Family Heritage Award - The Royuk Family: We are Lutheran education supporters from the tops of our heads to the bottoms of our feet.”

During Homecoming weekend, the Concordia Alumni Association honors alumni and friends for their outstanding service and accomplishments. 

The Concordia Nebraska Family Heritage Award is presented to family that has had at least three generations attend Concordia and that supports Concordia through contributions of their time, talents and treasures. 

When you look at Ron ‘63 and Elaine (Hummel) ‘63 Royuk’s family tree, a strong trend emerges very quickly: there are an incredible number of Concordia Nebraska graduates in their family. They, their three children, two children in-law, six grandchildren and three grandchildren-in-law – every one of them, a Bulldog.  

Ron graduated from Concordia High School and Concordia Teacher’s College in 1959 and 1963, then received a master’s degree from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1968. Elaine graduated from Concordia High School in 1959 and from Concordia Teacher’s College in 1963. 

“It is impossible to separate our life journey from the heritage Concordia Nebraska has been to us. Concordia has supported us in our faith, our vocations, our friendships, our values, our servant moments and our decision-making,” said Elaine. “Realizing this choice of higher education is maybe more expensive than some other options, allow me to tell you, that you are investing in your future. You will be blessed in more ways than you can imagine by becoming an alum of Concordia University, Nebraska.”

Ron and Elaine were married in July 1963, shortly after college graduation. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Ron served at Shore Haven Lutheran School, and Elaine served at Bethlehem Lutheran in Euclid, Ohio. From there, they followed the Lord’s calling, serving in schools across the United States, including Bethany Lutheran School Parma, Ohio, from 1964 to 1969 and First Lutheran in Knoxville, Tennessee from 1969 to 1989. Ron served as administrator at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas, from 1989 to 1995 while Elaine served as a Kindergarten teacher at North Hampton Elementary School in Spring, Texas. From 1995 to 2003, Ron served as administrator at Martin Luther High School in Northrop, Minnesota, while Elaine served as kindergarten teacher at St. Paul Lutheran School in Fairmont, Minnesota. Concluding their professional careers, from 2003 to 2006 Ron served as administrator of New Orleans Lutheran High School, while Elaine served as kindergarten teacher at Atonement Lutheran in Metairie, just outside of New Orleans.  

It is impossible to separate our life journey from the heritage Concordia Nebraska has been to us. Concordia has been our backbone. It has supported us in our faith, our vocations, our friendships, our values, our servant moments and our decision-making.

Upon retirement, to be close to two of their children, who serve on the Concordia Nebraska faculty, and especially to be close to their six grandchildren, the couple moved to Seward. Since moving in 2006, Ron served as a supervisor of Concordia Nebraska student teachers and Elaine was hired by the Concordia University bookstore, where she still works…18 years later! 

The Ron and Elaine Royuk family alumni include: Ron and Elaine, Sandra (Muehler) and Brent Royuk '88, Brad ’93, Beth (Royuk) ’96 and Harold Pester '98, Rachel (Royuk) ’15 and Paul Rempfer ‘16, Alicia (Royuk) ‘17 and Caleb Wehling ’17, Daniel Royuk '23, Anna (Royuk) and Johnathan Grass ’24, Tara Pester ’27, Tim Pester ’29, and future Bulldogs, Ron and Elaine’s great grandchildren, Lucy Wehling and Ruth, Noah and Esther Rempfer. 

The level of connection to Concordia runs deep and wide with the Royuks, and chatting with any member of the family will surely lead to some show of Bulldog pride.  

“Concordia is a very special place to my family,” said Tara. “This place has provided my family and I a great place to learn and grow. The content taught and learned at Concordia challenges us to grow as individuals and as Christians and provides students with the resources and tools needed in life, especially the knowledge of Christ, His grace and His redeeming love.  

Anna, just recently graduated, and was quick to add, “I’m really proud of my family for all coming to this place – Concordia equipped us for a lifetime of Christ-centered service.” 

“My family is a huge blessing. We are Lutheran education supporters from the tops of our heads to the bottoms of our feet,” added Elaine. “Brent, Brad, and Beth were educated in Lutheran elementary schools, and then all three graduated from Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Missouri. They then continued their Lutheran education at Concordia University, Seward. All three entered the teaching profession after graduation. Brent received his doctorate in 2006, Beth received her doctorate in 2018. Brent and Beth are professors at Concordia. Brad teaches at Bethany Lutheran in Long Beach, California. These three are examples of children of God who serve the Lord. And Brent and Beth are married to Concordia graduates. Their spouses are both teachers. The grandchildren are also children of God who serve the Lord. Two grandsons-in-law are pastors. And blessings abound. I now have four great grandchildren – Ruth, Noah, Esther and Lucy. My cup runneth over!” 

A lifetime professional Lutheran church worker, Ron served on The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Board for Parish Services and was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Education Association (LEA). He also served as president of the Department of Lutheran Elementary School Principals and was a member of the Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools. Concordia University, Nebraska named him church worker alumnus of the year in 2012. During retirement he attended and served St. John Lutheran in Seward by being active with the men’s club, school board, and the retired church professionals committee. He also served in the Seward community as a member of the Rotary Club. 

Also, a lifetime professional Lutheran educator, Elaine served on the Lutheran Education Association Early Childhood Committee, was a national Lutheran Women’s Missionary League board member for eight years and authored numerous “Happy Times” magazine articles for LEA and “Faith Talk” pieces for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). At St. John Lutheran in Seward, she has been involved with the choir, LWML, Bible studies and the evangelism committee.  

She has also served with the Concordia Nebraska Early Childhood Conference committee, the alumni council and the university’s Plum Creek Literacy Festival. In the Seward community, she has participated in several community choirs, as a library volunteer and as a voting poll worker. Elaine said her university and community involvement, church home and many dear family and friends are what keep her going.  

“After 35 years of kindergarten teaching for me, and 45 years of teaching and administrating in elementary and high school positions and serving as organist and music director for Ron, we retired and moved to Seward,” said Elaine. “Ron participated in many activities until Jesus called him home in August of 2016. I was hired at Concordia University bookstore. Eighteen years later, I am still loving my job. As an extrovert I so enjoy the relationships with customers, especially the students. They truly give me energy!” 

Brad, the middle-born of Ron and Elaine’s trio of children, serves as a Lutheran middle school teacher.  

“Having role models for ministry in my parents, and in Concordia professors, definitely affected my work as a teacher,” he said. “Witnessing my parents’ joy in ministry, I wanted the same thing for myself. Helping my students know the love of Jesus is the most important thing, and sharing the freedom of the Gospel with them brings me great joy!” 

Alicia (Royuk) Wehling echoed her grandma Elaine’s sentiment about the importance of family ties, their commitment to Lutheran education and their love for Jesus. 

“Sharing Concordia Nebraska with a whole family is a precious gift, I’m grateful for my family, that rallies around a ministry like Concordia’s, because it means we are people that love Jesus and want to help others,” said her sister Rachel (Royuk) Rempfer. “My whole Royuk family being Concordia alumni is special - it shows how important our relationship with Jesus is to all of us.”  

“Concordia is life-changing in many ways,” added Alicia. “I hope those who are seeking a Christian education, faith-formation and friendship don’t pass up on this unique and special place.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a Christ-centered, rigorous academic foundation needed to be successful in a variety of vocations. Concordia Nebraska’s education program prepares teachers to lead, teach and serve from a foundation of faith that asserts the value of every individual. Education majors sharpen their God-given gifts as they learn to minister to future students, families, churches and communities.