Meet Concordia Nebraska junior Joshua Ringler

Concordia Nebraska junior Joshua Ringler of Seward, Nebraska, is majoring in agricultural science and plays football for the Bulldogs. He said he appreciates that Concordia’s agricultural science program is different from other universities due to small class sizes which allow for more conversational and personalized learning.   

“I chose to study at Concordia because I wanted to stay close to home, so that I can still be able to do chores and help out when needed on the farm. Another reason I chose Concordia is because I wanted to play football, and the football program really stood out to me here because the coaching staff not only wants their players to be great on the football field, they want us to grow into men that honor God with our character and how we treat others,” he said. “Concordia is different from other universities because we have a great community here that is not ashamed of our values and our faith in Christ is important to every professor and staff member.”   

He said one of his favorite parts of his Concordia experience so far is playing football for the Bulldogs. 

“My favorite thing about my Concordia experience so far is the football program. We get to work hard in the weight room, on the football field and in the community. Our team is a brotherhood and something that I am very glad to be a part of," he said. “Since I'm from Seward, it wasn't hard to find Concordia. However, my grandmother did attend Concordia which gave me a connection to the university before I chose to go here. I also knew some people that went here already and were on the football team. Concordia had the things I was looking for when it came to choosing a university.”   

Ringler said he appreciates the university’s supportive faculty.  

“Our professors help us find our purpose by actively engaging with us during class and are more than helpful to us when it comes to our interests that pertain to our major,” he said. “They want us to find our calling in life, so they are available to talk inside and outside of class.” 

“Concordia is different from other universities because we have a great community here that is not ashamed of our values and our faith in Christ is important to every professor and staff member.”  

In March, Ringer and other Concordia Nebraska student-athletes embarked on a volunteer service trip to North Carolina to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024.  

“I first heard about this my freshman year…and when I heard we were going again this year I was glad that we were given the opportunity to go and do more work in North Carolina,” he explained. “I like to work with my hands, and the types of jobs we do on this trip is stuff I enjoy and also some things that I didn’t know how to do yet and learned along the way. We did various jobs like fixing fences, building new ramps and stairs with wood, putting up drywall and ceiling, masonry, electrical and anything else that was asked to be done. We worked efficiently and with diligence to get as much done as we could with the time that we had there. What motivated me was it was nice to know that the work we were doing really had a positive effect in the lives of the people that we helped, and we are doing work for people that cannot pay us back, which has a special value to it.” 

Twenty-three Concordia Nebraska football players went on the trip, he said.    

Following graduation, Ringler plans to be an agronomist, a plant and soil scientist who specializes in crop production, soil management and sustainable farming. 

“I like to work outside and be active as well as gain more knowledge on the world of agriculture. My dream job is to take over the family farm, and this job will help me learn about various crops, how they grow and how to manage them,” he said. “My Concordia experience so far will help me in my vocation because I have learned valuable life skills, knowledge and a good work ethic. Being on the football team has given me a strong work ethic and willingness to work even when things are getting tough.”  

Ringler’s father is a farmer, and his mother is an insurance agent. He has two sisters and a brother and is the youngest in the family. His oldest sister is an elementary school teacher, his brother works for a railroad company and his other sister is a nurse. When he’s not in class or on the football field, you’ll find him fishing, watching sports, hanging out with friends or working on vehicles.  

“Concordia has helped me develop my faith in the classroom, because our professors want us to learn about why it is important to have faith and be in daily fellowship with the Lord,” he said. “We have a strong community of like-minded people, and we are at a university where we can be open and courageous about our faith. The football team has also helped me with my faith in God, because the coaching staff does a great job of setting the example for how a Christian man should act. They make it a priority to not only make us good football players, but also men who come out of the program as someone who has a relationship with their creator.” 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s agriculture program equips students with a well-rounded and balanced educational program that challenges them to become an effective communicator, critical thinker and ethical decision-maker. Concordia’s Christ-centered, excellent academics prepares students to be a leader in the agriculture field through dynamic, real-world learning experiences so they can inspire and serve others and fulfill their calling.