Servant Leadership Award: Amy (Poulsen) Scholz ‘94 follows God’s call to build relationships, promote Lutheran education and support the church at large

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

The Concordia Nebraska Servant Leadership Award is presented to an alumnus or friend of the university serving in or retired from a local or global mission field or ministry demonstrating servant leadership to the church and world. 

Active in her community and dedicated to supporting Lutheran education and serving the church at large, Amy (Poulsen) Scholz ’94 has served in a variety of relationship-building and ministry-focused positions including as senior director of ministry advancement for Lutheran Braille Workers, as congregation and district relations advocate for mission advancement with The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, as director of church relations for Concordia University, St. Paul, and as director of Friends of Concordia and church relations for Concordia University, Wisconsin. She has also served as associate director of undergraduate admission for Concordia Wisconsin, as an undergraduate and transfer admission counselor for Concordia University, Irvine, and as an undergraduate admission counselor for Concordia Nebraska. 

Scholz has a bachelor of arts in communications with a minor in youth ministry from Concordia University, Nebraska and a master of science in student personnel administration from Concordia University Wisconsin.  

An accomplished public speaker, Scholz has had the opportunity to present to audiences of all sizes at countless conferences, congregations, circuits and groups of constituents of the organizations she has served. She had the opportunity to serve as one of the Concordia Nebraska emcees for the 100th anniversary of the Lied Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1994. 

In the life that God has blessed me with, I have had the joy to serve various organizations, and the opportunity to share the love of Christ in whatever I am doing.

Scholz is a member of the Association of Christian Fundraising and previously served the organization as a board member. She was previously a member of Lutheran Education Conference of North America, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling, the Lutheran Admission Council of the Missouri Synod and the National Association for College Admission Counseling. 

She served the Concordia Nebraska Alumni Council from 1994 to 1997, was a member of the Seward, Nebraska Fourth of July Committee 1994 to 1997 and was also parade chair 1997 to 1999 and car show co-lead in 1999. She also previously served on the Women’s Leadership Institute Board of Directors. 

At Lamb of God Lutheran Church and School in Las Vegas, Nevada, (where her husband served as pastor), she served with their school auction from 2014 to 2019, as communications and livestream lead from 2020 to 2023. At First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, she served as a board member from 2006 to 2008.  

In 2008 and 2009, she served as the North Wisconsin LCMS District “Fan into Flame” co-chair, and in 2019 served on the media team for the LCMS Youth Gathering. 

“I have volunteered with so many organizations throughout my life, which really makes me happy!” she said. “As my husband was a Type 1 diabetic, I have volunteered in various ways with Breakthrough T1D - formerly named Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - to help find a cure for this condition that affects not just those with it but those they love. And I plan to continue to be involved as this is a cause close to my heart.” 

While in Las Vegas, Scholz developed and worked with other Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod churches and partnered with Concordia Publishing House (CPH) to host a city-wide women’s Bible study featuring CPH women authors.  

“This was to connect women of LCMS churches in Las Vegas in not just growing their faith but friendships,” she said. 

Scholz’s accolades include the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE) President’s Award (2020), the Concordia Irvine 2000 Student Success Award, the, City of Seward, Nebraska Key to the City in July 1999, and the City of Seward, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce member of the month in July 1998. 

“In the life that God has blessed me with, I have had the joy to serve various organizations, and the opportunity to share the love of Christ in whatever I am doing,” she said. “Whether it was recruiting students and working with families to hosting special events and connecting the blessings of donors to the organizations I served, it was all about serving God in any way He wanted.” 

Scholz said her career has been incredibly rewarding, but she is always open to God’s leading and listening for opportunities where God will call her to serve others. 

“I would say in my career, I find it fulfilling the way God has used me in getting to know others and the ministries I have been privileged to serve at,” she said. “It brings me much happiness to partner with those in service in any way to His glory! And God has blessed me in meeting so many. It truly has been a wonderful life thus far even with the challenges at times placed before me.” 

Scholz is an only child. Her mother Renne lives with her. Her father Alfred passed away in 2000. Scholz and her beloved husband Rev. Michael Scholz were married in 2008. He passed away in March 2024 following a catastrophic fall that resulted in brain damage. 

“Having parents who rooted me in God’s Word is something I am thankful for. And my husband’s family became my own and continue to show such love to me,” she said. “I also have a group of incredible women in my life that I consider sisters. They have shown up for me in so many ways that a family by blood would do.” 

Scholz said she fondly recalls many things about her time at Concordia Nebraska, but her favorite thing about the university was the Christ-centered focus. 

“[Attending Concordia Nebraska] was one of the best things that happened in my life,” she said. “I was teased for being a Christian in high school, and when I visited Concordia Nebraska my senior year in high school and saw that it was “cool” to be a Christian, I felt right at home. And the many relationships that came out of my time at Concordia in so many facets have been blessings to me my whole life.” 

Her admissions counselor - Mark Hofman – became a mentor to her, and they worked together when she served within the LCMS. President Orville Walz and now Concordia – St. Paul President Brian Friedrich also became mentors and friends. Friedrich preached at the Scholz’s wedding and Michael’s funeral. 

“I am incredibly blessed by them and so many others from my time at Concordia,” she said. “My professors believed in me as a person. They showed care, honesty and sometimes constructive criticism to help me grow into the person God wanted me to be. That is what makes Concordia the wonderful school it is – students are more than their grades. And they taught me that there is joy in serving Him. It is not always easy, and at times it is hard but always fulfilling. I felt that love of service in my time at Concordia.” 

Scholz said that although her life has had many unexpected sorrows and challenges, she gives thanks daily for God’s grace and His good gifts. 

“God is truly good all the time. His timing may not always be our timing, and even though we worry and fret, He constantly has us in His hands and does the best things for us in our lives. He has shown me this time and again – despite me being the sinner I am,” she said. “Thank you, God, for loving and blessing me!” 

In today's world, communication is key. Employers are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly to internal and external stakeholders. At Concordia Nebraska, students can major in a number of communications programs that will equip them with the skills and knowledge to be successful in various vocations.