Faculty and staff honored for Concordia, LCMS service

Published by Logan Tuttle 2 years ago on Fri, Feb 11, 2022 1:58 PM

On Monday, Feb. 7, 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 chapel service. 

“Today we have the opportunity to celebrate, to thank God for His many gifts,” President Dr. Bernard Bull said during the service. “Especially the gifts manifested in the people who He’s called to serve here and in the church. I believe all roads lead to the nave, that ultimately, we come here to the foot of the cross, where Word and Sacrament are received and celebrated. We also know that in the doctrine of vocation that God works through each of us, that we are the masks of God, and as He calls us to love our neighbors through our various gifts, talents and abilities, that is a key part of Concordia’s mission, lived out in action.” 

Among the especially esteemed faculty and staff were Dr. Mark Blanke, Dr. Vicki Boye, Julie Johnston Hermann and Bill Schranz, who celebrated 40 years of service to the LCMS. Also honored were Matt Beisel, Dr. Bernard Bull and Dr. Nancy Elwell for their 25 years of service to the LCMS. Rev. Richard Snow, president of the LCMS Nebraska District, joined in honoring faculty and staff for their synodical service. 

“This is a joyous occasion as we celebrate God’s goodness to you,” Snow said. “Together, with your loved ones, students, colleagues, friends and fellow members of Christ’s body, we not only thank God for you and his blessings upon your ministries in these many years, but also implore that he would continue to use your gifts in the years ahead.” 

 

Employees celebrating anniversaries of service to Concordia University, Nebraska includes (in descending years of service, then alphabetically by last name): 

Lon Jungemann, 50 years, IT services 

Dr. Mark Meehl, 30 years, theology, philosophy and biblical languages 

Dr. Ed Reinke, 30 years, business administration and mathematics; department of natural and computer science 

Lisa Owens, 25 years, president’s office 

Norma Guy, 20 years, Chartwells 

Julie Johnston Hermann, global opportunities center; history, geography, intercultural studies and modern foreign language 

Delores Kozuszek, 20 years, Chartwells 

Bob Olson, 20 years, theatre 

Momir Gligorevic, 15 years, Aramark 

Mike Mettenbrink, 15 years, institutional advancement and alumni relations 

Drew Olson, 15 years, athletics 

Aaron Roberts, 15 years, admissions 

Elaine Royuk, 15 years, Follett 

Devin Smith, 15 years, athletics 

Karri Harris, 10 years, admissions 

Jane Heinicke, 10 years, education 

Brett Muller, 10 years, athletics 

Dr. Shanna Opfer, 10 years, education 

Lori Read, 10 years, accounting, finance and operations 

Jacob Schmidt, 10 years, IT services 

Matt Beisel, 5 years, athletics 

Dr. Anna Boriack, 5 years, education 

Dr. Sara Brady, 5 years, human and social sciences 

Rev. Dr. David Coe, 5 years, theology, philosophy and biblical languages 

John Garbers, 5 years, Chartwells 

Prof. Justin Groth, 5 years, art 

Sarah Hollandsworth, 5 years, Aramark 

Scott Jenkins, 5 years, student financial services 

Prof. Todd Johnson, 5 years, business administration and mathematics 

James Jurchen, 5 years, IT services 

Sarah Jurchen, 5 years, registrar 

Mandi Maser, 5 years, athletics 

Ginger Mason, 5 years, Chartwells 

Deanna McCartney, 5 years, Chartwells 

Tae’lor Purdy-Korell, 5 years, athletics 

Eleanor Rush, 5 years, Chartwells 

Dr. Ken Sankey, education 

Dr. Lorinda Sankey, education; health and human performance 

Michael Scheer, 5 years, Center for Liturgical Art 

Jaci Thorburn, 5 years, Chartwells 

Kacie Wise, 5 years, student financial services 

Connie Ziegler, 5 years, institutional advancement and alumni relations 

 

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. Lee Roy Holtzen*, 70 years 

Dr. Eugene Brott*, 65 years 

Dr. J.D. Weinhold*, 65 years 

Dr. Joe Gubanyi*, 50 years 

Dr. Mark Blanke, 40 years 

Dr. Vicki Boye, 40 years 

Julie Johnston Hermann, 40 years 

Bill Schranz, 40 years 

Dr. Tim Preuss, 30 years 

Matt Beisel, 25 years 

Dr. Bernard Bull, 25 years 

Dr. Nancy Elwell^, 25 years 

Prof. Cheryl Durheim, 20 years 

Dr. Joseph Herl, 20 years 

Prof. Amy Royuk, 20 years 

Devin Smith, 20 years 

Dr. Joel Helmer, 15 years 

Prof. Jessica Kite, 15 years 

Corby Orsten, 15 years 

Dr. Dylan Teut, 10 years  
 

*Denotes Emeritus Faculty 

^ Following the completion of Colloquy, the Nebraska District Office calculates the years served at the school that issued the call. 

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