Three Named Endowed Chairs

Three faculty have been appointed to named professorships this academic year. They model Concordia’s mission, are teachers of unusual competence, active scholars and have contributed significantly to their area of study and expertise.

Dr. Douglas Anderson, associate professor of mathematics and computer science, was honored with the distinction of inaugural holder of the Richard and Barbara Nelson Endowed Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science, established to support the mathematics and computer science program. Anderson has taught a complete range of courses in the department and introduced computer tools into several of his courses. He is active in his service to the college and an active scholar with more than 50 publications and 40 presentations during his 11 years at Concordia.

Dr. Peter Schultz, assistant professor of art, was named the Olin J. Storvick Endowed Chair of Classical Studies. The chair was established in 2001 to honor Dr. Olin Storvick, who taught in the classical studies department after joining the Concordia College faculty in 1955 and continues to be a classicistin-residence. Schultz joined the faculty in 2004 and is impacting the program in his role designing the new museum studies concentration. He is one of the only Americans involved in the restoration of the Athena Nike temple located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, and the only American to graduate from the University of Athens with a degree in classical archaeology.

The inaugural Robert J. Johnson Chair in Economics and Business Administration, established by Johnson’s family, was bestowed upon Dr. Greg Cant. Cant joined Concordia as the dean of the Concordia Business School in 2008. Previously he served as chair of the department of management in the School of Business at Central Washington University. Cant is an accomplished leader not only in academia but also in the public sector, including experience in human resources and industrial labor relations. He has international education experience and has published on issues related to global business, specializing in Asia.

Perfect Fall Enrollment

Concordia’s fall enrollment was 2,823, an increase of eight students from last year. The total count included 776 first-year students. A full 100 percent of registered freshmen arrived on campus and enrolled, which is a historical achievement. All of the college’s residence halls are full.

“I’ve been in higher education for more than a decade and I’ve never experienced or known of anyone else who has enjoyed perfect freshmen enrollment,” says Omar Correa, vice president for Enrollment. “I think it speaks volumes about the emphasis we place on finding high-caliber students who are a great fit for the quality of personalized education Concordia offers.”

The freshman class compiled an average ACT score of 25 and one-third of the students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class. The total student body represents 40 states and 42 countries.

Community Dedicates Knutson Campus Center

Hundreds celebrated the new Knutson Campus Center Oct. 12 during its Homecoming dedication ceremony. The entire center opened this fall, becoming a central gathering place for students, faculty and staff. Blending former space, including the renovated Centrum, with new space, like The Maize short-order restaurant with big-screen televisions, the Knutson Campus Center is nearly four times the size of the previous building.

Faculty, Administrator Honored With Awards

Prestigious awards were presented at the annual Fall Faculty and Administration Banquet. (Pictured from left) Dr. Ivan Johnson received the Flaat Distinguished Advisor Award, Dr. James Aageson received the Wije Distinguished Professorship and Madelyn Burchill received the Flaat Distinguished Teaching Award. The college dedicated a physics seminar room to professor emeritus Dr. Carl Bailey. Chelle Lyons Hanson received the Flaat Distinguished Service Award and Dr. Susan Larson received the Flaat Distinguished Scholarship Award.

Johnson joined the biology department in 1971 and, throughout his career, students bound for medical school or other graduate programs in medicine have benefited immensely from his careful and thorough advising. Students are drawn to him by his teaching style, sense of humor and his way of making students believe they can succeed. He currently serves as a biologist-in-residence.

Aageson has been a model teacher-scholar in the religion department since 1985. He is known as a challenging teacher who supports students as they first begin to seriously study religion and he is one of the leading scholars at Concordia.

Burchill joined the German department in 1995 and has earned a reputation as a model teacher, working tirelessly to engage students in language and cultural understanding. She is known for holding her students to high standards.

Bailey began teaching in Concordia’s physics department in 1946. His connections to fellow scientists around the world brought unprecedented research and teaching opportunities to the college. Bailey is also well known for his role as principal author of Concordia’s iconic mission statement.

Lyons Hanson joined the staff of Concordia in 1990 and is now the assistant dean of Student Leadership and Service. Her work has helped create an understanding of service-learning and an environment of service at Concordia.

Larson joined the psychology department in 1998 and immediately began to contribute to a scholarly environment. She is internationally known for her research on animal models of human sickness behavior and the immune system.

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.

Foster Selected for China Relations ProgramFoster Selected for China Relations Program

Dr. Kenneth Foster, assistant professor of political science, has been selected as one of only 20 U.S. scholars to participate in an in-depth study of China.

The objective of the Public Intellectuals Program, funded by private foundations, is to upgrade the quality of American public understanding of China by strengthening links among U.S. academics, policymakers and opinion leaders.

During the next two and a half years, Foster will expand his knowledge of U.S.-China relations through briefings with high-level government officials, travel to China for direct talks with Chinese policymakers, and by organizing outreach programs that use his knowledge to inform public opinion.

“The opportunity for public outreach is the area I’m most interested in,” says Foster. “Hopefully, I can help link Concordia’s global initiatives with China as a central focus. I also see opportunities for public awareness by involving this region’s agricultural sector and school teachers.”

Foster already has had considerable experience in China. He studied in China for nearly three years and also taught in Taiwan.

From now until 2010, Foster will attend two fourday Washington, D.C.-based workshops on U.S.- China relations including government briefings and media training; attend a similar workshop in San Francisco; participate in one 10-day trip to China; develop at least one public education program; and possibly serve as a scholar-escort for a National Committee delegation either in the U.S. or China.

Read about Concordia’s exchange program with United International College in China on Page 8.

CSTA Faculty Helps Create Sudanese Documentary

Sometimes it takes a village to save a village. Dr. Greg Carlson, assistant professor of communication studies and theatre art, is part of an extensive team that created “African Soul, American Heart,” a documentary that follows a Lost Boy of Sudan as he returns to his homeland. The 22-minute film premiered at the Fargo Theatre in November.

The documentary and a companion photo show by Deb Dawson, which ran in the Cyrus M. Running Gallery, were designed to raise awareness and funds for orphans in Duk Payuel, a village in south Sudan.

The film’s subject, Joseph Akol Makeer, lived in the village until 1987 when he left to escape genocide plaguing his country. He resettled in Fargo, N.D., with his wife and siblings in 2003, but never forgot the other Lost Boys and Lost Girls who remained behind.

Last year he returned to his homeland for the first time. A documentary crew from Fargo-Moorhead accompanied him.

“We just felt it was important to shape the story in a way that Joseph could help his people back home,” Carlson says.

The Concordia faculty member didn’t travel to Sudan, but his vision was valuable in framing the story, says Dawson, the documentary’s executive producer. “This is not a project a person can do alone,” she says. “It was a wonderful team that made this happen.”

Proceeds from the documentary and future DVD sales will go to the African Soul, American Heart Foundation. The goal is to raise $250,000 to build a boarding school for orphans, who struggle to participate in village life.

If successful, the team has plans to return to Africa to film the building of the school. “This is just the start,” Carlson says.

New Regents Begin Service

Gerald Eid ‘63, Fargo, N.D.; Dr. Earl Lewis ‘78, Atlanta; the Rev. William Rindy, Fargo, N.D.; and the Rev. Stephen Wold ‘68, Moorhead, were elected to the Concordia College Board of Regents. Timothy Siegle ‘81, Cavalier, N.D., is also a new board member as president of Concordia‘s Alumni Board.

Eid is chairman and CEO of Eid-Co Buildings. He currently serves as chair of the board of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and on the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Eid has previously represented North Dakota on the executive committee of the National Association of Home Builders.

Lewis is currently provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs and the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of History and African American Studies at Emory University. He has written several books, essays, articles and reviews on American and African-American history. Lewis was recently named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Concordia in 2002.

Rindy was elected bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod of the ELCA in July. Most recently he was administrative pastor at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, after serving as pastor of Shiloh Lutheran Church, Elmore, Minn., and Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisbon, N.D.

Wold is senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead. He has previously served congregations in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota. Wold has been a board member of Concordia‘s Dovre Center for Faith and Learning.

Siegle is president and CEO of United Valley Bank in Cavalier.

Cameroon Becomes a Classroom for Teachers

Several French language instructors across the United States will return to their classrooms next fall with a wealth of culturally rich experiences and improved language skills after studying the culture, cinema and commerce in Cameroon.

French professor Dr. Gay Rawson and French assistant professor Dr. Zacharie Petnkeu will lead a group of 13 educators from 11 states on a four-week Fulbright-Hays study abroad program to the African country in July. The trip is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the grant will cover all in-country expenses.

“In addition to experiencing the beauties and realities of this ‘miniature Africa,’ these teachers will have concrete projects and personal stories to share with their students and peers,” Rawson says. “We are literally bringing the world into their classrooms and their students’ lives.”

When they return, the teachers will develop curriculum for French and African studies that will be accessible via Concordia’s Web site.

Gilbertson Meets Band on Tour

Believed to be the only living member of the 1935 Concordia College Band that traveled to Norway, Gordon Gilbertson ’37, Tacoma, Wash., met up with the band when it toured the West Coast in November.

Gilbertson, who played French horn, visited with band director Dr. Scott A. Jones and current band members Nov. 22 while at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. He also attended the concert and reception that evening.

The male members of the 1935 band (women were not permitted to participate) traveled to Norway by ship and spent one month traveling the country performing mostly outdoor concerts. Newspapers gave glowing reviews of the band’s performances and demeanor. The band was Concordia’s first music ensemble to travel abroad.

Choir Chosen for Fresno Concert Hall Performance

When Carol Maul ’63 heard a new concert hall was being built in her community, she immediately suggested The Concordia Choir be the first choir to perform there. She began to formulate a plan to make this happen.

Maul and her husband, Ken, having been involved with three previous Concordia Choir concerts in Fresno, secured sponsorships and donations from friends and associates, including Darden Architects, a major sponsor.

The Concordia Choir will partner with Fresno/ Clovis area high school and church choir singers Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall. In a sold-out two-concert extravaganza. The Concordia Choir, under the direction of Dr. René Clausen, will be the showcased ensemble.

The event begins Friday, Feb. 6, with Clausen teaching a daylong choral music workshop for the Clovis Unified School District choirs. The choirs will sing under his direction as they work to prepare three pieces for Saturday’s concerts.

Fresno area church choirs are invited to work with Concordia choral conductor Michael Smith on Saturday as they prepare several choral pieces to perform with The Concordia Choir during the concerts.

Orchestra Embarks on Regional Tour

The orchestra’s February tour includes a Feb. 13 performance prior to a Minnesota Symphony Orchestra concert in Orchestra Hall. The performance is part of the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic.

Choir Tours West Coast