Magazine of Concordia University, Nebraska

e h t magazine of Concordia University, Nebraska Broadcasterwinter 2011 volume 88 no. 2 from the president Broadcaster Staff Editor Andrew Swenson ’08 Managing editor The question: How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Rosanne Reese The answer: Change? Graphic designer Karen Chittick ’05 What seems to be true of many Lutherans may be true of most people without regard to belief or creed. During the past year Concordia’s Student designer leadership team and I spent a lot of time studying, discussing and Sara Fredrickson ’13 implementing change. One of the things we learned is this: people Contributing writers don’t resist change, they resist loss. Even when people see with clarity Tyler Beltz, ’11 Emily Hemphill ’14 and passion a future filled with gain and progress, we’ve learned they Rosanne Reese see with equal passion the losses they are being asked to sustain. Scott Retzlaff Adapting to a new environment requires experiments, new discoveries and adjustments. It requires learning new ways and changing attitudes, University Administration values and behaviors until the change is internalized and owned President & CEO Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich (Leadership on the Line, Linsky & Heifetz, 2002). Provost This issue of theBroadcaster contains numerous examples of how Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke Concordia, our alumni, students, faculty and staff are adapting Associate Provost Dr. Lisa Ashby to a changing environment. Our university-wide vision statement Executive Vice President, CFO & COO is a reminder to each of us who serve and support this institution David Kumm that Concordia must continually adapt to its changing environment Vice President for Enrollment Management, if we are to fulfill our mission in these dynamic days of the 21st century. Student Life & Athletics Scott Seevers Preparing students in and for the 21st century also calls us to help Vice President for Institutional Advancement students learn how to adapt to a changing environment. Rev. Richard Maddox As administrators, faculty and staff who are working to prepare the Board of Regents next generation, we can teach and model successfully only what we Dr. Dennis Brink, Lincoln, Neb. have learned and practiced ourselves. As you read this edition of the Mr. Robert Cooksey, Kirkwood, Mo. Broadcaster, I hope you observe, as I have, that while we continue Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb. to adapt to our changing environment, Concordia’s essence, our Rev. Keith Grimm, Omaha, Neb. Mr. Barry D. Holst, Kansas City, Mo. mission, has not changed. Nor will it! Mr. Mike Klintworth, Seward, Neb. Mr. James Knoepfel, Fremont, Neb. This is an exciting time to serve and support Concordia! As 2012 begins, Mr. John Kuddes, Leawood, Kan. I am deeply grateful for the many friends and alumni who support Mrs. Bonnie Meyer, Palatine, Ill. our students faithfully and generously. Our God, who changes not, Mr. Lyle Middendorf, Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Timothy Moll, Seward, Neb. is blessing your gifts and prayers in marvelous ways. We are adapting Mrs. Monique Nunes, Baltimore, Md. to our changing environment and, through your ongoing support Mr. Paul Schudel, Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Timothy Schwan, Appelton, Wis. with God’s abundant blessings, Concordia will be even better equipped Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, Neb. in the future to prepare students for the church and world than it is today. Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb. Mrs. Jill Wild, Seward, Neb. May God bless you richly with His “grace upon grace” in the Rev. Karl Ziegler, Bellevue, Neb. New Year ahead! Brian L. Friedrich President Vision statement: By 2015 Concordia University, Nebraska will grow and expand its influence to diverse populations by fostering collaboration and adapting to our changing environment while remaining faithful to our mission of excellent Christian education. Mission: Concordia University, Nebraska is an excellent academic and Christ- centered community equipping men and women for lives of learning, service photo: Karen Chittick Karen photo: and leadership in the church and world. from the president Broadcaster Staff Editor Andrew Swenson ’08 winter 2011 Managing editor Rosanne Reese Graphic designer Karen Chittick ’05 Student designer Help and hope in Joplin Sara Fredrickson ’13 4 Following a deadly tornado, Concordia Contributing writers alumni in Joplin, Mo., look to the future Tyler Beltz, ’11 with hope. Emily Hemphill ’14 Rosanne Reese Scott Retzlaff University Administration President & CEO Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke Associate Provost Dr. Lisa Ashby Executive Vice President, CFO & COO David Kumm Vice President for Enrollment Management, Student Life & Athletics Scott Seevers Vice President for Institutional Advancement 10 Balancing life and learning Rev. Richard Maddox Concordia’s online programs allow students Board of Regents to live their lives and further their education. Dr. Dennis Brink, Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Robert Cooksey, Kirkwood, Mo. Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb. Rev. Keith Grimm, Omaha, Neb. Mr. Barry D. Holst, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Mike Klintworth, Seward, Neb. Mr. James Knoepfel, Fremont, Neb. Mr. John Kuddes, Leawood, Kan. Mrs. Bonnie Meyer, Palatine, Ill. Mr. Lyle Middendorf, Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Timothy Moll, Seward, Neb. Mrs. Monique Nunes, Baltimore, Md. Mr. Paul Schudel, Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Timothy Schwan, Appelton, Wis. 14 Learning in the Sandhills Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, Neb. Dr. Joel Helmer’s annual trip to the Sandhills Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb. gives his students the chance to see what Mrs. Jill Wild, Seward, Neb. Rev. Karl Ziegler, Bellevue, Neb. they have discussed in the classroom in the field. University Contacts College of Graduate Studies General Information [email protected] www.cune.edu 800 535 5494 Athletics Alumni & University Relations [email protected] [email protected] Bookstore Institutional Advancement www.cunebookstore.com 20 Concordia Scene [email protected] Career services 40 Athletics Undergraduate Admission [email protected] & Campus Visits Center for Liturgical Art 46 Alumni News [email protected] [email protected] 48 Alumnotes TheBroadcaster is published by the marketing and communication office of Concordia University, Nebraska to more than 45,000 alumni, faculty, staff, pastors, businesses, parents and friends of the university in all 50 states and over 15 foreign countries. On the cover: A simple but heartfelt message in Joplin, Mo. © COPYRIGHT 2011, CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA Cover photo: Karen Chittick . 4 feature . ... Help and hope in Joplin Rev. Greg Mech, known as Joplin’s “disaster pastor,” shares his experience of surviving a deadly tornado, responding to community needs and looking to the future. On May 22, 2011, one of the nation’s deadliest tornadoes “I wanted to go out praising the God who had given me a ripped through Joplin, Mo., destroying over 9,000 homes good life,” Mech said. “A sense of calm came over me…just and other buildings and claiming 161 lives. Although the as the roof of the house came off.” damage knocked most of Joplin down, among those left The tornado winds were estimated to be over 200 mph, standing was Pastor Greg Mech of Immanuel Lutheran peaking at 250 mph. The path of the tornado stretched more Church, alumnus and former Concordia chaplain than a mile wide. The storm increased in intensity as it moved and professor. across the city of Joplin, leaving flattened houses, debarked “At first I wasn’t sure of the nature of the storm,” Mech trees, mangled vehicles and destroyed buildings in its wake. said, recalling the afternoon the twister touched down. He When the winds subsided and Mech left his home, he was was alone at home in his parsonage playing a video game amazed at the extent of the damage. Mech described the when he heard a warning siren go off. Since Missouri often surrounding landscape as “scoured.” “It looked like pictures experiences tornadoes, Mech ignored the early warning, of Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped on it,” determined to beat the next level of his video game. Mech recalled. “It was surrealistic.” When a second siren sounded, Mech looked out the Of the approximately 22,000 homes in Joplin about 7,500 window and saw it was dark on one side of the house and were destroyed or damaged. According to the National light on the other. He dropped the game and took shelter. Weather Service, emergency managers reported damage Many of Joplin’s homes do not have basements because the to 75% of Joplin. Communication lines were cut, and water town is located in a former mining area. “I grabbed a book and electric services were down. and went into the hall.” As Mech surveyed the damage, he saw people wandering As the winds increased, Mech realized the gravity of what near the church, shocked from what had just occurred. He was happening. He remembers noticing the walls moving “as welcomed everyone he saw to the parsonage and tried if they were breathing.” He remembers praying for safety: his to help in any way he could. According to Mech, traveling own, his wife’s, his church families’ and his community’s. He through Joplin was nearly impossible because streets were photos: Karen Chittick photos: Karen remembers singing the Te Deum. littered with debris. Hand-made signs highlight the positive attitude of Joplin residents. In the distance both the destruction and rebuilding can be seen. At the time of the tornado, Mech’s wife was working at the of congregation and community members, organized hot hospital in town. Mech would have to wait five and a half meals three times a day for three months. People from as far hours before he found out she away as 90 miles brought food. was unharmed via a text from Later bag lunches were provided. his son in Las Vegas: “Mom OK. Donations and volunteers have Doing triage.” continued to roll into Joplin, When the immediate danger and recovery has begun.

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