Concordia dedicates Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business

Concordia University dedicated the Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business Nov. 15, giving thanks to God during a dedication ceremony and rite of blessing before a ribbon cutting.

“Today, we thank God that we cannot even begin to comprehend the marvelous ways in which He will use Concordia University and the Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business to impact the world to His glory,” said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Concordia president, during the ceremony.

The Dunklau Center, a $26.5 million project, is being funded entirely by generous supporters of the university, including a $10 million gift from The Rupert Dunklau Foundation, the largest gift in university history.

“The Rupert Dunklau Foundation is proud to be a major partner on this Dunklau Center project,” said the foundation’s board of directors. “It is a joy to see this transformational gift at work through this state-of-the-art building. We truly have a warm feeling knowing how thrilled Rupert would be to see this happen.”

The building includes 11 laboratory classrooms, two lecture halls, a greenhouse and multiple undergraduate research labs within its 86,000 square feet. The facility provides numerous collaborative spaces for students and faculty to work together in flexible, adaptive environments. In addition to science, math and business programs, the computer science and agricultural science programs are also housed in the Dunklau Center. The building’s science wing has been open since August. The business, math and computer science wing will open in late December for spring semester classes.

“This home for science surrounds students with reminders of God’s design that are brought to life through scientific study,” said Dr. Kristy Jurchen, associate professor of chemistry. “On behalf of the science faculty and the students we serve, thank you for giving us a home in which we can celebrate God’s creative work as we learn about the beautiful intricacies of His world. To God be the glory.”

Rev. Peter Lange, first vice president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, spoke at the ceremony on how the Dunklau Center will further enhance the education Concordia students receive. 

“This brick and mortar gift to the Church is special because of how it will serve the living stones, the people of God, who are being built into a spiritual house with the assistance of all that Concordia University, Nebraska has to offer,” Lange said.

Henry Reimer, a junior business administration major, said he has grown in his academics and his faith in the last two years on campus, and he’s looking forward to the impact the Dunklau Center will continue to make on him, his classmates and future Concordia students.

“I’m even more excited to see the kind of growth that will take place in the next year and a half and that I’m going to be able to learn in a state-of-the-art facility,” Reimer said.

The Dunklau Center is part of Answering The Call, the campaign for Concordia University, Nebraska. To learn more about the campaign and its four key initiatives—Science and Business, Agriculture, For the Church and Our Promises of a Lutheran Education, visit cune.edu/answer.

Concordia University, Nebraska gives thanks to God for all who have made this transformative facility a reality, including the generous supporters, partners in ministry, the Board of Regents, Concordia Foundation Nebraska Board of Directors, the Answering The Call Steering Committee, Sinclair Hille Architects, J.E. Dunn Construction Company, Tetrad Property Group, subcontractors, their employees and many others.