Lifetime Service Award: alumni and university supporters Dr. Larry and Miriam Matthews made an indelible impact in Seward and beyond

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

Concordia Nebraska’s Lifetime Service Award recognizes emeriti or retired faculty or staff members who demonstrate outstanding Christian service and leadership in the community, church and world through contributions of time, talent and treasure. 

Dr. Larry Matthews ’58 and his wife Miriam ’58 have strong ties to Concordia Nebraska and a long history with the university and the Seward community. 

Larry received a bachelor of science in education from then-named Concordia Teachers College. He earned a master of science from the University of Oklahoma in 1965 and a doctor of philosophy from the University of Nebraska in 1974. He and Miriam were married in 1958. 

From 1958 to 1960 he served as Trinity in Atchison, Kansas, and then from 1960 to 1964 served as St. James in Imperial Beach, California, where he taught both elementary and junior high grades and served as principal for three years while taking classes at San Diego State.  

“He realized he liked math and was good at it!” said Miriam.    

In 1964 and 1965, he received a National Science Foundation to support his studies at the University of Oklahoma as he received his master’s degree in math. Following his time in Oklahoma, Larry taught science and math from 1965 to 1968 at Lutheran East in Detroit, Michigan. He also served as assistant football coach. 

He liked math and was good at it!

In 1968, he received a call to serve at Concordia Nebraska to build the university’s math program and teach math classes. He enjoyed working with Paul Grabarkewitz and Bob Gahl. While at Concordia he served as assistant football coach for several years. He also served as tour coordinator for the university’s A Cappella Choir and traveled with the group for 20 years.  

During this time, he wrote books for six courses for the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Department of Continuing Education, as well as a set called “Math for the Elementary Teacher” for teachers in Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools. He also served on the LCMS Nebraska District Board of Directors for nine years. 

For many years, numerous Concordia Nebraska students called the Matthews’ house their home during school breaks or over the summer. After years with students in their home over the summers, two young ladies from Taiwan lived with the Matthews while attending Concordia. One of them was a Christian, but the other – Elaine - was Buddhist yet interested in the Christian religion.  

“They both attended church and Bible class with us and took part in our home devotions,” said Miriam. “One day Pastor Miers called to ask if Elaine would like to be baptized. I asked her, and she was thrilled to be asked. She was baptized during a church service at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and joined her fellow Christians at Lord’s Supper before returning to Taiwan. In an email a year later Elaine told the sad news of the death of her mother and the good news that her mother was baptized before she died.” 

Over the years in Seward, Miriam finished her degree, substituted in area schools and then taught in the Seward elementary schools for 16 years while serving as a ‘house mother’ to college students each summer for about 12 years. She also taught Vacation Bible School, Sunday school and was active the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. 

In 2008, Larry discovered that a colleague at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, was seeking help to build their math program. Miriam had attended high school in the area years before, so Larry submitted his application and accepted. He served two school terms at Bethany from 2008 to 2010. 

“It turned out to be a real joy for us both,” said Miriam. 

Larry and Miriam then moved to Selma, Alabama, where Larry taught math at Concordia College, Selma. Miriam worked in the child care center on campus. Following that experience, Larry nominated a colleague for an honorary doctorate from Concordia Nebraska because of her work helping Selma high school improve math education. Upon his return to Seward, Larry taught six more years of math before retirement, totaling 40 years of teaching math at Concordia Nebraska. 

Concordia University, 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 will sharpen their God-given gifts as they learn to minister to future students, families, churches and communities.