Concordia Nebraska debuts new university sign on Weller Hall lawn

Concordia Nebraska first opened as a three-year high school on November 18, 1894. In 1905 and 1906 the school added two years of college, or normal school. Since then, it has grown into a fully-accredited university that has granted degrees to thousands of students. 

In 1893, the convention of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States authorized the creation of a second ‘teachers seminary’ in Nebraska. In May 1893, St. John Lutheran Church in Seward formed a seminary committee, which was tasked with convincing the Synod to locate the new school in Seward.  

Members of this committee were O.E. Bernecker, Herman Diers and J. F. Goehner, all of whom served on the first Board of Control. They were assisted by Peter Goehner, brother of J. F. Goehner. These men offered the Synod 20 acres of land and $8,000 if it would choose Seward as the site of the school. Their efforts led to Seward being chosen instead of several other interested communities. On August 29, 1894, the cornerstone was laid for Founders Hall. In October, Rev. George Weller of nearby Marysville, Kansas, was called as the director of the institution. The dedication of the teachers seminary followed on November 18 and classes for thirteen students began two days later.  

A number of versions of the iconic and often-photographed university sign have graced the lawn in front of Concordia University, Nebraska’s Weller Hall. The first, original sign - which featured metal lettering and a metal cross - was financed by memorials and gifts in honor of Professor Henry Hardt and was completed in September 1964. Hardt joined the faculty in 1921 and retired in 1949. He taught German and Art, occasionally directed the school band and for years was the college treasurer. Two benches and landscaping accompanying that sign were a gift from Professor Martin Kirch and his wife Irene in honor of their daughter, Carla who was killed in an auto accident in August 1963. She was a student at Concordia High School and had completed her sophomore year in high school in the spring of 1963. 

The university’s second iteration of the sign – which featured a new “Concordia College” lettering overlay yet retained the original metal cross and stone structure - was installed sometime in the 1980s.  Although the name Concordia College never was the official name of the university, it was used informally beginning in the 1970’s until the university was re-named Concordia University, Nebraska in 1998.  

In 1998, yet another revised version of the sign was installed featuring the Concordia University name and a blue rendering of the university’s unique cross logo. This version of the sign was in place until October 2024, when the sign and foundation were completely removed, and a new sign was installed.  

The all-new sign – which was designed and installed by Nebraska Sign - faces outward to Columbia Avenue and features stone columns and the Concordia University name and blue cross logo, reflecting both current branding and the university’s commitment to a Christ-centered focus in all things. 

Concordia University, Nebraska promises to deliver a Lutheran, Christian higher education that equips students not only with a set of skills and a degree, but also a sense of Christian vocation and purpose for the future, emphasizing the Christ-centered message of the Gospel in the higher education it delivers to its students.