessment Training for Early Childhood Directors,” Missouri District, September 2022, “Play: Its Place in K-2nd Best Practices” and “The Many Hats of Leadership,” LEA, October 2022, “Parenting,” Messiah Lutheran Church, Hays, Kansas, October 2022, and “The Many Hats of Leadership,” National Association of the Education of Young Children, National Conference, Washington, DC, November 2022.
Tobin Beck, assistant professor of journalism and political science, recorded a half-hour podcast on Nov. 2 for Concordia Publishing House on how we can practically respond and critically reflect on cultural issues as Christians.
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music published three new collections and compositions with Concordia Publishing House for their 2022 catalog: “Look With Eyes that See Forever,” an SATB choral anthem on a text by CUNE alum Lisa Clark, “Sunset and Dawning: Organ Settings of Hymns for Evening and Morning” and “Piano Duets for Christmas.”
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch had his collection “Sunset and Dawning” selected to appear on the Editor’s Choice list by J.W. Pepper.
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch was commissioned by Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan to compose a hymn concertato on “O Day Full of Grace” in honor of the ministry of music director George Frank.
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch was commissioned by Concordia Publishing House to compose a piano setting of the hymn “Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness” to be included in the latest volume of the “Hymn Prelude Library.”
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch performed a hymn festival based on the book of Romans entitled “The Righteous Shall Live by Faith” at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wisconsin in October 2022 where CUNE alum Irene Beethe serves as Kantor. Rev. Steven Starke served as the commentator for the festival.
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch completed his book “25 Strategies for Organists to Practice Hymn-Based Improvisation.”
Seth Boggs, associate professor of art, recently completed a large-scale mural on the exterior wall of Jimmy John’s in Seward, Nebraska.
Ryan Burger, adjunct professor of business, led his BUS 422 Auditing class in performing a "Benchmark Ratio Analysis: A Learning Project for Not-For-Profit Auditing." Using Excel, charting data from IPEDS, and using other relevant data; the students were able to calculate and analyze financial statement ratios for Concordia Nebraska relative to other Concordia institutions and evaluate indicators of financial strain and financial strength.
Rev. Dr. David Coe, associate professor of theology, had his article, “Law and Gospel, Distinction and Dialectic: Walther, Kierkegaard, and the Rich Young Ruler,” published in the Kierkegaard Studies Yearbook 2022, edited by Heiko Schulz, Jon Stewart, and Karl Verstrynge, Berlin: De Gruyter, 2022.
Rev. Dr. David Coe presented his book, Provoking Proverbs: Wisdom and the Ten Commandments, at the LCMS Theology Professors Conference (May 2022).
Rev. Dr. David Coe presented his paper, “Anfechtung: Luther and Kierkegaard’s Inheritance of Theologia Deutsch” for the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, UK, for their conference, “Kierkegaard and Mysticism” (June 2022).
Rev. Dr. David Coe was the keynote speaker for the LCMS Nebraska District Convention in Kearney, NE (June 2022).
Rebekah Freed, director of student development, completed a master’s degree from Liberty University in May 2022 studying Discipleship in the context of Crisis Response and Trauma. She presented content from her research at the LCMS Youth Gathering in July 2022 and at various LCMS district level gatherings and conferences this fall.
Dr. Amanda Geidel, education department chair and special education program director, presented at the 2022 Lutheran Education Association Convocation held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The title of her presentation was The ABCs of Classroom Adaptations.
Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, professor of music, was a featured presenter at the Texas Lutheran Music and Worship conference at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas in September, leading a session on using the piano in the life of a congregation and giving one of the keynote addresses titled "The Music Behind the Enduring Words."
Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo was the guest artist for Piano Day at South Dakota State University in October, giving a masterclass and performing a solo recital.
Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo had Hymns of the Season, vol. 4: Life From Heaven (graded piano settings of the hymns), published by David's Harp - A Center For Musical Development in November.
Dr. Gabriel Haley, associate professor of English, was elected as President-Elect of board for the Association of Lutheran College Faculties (ALCF). Dr. Haley will subsequently serve as President of the ALCF from 2023-24, leading up to the 2024 ALCF conference hosted by Concordia University, Nebraska.
Dr. Gabriel Haley presented a paper, “Petrarch’s Solitude: From Curiosity to Contemplation,” at the Rocky Mountain Medieval and Renaissance Association annual conference in July 2022.
Dr. Gabriel Haley served on the editorial board for The Classical Lutheran Education Journal, co-editing two volumes in 2022.
Dr. Gabriel Haley presented a talk, “Ad fontes, non ad stagnata: A Theory of Reading Great Books,” at the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education Conference, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in July 2022.
Dr. Gabriel Haley represented Concordia University, Nebraska, as a vendor at the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education conference, promoting the new Classical Liberal Arts programs and the Luke Scholars programs.
Dr. Gabriel Haley was interviewed by KFUO Radio on the topic of the liberal arts and the Great Books.
Dr. Gabriel Haley served as the keynote speaker at the LCMS Wyoming District Homeschool Retreat in Casper, Wyoming, in July 2022. He led three sessions: “Educating for a Life well Lived: Life after high school graduation,” “Arts or Sciences: Literature Unifying the Disciplines for Life-long learning,” and “Christian Piety & Imagination: Literature supporting Life-long Christian Piety.”
Cheryl Haun, graduate adjunct professor, is leading Dr. Annette Anschutz and six other early childhood specialists in preparing a series of five training modules for the Lutheran Education Association. The modules will equip early childhood directors with practical strategies to promote the integration of the Christian faith into classroom environments, curricular experiences, and into the homes of the school families. The modules present what could be considered best practice in teaching the faith in the early childhood environment with the goal of implementing teaching practices that encourage a growing, vital faith for the young learners in our Lutheran early childhood programs. A gracious grant from the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS is supporting the work and initial launch of this professional development opportunity for consultants/directors is expected in late spring or early summer.
Dr. Joel W. Helmer successfully completed his Part 107 exam to become a FAA certified small Unmanned Aerial Systems (drone) pilot.
Joseph Herl, professor of music, delivered a paper, “Old or New: Borderline Cases of Originality in Hymn Tunes,” at the joint meeting of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada and several other professional societies in July in Washington, D.C. His chapter “The Latin Liturgy and Juvenile Lutheran Instruction in Sixteenth-Century Germany” was published in December in the book Athens and Wittenberg: Poetry, Philosophy, and Luther’s Legacy (Leiden: Brill). His composition “Consider How the Birds Above” appeared last summer in Concordia Publishing House’s Piano Prelude Series, and two further compositions are scheduled to appear in future volumes. In May he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Concordia Seminary.
Julie Johnston Hermann, Director of Global Opportunities and Rebekah Freed, Director of Student Life accompanied nine students to Concordia University, Irvine to participate in the annual Beautiful Feet Mission Conference. The conference was held Nov. 3-5, 2022, at Concordia University, Irvine, with the theme, Into His Harvest, based on Luke 10:2.
Dr. Keith Kerschen, assistant professor of education, co-authored the article, “The Impact of a Summer Intervention Focused on Foundational Concepts of Number Sense for Early Learners” which was published in the journal Investigations in Mathematics Learning in September 2022.
Dr. Keith Kerschen presented a session at the Lutheran Education Assocation (LEA) Convocation in Milwaulkee, Wisconsin, on October 7th, 2022. The presentation was titled, “Discourse, Questioning, and Productive Struggle in the Mathematics Classroom.”
Dr. Keith Kerschen presented a session at the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Convention in Missoula, Montana, on October 28, 2022. The presentation was titled, “Supporting Preservice Teachers for the Mathematics edTPA.”
Dr. Kathy Miller, professor of sociology, and students in her Family class went to Greene Place Assisted Living Community in Seward. They shared donuts, coffee and conversation with some of the residents. Students listened to the residents talk about their lives, their family and interests.
Bryan Moore, professor of communication and theatre, completed his 2-year term as president of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) and transitioned to the position of Past-President. He helped coordinate the organization’s annual conference this past July 2022, which included asynchronous online content, a 1-day synchronous virtual conference, and a 3-day in-person conference in Philadelphia.
Bryan Moore participated in two theatre events in Omaha this summer, serving as director of a PlayLab staged reading at the Great Plains Theatre Commons New Play Conference, and as dramaturg for OTHELLO and THE TEMPEST for Nebraska Shakespeare.
Aaron Nix, assistant professor of art, was selected as a quarter-finalist for the 2022 Faith in Film International Film Festival for his feature screenplay “Old Friends.”
Aaron Nix was selected to the top 10% of applicants for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ highly coveted Academy Nicholls Fellowship for his feature length screenplay “Old Friends.”
Aaron Nix and Emma Brand ’20 co-wrote and co-directed the short film “Good Afternoon” for the 2022 Omaha Film Festival 48 Hour Competition. The film won honorable mention for best cinematography.
Aaron Nix was invited as lecturer in cinema production at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for the Fall of 2022.
Brian Peters, adjunct professor or Criminal Justice, and Dr. Daniel Zieg, adjunct professor and chief deputy county attorney for the Civil Division in Lancaster county, hosted a mock search warrant interdiction at the university’s crime scene house, located directly behind the Jonathan dorms on campus. Members of Concordia’s Law and Justice Club were invited to attend the event to gain insight on real world experiences.
Don Robson, professor of art and art department chair, had artworks, “Sacrifice,” “Worth” and “Regret” accepted for inclusion in the Northwest Arts Center’s INT'L All Media 2022 exhibition.
Emily Sulzle, advancement officer, met the standards to be named a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in September 2022. Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement. A voluntary credential that is recognized worldwide, the CFRE signifies a confident, ethical fundraising professional.