Concordia recognizes faculty and staff for their service

On Monday, Jan. 28, Concordia University, Nebraska recognized milestones of faithful service for faculty and staff, as well as commissioned and ordained ministers of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) at a special anniversary service.

Those being honored were recognized during a special chapel service in the Weller Chapel Auditorium on Concordia’s campus. 

“Concordia University, Nebraska is blessed tremendously by the faculty and staff who serve in ministry here every day, said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, president of the university. “They are the University's greatest resource. It is a joy to celebrate those who are celebrating milestone anniversaries of service to Concordia and to The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. As we do so we thank God for these gifted, talented ministry partners and pray that our gracious God will continue to bless and multiply their efforts as we work to equip students to learn, serve and lead in church and world.”

Among the especially esteemed faculty were Dr. Kent Einspahr, who is celebrating 40 years of service as a commissioned minister of the Gospel in the LCMS, and Dr. Lisa Ashby, who is celebrating 25 years of service as a commissioned minister of the Gospel in the LCMS, as well as 30 years of service at her alma mater. Both professors are still active partners in Concordia’s ministry and education. 

Einspahr has served Concordia since 1979 in a variety of positions from men’s basketball coach to the chair of math and natural sciences. Today, he is a professor of computer science and Concordia’s chief information officer. One of his most rewarding experiences was the research that went into his master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral work, that continues to have applications in current computer science research and in commercial software, as well as in the classes he teaches at Concordia. Einspahr said that his favorite part of being at Concordia is serving in ministry in many areas.  

“The fact that every day is different and gives me the opportunity to interact with students and colleagues in different ways and with different challenges makes coming to work an enjoyable experience,” Einspahr said.

Ashby is a Concordia alum, earning her B.S.Ed. in 1988, and went on to earn her master’s and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Ashby began teaching full-time at Concordia in 1994 with classes in speech, journalism, linguistics, writing and various forms of literature. Additionally, she has served as a speech and debate coach, an advisor to The Sower, Concordia’s student newspaper, an advisor for the English Honor Society and a leader of the New England literature and history tours. 

“I love connecting with students and helping them grow in their intellect, their ability to communicate and their faith,” said Ashby. “Together, we get to explore the amazing and wonderful gift from God that is language.” 

Ashby will be taking a sabbatical next spring to study digital humanities and how technology can assist with language and literary analysis.

The list of employees includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name):

Dr. Lisa Ashby, English, 30 years

Prof. James Bockelman, art, 25 years

Dale Novak, buildings and grounds, 20 years

Kevin Potratz, computing services, 20 years

Dr. Kurt von Kampen, music, 20 years

Donald Bloebaum, buildings and grounds, 15 years

Lynne Kumm, registrar, 15 years

Jessica Luebbe, financial services, 15 years

Angela Muller, athletics, 15 years

Tamara Wissing, accounting and finance, 15 years

Prof. Tobin Beck, journalism and global studies, 10 years

Patrick Daberkow, athletics, 10 years

Dr. Amanda Geidel, education, 10 years

Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, music, 10 years

Phillip Hendrickson, library services, 10 years

Angel Hoppe, academic resources, 10 years

Dr. Timothy Huntington, natural sciences and criminal justice, 10 years

Corrie Johnson, academic student services, 10 years

Jessica Manley, admissions, 10 years

Rev. Ryan Matthias, theology, 10 years

Edward McLaughlin, athletics, 10 years

Scott Seevers, admissions and marketing, 10 years

Jason Weides, athletics, 10 years

David Werner, technology, 10 years

Andreea Baker, campus nurse, 5 years

Ellen Beck, Sower adviser, 5 years

Mitchell Bloebaum, Chartwells, 5 years

Jan Dobrusky, Chartwells, 5 years

Jacy Douglas, campus security, 5 years

Diane Frazier, Chartwells, 5 years

Carolyn Garbers, Chartwells, 5 years

Mark Geary, academic student services, 5 years

Dr. Gabriel Haley, English, 5 years

Gregory Henson, athletics, 5 years

Taylor Ihde, buildings and grounds, 5 years

Briianne Imig, accounting and finance, 5 years

Dr. Kyle Johnson, natural sciences, 5 years

Rehema Kavugha, student development, 5 years

Dr. Erica Lamm, communications, 5 years

Benjamin Limback, athletics, 5 years

Seth Meranda, marketing, 5 years

Doug Thorburn, Chartwells, 5 years

The list of ordained and commissioned ministers celebrating anniversaries of service to the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name):

Dr. Edmund Martens, 70 years 

Dr. Larry Grothaus, 65 years

Prof. Charles Krutz, 65 years

Dr. Eugene Oetting, 65 years

Dr. Richard Zwick, 65 years

Luther Klenke, 60 years

Dr. Larry Matthews, 60 years

Rev. Kenneth Block, 55 years

Dr. E. David Dolak, 55 years

Dr. John Kinworthy, 55 years

Prof. Richard Wiegmann, 55 years

Dr. Bill Preuss, 50 years

Dr. Dan Thurber, 50 years

Rev. Dr. A. Paul Vasconcellos, 50 years

Dr. Glenn Ohlmann, 45 years

Rev. Dr. J. Dirk Reek, 45 years

David Werner, 45 years

Prof. Donald Dynneson, 40 years

Dr. Kent Einspahr, 40 years

Prof. Betty Galen, 40 years

Rev. Dr. Charles Blanco, 35 years

Prof. James Bockelman, 30 years

Dr. Andrew Schultz, 30 years

Dr. Lisa Ashby, 25 years

James Jurchen, 20 years

Rev. Ryan Matthias, 15 years

Benjamin Stellwagen, 5 years

Daisha Thomas, 5 years