Jonathan Kettler ’15 compares, contrasts Concordia Nebraska and Cambridge, England, experiences in new blog post

Jonathan Michael Kettler ’15 attended Concordia University, Nebraska from 2011 to 2015 with the exception of the fall semester in 2013, which he spent at Westfield House in Cambridge, England. He recently blogged about that experience, fondly recalling his time at Concordia Nebraska. 

“At both Cambridge and Concordia, I was taught by immensely qualified Ph.D.s who were experts in their fields,” he wrote. “The classes I took at both colleges had similar levels of rigor and comparable workloads. I spent ample time in the well-stocked libraries of both institutions and, when I finally left both campuses, I knew I had received a life-altering experience and a top-notch education.” 

His two older sisters, Jamie (Kettler) Bass ‘08 and Jennifer (Kettler) Ruwisch ALND '11, also attended Concordia Nebraska. 

“This is how I became familiar with the university,” he explained. “In high school, I decided to attend a Lutheran university in order to nurture my heart as well as my mind. I visited several Concordias but decided on Concordia Nebraska after visiting and being incredibly impressed with the faculty and professors I met and with how the entire campus greeted me.” 

At both Cambridge and Concordia, I was taught by immensely qualified Ph.D.s who were experts in their fields. The classes I took at both colleges had similar levels of rigor and comparable workloads. I spent ample time in the well-stocked libraries of both institutions and, when I finally left both campuses, I knew I had received a life-altering experience and a top-notch education.

Kettler has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with emphasis in history and theology. After starting his career, he also earned a master’s degree in history education from Mississippi College. 

“My favorite thing about my Concordia experience was the people,” he said. “My peers had impeccable character and a great sense of humor and knew how to have wholesome fun. My professors challenged me academically and spiritually; they were personable, brilliant and never hesitated to give me a moment of their time when I needed to talk. My other favorite thing about Concordia were the worship opportunities on campus, especially daily chapel and Evening Prayer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I was the leader of Evening Prayer for much of my time there.” 

Kettler said his professors helped him discover that his purpose in life was to fight ignorance and impart wisdom and virtue in the minds of children.  

“They did this through encouraging me and expecting a lot out of me without putting pressure on me,” he explained. “They took a personal interest in me and helped me realize that I could do the same thing for other kids. My experience at Concordia prepared me for my current vocation by giving me the skills I need to plan, perform, and problem-solve in the classroom. I was also provided with a plethora of examples of how to teach. Not all universities have professors who are experts in teaching in addition to being experts in their subject or field, but Concordia does. I wanted to lecture just like Dr. John Hink. I wanted to communicate with my students with the compassion of Father Blanco. I wanted to work humor into my classes as seamlessly as Dr. Meehl and Dr. Moulds. I was given everything I need to mold myself into the successful teacher I am.” 

Kettler taught fifth grade in Vicksburg, Mississippi, for one year, and has been teaching history at Brandon High School in Brandon, Mississippi, for the past nine years. He also teaches online at Mississippi College. 

“I currently teach AP World History and African American Studies,” he said. “I teach some of the best kids in my school, and I absolutely love my job. Every day I come to work feels like Christmas morning because I get to teach the lessons of history to young minds and make this generation a little bit wiser and, hopefully, a little bit better at loving their neighbor. To quote a former president, ‘There's a world of work to do. But it's an enormous privilege coming to work every day. Even the hard days are good days.’” 

During his time at Concordia Nebraska, he was in a long-distance relationship with his high school sweetheart, Christa, who attended college in Mississippi. Two weeks after graduation, they were married. They now have three daughters: Savannah, Hazel and Rivers. He enjoys reading, spending time with family and cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals. 

“I'm a 5th-generation Cardinal fan, so their winning the World Series my freshman year at Concordia is one of my fondest memories,” he said. 

He said that his time at Concordia Nebraska definitely helped to develop his faith in Jesus Christ. 

“Concordia helped my faith develop through the daily and weekly worship opportunities, the faith incorporated into my classes by my professors and being around Christians all day every day at a place where theology was a regular topic of discussion at the Janzow table or in the Dorcas dorm rooms,” he said. “I thought about Jesus more than I ever had in my life during my years in college…I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my parents for making it possible for me to attend Concordia. I'm incredibly blessed to have had the Concordia experience, and I wouldn't trade it for a hundred Ivy League degrees.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska offers a wide variety of opportunities abroad to promote student’s intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth including study abroad programs, international student teaching and mission trips.