Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund awards grant for collaborative conference with Westfield House

The Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund recently awarded Concordia University, Nebraska Professor of Theology Rev. Dr. Paul Holtorf a grant for $15,000 to sponsor a two-day conference collaboratively with Westfield House in Cambridge, England. The conference, which is set to occur in summer 2026, aims to foster Biblical and theological reflection among faculty members across the universities and colleges in the Cambridge area.  

Holtorf said that the conference would strengthen both the faculty overseas and the Theology, Philosophy and Biblical Languages department at Concordia Nebraska.  

“For the Theology, Philosophy and Biblical Languages department at Concordia University Nebraska, one of the outcomes of the Academic Excellence and Innovation grant will be to strengthen faculty teaching within the department,” Holtorf said. “The conference will provide Concordia’s department with fresh insights regarding scholarship on Biblical and theological topics and find ways to incorporate these insights into the courses they teach to students here.”  

He added that the conference itself would feature many different learning opportunities for participants.  

“The two-day conference will feature speakers on Biblical and theological topics, provide opportunities for conversation regarding academic interests and projects and nurture fellowship among faculty members in their vocational callings,” Holtorf said.  

The Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund was developed as part of Concordia’s SALT and LIGHT strategic plan to encourage and celebrate faculty and student scholarship, with a particular focus on how different disciplines intersect with the Christian faith. Learn more about the fund here.