Honorary degrees and awards presented at Concordia's upcoming 2015 commencement ceremony

Concordia University, Nebraska will recognize six individuals with honorary degrees and awards at its 108th commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, in the Walz Human Performance Complex arena. The degrees and awards celebrate the contributions and service of these individuals to the Concordia community and the world.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts of Omaha, Nebraska, Dr. Dudley Wiest of Orange, California, and Rev. David Bueltmann of Buffalo, Illinois, will receive honorary degrees. Ricketts will also deliver the commencement address.

Concordia will recognize Esther Pfabe of Seward, Nebraska, Susan Steege of Amherst, New York, and Phil Zielke of Glendale Heights, Illinois, with honorary awards.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts

Ricketts will receive the Doctor of Laws degree, which is granted for the prolonged demonstration of superior service and dedication to a field of study. Ricketts has dedicated time and resources to supporting Nebraska entrepreneurs and startup companies for years, and he has used his passion for serving others to fulfill leadership roles in his community and government.

After graduate school, Ricketts returned to Omaha and took a job with Union Pacific before working as a customer services representative in his family’s business, a company that would eventually become known as Ameritrade. He went on to hold leadership roles in the company including chief operating officer, playing an essential role in shaping Ameritrade as a financial services leader and a key Nebraska corporate citizen.

Driven by a desire to give back to his community and create education and job opportunities, Ricketts has taken on leadership roles in local and state associations, organizations and government. He was sworn in as Nebraska’s 40th governor on Jan. 8, 2015. 

Dr. Dudley Wiest

Wiest will also receive the Doctor of Laws degree. Wiest has provided decades of service as a counselor, professor and researcher in the field of educational psychology.

Wiest graduated from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and then continued his education, earning a doctorate in educational psychology in 1992.

Currently a professor emeritus at California State University in San Bernardino, California, and a consulting psychologist, Wiest has established himself as a leading expert on the study of adolescent learning and how the brain processes learning. He spends his time researching, working with families in counseling sessions and coordinating the training program at Cal State.

Wiest has been recognized for the contributions he has made to his field by receiving, among other honors, a Research Award from the International Association of Marriage/Family Counselors, Instructor of the Year from the Department of Educational Psychology at California State University Santa Barbara and Educator of the Year from the Learning Disabilities Association of California. 

Rev. David Bueltmann

Bueltmann will receive the Doctor of Letters degree, which is conferred for the accomplishment of distinguished and creative contributions to the world of learning and service. Bueltmann has served faithfully for many years as a pastor, advocate for international missions and president for the LCMS Central Illinois District (a district of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod).

Bueltmann graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1968. He also earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1968 and a Master of Divinity in 1974, both from Concordia Theological Seminary. He continued his education at Illinois State University to get a Master of Arts in music in 1976.

Bueltmann served as pastor from 1968 to 1978 before taking on a 12-year role as executive director of Camp CILCA, an LCMS camp that serves the needs of congregations, businesses and families in central Illinois. He is currently serving as the interim director for the camp.

Bueltmann holds numerous leadership roles for the Synod, his LCMS district, his congregation, his community and Immanuel Lutheran School in Springfield, Illinois, where he served as principal. 

Esther Pfabe

Pfabe will receive the Crest of Christ Award, which honors individuals who humbly share and demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus Christ in all aspects of their lives. A person of great compassion, Pfabe works to alleviate the struggles of others using the gifts God has given her.

She takes time daily to listen, to feed, to drive for appointments or to take others to the grocery store—to be a good neighbor. Pfabe has provided safety, warmth and home care for families in need, such as those who have had multiple births or a physical disability of a family member. She faithfully and regularly visits individuals that others don’t often visit, and she does so humbly and without public knowledge or praise. She is also an outstanding coordinator of efforts, encouraging others to get involved in opportunities to provide relief for others.

As a Stephen Ministry leader at St. John, Pfabe provides confidential, Christ-centered care and resources to people who are hurting.

Pfabe’s service has also extended beyond the church and into the community over the years. She has served as president of the Seward County Habitat for Humanity and chair of the Family Selection Committee for that organization. She was also the volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels. 

Susan Steege

Steege will receive the Master Educator Award, which is bestowed upon those who have distinguished themselves through lengthy, outstanding service in educational ministry.

Susan Steege has been in ministry at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Tonawanda, New York, since graduating from Concordia University, Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a Director of Christian Education Certificate in 1984. During her time at First Trinity, Steege has served in many educational and leadership roles; she currently serves as the director of transformation ministries. 

Over the years, Steege has led efforts to develop and maintain ministries for children, high school students, middle school students and adults. She created Bible studies, discipleship and education programs for all ages, adult education class materials, team building activities, women’s retreats, Servant Leadership 101 classes and an Everyday Faith program for parents to help them nurture faith in Jesus in their homes every day. She also leads Vacation Bible School and develops children’s messages for worship services, and she has created a weekly kids’ worship sheet that connects children’s activities and prayers with the worship theme each week.

Steege also has extensive experience with KINDLE (Karpenko Institute for Nurturing and Developing Leadership Excellence). She served as an instructor, a dean of the “Classic KINDLE Flagship Initiative” and a board member for the institute itself.