For Dr. Heidi Manning, associate professor of physics, this summer will be a series of tests – but not for her or her students. Manning is back at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland testing instruments that will be used on the 2009 Mars rover mission.
"I'm one of several people testing various electrical components on this project," Manning says. "In particular, I've built a vacuum system to test to see how the electrical components function in a Martian atmosphere. I'm looking to see when they experience electrical breakdown." More...
Mancini Sets Retirement Date
The Rev. Ernie Mancini, executive director of Alumni Relations, will retire at the end of the calendar year, after 28 years of distinguished service to the college and Moorhead community.
Mancini was campus pastor and counselor at Concordia from 1975 to 1983, and has been director of Alumni Relations since 1986.
For countless numbers of alumni and friends of the college, Mancini has been the face, voice and personality of Concordia.
In 2005, he received the Ole and Lucy Flaat Distinguished Service Award.
At that time, President Pamela Jolicoeur praised Mancini for touching the lives of thousands as a pastor, counselor, mentor and friend. More...
Sommer Makes Movie Debut in "Prada"
When "The Devil Wears Prada" opens in theatres June 30, there's no doubt friends and family of Rich Sommer '00 will be some of the first in their seats.
The Minnesota native is making his film debut less than two years after moving to New York to act. He landed the role last summer.
"It's been a very surreal experience," Sommer says.
Concordia Joins Effort to Combat Binge Drinking Three Moorhead campuses are sharing a federal grant to educate students about the dangers of binge drinking.
A $160,000 U.S. Department of Education grant will expand Moorhead police patrols near the campuses, add campus alcohol counselors and increase alcohol education for students.
Moorhead police are collaborating with Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College and Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
Paul Wraalstad, Concordia's director of student activities, said while the three campuses have different student populations, they all share the same problems with binge drinking.
"All of the tools we'll be using have been effective and are based on prior research," he said.
More...
It Matters to You
Perfect Summer Entertaining
There are few better ways to enjoy the summer than by inviting over friends and family for an afternoon or evening.
Fire up the grill, get out the festive dishes and spread a checkered cloth – it's time for summer entertaining!
From serving simpler, lighter meals to remembering to serve plenty of refreshing beverages, there are a number of ways to make sure you get the most out of your summer parties.
Janet Paul Rice, associate director for Dining Services at Concordia, suggests starting with a light, fresh menu.
More...
Students View Ancient Ruins and Giant Tortoise
Hundreds of miles off the coast of South America sea lions, red-footed boobies and waved albatross inhabit a place many people have seen only in nature magazines.
Thirty-nine students traveled to the Galapagos Islands on a May Seminar led by biology professor Dr. Ron Nellermoe. May Seminars are the college's flagship study-abroad programs. Students take a pre seminar class during second semester before embarking in May.
This new seminar to the Galapagos Islands also traveled to Ecuador and Peru visiting ancient ruins and unique ecosystems More...
In the Footsteps of Luther
Twenty-five Concordia faculty and administrators recently returned from a unique study abroad experience designed to help them better understand the life and teachings of Martin Luther.
Sponsored by the college's Lilly Call to Serve Project, the group traveled to Germany and Scandinavia during three weeks in May to study the spiritual, intellectual and cultural heritage of the Lutheran Reformation.
"As a Cobber graduate, current education instructor and lifelong Lutheran, it's humbling to go on a trip like this," says Patty Gulsvig. "It really gives you new eyes and enables you to see things from a different perspective."
More...
Olin Storvick, classicist-in-residence, bounds up the Acropolis like a traveler seeing the sites for the first time.
The octogenarian has taken students overseas more than 30 times, but still enjoys the thrill of teaching about these beautiful historic places.
"This is a chance for me to see it through new eyes," Storvick says. "The curiosity in their eyes I can see and understand. It was the same 52 years ago when I saw it for the first time."
Storvick assisted Stewart Herman, assistant professor of religion, and Linda Johnson, professor of history, during second semester as they took Credo honor students on a historical journey throughout Greece.
More...
When the SUN Began to Shine
Many Concordia alumni remember the rallying slogan from 1969, "We're #1 – the only one without one," meaning a college without a campus center for students.
Now, 37 years later, students can proudly proclaim, "We're #1 – with one!" as the $32 million Campus Center – the single largest construction project in Concordia's history – takes shape.
The Student Union Now (SUN) organization was formed to generate interest in and support for a new student union.
It was the most publicized but not the first attempt to secure a space for students on campus.
After World War II, Concordia experienced record enrollments and a need for more classroom and residence hall space.
In 1947, in response to this space crunch, students proposed a student union for gatherings and leisure activities. But while alumni supported a resolution and formed a planning committee for this initiative, the effort was ultimately unsuccessful. More...
For Dr. Heidi Manning, associate professor of physics, this summer will be a series of tests – but not for her or her students. Manning is back at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland testing instruments that will be used on the 2009 Mars rover mission.
The Rev. Ernie Mancini, executive director of Alumni Relations, will retire at the end of the calendar year, after 28 years of distinguished service to the college and Moorhead community.
When 
Hundreds of miles off the coast of South America sea lions, red-footed boobies and waved albatross inhabit a place many people have seen only in nature magazines. 
Twenty-five Concordia faculty and administrators recently returned from a unique study abroad experience designed to help them better understand the life and teachings of Martin Luther. 
Olin Storvick, classicist-in-residence, bounds up the Acropolis like a traveler seeing the sites for the first time. 
