Concordia University, Nebraska honors alumni and friends 2024

Concordia recognized six individuals with awards and an honorary degree at its commencement honors dinner on May 3. The degrees and awards celebrate the contributions and service of these individuals to the Concordia University community, the church and the world.  

Mark Baacke ’73 and Deborah (Snyder) Baacke ’73 were awarded the Concordia University, Nebraska Master Educator Award. This award is presented to teachers, Directors of Christian Education, school administrators or deaconesses who have distinguished themselves through prolonged superior service in Lutheran educational ministry. Mark and Debbie have had careers in Lutheran education that span multiple states and many decades. They met in college and were married shortly after their graduation from Concordia University, Nebraska.  

In 2020, Mark retired following 45 years of service at Lutheran South Academy – which was also at various points called Lutheran High School and Lutheran High South - in Houston, Texas. Prior to his service there, he served at Our Saviour Lutheran School in Bronx, New York. At both schools, he taught variety of biology, other science and math classes. At Lutheran South, he was the science department chair for about 20 years. At both schools, he also coached baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and golf, and also served as faculty advisor for National Honor Society and Student Council. Passionate about serving schools, the church and his community, Mark still monitors AP high school exams each spring and serves as a substitute teacher at Lutheran South as needed. 

Debbie served at Lutheran South Academy for 22 years, teaching first grade and kindergarten. In addition to teaching, she coached girls basketball and served as middle school principal and lower school principal during her tenure. Prior to that, she served for 23 years at Our Savior Lutheran School in Houston in a variety of teaching positions. She also coached basketball, sponsored the school yearbook, served as interim principal and assistant principal, coordinated student teachers and served as early childhood director. At the beginning of her teaching career, she taught at Grace Lutheran School in Bronx, New York, teaching third and fourth grade and coaching girls volleyball. An experienced writer and speaker, Debbie has authored papers and spoken on more than 20 topics at Texas District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod educator’s conferences, early childhood education conferences and Sunday school teacher’s conferences, addressing topics including discipline, parent-teacher relationships, technology and more. She is very active in the church and in her community, enjoying a variety of volunteer opportunities and leadership roles. 

Debbie Kay Burma was awarded the Concordia University, Nebraska Distinguished Service Award. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated the use of God’s gifts in outstanding public service. Burma is a sought-after author and speaker who appears frequently at women’s retreats, conferences and other ministry events. A contracted author for Concordia Publishing House, she has authored a number of Bible study books, Christian living books, retreat kits and devotion books. Burma has given more than 200 presentations for retreats, conferences and other special ministry events in the United States and Canada. Active in her community, Burma serves on the GracePoint Institute for Relational Health board of directors, the Nebraska District of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Wives of Pastors Care Team, the Women’s Leadership Institute board as an ambassador, the Columbus Community Women’s Ministry event planning team and in various other capacities. 

Jeff and Celeste ’66 GR ’73 Craemer were awarded the Concordia University, Nebraska Crest of Christ Award. This award honors individuals who humbly share and demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus Christ in their lives while serving public ministries and the work of the church-at-large. Active in their community and dedicated to supporting the work of Concordia Nebraska, Jeff and Celeste have quietly but generously supported the mission of Concordia Nebraska for more than 40 years.  

In their community Jeff provides a leadership role expressed primarily through his dedicated work with the Marin History Museum, the San Rafael Fire Foundation, and the San Quentin (Prison) Museum. He was recognized as the San Rafael Citizen of the Year in 2019 for his civic and community involvement. Celeste grew up in Detroit, Michigan, was blessed with Christian parents and attended both public and Lutheran schools.She attended Concordia Nebraska and taught in Lutheran schools in Missouri, Ohio and California. Jeff grew up in San Rafael attending public schools including Laney College and San Francisco State. Led by his parents and grandfather, Jeff became a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in San Rafael where he now leads in maintaining the church and school property and buildings. Celeste joined Trinity in 1981 and has served primarily in areas of education, music, and nursing home ministries. They support God’s work beyond the congregation including sponsoring children through Compassion International and Christ’s Care for Children: Kenya. 

Retired Major General K. Luke Reiner ’86 was conferred the Concordia University, Nebraska Doctor of Laws degree. This degree is conferred upon individuals who have distinguished themselves through prolonged superior service in their field of endeavor. Reiner currently volunteers in support of the National Disaster Resilience Council, a national organization dedicated to protecting critical United States infrastructure and the American people. Reiner retired in 2024 after 40 years of service to his state and nation.Prior to his retirement, he served as the director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, as the Adjutant General of the State of Wyoming and as a certified public accountant. He began his military career in 1982 as an enlisted soldier in the Nebraska Army National Guard, relocating to Casper in 1987 and then Cheyenne in 1998. He assumed command of the Wyoming National Guard on April 1, 2011, and attained the rank of Major General in May 2013. He retired from the U.S. Army in March 2019.