Computer science student Aaron Cumming: Concordia Nebraska is “a great fit for me”

Aaron Cumming recently completed his sophomore year at Concordia University, Nebraska. Majoring in computer science and minoring in math and Biblical languages, Cumming is also in the university’s pre-seminary program. 

“I decided to pursue computer science at Concordia, because I was not sure if I wanted to become a pastor,” he said. “Computer science seemed like a great alternative career path for me. I have always been interested in electronics and such since I was a kid. My computer science classes at Concordia are great. The computer science professors are eager for their students to learn and care deeply about each student inside and outside the classroom. It is nice having smaller class sizes because the professors and classmates get to know you well, as well as you getting to know them well.” 

Cumming has been a member of the Concordia Nebraska A Cappella Choir for two years. His grandmother, Janice Koeltzow Kueck ’67, also attended the university and was in choir during her time on campus. Cumming is also a member of the university programming team and helps run intramurals on campus. 

He said that he chose to attend the university because of its small size, Lutheran heritage and Christ-focused community. 

“That’s hard to find at other universities,” he said. “When I was considering schools, I thought that this would be the best school for me, because I was looking to prepare to become a pastor and do the pre-seminary program. Concordia’s pre-seminary program encourages students to select a different major than theology or Biblical languages, so I chose computer science. It all ended up being a great fit for me.” 

Cumming said that whether he’s singing with the choir or preparing for computer science classes, his Concordia Nebraska professors are extremely knowledgeable about their areas of expertise and care deeply about their students. 

“One of my professors said that as long as you are working towards something good, no matter current path or major you are on, it will help you in future,” he said. “Even if you switch careers later in life, those experiences from the previous career will still help you and guide you and you might still be able to use some of those skills.” 

Cumming added that his time at the university has definitely served to strengthen his faith. 

“My experience here is building me up with a strong base of Lutheran values and ideas that I will be able to use wherever I go,” he said. “My faith has been enriched through things like going to evening prayer, listening to theology professors in class and talking with other Lutherans, but it also challenges my faith, thereby making it stronger, through conversations with people who may not agree with me on certain topics.” 

Cumming met his fiancé Rachel Johnson at Concordia. They will be married in July in Austin, Texas. He is the middle of three brothers. His older brother recently graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin and is getting married in June 2024 before attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis this fall. His youngest brother attends Faith Lutheran High School in Plano, Texas. 

Following graduation, Cumming dreams of working as a computer scientist or data engineer for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod to help the church with processing data and statistics or writing programs for the church. 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s computer science program is designed to help students meet current and future challenges in technology- and application-related fields. Students gain a strong fundamental foundation with an emphasis on practical functions of theoretical concepts. Learn more at cune.edu.