Senior Nathan Pennekamp says Concordia Nebraska is preparing him for his job as a future educator while providing spiritual encouragement

Senior Nathan Pennekamp of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in math and working towards a Lutheran Teacher Diploma at Concordia University, Nebraska. He is also involved in cross country as well as track and field. 

“I chose to study at Concordia Nebraska because upon visiting, I could see that this community fits me well. A smaller campus, welcoming town, faith focus and many opportunities to build relationships influenced my decision to study here,” he explained.  

When searching for a college, his short list included multiple universities in the Concordia University System. As he visited each and interacted with staff and students, he was drawn to Concordia Nebraska. In interacting with students, he said he could see that they genuinely loved the school. Visiting with head cross country and track and field coach Matt Beisel, he said he could see great spiritual leadership as well as an awesome community on the track team, all of which influenced him to choose Concordia Nebraska. 

“While a professional job is a vocation, we also have many other vocations such as son, friend or disciple. Concordia does a great job of preparing students both for their professional vocation and other spiritual vocations.”

“To start, the focus on faith Concordia Nebraska is an obvious priority. While seen most in chapel, Praise and other worship opportunities, this campus does not shy away from expressing the faith. Professors are great spiritual leaders. Students form small group Bible studies. Concordia leans into the spiritual development of its students. Secondly, I cannot imagine a better education program than that of Concordia. The professors are extremely passionate, particularly about Lutheran education, and are willing to guide students in any way they can.” 

He said he has many fond memories of his time on campus, but one of his favorites was the 2022 Concordia Invitational Tournament. Concordia Nebraska hosted that year’s event, and both men’s and women’s team won. 

Pennekamp is one of five children and the only boy among his siblings. He has lived in Indiana for most of his life, and his parents are both church workers. He dreams of teaching math in a Lutheran high school, possibly somewhere in the Midwest. He would also like to coach cross country and track and field and possibly baseball or basketball.  

He said his education professors have helped him to better understand why he wants to teach and the importance of the role of teacher. 

“Concordia equips me not only to perform my job as a future educator, but also with spiritual encouragement and strengthening that I need,” he said. “While a professional job is a vocation, we also have many other vocations such as son, friend or disciple. Concordia does a great job of preparing students both for their professional vocation and other spiritual vocations.” 

The secondary education program at Concordia Nebraska provides students with the theoretical knowledge and practical application needed to be a successful high school teacher. With a degree in secondary education from Concordia University, Nebraska, students are equipped to teach grades 7-12, encouraging intellectual and emotional growth at a critical time in the lives of their students.