Concordia University, Nebraska winter 2015 | vol. 93 | no.1 DISCOVERING A LIFE OF purpose AND passion Broadcaster Staff 4 Director of Marketing Into the Heart of Ebola Seth Meranda Editors Stephanie Williams GR '15 uses her God-given talents Danielle Luebbe and Concordia graduate degree to serve in the fight Jennifer Suggitt against Ebola. Designers Carlos Acosta Davila '18 Sarah Bowe '16 Aubri Bro '17 8 Brianna Hallmark '17 Emmiline Moll '18 The Serendipity of a Life Together Chelsea Wohlgemuth '18 Contributors Reinhold and Dorris Marxhausen lived a joyful life with Demi Bartunek a passion for art, Concordia and each other. Kelsey Dinkel '16 Jacob Knabel Hope Moural '18 Brian, age 4; graduation day at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; ordination at Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota, his Photographers good friend and college classmate Richard Biberdorf on the right. Brianna Cripps '18 Payton DeVencenty '18 13 Timothy Mehl '18 Aaron Nix Fulfilling the Call Benjamin Schranz '15 Drs. Amanda Geidel '96 and Torri Lienemann improve University Administration the lives of special education students through their Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, leadership of Concordia’s special education programs. President & CEO Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich God surprises me frequently. Have you ever had an hundreds to see the world in a new way; and Drs. Amanda experience in life that caused you to say, “God, really? You Geidel ’96 and Torri Lienemann empower students to Provost Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke CO '73 GR '81 want me to do what?!” ensure that the disabled have the same academic and 16 My mother tells me that when I was 4, I told her I emotional support as other students in the classroom. Executive Vice President, CFO & COO David Kumm wanted to be a pastor. Likely I did, but I never dreamed I Alexa Marquardt ’13 and sophomore Rosa Gonzales have Digging into the Word would someday be a pastor with a Ph.D. and serve as the found purpose in fulfilling their calling first and foremost Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing president of a Lutheran university. But God knew I would. as children of God. They are going willingly wherever He Alexa Marquardt '13 traveled more than 6,500 miles Scott Seevers '89 to the Holy Land, opening her eyes to the Bible in He placed into my heart a love of people and a desire to calls them to explore and share His Word—even if that Vice President for Institutional Advancement ways she couldn’t have anticipated. equip students. He kindled a passion in me for spread- means living far from the comforts of home and the people Kurth Brashear, Esq. ing the Gospel and helping people support students with they love. Vice President for Student Affairs & Athletics prayers and gifts. He blessed me with abilities and enabled As you read this issue, I challenge you to consider: Gene Brooks CO '91 GR '03 me to hone tools to serve Him in a role like this. And He What are your passions? Have you examined recently how 20 Student Focus cune.edu/highlights molded, shaped and grew my desires and skills so that I God has equipped you to fulfill a purpose for which He Board of Regents Faculty and Student Highlights could passionately share my love of Jesus Christ in exactly would like to use you? And have you allowed Him to do so? Dr. Dennis Brink, Lincoln, Neb. this way. I thank God for providing all of us with unique traits, Mrs. Krista Barnhouse CO '95 GR '01, Lincoln, Neb. 24 Concordia Scene It fascinates me how God forms each of us to be ex- attributes, gifts and talents. I pray He continues to work Mr. Ryan Burger '04, Lincoln, Neb. Discover the many accomplishments achieved by our Mr. Robert Cooksey CO '84 GR '90, Omaha, Neb. students, faculty and staff. actly the person—with personality traits, physical attri- through each of us so we may live lives of purpose and Dr. Lesa Covington Clarkson '80, Woodbury, Minn. butes and specific talents of His choosing—that He wants passion for the glory of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Seward, Neb. 28 Athletics us to be. Then He presents us with amazing opportunities and the love of our neighbor—those He calls us to serve. Rev. Eugene Gierke, Seward, Neb. About the Cover Rev. Keith Grimm, Andover, Minn. Using electrical tape on a 16-foot wall outside the to use those gifts in service to others. In other words, He Mr. Barry Holst '86, Kansas City, Mo. Thom Leadership Education Center auditorium, empowers us to live lives of purpose and passion in the Blessings, Mr. Richard Huebner, Centennial, Colo. visiting artist Akira Ikezoe and Concordia senior Mrs. Jill Johnson, Seward, Neb. 39 Alumni & Friends Mitchell Volk '16 recreated a pencil drawing by name of Jesus Christ. Guatemalan artist Jorge de León. León often exhibits Mr. Timothy Moll '89, Seward, Neb. As the articles in this issue of Broadcaster his drawings on paper while also enlarging one to Mrs. Bonnie O’Neill Meyer, Palatine, Ill. mural size outside the gallery. León’s and Ikezoe’s reveal, purpose and passion are present in a vari- Mr. Paul Schudel, Omaha, Neb. artwork was displayed in Concordia’s Marxhausen ety of vocations: Master of Public Health graduate Mr. Timothy Schwan '72, Appleton, Wis. Gallery of Art during the fall semester of 2015, giving Rev. Richard Snow, Seward, Neb. students like Volk an opportunity to further discover Stephanie Williams GR ’15 put her own health aside Dr. Andrew Stadler, Columbus, Neb. their passions for art and work alongside nationally to make others’ lives better in Ebola-infested Africa; Brian L. Friedrich Mr. Max Wake, Seward, Neb. renowned artists. Reinhold Marxhausen’s passion for play inspired President © 2015 Concordia University, Nebraska Stephanie Williams GR '15 risks her own health to save the lives of others during one of the largest epidemics in the world’s history. story illustration Danielle Luebbe Sarah Bowe '16 Four days after submitting her Master “I’ve always been an advocate for peo- of Public Health thesis to Concordia, ple,” Williams says. When her husband Stephanie Williams was on a plane to was in the Air Force, Williams became an Sierra Leone, Africa, to take part in the activist for military families with special fight against Ebola, one of the most infec- needs children. She had also done vol- tious and deadly diseases in history. unteer work at a clinic in Tanzania and “When I first responded to the re- helped with health care needs on mission quest for U.S. clinicians, I really didn’t trips to Mexico and Guatemala. give it a second thought,” Williams says. “I am very proud of the medical pro- “Ebola was ravaging a country, people fession, of my profession as a nurse,” were dying in masses and fellow health- Williams says. “I just kept hearing that care workers were risking their lives dai- so many health care workers were dying. ly, even when their own family members A majority of those nurses work for two and colleagues were dying of Ebola. I had to four years before they’re offered pay. to go.” They were pulling nursing students out The ongoing epidemic that began in of classes; the whole healthcare system West Africa in 2014 is the largest Ebola was overwhelmed.” outbreak in the history of the world, So, in March 2015 Williams left her and half of the people who have con- husband, special needs daughter and tracted this strain have died, according 16-year-old son at home and an older son to the Centers for Disease Control and in college to volunteer for seven weeks Prevention. in the Kono District of Sierra Leone. Her Ebola is spread through contact with husband, youngest son and daughter Stephanie Williams demonstrates the use of personal protective equipment for traditional Sierra Leone birthing attendants. Photo courtesy of Michael G. body fluids or tissues from infected peo- were supportive; they understood her Seamans, original publication Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, 2015. ple or animals. If the symptoms of Ebola desire to go and her need to help. Her are treated early, it can significantly in- college-aged son was angry when he crease the chances of survival. However, first learned of Williams’ decision. “He When she arrived in Africa, Williams experience—there are so many aspects After being treated for three days, good supportive care and a sound health- felt like I had responsibilities and things safely found her way to her district, an of the healthcare system that come into Williams was allowed to fly back to the care infrastructure are necessary for I needed to take care of at home, that I area where she had less risk of coming play. Poverty, poor healthcare infrastruc- United States—but she didn't stay long. making sure patients receive the treat- didn’t owe those other people anything,” into direct contact with the disease than ture, cultural issues. I was very grateful When she received another call to re- ment they need. says Williams. “I told him we all have to in some other areas that received sup- that I’d had all those courses to prepare turn to Africa in mid-October 2015, she As Williams was earning her M.P.H., use our gifts to give back to the world. I port from organizations like hers. The me. I already had the medical background, accepted without reservation. she was a public health nurse working couldn’t just turn my back.” Partners in Health team that flew to but the M.P.H.