Awards Presented at State of the College

The Reuel and Alma Wije Distinguished Professorship and four Ole and Lucy Flaat awards were presented at the State of the College event in August.

The Flaat awards were endowed by Ole and Lucy Flaat, lifelong farmers in the Red River Valley. The Reuel and Alma Wije Professorship recognizes superior classroom teaching and significant service to the college and the church.

From left: Gay Rawson, James Postema, Lisa Sjoberg (Strand and Foster were unable to attend)

The Reuel and Alma Wije Distinguished Professorship

Dr. Gay Rawson, Professor of French; Chair of World Languages and Cultures

Ole and Lucy Flaat Inclusive Excellence Award

Dr. James Postema , Chair/Professor of English

Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Service Award

Lisa Sjoberg ’02, Registrar; Director of the First-Year Honors Program

Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Teaching Award

Dr. Krys Strand ’96, Associate Professor of Biology; Director of Neuroscience; Director of National Fellowships and Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Advisor Award

Dr. Kenneth Foster, Chair/Professor of Political Science; Director of Community Engagement

Concordia Receives National Science Foundation Grant

The National Science Foundation awarded a $303,000 Major Research Instrumentation grant to Concordia College to acquire equipment for geophysical and magnetic materials research. The cryogenic physical properties measurement system has a superconducting magnet and can measure electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties of materials over a broad temperature range (50 to 1000 kelvin).

“This is a big deal for Concordia because this instrument is usually only found at large research universities,” said Dr. Thelma Berquó, associate professor of physics and principal investigator for the grant.

“I have been dreaming about this for years and am beyond happy that it is now a reality.”

In addition to advancing her research, Berquó will use the equipment while teaching advanced physics labs, materials science, and geology courses – furthering Concordia’s mission to train the next generation of scientists using modern technology and laboratory techniques. Higher education institutions in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota will also have access to the device as will area companies looking for help with researching production materials.

The NSF, which funds research conducted at U.S. colleges and universities, is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.”

Two New Master to Licensure Pathways for Educators

Concordia College has added two direct licensure pathways in its Master of Education programs: Teaching & Learning and Master of Education in World Language Instruction. Both programs provide current and prospective K-12 educators with in-depth, relevant coursework leading to a deeper understanding of current teaching methods.

As part of the Master of Education with a concentration in Teaching & Learning, students seeking licensure will take the required undergraduate education courses needed for licensure in chemistry, language artscommunications, life science, math, PE-health, or social studies. The courses are designed to prepare teachers to sit for the National Board Certification.

Concordia is also now offering a teaching licensure pathway through the Master of Education in World Language Instruction program for Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Arabic, Hmong, Somali, and Karen.

Minnesota is home to some of the largest concentrations of Karen-speaking, Hmong, and Somali populations.

Concordia is the first school in Minnesota to provide a licensure for Karen, and one of only two Minnesota institutions to license for Hmong and Somali.

Recognizing Retirees

Twenty-two members of the faculty and staff retired during the 2021-22 academic year. They have a combined total of 608 years. Honored retirees include: Anita Brandenburg , Cobber Kids, 27 years; Dr. Dan Breedon , Music, 47 years; Dr. Richard Chapman , History, 32 years; Dr. Laurie Dahley, Social Work, 17 years; Heidi Goldberg , Art, 27 years; Peggy Goodman , ITS, 26 years; Jon Gunderson , Facilities Management, 14 years; Peter Halverson ’75, Music, 39 years; Joel Hanson, CLV Facilities, 26 years; Daryl Johnson , Facilities, 18 years; Richard Jorgensen, Facilities Management, 26 years; Dr. Albert Kagan , Offutt School of Business, 12 years; Paul King , Facilities Management, 20 years; David Klug ’80, Athletics, 32 years; Larry Kvalvog , Facilities Management, 28 years; Debra Langseth ’80, Facilities Management, 22 years; Barbara Martin , Admission, 18 years; Mary Olek , CSTA and English, 35 years; Dr. Larry Papenfuss , Advancement, 28 years; Donna Preston , Facilities Management, 38 years; Dr. Mary Rice, World Languages and Cultures (Spanish), 34 years; and Philip Thompsen ’79, ITS, 42 years.

New Dean of Arts and Sciences Named

Dr. Sonja Wentling , professor of history, has been appointed to serve as the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and began her three-year term in July. She said she looks forward to identifying the strengths, opportunities, and aspirations of the school and helping facilitate conversations and assessment activities among departments and interdisciplinary programs.

Wentling earned a master’s degree in European history and German from the University of Vienna in Austria, a master’s degree in American history from Southern Illinois University, and a doctorate in American foreign relations from Kent State University in Ohio. She joined the Concordia faculty in 2003.

Bucky Burgau Field to Undergo Renovation

Concordia Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson ’02 announced that the Bucky Burgau Field will receive an $850,000 upgrade to the baseball complex. The project includes a new grandstand with individual seats, new and larger dugouts, and new fencing and backstop between the dugouts. A new “inning-by-inning” electronic scoreboard is also a part of the upgrade. The area of the grandstand behind home plate will be covered and feature individual seats. There will also be a new net backstop that will increase sight lines for all the fans.

Concordia Inducts Six Into Hall of Fame

Concordia inducted five former standout studentathletes and an administrator into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The 2022 inductees include three-time men’s track and field NCAA All-American John Ault ’92, three-time women’s track and field NCAA All-American Tracy (Berntsen) Beil ’95, NCAA AllAmerican and first women’s golf MIAC champion Kelly Cornell Dorr ’92, longtime Concordia faculty athletics representative Dr. James Forde, women’s hockey all-time leading scorer Katie (Jacques) Andan ’03, and football MIAC MVP Russ Winkels ’86. All six were honored as the newest members of the Hall of Fame at a ceremony during Homecoming.

“I am really excited to announce this project,” Bergeson said. “There have been a lot of people committed to making this happen, and to have it come true is a huge day for the baseball program and Cobber athletics.”

The first phase of the project, which began in August and will finish before the start of the 2023 season, is being funded through private donations. Alumni, fans, and friends also have the ability to donate $1,000 to have a seat named in the grandstand. A second phase is expected to include artificial turf for the outfield along with new bullpens and a batting cage.