Living the Vision Broadcaster Staff Editor Andrew Swenson ‘08
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e h t magazine of Concordia University, Nebraska Broadcasterwinter 2010 volume 87 no. 2 Living the Vision Broadcaster Staff Editor Andrew Swenson ‘08 Managing Editor from the president Rosanne Reese Graphic designer Karen Chittick ’05 Vision. Assistant designers Charlotte Kaeding, ‘09 A friend defines vision as “a point on the horizon toward which Kara Koehler, ‘11 an organization strives”; “a not too precise definition of the Contributing writers future”; and “a hoped for future that is never quite achieved.” Coryn Berkbigler Tyler Beltz, ‘12 These are exciting, dynamic and challenging times in higher Abby Lange education. Economic upheaval, demographic changes, Rosanne Reese technological advancements and governmental intervention Scott Retzlaff are but a few of the significant factors that impact and influence how we define and articulate our vision. University Administration President & ceo Preparing students in and for the 21st century calls us to think, Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich plan and act differently today than we did yesterday. Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke For Concordia to thrive in the future we realize we must Associate Provost • Grow and expand our influence; Dr. Lisa Ashby Vice President for Finance & Operations • Serve new populations of students; David Kumm • Collaborate with others; Vice President for Institutional Advancement Peter Kenow • Adapt to an always changing environment; and Vice President for Enrollment Management, Student Services & Athletics • Remain faithful to our mission. Scott Seevers This issue of theBroadcaster demonstrates how Concordia is Board of Regents living its vision as a Lutheran Christian University. These stories Dr. Dennis Brink, Lincoln, Neb. give inspiring examples of students and alumni who are living Mr. Robert Cooksey, Kirkwood, Mo. proof of the impact of our vision. Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb. Rev. Keith Grimm, Omaha, Neb. Vision. Mr. Barry D. Holst, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Mike Klintworth, Seward, Neb. I am excited about our vision for 2015. But I also realize vision Mr. James Knoepfel, Fremont, Neb. changes. Thus, what most inspires me and is most important Mr. John Kuddes, Leawood, Kan. to me is our mission: Mrs. Bonnie Meyer, Palatine, Ill. Concordia University, Nebraska is an Mr. Lyle Middendorf, Lincoln, Neb. excellent academic and Christ-centered community equipping Mr. Timothy Moll, Seward, Neb. men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the Dr. Frederick A. Ohlde, Hortonville, Wis. Mr. Paul Schudel, Lincoln, Neb. church and world. Without mission, there is no vision! Through Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, Neb. vision, mission is fulfilled. Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb. Mrs. Jill Wild, Seward, Neb. May God continue to bless Concordia and all who teach, serve Rev. Karl Ziegler, Bellevue, Neb. and learn in this place. May God continue to bless all those sent forth from here as they live lives of faithful witness and service to Him and to others in the church and throughout the world. Brian L. Friedrich President and ceo photo: Karen Chittick Karen photo: Broadcaster Staff Editor Andrew Swenson ‘08 Winter 2010 4 Living the Vision Managing Editor Rosanne Reese Concordia takes steps to fulfill from the president its vision statement for 2015. Graphic designer Karen Chittick ’05 Assistant designers Charlotte Kaeding, ‘09 Kara Koehler, ‘11 Contributing writers Coryn Berkbigler Tyler Beltz, ‘12 8 Making Art Abby Lange Rosanne Reese to Serve the Church Scott Retzlaff Concordia’s Center for Liturgical Arts creates art for praiseful and University Administration purposeful worship. President & ceo Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke Associate Provost Dr. Lisa Ashby 10 At Work in Asia Vice President for Finance & Operations “Expanding influence to diverse popula- David Kumm tions” isn’t just idle talk—Allan and Sandy Vice President for Institutional Advancement Peter Kenow Schmidt are living it out through their Vice President for Enrollment Management, service, now in Vietnam. Student Services & Athletics Scott Seevers Board of Regents 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. Dr. Frederick A. Ohlde, Hortonville, Wis. Mr. Paul Schudel, Lincoln, Neb. Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, Neb. Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb. Mrs. Jill Wild, Seward, Neb. Rev. Karl Ziegler, Bellevue, Neb. 12 A Dream, A Degree, A Calling Collaboration between Concordia and Omaha Public Schools has given University Contacts College of Graduate Studies Lisa Clark the opportunity to fulfill [email protected] 14 Faculty & Staff General Information her dream of earning her bachelor’s www.cune.edu 800 535 5494 Athletics degree and has helped her realize 18 Concordia Scene Alumni & University Relations [email protected] 26 Athletics [email protected] Bookstore her calling. Institutional Advancement www.cunebookstore.com 30 Alumni News [email protected] Career services 34 Alumni Notes Undergraduate Admission [email protected] 38 Honor Roll of Donors & Campus Visits Center for Liturgical Art [email protected] [email protected] © COPYRIGHT 2010, CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY faithful Living the vision Concordia takes steps now to achieve its vision for 2015 collaboration expand By 2015 Concordia University, Nebraska will grow and expand Two-hundred and seven new computers were installed its influence to diverse populations by fostering collaboration in 12 student computer labs on the Seward and Fallbrook and adapting to our changing environment while remaining campuses. Macintosh computers in the art and music faithful to our mission of excellent Christian education. labs provide students the ability to use new and emerging Preparing students to live lives of service always has been software in their courses. Labs in Thom Educational foundational at Concordia. In its 116 years the university Leadership Center feature new virtual computers and new has adapted to meet the challenge of an ever-changing furniture. The labs were reconfigured so they could be educational environment in a world with ever-changing used as teaching labs for entire classes as well as individual needs. “We need to revive and rejuvenate our existing student work areas. The Janzow Campus Center now has new programs and create new programs to meet the needs computers, free printing and, because so many students tote around their laptop computers, counter areas specifically of. today’s students,” explains University Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke. designed to make it easier for them to use their own gear. Guiding Concordia’s efforts to “revive and rejuvenate” is its The new virtual computers on campus appear to be normal vision statement. As Concordia looks to prepare the newest computer stations, but each features only a keyboard, feature generation of learners to serve and lead in a 21st century mouse and screen. The processor (which used to be kept in a case near each station) is now part of Concordia’s internal 4 world, it is taking steps—from installing new computer labs to overhauling curriculum—to enact that vision. computing cloud. This type of system saves money through lower equipment costs and less time spent managing the . system. Updates can be completed from one server rather Technology than at each individual unit. When students arrived on ...the campus this fall, they took “This is the trend of computing today, and we are on the advantage of several technology upgrades, some obvious front-edge of this technology,” said Potratz. and some that, well, it would help to have an electrical engineering degree to detect. All of them, however, were aimed at helping students. Online offerings Upgrades in technology also... will allow Concordia “Our technology goals were to provide better services for our students,” explains Kevin Potratz, computing services to develop more online courses. Currently, students can system analyst and infrastructure support coordinator. “We earn certificates in gerontology, worship arts and English are student-centered.” language learners online. mission diverse adapt grow “There is an entire population of students we can reach The full faculty was charged with ownership over the through online delivery,” explains Roebke. process of general education revision, including the In addition, online modes benefit present students by definition and explication of learning outcomes. Workshops allowing more flexibility in course content and in scheduling. were held for professional development in the new curricular emphasis areas: writing intensive, service learning, Online courses also create a unique community of learners. global/multi-cultural awareness, financial literacy, oral Because of their accessibility, these courses appeal to communication/presentation skills, information literacy working individuals who are interested in earning a degree and capstone experiences. and to those who may be interested in taking just one class. These new types of learners join with traditional students “We really studied the research about what students in a unique environment. need in the 21st century, especially from employers, and we revised accordingly, ” explained Roebke. “There are benefits of offering a course which includes the different