English department chair Tobin Beck calls Concordia Nebraska “a big family”

Tobin Beck serves Concordia University, Nebraska as chair of the English, Communication and Theatre Arts Department and as assistant professor of journalism and political science. In essence, he works to ensure that his department runs smoothly so he and fellow faculty can teach and mentor students.  

“I work with great colleagues, who do an excellent job preparing students for their lives after graduation,” he said.  

Within the department, Beck teaches English writing classes and journalism classes, and within the Department of History, Geography, Intercultural Relations and Modern Languages he teaches American government and the history of American foreign relations. 

Beck is a 1971 graduate of Concordia High School, the high school that for many years was on the Concordia Nebraska campus and closed following graduation of the class of 1972. He has served at the university since 2008. 

“I’ve come up with some teaching innovations over the years including a ‘Concordia-Land’ role-playing game for teaching concepts of international relations and an approach to teaching Christian critical thinking skills for analysis of political issues that I use in my American Government class," he said. “The approach involves four steps: what do you think about the issue, and why?, what do others think about the issue, especially those who disagree with you, and why?, what are the facts of the issue, and how do you know they are credible facts?, and how do your principles based on Scripture guide you regarding this issue?” 

My work at Concordia has helped me develop my faith by putting it into practice on a regular basis as I work with students, colleagues, people in the community and other people that come into my life.

In teaching writing, Beck said he utilizes a holistic approach that he began developing while working as a professional writer, editor and supervisor and has honed during his years teaching at Concordia Nebraska. The approach relies on students doing a lot of writing, receiving constructive feedback on each effort, then revising and resubmitting their work as often as necessary, so that at the completion of the class they are competent and confident in their writing skills. 

“I love teaching at Concordia because it’s like a big family,” he said. “We’ve really been blessed with an ethos that is strong. Faculty, staff and students show genuine Christian love for each other as we focus on our mission of equipping men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in church and world.” 

He said his time at the university has also helped to strengthen his faith. 

“My work at Concordia has helped me develop my faith by putting it into practice on a regular basis as I work with students, colleagues, people in the community and other people that come into my life,” he said. “It has kept me challenged, grounded, humbled, thankful, sometimes worn out, sometimes awestruck, but always resilient and often joyful. I feel a strong sense of calling to be here.” 

Beck’s wife, Ellen, is a professional journalist who works as a senior editor for SmartBrief, helping to oversee the company’s network of newsletters for health and health policy associations and companies. She also serves as the adviser for the Concordia student newspaper, The Sower. Ellen also was a two-term Seward city councilwoman. The Becks are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and he has worked with the St. John’s Human Care Board, including working with an Afghan family in Lincoln. He also mentors an Afghan family in Omaha. The Becks are longtime members of the League of Women Voters of Seward County.  

“Also, having been a longtime journalist, I have a professional interest in news, politics and government and in working on ways to make news more timely and accessible to people,” he said. 

Their son, Jonathan, is a lawyer who is an assistant corporation counsel for Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. 

Beck also has an avid interest in history, particularly the history of Seward, of Nebraska and of Concordia. Not coincidentally, Ellen wrote a history book celebrating the 125th anniversary of Concordia in 2019.  

“I collect antique instant books, which are books that were published at the same time that a major event happened, such as an 1860 first edition campaign profile of Abraham Lincoln, campaign books and retrospectives of other presidents, books on events such as the Chicago fire, Titanic sinking, and others,” he said. “I also like to write poetry, occasionally write short fiction, and I occasionally write non-fiction histories, such as the history of Seward resident Adaline Lindsey, a Black woman who escaped slavery and became a dressmaker in Seward. I’m working on a project with Concordia students to provide a grave marker for Mrs. Lindsey, whose grave is unmarked.” 

Beck is currently working on a dissertation to finish his Ph.D. in political science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  

“It’s kind of funny at this stage of life – I’m finding that overall, I’m having the most fun now of anything that I’ve done so far,” he said. “I love teaching and working with my colleagues, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” 

Writing, editing, problem solving, critical thinking and analysis are skills that are highly prized by employers in every profession. Writing, communication skills, adaptability and the ability to work independently are desirable qualities for any career, making an English degree extremely valuable. An English degree from Concordia University, Nebraska helps students develop these abilities in a Christian, collaborative environment, while cultivating independent thought and responsible leadership to allow students to better serve, no matter the chosen vocation.