Concordia St. Paul Magazine | Fall 2012 by Concordia University

Concordia St. Paul

magazine FALL 2012

THE VALUE OF A CONCORDIA EDUCATION JUST BECAME AN EVEN BETTER INVESTMENT. Concordia leads the nation in responding to the financial needs of students and families.

In This Issue Fall 2012

F E AT U R E S

18 I N E V E RY I S S U E

C OV E R S TORY

Taking Action on College Affordability

2 10 Enriched, Equipped and Prepared 18 Becoming the Hands and Feet of Christ

Concordia leads the nation in responding to the financial needs of students.

Ariel Gittens (’11) shares how Concordia helped pave her career path.

Concordia lays the foundation for Manny Kuphal’s (’09) career in service.

8 Being Concordia A Q&A with academic and athletic star Bryan Lippincott (’12)

12 CSP News 17 Faculty Viewpoint Dr. Bruce Corrie’s community engagement increases the relevance of a Concordia education.

20 Alumni Snapshots 21 Class Notes About Us Concordia University, St. Paul is a member of the Concordia University System, a national network of 10 colleges and universities of The Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod. Concordia University, St. Paul admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.

Mission The mission of Concordia University, St. Paul, a university of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, is to prepare students for thoughtful and informed living, for dedicated service to God and humanity, and for the enlightened care of God’s creation, all within the context of the Christian Gospel. PUBLISHER

Office of University Advancement

EDITORS

Jason DeBoer-Moran (‘02, MBA ‘10) Lindsey (Brown, M.A. ’10) Schieffer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amy Foster Brendan Mayer Lindsey (Brown, M.A. ’10) Schieffer Melissa Wolf DESIGN AND LAYOUT

The Lawlor Group PHOTOGRAPHY

651media CSP Sports Information Tad Dunham Greg Helgeson Reid Ridpath Jennifer Stricker Melissa Wolf

A Message

from the President

Thirty or so years ago, college students could complete their education with very small amounts of debt and enter the workforce ready to make progress building their financial security. For many reasons, the relative cost of college tuition in America has risen much faster than general inflation, and public policy has contributed to greater reliance on student loans to fund college. Moreover, family incomes that once could absorb most of college costs simply don’t stretch that far anymore. The attendant debt currently accumulated by students, even those working several jobs, has become a worrisome impediment to the financial future of many graduates. Recognizing that college costs present a very significant barrier to achieving personal and career success, Concordia University, St. Paul’s Board of Regents has made a bold commitment to affordability. Beginning with the fall of 2013, the university will implement a dramatic reduction of $10,000 in the tuition price of our traditional undergraduate programs. This tuition reset will make the benefits of our high-quality education accessible to more students and their families. What will not change, however, is Concordia’s commitment to offering an educational experience that is responsive to the needs of our students, relevant to the demands of the job market, and real preparation for thoughtful living and dedicated service. The personalized instruction that takes place in small classes allows our professors to respond to the individual learning needs of our students, advising and mentoring them for success beyond graduation. Our academic programs are designed to meet the

needs of our region by teaching the skills and abilities employers seek, yet within a liberal arts framework that also gives our graduates career versatility. A Concordia education is relevant preparation for real life not only because of the career knowledge and skills our students gain, but also because we help them acquire greater self-understanding and achieve a growing realization of their abilities and interests. This opportunity to explore their vocation in home, workplace, community and congregation gives our graduates an education of lifelong value. With the tuition reset, we have applied our focus on being responsive, relevant and real to the affordability part of Concordia’s value proposition, as well. Our response to a higher education marketplace that is frustrated by constant tuition increases offers a real solution with direct relevance for families of all income levels. I i nv i te yo u to re a d the cover stor y in this issue of “Concordia St. Paul” to see how we are making Concordia financially viable for more students who have the potential to do great things—and will benefit from just the right college environment in which to learn how to do them.

REV. TOM RIES, PRESIDENT • Concordia University, St. Paul

Responsive. Relevant. Real.

Taking Action on College Affordability Concordia leads the nation in responding to the financial needs of students.

On Sept. 12, 2012, Concordia University, St. Paul announced a milestone in our commitment to offering a quality private college education at a price students can afford. We reduced our tuition by $10,000 for students in our traditional undergraduate program. Here’s the story of how we were able to do it. t was the spring of 2012. One could hardly open average income decreased 6 percent for the richest families (in the a newspaper or glance at online news without top fifth of income) between 2000 and 2010, and it dropped 16 seeing a headline like “Tuition Costs are percent for families in the bottom fifth. Soaring,” “Is College Worth It?” or “The Parent The confluence of these trends was causing Americans to lose Trap: Tuition Debt.” And the Board of Regents faith that a college degree would pay off, according to various of Concordia University, St. Paul had gathered to do something national surveys. Those who consider college to be a good investment about it. dropped from 81 percent in 2008 “Our leadership team was to 57 percent in 2012, and only 40 University administrators and board focused on affordability because percent said the higher education the higher education marketplace system provides good value in members were becoming increasingly was demanding it,” recalls Dr. Eric relation to its cost. Less than half LaMott, senior vice president and thought that a college degree carries concerned about students’ and families’ chief of operations at Concordia. as much value as it did 20 years ago. financial ability to access Concordia’s high- More than two-thirds of Americans According to national averages calculated by College Board, cited cost as the greatest barrier quality education. between 2001 and 2011, the to access to higher education, 75 published tuition price at private percent of parents of college-bound colleges rose an average of 2.6 percent per year beyond inflation. teens worried about having enough money to pay for college, and an And it shot up more than twice as fast at public universities, at a all-time high 69 percent of families eliminated some of their college pace of 5.6 percent per year beyond inflation. While the net price choices because of cost. at public universities almost doubled during that decade, at private Just as troubling, student loan debt had been growing faster colleges it remained fairly stable thanks to accompanying increases than starting salaries. Last year for the first time, America’s total in scholarships and grants. student loan debt surpassed its collective credit card debt. It is But to compound the affordability problem, tuition climbed estimated that as many as 27 percent of student loan borrowers in during a time of declining family income. Adjusted for inflation, repayment have past-due balances. The average debt per borrower

FALL 2012 • CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE

climbed from $15,651 in 2005 to $24,301 in 2012. In Minnesota, 71 percent of the class of 2010 graduated with student loan debt, and their average amount of $29,058 was the fourth highest among all states.

Families Expressing Concern Against this economic backdrop, Concordia administrators had been hearing from families who desired the personal attention and support of a Christian university community like Concordia’s, but worried they might need to limit their options to public colleges and universities for financial reasons. “I spoke with some families who are very committed to Lutheran education, but nevertheless feel they might be too stretched by Concordia’s tuition,” says Kristin Vogel, director of undergraduate admissions. “They believe in the value of a degree from Concordia. But in a very open and kind way, they encouraged us to consider making our price more affordable, because they suspected other families may feel the same way.” Students who enroll at Concordia do have in common the need for an affordable education along with their desire to prepare themselves for life, career and service to others. And it has always been the university’s mission to offer financial access to a college environment undergirded with Christian values and shaped by the Lutheran tradition. Concordia also recognizes an obligation to provide access to higher education

for qualified students from traditionally underserved populations, first-generation college students and students from low-income families. “The university has a long history of empowering students to succeed,” explains Rev. Tom Ries, Concordia’s president. “And although our students range in age and come from diverse backgrounds, faiths and cultures, all of them join a campus community that responds to and supports their aspirations to grow academically, spiritually and interpersonally.” Yet given the nation’s economic climate, university administrators and board members were becoming increasingly concerned about students’ and families’ financial ability to access Concordia’s high-quality education. “We were also mindful of the perspective of middle-income families who had come to think higher education costs in general are getting out of control and the value isn’t there,” LaMott notes. “We knew Concordia had a very strong academic value, and we believed that restructuring our tuition and financial aid could make us more attractive to students from those families.”

A Position of Strength Unlike most colleges and universities, Concordia was already well along the path toward a radical restructuring of its financial model, thanks to a culture of fiscal resourcefulness and prudent management.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR College affordability is a big concern in our country, and access to education today can be equally an economic issue as well as an academic one. Ensuring college stays affordable has been a value at Concordia since its founding, and so it is always on the agenda of the Board of Regents. Historically, we ensured affordability through denominational support, but for the past several years, that support has been greatly diminished. Concordia has adapted, and today we are fiscally strong because of generous benefactors, effective management and curriculum innovation. Now we are taking the lead in college affordability, ensuring that the quality private education, which has always been a strength for Concordia, is a true value investment. Our mission is to prepare students for thoughtful and informed living. One part of that is teaching them to be good stewards—starting with making a wise choice about higher education according to its cost and value. I also believe faith plays a strong part in higher education. If private Christian colleges’ tuition continues to rise unchecked, many students’ only option will be state-supported schools. We are making a statement that a Christian college education can be affordable and is one we believe is superior. I personally give my time and money to Concordia because I believe in the mission and see lives impacted every day. Seeing students get the personal care that a private college can offer at a fair cost and, most importantly for me, in a Christian context, I believe is a winning formula. Add to that a safe but vibrant urban environment—where most of the jobs are— and we have students and graduates ready for service to make the world a better place. Brad Hewitt President and CEO, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chair of the Concordia University, St. Paul Board of Regents

Brad Hewitt is president and chief executive officer of Thrivent The degree-completion and graduate programs also paved the way Financial for Lutherans and serves as chair of Concordia’s Board for a new tuition model for the traditional undergraduate program. of Regents. He commends the university’s leadership team for From their inception, the degree-completion and graduate programs intentionally placing Concordia in a position of strength from which were structured as low tuition/low discount, which was not only a it could respond to families’ affordability concerns with relevant and cost-efficient model for students enrolled in these programs, but also real action. a stable revenue stream for the university. “President Ries and his cabinet are highly skilled and experienced “We began to wonder whether we could extend that model to our in budget control and management, with a strong history of traditional program as well,” LaMott relates, “to see if we’d be able to achieving financial improvement create alignment so our traditional through effective strategic planning, students could benefit financially in conservative revenue forecasting the same way our degree-completion We wanted to find a way to help and careful attention to expense and graduate students always have.” both ‘high-need’ and ‘low-need’ management,” says Hewitt. “We take seriously living within Running the Numbers families alike. our means,” explains President Ries, And so for the past three years, “and over a period of years we took Concordia’s leadership team had steps to limit our overhead costs so that we would have the fiscal been closely examining various pricing analyses and modeling each capacity to be nimble in our response to marketplace conditions.” scenario. It’s the same propensity toward responsiveness that drove “We wanted to find a way to help both ‘high-need’ and ‘lowConcordia back in 1985 to become the first private college in need’ families alike,” LaMott explains. “Our theory was that we Minnesota to offer a cohort-based accelerated degree-completion could make federal and state grants go farther for students who program for adult students. A graduate degree program was added qualify for the maximum in need-based aid. And we could also in 1991, and students in these two programs now represent more than make Concordia a more viable option for students who don’t half of Concordia’s overall enrollment. qualify for federal and state grants and are often forced to overlook

FALL 2012 • CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE

Before the Tuition Reset: One LCMS Family’s Concerns The Stromings are one of many families who had been sharing with us their desire to invest in the quality, value and rewards of a Concordia education, but also their concerns about being able to afford it. The following is an account of the Stromings’ situation before the announcement of our tuition reset. Tim (’85) and Chris (’85) Stroming met at Concordia University, St. Paul while they both were students, so their daughter Kara certainly was familiar with Concordia as she grew up. “Actually, I think nine Stromings have gone through Concordia, including my father, who was a pastor, and both of my brothers, who graduated with director of Christian education degrees,” says Tim, who himself earned a DCE degree and is now the director of youth and family ministry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Prior Lake, Minn. Still, when Kara graduated from high school in 2011, her parents didn’t know that her college path would eventually bring her to their alma mater. Kara attended Normandale Community College for her first year, which enabled her to continue living with her parents and earn money by working in childcare at Cross View Lutheran Church and Early Childhood Center in Edina, Minn., where Chris is a preschool teacher. “With all of Kara’s years working with kids and seeing me as a teacher and helping me, she’d always felt this pull toward teaching children,” Chris says. “It seemed like every time she thought maybe she wasn’t supposed to be in that field, she ended up with a job that brought her again to children.” “Kara’s always had a gift for teaching,” agrees Tim. “She’s a people person and has enjoyed the opportunity to help me out in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School, or even in the church nursery.” “And so as she was doing her general studies at Normandale and thinking about her career path, Tim and I sat down with Kara and discussed what we felt we had seen and what she had told us,” recalls Chris. “And together we said, ‘This may be a calling,’ since Kara felt so drawn toward becoming a called teacher in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. We said we’d try to be there for her financially in her decision. And then we started looking into what kind of scholarships Concordia could offer to help us get to her goal.”

The Stromings had several discussions with Concordia’s financial aid office. “We’ve been really pleased, because when we’ve told them our needs, they’ve helped us out by saying, ‘Okay, let’s try this’ and directing us to where we can go to get the financial help that we need for Kara,” says Chris. “Concordia has been able to assist us up to the capacity of our need so far,” Tim says, but he worries about the future nonetheless. “There’s stress just in understanding that once you go into church work, it’s not a money-making business, especially in education. So that’s our biggest concern. We realize the debt that Kara’s going to be accumulating will be considerable, but we’re hoping and praying there’s assistance out there, especially in the church workers’ avenues, so that we can continue to get her to graduation.” Chris notes that Concordia’s admissions and financial aid personnel have exhibited a special understanding in this regard. “They genuinely want people to go into the ministry, so they’ve been really helpful in trying to financially assist us with that.” And having been students themselves, the Stromings know the outcomes of a Concordia education involve more than an economic payoff. As Chris puts it, “I’m hoping Kara gets that closeness and that ‘core group’ kind of feel—where when you go out into the ministry, you have a network of people and support like Tim and I had when we came out of Concordia.”

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

private Christian higher education simply because of the high Working Out the Details ‘sticker price.’ Families all along the income spectrum could see a Things moved very quickly from that point. “We were all reduction in their net price.” so energized to be offering a $10,000 tuition reduction to new After much study and deliberation, the leadership team students,” recalls President Ries, “that we plowed right on and determined that lowering the total amount of institutional asked the specialists who were running the numbers, ‘Could we financial aid that Concordia awards at the same time it lowers possibly allow this price drop for our current students, as well?’” its tuition would leave unchanged the amount that most students Hewitt agreed that doing so would help achieve another of the actually pay to attend Concordia after financial aid (their “out- Board of Regents’ objectives, saying, “We want to see more students of-pocket” cost). And the lower price might also increase the graduate once they start. For many of our students, finances can demand for a Concordia education, which would help ensure get in the way of this goal being realized. Many students come the framework is sustainable. from families that don’t have much Next came the question of margin if something goes wrong. just how much to lower tuition. Keeping our costs more manageable Our commitment to current “We decided to be brave and for returning students, as well, will students and families is that their bold for the students and families help.” we serve,” says LaMott. “So we So the new low-tuition/lowrecalculated financial aid package looked at what it would take to discount model was finalized will be the best value investment make Concordia the lowest-priced to include all first-year, transfer private college or university in the and returning students enrolled for their individual situations. state of Minnesota, with an average i n C o n c o rd i a ’ s t r a d i t i o n a l net price comparable to the cost at undergraduate program starting regional public universities.” fall 2013. The sticker price and average net price implications for When the numbers all came in, they showed a $10,000 decrease the 2013-14 academic year, as compared to the 2012-13 academic in tuition for all new first-year and transfer students would meet year, are shown in the accompanying chart. those two goals and would “reset” Concordia’s price back to levels The net cost of tuition will decrease slightly for returning last seen a decade ago. So the leadership team took its tuition reset Concordia students who have been receiving robust financial proposal before the Board of Regents for approval to implement assistance in the form of federal and state need-based grants it beginning in fall 2013. plus institutional scholarships, when compared to the standard And Concordia’s board unanimously approved the dramatic 4 percent annual tuition increase for 2013-14 they would have tuition reduction. experienced otherwise. “Our commitment to current students and families is that their recalculated financial aid package will be the best value investment for their individual situations,” says Michael Dorner, vice president for finance.

TYPICAL HIGH-NEED STUDENT 2012-13

($29,700 Tuition) $430 $5,500

TYPICAL LOW-NEED STUDENT

2013-14

($19,700 Tuition)

2013-14

($19,700 Tuition)

$130 $4,500

$5,500

$14,200 $9,570

2012-13

($29,700 Tuition)

$3,500 $12,000

$12,200 $5,500

$9,570

$10,700

$5,500

KEY

Out-of-Pocket

Student Loans

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Federal/State Grants

CSP Scholarships & Grants

Enhanced Value Proposition

Looking to the Future

The tuition reset will make the benefits of Concordia’s high- Beyond the 2013-14 academic year, any tuition increase deemed quality education accessible to more people—including those necessary will be as nominal as possible. The leadership team considering public universities for financial purposes, but who intends to boost donor contributions to Concordia’s endowment desire the personal attention and support of a Christian university in an effort to retain the ability to manage tuition to the benefit community like Concordia’s. of future students. “The initial response from our alumni and “While Concordia’s enrollment is at an all-time high, some donors has been very positive, since college affordability is such a modest enrollment growth is expected due to the elimination or relevant topic in the marketplace and a cause for so many people,” reduction of cost barriers that now prevent some students and says Rusty Seltz (H.S. ’67), vice president for advancement. their families from even considering a private university,” says Concordia has been disciplined over the past decade to operate President Ries. within core revenues of tuition and auxiliary services. The value “Concordia’s desire to maintain a diverse campus community of Concordia’s endowment has increased during that time, and in the spirit of Christian harmony remains unchanged,” adds under the tuition reset model, the university has an aggressive goal Cheryl Chatman, executive vice president and dean of diversity. to continue that growth over the next five years. “Our tuition reset is designed “So unlike many colleges to provide outstanding value to and universities,” Seltz explains, The tuition reset will also allow students and families from all “Concordia is not forced to raise socio-economic backgrounds.” families to recalculate their value equation annual fund dollars simply to ‘keep The tuition reset will allow the doors open.’ Making direct and and find that Concordia has become an federal and state aid to cover a deferred gifts to endowment can greater portion of the tuition go a long way toward limiting the even better investment. cost for many families with high amount of future tuition increases. financial need, and it will also Endowments will strengthen our benefit low-need families who do not have their out-of-pocket cost capacity to continue to manage tuition to the best advantage of to attend reduced by federal or state financial aid. students.” “We are bringing a dose of reality to the marketplace by being This student-centered focus has been a hallmark of Concordia transparent about our pricing,” says Vogel. “The published price since its founding. “We never lose sight of the concept that what at most private colleges and universities, including Concordia, is good for our students is good for the university—and beyond generally is not what most people pay. By aligning our published that, for the well-being of our nation and world,” says President tuition cost more closely with the average net cost to attend Ries. “The tuition reset gives Concordia a sustainable model for Concordia, we are stating a price that better reflects the real cost continuing our mission to serve God and our global village by before need-based aid.” preparing students for thoughtful and informed living and for The tuition reset will also allow families to recalculate their dedicated service to God and humanity.”  value equation and find that Concordia has become an even better investment. “Nothing has been cut or eliminated from the educational experience in or out of the classroom,” explains Lonn Maly (’81), vice president for academic affairs. “Concordia has always offered a high-quality education, and retaining that level of strength while reducing our tuition price will improve our value equation.” The new tuition model is based on lowering both the price and the discount, so that most students’ net price—and therefore the A CONCORDIA EDUCATION IS … RESPONSIVE university’s net revenue for its operations—is largely unchanged. “We can reduce our tuition price now without sacrificing the The reality for today’s prospective college students and their families is that high-quality education Concordia is known for providing,” college has become too expensive. Concordia has responded with a meaningful says President Ries. “Concordia’s value will be enhanced by the solution. By reducing our tuition price by $10,000, we are putting our quality tuition reset—and consequently, our reputation should also rise education within the financial reach of more families who desire an affordable in people’s estimation.” private college experience with lasting value.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

Being Concordia

Flourishing in Baseball and Business A Q&A with Bryan Lippincott (’12)

This summer Bryan Lippincott was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals. As a Concordia student, he was named the nation’s 2012 Capital One Academic AllAmerican of the Year encompassing all NCAA Division II sports, and last spring he graduated summa cum laude with a finance degree and a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

C S P M AG A Z I N E

Bryan, what made you decide to attend

Concordia?

I grew up in a suburb of Des Moines, and prior to the fall of my senior year of high school, I’d never even heard of Concordia University, St. Paul. I’d talked with a few smaller junior colleges about playing baseball, but I didn’t really want to go to a junior college because I didn’t want to have to worry about my credits transferring. Then I was invited to the Concordia campus for a baseball tryout, and I remember that I worked out on a Saturday and had a scholarship offer by Monday. Actually, the package of academic and athletic scholarships and financial aid I received to go to Concordia was the sole factor in my decision to attend. I wanted to play college baseball and Concordia was the only school that offered me a baseball scholarship. L I P P I N COT T

AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION

During his senior year, Bryan led the nation as the top hitter in NCAA Division II, and he was one of six national finalists for the Tino Martinez Award for the nation’s top Division II baseball player.

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Q& C S P M AG A Z I N E Beyond your success on the baseball field, how did it become clear to you that you’d made the right college choice? L I P P I N COT T I really enjoyed the interactions I had with my professors right from the start. Trying to figure out exactly how to structure my courses in the coming years was easy with Math Professor Rob Krueger as my advisor. Also, Kirk Ingram (’09) was one of the seniors on the baseball team my freshman year who really took the time to make sure new players were taken care of. Then when I got into my major-based classes, there would be maybe five to seven other students enrolled in the course. Classes like that were great because we would basically just have a conversation with our professor for an hour, rather than listening to a lecture.

C S P M AG A Z I N E Do you feel that your Concordia education prepared you well for what’s next in your life? L I P P I N COT T Concordia gave me everything I need to succeed. As a student-athlete, you’re really able to grow and develop and cultivate relationships with other people, plus it teaches you a lot of leadership skills and time-management skills. And academically, I got a great education. I always enjoyed the finance projects assigned by Phillip Hampton. He was a great professor because he would give you real-world applications, and he would sit down and have a conversation with you about your career plans. Plus, it was Concordia connections that helped me land a job right out of college. I was able to network with an alumnus, Steve Rowan (’03), who hired me at Minneapolis Financial Group. I accepted a position as a financial advisor—they said they’d work with my schedule if I did get the opportunity to play professional baseball.”

RELEVANT LEARNING

What advice would you have for a high school senior who is thinking about attending Concordia? L I P P I N COT T I would tell the student that he/she might get lost in the shuffle at a larger state university. But with the small feel Concordia offers in the Twin Cities, no one gets lost in the shuffle.  C S P M AG A Z I N E

Concordia students find countless opportunities to apply concepts they learn in class to real-

world challenges just as Bryan did, developing practical knowledge and abilities that are attractive to employers.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

Responsive. Relevant. Real.

Enriched, Equipped and Prepared Ariel Gittens (’11) shares how Concordia helped pave her career path.

Ariel Gittens is spending her summer on a remote lake in Southern Ontario, Canada. She lunches atop sunny cliffs and gathers nutrient samples from the quiet waters below for her master’s research project. ’m basically a hippie, but I’m in school,” jokes Ariel. “I hike and spend all of my time outdoors. I canoe around a lake surrounded by cliffs in the middle of nowhere. And I love it!” Rural Ontario, Canada, is a long way from home for this St. Paul native and 2011 Concordia alumna. Yet Ariel says that her journey to Queen’s University—where she is earning a master’s degree in biology with an emphasis in ecology—likely would never have happened had she not attended Concordia University, St. Paul. Ariel chose Concordia from among five schools because of the university’s proximity to home and close-knit campus culture. “I wanted to be a name, not a number,” explains Ariel. “A friend counseled me that I would receive the same caliber of education and opportunities at Concordia that I would at a larger school, but I would have the advantage of individual faculty attention.” One-on-one collaboration with Concordia faculty impacted Ariel in ways she never imagined as a first-year student. “I entered college thinking I wanted to study pre-med,” explains the biology major. “The hands-on research at Concordia definitely caused me to discover my passion for the direction that I’m headed now. Concordia helped me realize my life goals and aspirations.” Ariel hopes to eventually earn a Ph.D. in freshwater

“I

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ecology. “I like the research, I like academia and I love the people,” she says. While many colleges make claims about faculty-student interaction, it’s clear from Ariel’s experience that Concordia truly values one-on-one mentorship. She credits faculty and staff across multiple departments for helping and encouraging her as she considered graduate school. Not only did her biology professors prepare her academically, but faculty and staff from the English department and the Office of Diversity Affairs wrote recommendation letters and assisted her with applying to graduate school— even personally reviewing her admission essays. “I had a great support system at Concordia,” says Ariel. “I’m very grateful to all my mentors.”

Real-World Relevance Ariel says that life after Concordia—and the similar experiences of her fellow alumni— has confirmed the real-world relevance of the education she and her classmates received at the university. In her own case, her scholarly work as an undergraduate prepared her for the rigors and demands of her master’s program. “As a biology student, I had to do an honors thesis,” explains Ariel. “I had to write a grant proposal, conduct a year-long research project and then present my findings to faculty.” During her research project, Ariel examined the formation

of prions, which are infectious proteins that cause spongiform encephalopathy, a family of diseases that affect the brain and nervous systems of both animals and humans. “There is no cure for people affected with spongiform encephalopathy, and little is known about how infectious prions recruit otherwise normal, healthy proteins. So I tried to discover that pathway.” “That was my first taste of doing real research,” recalls Ariel. “And having to defend my thesis was a huge help for my master’s program, where I have to be ready to defend my research every time anyone asks me a question.” Ariel’s Concordia classmates have also found that their education has opened doors for them, even in a challenging economic climate. “All of my friends who went to Concordia have jobs,” says Ariel. “I think Concordia prepares you very well. Especially being in St. Paul, there are tons of internship opportunities. If a student at Concordia actually takes advantage of the education and opportunities available, it makes them more relevant and well-rounded.”

The Value of a Concordia Education Ariel comes from a large family, and Concordia’s affordable tuition was a major factor in her ability to attend the university. “My mom used to tell us from an early age, ‘I cannot afford to send four kids to college, so you better figure out a way to help pay for it,’” Ariel recalls. She received a President’s Achievement Scholarship from

Concordia, which essentially halved her tuition, making the decision to enroll even easier. “Concordia definitely offered me the best financial aid package,” she says. Despite her family’s tight finances, Ariel finished her undergraduate degree with only $10,000 in loans—a manageable amount, particularly in an era of skyrocketing student debt. Yet the true value of a Concordia education is not expressed in financial aid packages or tuition discounts—as important as the bottom line is for many families. The real value of what Concordia offers can be found in the lives of students and alumni like Ariel who have received an education that is relevant to the communities and the world in which they will live. 

A CONCORDIA EDUCATION IS … RELEVANT

Our programs for adult undergraduate and continuing studies are relevant to the needs of working students because they are affordable and scheduled at convenient times. Our graduate programs are specifically designed to serve the workforce needs of our region. And Concordia students in all academic programs gain the skills and abilities to apply their knowledge on the job.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

CSP News President Ries, CSP Students Join Schuler in Holy Land Dig For 13 years, Concordia students, staff and supporters have had the rare opportunity to take part in an archaeological dig at Hippos of the Decapolis in the Holy Land. This July, Concordia President Tom Ries joined Hippos project coordinator, Dr. Mark Schuler, along with CSP students Laura Combrink, Erin Rudolph and Jackie Wiebold, in the quest to unearth the ancient plot. The three students also attended a conference at Tel Hai College in Israel, with Wiebold and Schuler presenting on the Hippos dig. Read the trip blogs, view photos and find out more at www.virtualdig.org.

Early Childhood Education Program Garners National Top 10 Position Concordia’s early childhood education master’s program was ranked 9th nationally in the SuperScholar Smart Choice ranking of the 25 best online early childhood education degree programs.

Student Lutheran Marketing Campaign Takes Second

“Is God Green?” Class Reduces Printing Frequency on Campus As part of Dr. Richard Carter’s theology course, “Is God Green?” students tackled the issue of printing at Concordia. They collaborated with numerous programs to increase sustainable practices, including using Blackboard to post syllabi and handouts, embedding e-books into courses and discouraging unnecessary printing. They also experimented

with more sustainable ways to process registration paperwork, create and store files, and produce electronic reports. Their green initiative resulted in multiple areas of campus seeing financial and logistical benefits. “Being ‘green’ not only benefits the environment, it also benefits CSP by making it more efficient and costeffective,” said Dr. Carter.

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Concordia students took second place in the inaugural Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) National Student Marketing Competition. Emily Bryan, Tim Rivers, Stacy Hillmer and Zack Sieber competed against other Concordia University System schools to present ways to attract new, younger investors for the fund and improve awareness and visibility of the fund. The competition required a 32-page strategic marketing plan for creating new products for investments, new advertising campaigns, and a focus on building a social media network and campaign. Concordia’s message was “Choose your path. Invest in life’s adventures.”

CSP News

of Fame Inductees Announced Concordia is proud to announce the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The four new members are Karen (Koegel, ’97) Chamberlain ( v o l l e y b a l l , 19 9 3 - 9 7 ) , A n d r e w Fleischman (’01) (football, 1998-01), Dan O’Brien (football coach, athletics director, 1995-00), and Paul Roth (’75) (football and baseball, 1969-71, and coach, 1975-79, ’88). They will be inducted on Oct. 5 and will be honored during the Homecoming football game on Oct. 6.

Learn more at www.superscholar.org.

Biology Students Begin Cell Study Concordia’s Dr. Mary Ann Yang has coordinated an international research project that allows biology students to conduct cutting-edge research in their field. The students are working to grow neuron cells on nanofiber material, a high-interest area within the science community. This opportunity to conduct cell culture work is rare at the undergraduate level and is made possible by a grant Dr. Yang secured.

Fessler Named to Coaching Hall of Fame Concordia women’s basketball coach Paul Fessler (’05) was inducted to the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in April. Fessler has led the Golden Bears for 12 seasons, turning out nine seasons of 20-plus wins, eight NCAA Tournament appearances, four NSIC Regular Season Championships, and three NSIC Tournament titles. He is among the top 15 winningest active head coaches at the NCAA Division II level.

2012 Athletic Hall

Marketing Effort Among Nation’s Best Three Concordia marketing students earned honorable mention accolades and placed in the top five nationally for their entry in the 2012 Collegiate Effie Awards Heineken USA PSA Challenge. Under the guidance of Assistant Professor Dr. Nancy Harrower, students Philip Barlow, Neil Boehlke and Tyler Trost developed “Heineken’s Heroes,” a strategic and creative plan for an integrated public service message that portrayed consumers as heroes for recycling.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

CSP News

CSP Students Aim for Fairness, Safety Among Legislators Although he didn’t know it, a state legislator gave Concordia criminal justice students an idea that put their education into action. Under the guidance of Professor Jayne Jones (’97), a group of students wrote, pitched and lobbied for the, “No Boozin’ and Cruizin’ in Minnesota,” bill. “I heard a legislator brag about being able to drive home drunk and not get arrested,” says Jones. “We discussed it in my state and local government course, and the students were adamant that this ‘get out of jail free’ card must be removed.” Legislative immunity in Minnesota protects lawmakers from arrest during legislative sessions and travel to and from the Capitol. While there are a few exceptions to the reach of immunity, drunk driving is currently not one of them, a fact that the CSP students are trying to change. The students—Ariel Buczak, Taylor Gittens, Coy Smith, Nate Thienes, Rachel Wolbrink and Gabriel Sims—were fully immersed in the 2012 legislative process, drafting the bill, rubbing elbows with legislators at the Capitol and lobbying for supporters. “We got to experience a class outside of the classroom. It was awesome to learn about the legislative process in real life, outside of a textbook,” says Gittens. The group of undergraduates received widespread local and national media attention. Hundreds of articles were written on the bill in a two-week span of time. The bill passed rapidly through two committees but was eventually stalled in the final days of the session. “We saw firsthand how the government works and the relationships you need to have to get your issues looked at,” says Thienes. “We learned things you can’t get from a lecture, including the reality that just one person can shut down months of hard work.” The students will continue their out-of-the-classroom experience in the next legislative session. You can view video clips of the media coverage of the students lobbying at the Capitol at www.csp.edu/studentslobby.

Student-Athletes Recognized for 2011-12 Excellence Eight Concordia student-athletes received some of the nation’s top honors for their standout performances in 201112, both in the classroom and through competition: Bryan Lippincott (’12) (baseball)

Academic All-American of the Year, First Team Academic All-American Mark Austen (men’s golf )

Second Team Academic All-American At-Large Megan Carlson (’12) (volleyball)

AVCA and Daktronics First Team All-American Amanda Konetchy (volleyball)

AVCA and Daktronics First Team All-American Kayla Koenecke (volleyball)

AVCA First Team All-American Katie Habeck (volleyball)

AVCA National Freshman of the Year, AVCA Second Team All-American

Refer a Student If you know any high school or transferring students who you think would fit right in at Concordia, send us their names! We will talk with them about how we offer an education of great value at an affordable cost. Just call 651-641-8230 or email admissions@csp.edu.

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Tyler Hendrickson (football)

BSN and D2ProDay.com First Team All-American, Daktronics and D2Football. com Second Team All-American Charles Gilbert (’12) (football)

D2ProDay.com Second Team All-American

CSP News

Iconic Luther Statue Gets Moved Across Campus A crane and flatbed truck were needed on campus Aug. 14 to move one of Concordia’s most significant campus landmarks—the 12-foot, 3,700-pound bronze Martin Luther statue that sits atop a 40-ton granite pedestal. The statue that most recently stood outside the Poehler Administration Building on the east side of campus now marks the official university entrance on the northwest corner of campus between the Lutheran Memorial Center and the E.M. Pearson Theatre along Hamline Avenue. “I can’t think of a better location on campus for us to make a statement about our heritage and values,” says Rev. Tom Ries, university president. “The statue is now highly visible to our visiting alumni, benefactors, prospective students, theatre and music event goers, and the thousands who travel Hamline Avenue daily.” The statue’s new location marks its third home in its 91-year history on campus. Dedicated on Oct. 30, 1921, the statue originally stood in front of Luther Hall before being moved near the Poehler Administration Building in 1969. The statue, which was donated to the university by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Rubbert, depicts Martin Luther pointing to a Bible during his courageous stand at the Diet of Worms in 1521 when he defended the Bible as the source of his faith confessing, “Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise: God help me! Amen.”

Choir Performs in Far East Concordia’s Christus Chorus performed to 10 audiences during their May tour to South Korea. From adventures in food, to the chaos of traveling, to humbling interactions with audiences, student Crystal Vaughan gives an in-depth account of the choir’s experience at www.christuschoirtour.blogspot.com.

FIM Program Guides Students to Excellence Current students in the Food Industry Management program were honored by SUPERVALU, Inc., as Great Store Directors. Lou Carlino, Charlie Bell and

John Hornyak are online students from the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area and are candidates for 2013 bachelor’s degrees.

CSP Selects 2012-13 Book and Theme of the Year Concordia has selected the New York Times bestseller, “Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption,” by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo for the 201213 Book of the Year. The theme of the year, “Our Refuge and Strength,” can be

found throughout this story of resilience, forgiveness and redemption. In their own words, Jennifer and Ronald unfold the harrowing details of the tragedies of rape and false conviction, demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness.

Rubbelke Recognized for Leading Successful Athletics Concordia Director of Athletics Tom Rubbelke was named the Under Armour Region Athletics Director of the Year for 2011-12. Rubbelke completed his eighth year at the helm of the NCAA Division II Golden Bears. He has supported the department in a long list of athletic successes, including five consecutive volleyball National Championships.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

CSP News

Faculty & Staff Highlights Dr. Sally Baas has been elected president of the National

D r. M i c h e l e P i c k e l

Association of School Psychologists. Baas, who has worked with Concordia’s Southeast Asian Teacher Licensure Program since 2002, will serve as NASP president-elect in 2012 and president in 2014. NASP has 27,000 members.

is exploring the effectiveness of Equine Assisted Learning as a tool to help struggling readers. Located in Lino Lakes, Pickel and her team, including Dr. Sally Baas, use activities on the ground with horses as a way to engage elementary children in creating metaphors for reading strategies, higher order thinking skills and challenges in life.

Professor Abbie Betinis, who teaches music composition at

Concordia, had three of her original works performed at the national Chorus America convention in June. Another piece of Betinis’ work, “Carol of the Snow,” recently won a Call for Scores for “Donne in Jazz” (Women in Jazz). The work will be sung by Italian jazz vocalist Sabrina Sparti in Italian venues at the Donne in Jazz Festival 2012. Dr. Jeffrey Burkart’s “The Hidden

Prince” was a children’s fiction finalist for the 2012 Midwest Book Awards. The book is about a young prince who goes to do work on a farm—in disguise—in order to win the love of his people and prove himself worthy of a farmer’s daughter.

M a r k R o s e nw i n ke l ,

Rev. Dr. Richard Carter was named the interim CSP pastor in May.

Carter assumed the role following the departure of Rev. Todd Stocker, who accepted a call as senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hudson, Wis. Carter is a professor of theology and director of the pre-seminary studies program. He has served at Concordia since 1991.

chair of the theatre arts department, wrote an original play called “Prophecy,” which he produced and directed at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in August. Several theatre alumni and cast were involved in the production.

Faculty Retirements John Eggert served in Concordia’s music department from 1978

Dr. Thomas Trapp served Concordia for 30 years as a religion and

to 2011, instructing students and holding administrative posts, including chair of the music department. Eggert specialized in organ instruction, music theory and composition.

theology instructor. A specialist in matters connected with Old Testament prophetic literature and the Hebrew language, Trapp retired from teaching in June.

Rita Kenyon came to Concordia’s human resource management

program in 2004, bringing 40 years of corporate human resources experience to the students in the program. Kenyon retired after seven years at Concordia, including a final post as chair of the program.

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Faculty Viewpoint

Engaging with the Wider Community BY DR. BRUCE CORRIE

he College of Business and Organizational Leadership at Concordia University, St. Paul constantly strives to be responsive, relevant and real as it prepares students for the ever-changing global economy. I like to mirror these attributes in my personal and professional life. I was pleased to be asked by the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs to mentor two business schools in India seeking to accredit their programs. I visited them and was gratified that they both received accreditation last month. I also was invited to be part of an accreditation team for a leading business school in Mongolia that was up for accreditation. Learning from the experiences of these world-class institutions has helped me develop a global perspective on business education and explore ways to continually improve the quality of our academic programs. The success of these efforts has been reflected in the exemplary performance of our traditional business students, who scored in the 86th percentile in the national Major Field Test in Business. During my sabbatical, I traveled to Turkey and Morocco to experience the economies of moderate Islamic countries on two continents. I also visited Greece during the peak of the debt crisis. In China, I visited with universities to explore international collaboration and met with high-ranking Chinese officials. Back on campus, we are now exploring how we can prepare our students for this global economy. Faculty will be leading foreign study programs to China, Europe and South America. We currently are hosting a faculty member from Minzu University in China, which will be our academic partner for our foreign study program in China. We are exploring how we could connect our graduate students with their counterparts in China through the use of WebEx and other technologies, and we have launched a faculty exchange program. I also took time during my sabbatical to ponder on Concordia’s mission as a faith-based institution. I followed the footsteps of Saint Paul in ancient Ephesus and Corinth and spent time at the tomb of Saint John and the place where Virgin Mary the

mother of Jesus lived. It was a special time for renewal. Back on campus, we have introduced into our curriculum the Stewardship Principles (stewardship of resources, decisions and people) as a framework for ethical decisions that is grounded in the Lutheran concept of vocation. I have used my skills as an economist to build the local minority and immigrant communities by documenting and presenting data on their economic contributions as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, cultural capital, human capital, taxpayers and global networkers. This work has been well received in the Minnesota community. Recently I have been working with community leaders to develop the area around the State Capitol and University Avenue as the World Cultural Heritage District where visitors will find ethnic art, music, talent, businesses and other attractions. We recently launched a strategy to bring customers to businesses reeling under the impact of light rail construction on University Avenue. With a Concordia student, I presented to the community a report with a three-decade perspective on immigrant and minority entrepreneurship along University Avenue—how they have revitalized a declining area of St. Paul. I was also invited by Governor Dayton to share strategies to grow jobs in Minnesota during his Jobs Summit and have been actively engaging with the Governor’s Office and legislative leaders on business and job growth strategies during these difficult times. Concordia encourages professors to engage with the wider community in ways such as these because it translates into lasting benefits for our students as we form educational experiences for them that are responsive, relevant and real. 

Dr. Bruce Corrie, professor of economics and dean of the College of Business and Organizational Leadership, has been a faculty member at Concordia since 1987.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

Responsive. Relevant. Real.

Becoming the Hands and Feet of Christ Concordia lays the foundation for Manny Kuphal’s career in service.

Alumnus Manny Kuphal (’09) can’t pinpoint just one experience at Concordia University, St. Paul that led him to consider a career in the nonprofit sector. In fact, as a design major with an emphasis in sculpture, international charitable work wasn’t even part of his plans. would never have guessed that my CSP education would’ve led me to this job,” says Manny, reflecting on his position with Feed My Starving Children, a Christian hunger relief agency. “But I do feel that my many and varied experiences at Concordia shaped me and prepared me for it.” One of the most structured service opportunities Manny took part in was a flood relief project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, called “Operation Mud and Gut.” Although service trips like that one occur outside of the campus community frequently, Manny discovered many informal service opportunities on Concordia’s campus as well. “I think Concordia’s emphasis on service, as well as the experience I had serving in a plethora of areas, really changed my perspective on what it means to serve,” Manny says. “Sometimes I think ‘service’ can sound daunting to people. We can come to believe that it needs to be something dramatic, evangelical and publicized, with t-shirts printed for all the participants. I learned in my time at CSP (and since) that service can be those things, but it can also be picking up a coworker who needs a ride, or it can be doing the dishes or vacuuming for someone.”

“I

Preparation to Address Real Challenges Concordia’s commitment to service and its culture of faithinspired selflessness instilled in Manny the values that he now lives out during his daily work.

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“I was involved in many service areas, from Student Senate to our annual Junior High Youth Gathering, and I helped out with chapel services,” recalls Manny. “My time at CSP, through the community there, introduced me to the many roles we all fulfill in the vastly different ways God made us. We all need to be thoroughly who we were made to be, in order for the world to be thoroughly the body of Christ.” In his work at Feed My Starving Children, Manny is helping to tackle the fundamental global challenge of eliminating world hunger. The Twin Cities-based nonprofit packed 133 million meals for malnourished children last year and shipped them to more than 70 countries. Manny was drawn to the organization’s Christian focus and urgent mission. “I was surprised to learn that the world produces more than enough food to feed all its people, and yet 18,000 children starve to death every day,” says Manny. As a MobilePack team leader, Manny coordinates food-packing events around the country, where volunteers gather to prepare specially formulated food packets for distribution around the world. “One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to see so many people rally behind the cause,” says Manny. “I’ve never seen such a wide group of people, from children to senior citizens, work so hard for people they more than likely will never meet. Even if I’m tired, their energy is always enough to get me through the day.” Reflecting on his Concordia education, Manny notes that the

foundation of simple Christ-centered service that was instilled in him throughout his college experience has prepared him for a job, and a life, that focuses entirely on others. “It really comes down to just becoming the hands and feet of Christ. I think we sometimes forget that He spent much more time as a carpenter, building things for people, than He did in what we consider his years of ministry. We can’t have ministry without service, and service needs to be the backbone of our ministries,” says Manny. “I believe we’re called to share the love of God in the areas He has placed us, and oftentimes that means doing rather than saying.” 

A CONCORDIA EDUCATION IS … REAL

Through a variety of real-world service learning opportunities, Concordia seeks to provide students with gateway experiences to a lifelong commitment to service and social justice as we help them discern their life’s vocation or career path.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

Alumni Snapshots

CSP Director of Health Services Cher Rafftery and her husband, Gerry, after a Hawaiian helicopter ride.

Jayme (Anderson, ’09) Wyss and Katie Johnson (’10) at the Green Bay Olympic Distance Triathlon, June 3, 2012. Jayme finished 3rd overall and 1st in her age group. Katie finished 7th overall and 2nd in her age group.

Andrew Fleischman (’01) was joined by his wife, Bobbi Jo (Thiesen, ’01), and daughters after his team, the Edgerton Flying Dutchmen, won the 2012 Minnesota State 9-Man Football Championship.

Jayme (Anderson, ’09) and Andy (’09) Wyss after competing on June 3, 2012. Jayme finished 3rd overall and 1st in her age group in the Olympic Distance Triathlon. Andy finished a 10k race 3rd overall and 1st in his age group.

HAVE A PHOTO YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

Sgt. Hannah (Turgerson, ’09) Donofrio (sitting left of the satellite) is a member of the C Company DHHB 34th Infantry Division, based out of Faribault, Minn.

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Help us fill the “Alumni Snapshots” page in our next issue by emailing your photos to alumni@csp.edu.

Class Notes News

1970s

1950s Rev. Raymond Wiegert (H.S. ’53, J.C. ’55) recently received the Amicus Christi

Award from the Montana District of the LCMS. The Amicus Christi Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate a love for our Savior that serves as an example to others through length of service, dedication, sacrifice, humility and joy. Dr. Robert L. Rahn (H.S. ’54, J.C. ’56)

recently released the book, “Jesus Never Fails: An Autobiography and History of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.” The release coincides with Rahn’s 50 years in the ministry, 50 years of marriage and the 20th anniversary of the LHF organization, which he founded. The LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces Lutheran confessional writings. Some 627 titles have been published, including 70 language editions of “Luther’s Small Catechism” and 10 editions of “The Book of Concord.”

Each April, classmates from the Concordia Junior College class of 1958 reunite. Gathering in Red Wing, Minn., to share memories in 2012 were Barbara (Cords, ’58) Weber, Lovera (Sellnow, ’58) Ohm, Margaret (Eggers, ’58) Alexander and Edith (Rottmann, ’58) Glende.

1960s Jim Crouse (’68) retired from the State

of Indiana in 2009 after 38 years of service, most of them as an investigator of unemployment insurance claims. He retains his 34-year part-time position as a security guard and recently added to his volunteer duties as chairman of the Security and Safety Committee at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. Kathy (Day, ’68) and Ernie Freudenburg

of Rochester, Minn., are serving as directors of ALOA Colorama Lutherhostels, held at the Heartwood Retreat Center in Trego, Wis., for two weeks this fall. Under the program, Kathy and Ernie will be working with seniors at the spiritual growth retreats. To find out more, visit www.lutheransonline.com/freudenburg/ lutherhostel.

Justin Braun, the son of Paul Braun (’77), has been a member of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks since 2007. Justin attended Hand-in-Hand daycare in 1987. Justin is playing in Helsinki, Finland, on the USA national team.

1980s On May 19, 2012, Ruth (Wagner, ’80) Hagenow was awarded the Lawrence E. Sohn Master Educator Award. The award is given to an elementary teacher for demonstrating distinction, dedication, excellence and a love for learning within LCMS elementary schools. Ruth received her award at Concordia University Wisconsin. Rev. Kenneth Hinrichs (’81) retired

from public ministry on April 30, 2012. Hinrichs graduated from Concordia with a degree in elementary education and director of christian education. He worked in education for several years before attending Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. Hinrichs spent much of his professional ministry in the Midwest, serving most recently at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hayward, Wis.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

Class Notes

Mark Sikich (’83) was honored as the

Minnesota Class AA Gymnastics Coach of the Year by the Minnesota Girls Gymnastics Coaches Association. This is the third such honor for Sikich, who has already secured a place in the MGGCA Hall of Fame. Sikich is a Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame member, and was named All-Conference in football and tennis while playing at Concordia.

1990s Gail (Juncewski, ’94) Ruhland successfully

defended her dissertation, “Past, Present, Future: Times of Change for Continuing Education Units in Higher Education Institutions,” and received her doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree from St. Cloud State University on May 5, 2012.

2000s Joe Austin (’01, ’04) is Sammye (Jager, ’88) Elliott met up

with other CSP alumnae at the School Leadership Development conference in St. Louis on June 22-23. Others attending included Teresa Buelow (’88), Julie Kowalke (’88), Shellie (Bentzler, ’87) Kosmerchock and Cheryl (Middlestadt, ’85) Kirchner.

reinstating football at Southwestern (Texas) University, which hasn’t competed in the sport for more than 62 years. Austin, who was an assistant coach at Concordia for four seasons, takes the helm of his first high school program after also spending time with Hanover College, the University of Dubuque and Augsburg College. Tomas Merkle (’05) is requesting prayers

Ed Accola (’91), Matt K. (’88), Scott Ulbricht (’89), Scott Morrell (’91) and Ted Stroming (’90) stopped by campus

for his 8-year-old daughter. Madelyn has had two surgeries to remove cancer from her body, and doctors recently found what appears to be another tumor near her lungs. Please keep Tomas, Madelyn and all those who love her and care for her in your prayers.

on June 26 to see what was new. These classmates spent the day visiting St. Paul sites and attending a Twins game.

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In March 2012, Kathi Gruenhagen (‘09) began work as director of human resources at Renville Health Services in Renville, Minn. Renville Health Services is a nonprofit employer owned by St. Francis Health Services out of Morris, Minn.

2010s Roxanne (Konke, ’10) Fevold is the new

parent coordinator for Building Families and Hamilton County Public Health in Webster City, Iowa. She will be serving a tri-county area, working to ensure that all children are screened for development. Roxanne will oversee a grant for the prevention of child abuse in the area. Ed Gardeski (’11) was named the 2012

Minnesota Grocer of the Year by the Minnesota Grocers Association. Gardeski manages Mackenthun’s Fine Foods in Waconia, Minn. The MGA awards individuals who have gone above and beyond in their leadership and brought results and positive growth to their companies through their direction at store level. Sgt. 1st Class Rod Haworth (’11)

returned on a two-week leave from his deployment to Kuwait and surprised his 6-year-old son during a talent show at his elementary school. Andrew, Haworth’s son, was observing the show along with his classmates when the “third act” was introduced and his father walked out. He rushed to his father as the audience erupted in applause.

Class Notes

Eric (’04) and Haidee (Kuehne, ’10) Selle

Josh Oye (’12) was honored with the first

were married on Dec. 30, 2011. They live in Fukushima City, Japan, where they are teaching English and leading worship music together at Izumi Lutheran Church.

annual Respiratory Scholarship Award from Pediatric Home Services. Josh is a graduate of Concordia’s new B.S. in pulmonary science program.

Weddings, Engagements & Anniversaries 1990s Kirk Cunningham (‘90) and Sonya

Newbrough were united in marriage on Feb. 11, 2012. They reside in Clayton, Ill., where Kirk is the senior pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

2000s

Michael (’02) and Sarah (Riesgraf, ’02) Sprengeler celebrated 10 years

of marriage in June 2012. They have three children: Julia (6), Mary (4) and Luke (2). Sarah is halfway through a medical residency for OB/GYN in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Michael is a very busy housefather for the kids.

Tara (Johnson, ’05)

and Benjamin Humlie were married on Sept. 24, 2011, in Bloomington, Minn. Brittany Ewald (’08) is engaged to be

married to Michael Anderson on April 19, 2013.

Angela (Fulbright, ’01) and James (’99) Bargmann rejoice in the birth of their

daughter, Elizabeth Joyce. Elizabeth was born May 17 and was welcomed by big brother, Nathan. Jaclyn (Davern, ’01) and Joey Erickson

welcomed to the world their first son, Dylan Arthur, on March 24. He joined big sister, Juliette, in the family. Dixie (Ketola, ’05) Ailts, husband

Benjamin and big brother Johnny welcomed Olivia Ruth Ann to their family on Dec. 19, 2011. Hope (Kelto, ’02) and Chris (’01) Bollig

added Bennett James to their family on Jan. 25. Bennett joined big sister, Maggie Rene. Daniel Tswv Seng Vang was born to Kate Lee (’05) and Nik Vang on Aug. 6, 2011. He was 7 lbs. and 21 inches. He joined older siblings Ethan (11) and Faith (5).

Adoptions & Births 1990s

Adam (’08) and Anna (Strei, ’08) Koglin welcomed

Anna (Klemp, ’98) and

Jeff Martin welcomed daughter Palmer Angelou to their family on May 18. Palmer weighed 8 lbs., 1.5 oz. and was 21.5 inches long. She was welcomed to the family by brothers Nicholas and Lennon and sisters Kennedy and Juliet.

their first son, Aaron Isaiah, on April 19. Adam also celebrated his graduation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on May 18. Aaron (’07) and Amanda (Mraz, ’08) Cawthorn and

2000s Kelli (‘00) and Scott (‘99) Hollingsworth are

proud to announce the birth of their son, John Thomas, who weighed in at 7 lbs., 15 oz.

big brother, Jonah, welcomed Kira Peace to the family on Jan. 3.

CONCORDIA S T. PAUL MAGAZINE • FALL 2012

Class Notes

Michael Cunningham (’09)

and his wife, Grace, welcomed their son, Jack, to the family on June 10, 2011. He was 7 lbs. and 20 inches. One-year-old Jack cheered for his dad at this year’s Commencement when he completed his MBA from Concordia.

2010s Matt (‘09) and Briana (Norton, M.A. ‘10) Eicheldinger

welcomed their first child, Avery Grace, on March 28. Katherine and Mike Meyer (‘10) were blessed with their third child on Friday, April 13. Andrew Michael Meyer was born at 7:41 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz. and measuring 19.5 inches long. His sisters, Elizabeth (6) and Emily (4), are very proud of their new brother.

Share Your News Submit your class note at ave.csp.edu.

In Memory 1940s Dr. Edward May (J.C. ’40) has passed

away. The memorial service for Edward was held on Saturday, March 17, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Portland, Ore.

1950s Rev. DeLloyd Wippich (H.S. ’52, J.C. ’54)

passed away on Friday, Jan. 20. Pastor Wippich is survived by his wife, Barbara, children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. His funeral was held on Saturday, Jan. 28. Albert Bangert (H.S. ’53) passed away

on Sunday, March 11. Carol (Kugath, J.C. ’58) Goldfish was

called home on Dec. 28, 2011. Funeral services were held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Carol returned to college after her husband died and completed her teaching degree at Concordia University Chicago. Carol worked as a deaconess and a hospital chaplain. She had three children and two grandchildren.

Stephen A. Moeller (’75) was welcomed

home by our loving Savior and the saints in heaven on June 16, 2011. Steve passed away at the University of Minnesota Hospital after a three-month battle with cancer. He served as 4th grade teacher at East Saint Paul Lutheran School and later became a computer programmer. He also served on the Board of Elders at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Steve’s sense of humor and good nature brought enjoyment to students, coworkers, members at Bethlehem, family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Foster, ’73) Moeller, and their two children and spouses.

1990s Mary Margaret Wiese (’94) passed away

on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Assumption Home in Cold Spring, Minn. Mary was a devoted wife and mother, a creative expert with a sewing machine, and a volunteer for the Minnesota chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

2000s Angela (Mathiesen, ’02) Langland

1960s Robert Thompson (J.C. ’64) passed away

on July 3 in Des Moines, Iowa. Robert is survived by his wife, Terry, his children, Clay and Jen, and three siblings, Martha, Mary and Clay. Eugene Vomhof (H.S. ’67) passed away on

May 2. Eugene was self-employed in the heating/air conditioning and plumbing businesses for many years. Services were held for Eugene on May 8 at Peace Lutheran Church in Robbinsdale, Minn.

1970s

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passed away on May 1. Angela is survived by her husband, Ronald II, daughter, Addison, and other family and friends.

Oct. 5–7 Schedule of Events Friday, Oct. 5 Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet 5:30 p.m. Buenger Education Center

Soccer vs. Wayne State 7 p.m. Sea Foam Stadium

Volleyball vs. Augustana 7 p.m. Gangelhoff Center

Saturday, Oct. 6

Breakfast Tailgate 10 a.m. Parking Lot H – Sea Foam Stadium

Football vs. Upper Iowa Noon Sea Foam Stadium

Alumni-Faculty Art Show 3-6 p.m. Concordia Art Building

Faculty Potpourri Recital 11 a.m. Buetow Music Center Auditorium

Comet’s Carnival 2-5 p.m. Sea Foam Plaza

Good News Players/ Gospel Times Gospel Rhyme Reunion Tour Performance 7:30 p.m. Buetow Music Center Auditorium

Sunday, Oct. 7

Soccer vs. Augustana College 1 p.m. Sea Foam Stadium

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Fall 2012 Calendar Alumni Events

Crossing Borders/ Photographing Tijuana

Oct. 5-7 Concordia Campus

Nov. 29-Dec. 20 Opening Reception Thursday, Nov. 29, 5-7 p.m. Concordia Gallery

Mother-Daughter Day

Sophia Mayrhofer Senior Exhibition

Homecoming

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9:30 a.m. Buenger Education Center

Art James Bailey – Babel

Sept. 6-Oct. 6 Opening Reception Saturday, Oct. 6, 1-5 p.m. Concordia Gallery Faculty-Alumni Art Show – Next Chapter

Sept. 6-Oct. 6 Opening Reception Saturday, Oct. 6, 3-6 p.m. H. Williams Teaching Gallery Lori Greene – Putting the Pieces Together

Oct. 18-Nov. 14 Opening Reception Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m. Concordia Gallery

Nov. 29-Dec. 20 Opening Reception Thursday, Nov. 29, 5-7 p.m. H. Williams Teaching Gallery

Athletics Visit www.cugoldenbears.com for complete fall schedules.

Music Instrumental Ensembles Fall Concert

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. Buetow Music Center Auditorium Vocal Jazz/Jazz Ensemble Concert

Friday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. Buetow Music Center Auditorium 2012 Fine & Performing Arts Christmas Concert

Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. Buetow Music Center Auditorium

Percussion Ensemble Concert

Friday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Buetow Music Center Auditorium Christmas Vespers Service

Monday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Graebner Memorial Chapel

Theatre Tickets for theatre productions can be purchased through OvationTix at 866-811-4111 or www.csp.edu/tickets. The Robber Bridegroom

Oct. 25, 26, & 27, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, 2 p.m. E.M. Pearson Theatre Marietta

(In collaboration with Spirit in the House) Nov. 9, 10, 16, & 17, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 & 18, 2 p.m. E.M. Pearson Theatre