Founded in 1893, Concordia University, St. Paul is a comprehensive liberal arts university that honors Christ and welcomes all to discover and engage their purpose for life, career and service.
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.
From the Editor
Dear Reader,
Greetings from Concordia University, St. Paul! It’s quiet now on our St. Paul campus with traditional students on summer break, offering a bit of time to reflect and recharge before the seasons change and our 2026-27 academic year begins.
However, as many of you know, CSP is more than just our 2,000 traditional students who come to campus September-May. With our campuses in Portland and Denver and students who join us online from around the world, there’s something happening year-round at Concordia St. Paul as students pursue their callings.
What’s distinctive about CSP is not a campus in itself or a singular way of doing higher education, but the ethos and mission that guide us in our work to serve every student with the life-changing power of higher education. This is why I am thrilled that this issue of the magazine focuses on Portland and Denver, our two physical campuses outside of Minnesota.
Students on those campuses are not learning at the corner of Hamline and Marshall Aves., geographically speaking, but their experience is just as much guided by our mission as those who do. In this issue, we’ll explore what’s been happening in Portland since we first reported on their challenges amidst the 2020 transition. We’ll learn about how the 2025 expansion to Denver came to be and hear from a student at that campus about following her calling into nursing. Then, the pastors who serve part-time in Portland and Denver share about their ministry to students on those campuses.
This issue begins, however, on a somber note as the Concordia St. Paul community mourns President Emeritus Robert Holst, H.S. ‘54, J.C. ‘56, who died on May 12, 2026. President Holst served CSP from 19912011 and his impact on the university is in many ways unmatched. In fact, one could argue that the vision he put forth during his two decades at the helm helped lay the groundwork for Concordia to expand to Portland and Denver.
It’s an exciting time to be at CSP as we reach new heights in Colorado and Oregon.
Billy Schultz, B.A. ‘08, M.A. '11
Remembering President Holst
In the fall of 1953, a tall, athletic young man from rural southern Minnesota moved to St. Paul for his senior year at Concordia High School. Little did Rev. Dr. Robert Holst know that he would return to the same campus 38 years later to serve as its eighth president and call St. Paul home for the last 35 years of his life and ministry, making an indelible impression on his alma mater.
Holst, who passed away on May 12, 2026, at the age of 89, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Holst on October 1, 1936. He was raised near Austin, Minn., and attended Austin High School for three years before matriculating at Concordia High School for his senior year and graduating in 1954. He then completed junior college at Concordia College, St. Paul, in 1956. During his time as a student at CSP, Holst was active in the student council, dorm council, chapel choir, track team, and more. His yearbook entry in the 1956 Scribe listed the nicknames “Bob” and, with a hint of foreshadowing, “Ph.D.”
Following God’s call, Holst attended Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he earned the Bachelor of Arts (1958), Master of Divinity (1961), and Master of Sacred Theology (1962) degrees. After Bob finished his vicarage in Canada, he and his wife Lynne married in 1960.
The Holsts first served the church as missionaries for five years in the mountainous rainforest of Papua New Guinea with the pre-literate Ipili people. Bob and Lynne shared God’s love as they learned the oral language and helped the Ipili overcome malnutrition. With indigenous and expatriate partners, Holst developed an indigenous orthography, wrote and published several books, and translated numerous Bible stories and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism into the native tongue.
Returning to Higher Education
Returning to the United States in 1968, Holst attended Princeton Theological Seminary and earned his Ph.D. At Princeton, he taught Greek and served as codirector of the Black Studies program. The Holsts then moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1970, where Bob served on the faculty of Concordia Senior College.
In 1976, Holst joined the faculty of Christ College (now Concordia University Irvine).
To connect with the diverse student body, he learned Spanish and led monthly service projects in Tijuana, Mexico, and academic experiences in Mexico City.
In 1991, Holst was called to serve and began his tenure as president of Concordia College, St. Paul, where he served until his retirement from full-time ministry in 2011. His 20 years at Concordia St. Paul were marked by significant growth and change under his leadership.
When Holst came to CSP, the college had begun to expand beyond a small liberal arts institution with the addition of the Concordia School of Adult Learning (CSAL) in the mid-1980s. But he saw more potential for the institution.
Serving Concordia Students
With a deep love for people and a pastoral heart, Holst was committed to ensuring that every student who chose Concordia St. Paul had the opportunity to reach their full potential through higher education.
“The breadth and depth of CSP’s service to students finds its waypoint in Bob's deep love of ‘people of every nation, tribe, and language’ (Rev. 7:9),” reflects Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, current President of Concordia University, St. Paul. “During his presidency, Bob worked tirelessly to
engage the wide variety of ethnic groups who had come to the Twin Cities as refugees and immigrants. Bob warmly welcomed all to campus, and as he did so, showed them the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all.”
Rev. Dr. Tom Ries, who served alongside Holst as Vice President of Finance and Operations and later succeeded him as President, reflects on Holst’s ability to serve an increasingly diverse student population. “His dexterity in cross-cultural ministry helped welcome a more racially diverse group of students and build relationships within the racially diverse communities in the greater Twin Cities area,” he says.
Dr. Cheryl Chatman, who served as Executive Vice President and Dean of Diversity from 2000 to 2020, reflects on Holst’s commitment to serving a diverse student body. “He had the exceptional ability to demonstrate his sincere respect for all people, regardless of their background, culture, race, or religion, with his actions speaking as true as his words,” she recalls. “President Holst was a staunch believer and advocate for justice, equity, access to education, and equipping saints for their vocations.”
In Leading in Legacy , Concordia St. Paul's 125th anniversary history book, Holst reflected on serving the Hmong community, saying, “God has given us a
unique gift in this place if we embrace it.”
Learning more about Hmong culture and the community's needs through leaders like Lee Pao Xiong, Holst saw an opportunity and had a dream about how CSP could be involved. The first step in achieving this bold vision was for CSP to launch the Southeast Asian Teacher Program. This innovative program, funded in part by the Minnesota legislature, helped raise up Hmong educators to serve in increasingly diverse schools in the Twin Cities.
The second initiative to advance Holst’s vision of serving the Hmong community was the launch of the Center for Hmong Studies in 2004. With Xiong at the helm, the Center has been a singular force for preserving Hmong culture, collecting artifacts, hosting school field trips, and holding conferences for Hmong scholars.
Another significant move during Holst’s tenure to better serve students was Concordia’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II athletics in 1999. As a small liberal arts college, CSP was well-positioned to move to NCAA Division III and compete against similar schools in the Twin Cities and across greater Minnesota. But a jump to an even higher level of competition against much larger institutions with greater resources was a bold move.
Holst and other CSP leaders saw the jump to Division II as a calculated risk, one
that could allow CSP to grow enrollment by 20% and, with increased competition for studentathletes, raise the institution's academic profile. This move for CSP athletics has paid off tremendously for the university over the past quarter-century, most notably as the Golden Bears volleyball team won nine national championships between 2007 and 2017, including seven straight from 2007 to 2013.
“I believe God placed President Holst in his role for a critical time in the life of CSP,” says Dr. Brad Hewitt, Chair of Concordia St. Paul’s Board of Regents from 2007-2014. “Bob’s love of teaching, his leadership style, and his undying belief that everyone should have a chance to succeed were the perfect mix to drive CSP’s growth from a small Lutheran college to a thriving, Christ-centered university.”
Enhancing Concordia's Academics
One of the most resounding changes of the Holst presidency was Concordia St. Paul’s move from a college to a university in 1997. Holst describes this move in a 1997 issue of the Concordia St. Paul Magazine:
The new name, Concordia University, Saint Paul, describes our mission, commitment and God’s goodness. ‘Concordia’ comes from two Latin words that could be interpreted as a ‘shared heart’ or simply ‘harmony.’ With gratitude and a sense of responsibility, we continue the part of the name that was given when Concordia was founded in 1893...We pledge that Concordia will continue to be a place where students, faculty and staff grapple with the gift and opportunity of learning how to live with a shared heart.
‘University’ comes as the new part of our name. The new name pledges progress, quality and mission. Progress comes from change to a university structure, with three colleges, providing better management of resources. We want ‘university’ to mean fewer committees and more faculty time for teaching, mentoring and study. Quality comes because ‘university’ raises our standards…our new name pledges us to collaborative efforts for better learning for more students...The name ‘university’ reminds us that our mission is future-oriented and global in perspective. The name ‘university’ declares that our graduates are being prepared for thoughtful and informed living, dedicated to service to God and humanity and the enlightened care of God’s creation, as our mission statement declares.
Adopting a semester-based academic calendar and a college-based structure within the university laid the groundwork for CSP’s growth and innovation at the time and in the decades that followed.
When President Holst came to Concordia, as previously stated, it was still a small liberal arts college with a pioneering program called CSAL, intended for nontraditional students seeking to earn their bachelor’s degree. However, when Holst arrived in 1991, CSAL was struggling to take off, “on life support,” as Ries notes. “He asked Dr. Bob DeWerff to head up the program and ‘build it or close it.’ Dr. DeWerff, in partnership with Prof. Tom Hanson, responded by turning CSAL into a rousing success, not only further broadening the student body of the university but also providing an important economic engine.”
CSAL began to grow, and with success in serving this non-traditional population, the doors opened for CSP to launch graduate programs, beginning with education. In Leading in Legacy , Holst reflected upon this new endeavor: “This will build a reputation for Concordia. We had a reputation around—and we still do—we produce good teachers. If we’re going to have good teachers, why do they have to get a Master’s degree someplace else? Why can’t students from other schools get graduate degrees from us?”
Originally a face-to-face master’s program, the advent of online learning enabled CSP to serve these education graduate students in more meaningful ways, allowing them to balance career, family, and academics. Under Holst, CSP’s graduate program portfolio grew rapidly, and by the time he retired in 2011, CSP’s non-traditional undergraduate and graduate student population was larger than the traditional
student population, a trend that continues today. The diversification of student populations and academic programs not only raised CSP’s profile but also created new revenue streams that have allowed CSP to weather economic challenges and demographic shifts.
Another key academic enhancement during the Holst era was the laptop initiative. Launched in 1998, this innovative endeavor provided a university-owned laptop to each traditional student. Holst, speaking in Leading in Legacy, explained the program's benefit in serving CSP’s diverse student body. “Basic segregation in the United States,” he said, “is economic segregation, and that has created racial segregation… If we’re really concerned about being a school that serves across economic divides, then we have to go with it.”
If we’re going to have good teachers, why do they have to get a Master’s degree someplace else? Why can’t students from other schools get graduate degrees from us? "
Rev Dr. Robert Holst
Modernizing Concordia’s Campus
Among all the other changes at Concordia St. Paul during Holst’s presidency, the modernization of campus buildings and facilities is a tangible tribute to his legacy. What stands out about many of these new facilities, aside from enhancing the student experience, is the relationships Holst built with donors to accomplish these projects.
“Bob’s genuine servant’s heart touched countless lives,” says Mike Flynn, who worked alongside Holst as CSP’s Vice President of University Advancement and Vice President for Special Gifts from 1991 to 2007. “Through his transformational vision, he joyfully inspired supporters to share their financial blessings, leaving a profound and lasting impact on future generations of CSP students and the churches and communities they serve.”
The list of additions to CSP's campus during Holst’s tenure is lengthy. First was the Gangelhoff Center, which replaced Lutheran Memorial Center as the institution's basketball and volleyball arena in 1993. Next was the E.M. Pearson Theatre, which vastly enhanced CSP’s fine arts programs as it opened in 1994.
In 2003, the Library Technology Center and Pearson Commons were built, replacing the much smaller Buenger Library and creating new gathering spaces for students to study and fellowship. The Cross of Christ Fellowship Center was added to Graebner Memorial Chapel in 2007, expanding the chapel so the community could gather before and after chapel services and for student ministry programs and activities.
In 2008, the Residence Life Center opened, replacing three aging dormitories and creating apartment-style living spaces for today’s students. When Holst retired, Concordia renamed that facility Holst Hall in his honor. Finally, in 2009, Sea Foam Stadium opened on the west side of Hamline Ave., allowing CSP’s football team to play on campus and providing a multiuse facility for football, soccer, and lacrosse games. A dome is inflated at the stadium each winter to allow for year-round training and outside rentals.
These physical campus changes under Holst’s leadership and vision have enabled Concordia St. Paul to continue its growth trajectory and provide a modern university experience for its students.
Remaining on Mission
As a college and then university president, Holst carried many weighty responsibilities. In spite of the many priorities and pressures that came with this role, he carried with him a deep faith in Jesus Christ, a missionary heart, and a commitment to Concordia St. Paul’s mission, which the college adopted in 1993 and amended in 1997 in concert with the transition to a university. The mission reads: “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, for enlightened care of God’s creation, all within the context of the Christian Gospel.”
“Bob [was] the definition of a servant leader; yet, as President, he was a force to be reckoned with when it came to putting the university's mission into action,” Hewitt says. “When I was chair of the board, we met for breakfast or lunch at least once a month to discuss ideas and issues. In those conversations, his primary question was always, ‘Does this help accomplish our mission?’”
For Holst, Concordia’s mission was deeply tied to his passion for the Church’s mission. “Bob remained a vocal and insistent witness to the university's grounding in the ‘context of the Christian Gospel,’" says Ries.
“President Holst was and is a giant for CSP, the Church, and the Kingdom of God,” explains DCE Shelly Schwalm, B.A. ‘10, MFA ‘19, Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry. “[The] air Bob carried was that of the love of Jesus with gentleness and humility…He hired me right out of college at CSP and gave me the opportunity to serve in ministry as a young woman, and he has encouraged me and so many others ever since.”
Friedrich also celebrates Holst’s Christ-like love for all people: “He compassionately cared for the hurting, the broken, the lonely, the disadvantaged.
An Enduring Legacy
Concordia University, St. Paul would not be what it is today without Holst’s leadership for over 20 years. “Bob's legacy permeates CSP's mission and culture,” says Friedrich. “In the depth of his being, he desired that Christ would be honored and all would be welcome at CSP.”
Hewitt agrees. “His vision and success in creating a university in the city that honors Christ while remaining welcoming to all is a powerful testimony to his leadership,” he says.
Holst’s leadership changed the way his colleagues saw their work and callings. “When I came to Concordia University, St. Paul, I thought I was just taking on
a new job opportunity, but working with President Holst helped me to realize how important, beneficial, and rewarding it is to truly serve as an instrument for Christ in the workplace,” Chatman says.
Robert Holst’s legacy doesn’t begin or end with his work and ministry in St. Paul, but extends around the world through all the places and people he served throughout his earthly life. Generations have been touched and forever changed because of God’s work through him.
Schwalm sums up Holst’s impact succinctly: “So very well done, good and faithful servant.”
Scan this code
to make a gift to the Holst Scholarship in memory of President Holst.
Thriving in the
Pacific Northwest
On the heels
of the closure of Concordia University Portland, the acquisition of the nursing program by CSP, the COVID pandemic, and natural disasters near Portland, the community was stretched thin.
By embracing resilience and a focus on serving students, the CSP campus in Portland has thrived. Five years ago, we featured Concordia St. Paul’s Portland campus community in a piece highlighting their resilience amidst these challenges. We spoke with the same three faculty members and administrators we interviewed in 2021 to hear about what’s been happening in that community.
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My favorite moment is watching students who overcame personal adversity or academic struggles cross the stage and receive their nursing pin.
Dr. Janiece Paulat
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
When CSP acquired the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs at Concordia Portland in 2020, there were two nursing campuses, one on the southwest side of the city named for its location on Barnes Road, and another on the northeast side near the airport named for its location near the Columbia River.
In fall 2021, ABSN enrollment at the two sites stood at 346 students. By spring 2026, enrollment grew to 402 students. This growth is essential, says Dr. Hollie Caldwell, Dean of the College of Nursing. “Recent data indicates that the state continues to face thousands of healthcare vacancies, alongside ongoing challenges with nurse retention and limited capacity in nursing education programs,” she explains.
STUDENTS LEADING THE WAY
In 2025, CSP decided to consolidate all operations at the Columbia River location. For students, this change was significant. “I credit the leadership students of the Student Advisory Board (SAB) and Concordia University Student Nurses Association (CUSNA) for setting an example and helping peers navigate through this rough transition,” says Dr. Janiece Paulat, Associate Professor of Practice.
PREPARING READY GRADUATES
As students in CSP’s nursing program go through their clinical rotations, they are exposed to a number of different contexts and discover unique opportunities within their field. Whalen shared that CSP recently added the Oregon State Penitentiary as a clinical site. “[Students] were hesitant at first, but found that they learned a lot,” she says.
Caldwell explains further how well-prepared Concordia St. Paul nursing students are for their careers. She states, “[They] graduate with work-ready skills including certifications in grief support, leadership, and basic quality and safety.”
From 2020-24, CSP produced the highest number of accelerated track graduates and second highest number of prelicensure graduates in Oregon. Behind each one of these graduates is a story and calling.
“My favorite moment is watching students who overcame personal adversity or academic struggles cross the stage and receive their nursing pin,” Paulat says. “There is such a feeling of accomplishment for them that it’s really an honor to have been part of their journey.”
Whalen agrees, saying, “It is a proud day to see students walk across the stage and families and friends cheer them on.”
SAB and CUSNA also lead the way for their peers when it comes to career readiness through career fairs, mock interviews, and other opportunities. Dr. Kate Whalen, Associate Dean of Operations for the College of Nursing, stresses the importance of these opportunities as the nursing job market shifts in Oregon. “Usually, nurses don't have any issues finding a job, but with the financial issues in healthcare systems, the job market has changed,” she shares. “Community-based facilities and organizations, as well as rural sites, still need nurses, but many graduates prefer a hospital-based setting for their first job.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Caldwell is excited to continue Concordia St. Paul’s growth in Portland for the sake of the community as a whole. “The university is uniquely positioned to expand access to high-quality nursing education while preparing graduates who are not only clinically competent, but also grounded in compassion, ethical practice, and service to others,” she says.
Whalen echoes this emphasis on service. “Nurses are still among the most trusted professionals, which inspires respect and motivates us to provide excellent care to our patients,” she says.
to read the 2021 story
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS IN
COLORADO
CSP EXPANDS ITS MISSION THROUGH THE 2024 ACQUISITION OF PLATT COLLEGE IN DENVER.
WHAT WAS PLATT COLLEGE?
Platt College opened in 1879 in St. Joseph, Mo. By 1980, Platt opened a campus in San Diego, followed by its Denver campus opening in 1986 and becoming independent. For the next two decades, Platt primarily served students pursuing careers in graphic arts. In 2005, Dr. Hollie Caldwell, current Dean of the College of Nursing at Concordia St. Paul, joined the faculty of Platt as they launched a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
Over the next dozen years, Caldwell served as a faculty member, Associate Dean, and Dean of Platt College. She recalls her time at Platt with pride, reflecting on the growth from a tiny upstart nursing program to “a really well received, respected institution that produced really high quality nursing graduates.”
During Caldwell’s tenure, Platt phased out its arts programs to become solely focused on nursing. In 2022, Platt moved into a new location in the Denver Tech Center, a business park located along Interstate 25 and one of Denver’s RTD light rail lines.
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It's a really exciting opportunity to be able to extend our mission and really provide the opportunity for people to meet their vocation and go out and serve Colorado as a CSP graduate.
Dr. Hollie Caldwell
A NEW OPPORTUNITY ARISES
When Platt’s owner announced plans to retire and transition ownership of the college, Caldwell connected with her former colleague, Dr. Julie Basler, who was serving as Platt’s president. “[Julie] and I said, what would it look like if we could get CSP and Platt College together to talk? Could this be an opportunity where one really student-centered institution could talk with another really student-centered institution and see if there's some synergy there so that we can continue this good work?”
This conversation led to more discussions, and eventually Concordia St. Paul’s administration and board made a decision to acquire Platt and start the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at that site. This initial decision was only the first step in an extensive process. Next, it was time to announce and prepare the Platt faculty, staff, and students
For Platt students like Melanie Thomas, BSN ‘25, the change was difficult. “My first feeling about Platt closing was sadness,” she explains. “For our cohort, we only had our last quarter of school left and then would be the first ones to graduate as CSP students.”
Caldwell echoes the emotional impacts on the community. “There was a lot of grieving that went on because [employees and students] love Platt College,” she explains.
Thomas credits faculty members like Kalie Griffy and Stacy Dickerson for helping her cohort navigate the transition. She also feels grateful for how Caldwell made it possible for her to get her licensure completed quickly after graduation. “I had already had a job lined up, and they were waiting for me to pass the test to start my orientation. She was the main reason why the Oklahoma Nursing Board accepted my application so quickly and I was able to take my NCLEX [licensure exam] within a month of graduating.”
Platt’s nursing program was a traditional three-year baccalaureate degree, while CSP was looking to start up the same accelerated program offered in St. Paul and Portland. Thus, a plan needed to be in place to complete a teach-out for students already enrolled. Layers of approvals from various regulatory and accrediting agencies were required to both continue teaching current Platt students like Thomas under the Concordia banner while simultaneously having the ability to enroll new students. “[It] sometimes feels a little bit like a chicken or an egg,” Caldwell jokes. “You can't get this approval until you've already got that approval. But you can't get that approval until you get this approval.”
A complex process like this is nothing new at Concordia St. Paul, with a similar workload required in 2020 to integrate the Portland nursing program. The ultimate goal of this work is to serve more students and help them discover their callings to serve others.
GROWING DEMAND FOR NURSES
Thomas discovered her calling as an ICU nurse during her time at Platt, and moved to Oklahoma for her husband’s work. She serves at a hospital in Muskogee, Okla., a rural community in the southeastern part of the state and plans to continue her education and become a nurse practitioner.
While not all CSP students in Denver will remain in Colorado, the need there is great. Caldwell explains that Colorado is one of the top states in terms of nursing shortages. As a desirable state for retirees, Colorado has a large population of older adults. Additionally, a third of Colorado’s registered nurses are over the age of 55, compounding the need further as those providers retire. When students pursue nursing at CSP, they help address the community’s needs for compassionate caregivers.
Enrollment at Concordia St. Paul’s Denver campus stood at 93 students this past spring semester, including teach-out students. Plans are underway to launch a traditional BSN program in Denver, with the addition of other health science programs potentially on the horizon.
Caldwell is excited about the possibilities in Denver: “It's a really exciting opportunity to be able to extend our mission and really provide the opportunity for people to meet their vocation and go out and serve Colorado as a CSP graduate.”
Melanie and Joe Thomas celebrate her graduation from CSP in spring 2025.
AN UNDENIABLE CALLING
“My life
is a story I want to use to help others,” says Raiko Johnson, a first-year nursing student at Concordia St. Paul’s Denver campus. “One of the biggest things that has driven me about nursing is that I have a huge love for people.”
Johnson’s story is marked by resilience and a sense of calling. After graduating from high school at the age of 16, she began work as a medical assistant. As she worked through clinicals for
her associate’s degree in that field, Johnson realized that she wanted to pursue nursing.
This plan, however, hit a roadblock. “I did all my prerequisites only to be told, ‘okay, now you have to wait two years before your program becomes open.’”
Needing to take a career detour, Johnson went to school to become an aesthetician and remained in that field for a number of years. Meanwhile, her
personal life grew richer as she had eight children.
As the mother of two children with complex medical diagnoses, the pull toward nursing continued to be part of Johnson’s story. “[It's] always fueled me whenever my children embark on something, to understand it more—the components, the why, how to treat it,” she says.
Going through that gives me another way to relate to patients. I can tell them what it actually feels like, not just what a textbook says. "
Raiko Johnson
Taking the next step in her nursing career required Johnson to overcome further challenges. Due to the length of time since she last took nursing prerequisites, she would have to retake those classes. Johnson had applied to one institution for an associates in nursing, only to be denied admission despite stellar grades. Her search for a school to pursue nursing led to CSP, and the university’s Christian identity resonated deeply for Johnson. “Faith has always been core for me,” she explains.
Johnson began her studies at CSP in fall 2025, taking two prerequisites virtually. Then, she had a health scare of her own when she had a pulmonary embolism. Ever positive, she reflects on how this experience will make her a better nurse: “Going through that gives me another way to relate to patients. I can tell them what it actually feels like, not just what a textbook says.” Now healed from her health scare and fully immersed in the accelerated nursing program’s rigorous curriculum, Johnson feels settled into her studies, and especially appreciates the relationships she’s built with her peers. “[We] formed a bond pretty quickly,” she says. “We understand each other’s personalities and support each other.”
Johnson loves that many of her classmates refer to her as “mom,” and credits her peers with helping her persist amidst the ups and downs of academic life. One such example came when she and a classmate each missed passing an exam by one point. By studying together—and finding that their strengths complemented one another—they each passed their retake. “When I think about my ‘why,’ it’s about helping people, engaging with them, and encouraging them. I’ve gone through a lot in life, and I know what it’s like to need someone to tell you it’s going to be okay,” Johnson reflects.
Whether it’s being a mom, a classmate, or a future nurse, Johnson’s cheerful resilience amidst challenges and deep desire to serve others shines through. As far as what nursing context she wishes to be in for her career, she says, “I’m open to where God leads me.”
Caring for the Whole Student
As a Christ-centered Lutheran university, Concordia University, St. Paul seeks to care for the whole student, including their spiritual needs. With expansion to Portland in 2020 and Denver in 2025, the university has taken steps to serve students on those campuses by contracting with two Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastors in part-time roles.
“As CSP’s mission continues to extend across multiple campuses, we want every student, faculty member, and staff member to know that they are seen, prayed for, and supported in Christ,” explains the Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann, Chief Mission Officer at Concordia St. Paul. “The expansion of CSP Ministry to Portland and Denver is an important step in ensuring that spiritual care is not limited by geography.”
Deep Roots in Portland
Concordia University Portland (CUP) called the Rev. Dr. Philip Brandt in 2005 as a member of the theology faculty, and stayed in that role until Concordia Portland closed in 2020. In 2019, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Portland tapped Brandt to serve as a vacancy pastor to preach and teach on Sundays. When CUP closed in 2020, St. Michael’s called him to a part-time pastoral role. Then, in 2023, Brandt was tapped as a part-time CSP Ministry Associate in Portland.
With limited hours to serve CSP students in Portland, Brandt seeks to maximize his touchpoints. He introduces himself at every new student orientation so that they know a pastor is there to support them during their time at Concordia. Each week, Brandt also sends out brief devotions to the campus community centered around scripture. At various
times each semester, he will visit campus for a day, bring coffee and snacks, and have conversations and check-ins with students.
For Brandt, being present to the spiritual needs of these future nurses is deeply personal. In 2012, his wife, Stephanie, completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at CUP. Knowing what she experienced as a nursing student, Brandt seeks to be tuned into students' needs. “You're gonna go through a shift in the way you process and make decisions about really core and important things about yourself and about other people,” he observes. “My wife navigated it well, but it also is really quite stressful for some people. And so, I think it's really important that we have a pastoral presence for these students, and I think that's a real benefit for them.”
New Opportunities in Denver
Just as CSP’s expansion in Portland spurred the need for pastoral care on that campus, the same is true for the university’s newest campus in Denver. This summer, the Rev. PJ Aarsvold, Pastor of Renewal Church, will begin his work at Concordia St. Paul.
A pastor since 2022, Aarsvold is excited to begin serving the CSP community. “I want to be a visible and caring presence around campus and in [students’] lives so they know that I'm eager and willing to minister to their needs,” he says. “God's Word is always powerful and can always work faith, but there are times in life where people seem more open to discussing new things and considering other beliefs. Often these are times of transition where life is already being disrupted, such as attending college or changing careers.”
Aarsvold is eager to learn more about the nursing profession as he begins his work with Concordia. “You approach it with much more natural curiosity and get to hear about the experience in their own words rather than assuming you know what their life is like,” he explains.
“[Nurses] have an important role in applying technical medications, procedures, and treatments to bring healing to people, but they also have the task of caring for the person, making them comfortable, and helping them understand what they're going through,” observes Aarsvold. “They really do get to care for the whole person.”
Future Opportunities
As the student population and program offerings grow in Portland and Denver, the need to increase pastoral care on those campuses comes into greater focus. “We are eager to strengthen this ministry through faithful partners who share our commitment to forming students in faith, learning, and service,” Koschmann says. “With the support of generous partners and donors, we can continue building the staffing and resources needed to make this kind of spiritual care available wherever CSP’s mission leads.”
Giving Generationally
alk with Jeff Gordenier for any length of time, and one quickly learns about his deep Christian faith and his heart for people. Jeff’s faith isn’t just talk, but tied into action as he and his wife, Karen, seek to use all of their gifts to benefit others.
Jeff summarizes their simple philosophy of connecting philanthropy with their faith. “It's not my money…it's God's money,” he explains.
The story of how a couple that grew up and has spent their married life together on the west coast got connected to Concordia University, St. Paul is a bit more complicated, but also a testament to the power of faith.
Jeff grew up in the southern Oregon city of Medford and graduated from Southern Oregon University. It was after he started his career and was teaching outside of San Diego that he met Karen, a graduate of Christ College (now Concordia University Irvine).
Around 2006, Jeff was looking at education master’s degree programs, and settled on Concordia University, St. Paul and Concordia University Portland as his finalists. While he loved his interactions with CSP, he ended up picking Portland. After earning his master’s from Portland in 2008, he wasn’t an active alum, only keeping tabs on the institution from afar.
In 2020, Jeff’s father died and with that came the opportunity for Jeff and Karen to give from his estate. As they desired to support Christian education, CSP came back into the picture. Noting the diversity of the student population, which aligned with their passion to see underrepresented populations receive opportunities, they made their first gift in support of student scholarships.
After making this initial gift, Jeff and Karen had the opportunity to build a relationship with President Brian Friedrich. It was then they learned about Concordia St. Paul acquiring the nursing
program from Concordia Portland after the latter’s closure. Living in Olympia, Wash. and having roots and connections in Oregon and Portland, they decided to start supporting students at CSP’s Portland campus.
As retired Christian educators, Jeff and Karen are passionate about sharing their faith with and equipping the next generation of leaders. “Part of our reason for giving is, obviously, we really like what's going on at St. Paul, and we like what's going on in Portland,” Jeff says. “But a higher reason for giving is that we really want to give generationally.”
Giving generationally means thinking not just about the here and now, but making sure that the next crop of pastors, teachers, leaders, and nurses can be ready to serve wherever God calls them. By investing in our Portland nursing students, Jeff and Karen are doing just that.
Ways to Support CSP Gratitude for our Donors
Thanks to the generosity of Concordia University, St. Paul donors, nursing students can pursue their calling with confidence, compassion, and purpose. Your support helps future nurses focus on their education, grow in faith and leadership, and prepare to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and families. The following nursing graduates share their heartfelt gratitude for you.
“Thanks to the generous support of CSP nursing donors throughout my time at CSP, I was able to focus on my studies, successfully complete the nursing program, and achieve my goal of becoming a registered nurse. Because of your kindness, I am graduating debt free and stepping confidently into my career and future. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities you have provided and the lasting impact you have made on my journey.”
Alyssa Colvin, BSN ‘26
“Thank you to all the nursing donors for believing in my education. I am beyond grateful and carry so much gratitude in my heart. As a first-generation college student completing my BSN, your support has made it possible for me to reach this milestone and prepare for the transition from student to nurse. I have been able to grow academically and spiritually in CSP’s compassionate, faith-based community. I am proud to be graduating and pursuing my goal of becoming a nurse, and I am deeply thankful for the impact you have made on my journey. God bless you!”
Lexine Swaray, BSN ‘26
“Thank you so much for your generous support in my nursing journey. I am incredibly grateful for the role you have played in making this possible. Your kindness has allowed me to focus on my education, build lifelong friendships, and prepare for a meaningful career in nursing. I look forward to pursuing my goal of working in the NICU or PICU, supporting children and their families during critical times. Thank you for believing in my future and helping me reach this exciting milestone.”
Mariah Valentine, BSN ‘25
Simple & Immediate Giving
Give online, by credit card, PayPal, or Venmo for a fast and convenient impact. You can also mail a check or give cash to support students directly.
Recurring & Workplace Giving
Set up a monthly recurring gift to make a lasting difference over time. Many employers also offer matching gift programs, doubling or even tripling your impact.
Smart & Strategic Giving Support CSP through stock transfers, donor-advised funds, or Thrivent Choice Dollars, flexible options that can maximize your giving potential.
Legacy & Long-Term Impact
Create a lasting legacy through planned giving or estate gifts, or support endowments that provide permanent support for future students.
Meaningful Tribute Giving Honor or remember a loved one through memorial gifts that make a difference in the lives of CSP students.
To learn more about all the ways you can support CSP, please scan the above QR code.
Alumni Notes
Alumni Notes
BIRTH/ADOPTION
1980s
Carrie (Shepperd) Oliver, B.A. '86 welcomed her first granddaughter, Lilah Grace, on March 7, 2025.
2000s
Jessica Lewis, B.A. '06 welcomed her fourth child, daughter Finley, on December 1, 2025. Finley was baptized on January 11, 2026.
2010s
Elisebeth Rodriguez, B.A. '16 and her husband, Trevor, welcomed a baby girl into their family in December 2025.
CAREER
1950s
Thomas Spahn, J.C. '59 retired for the third and final time. He gives thanks to God for His continued blessing.
1960s
Howie Krienke, A.A. '66 has served Zion Lutheran Hopkins for 47 years and, at age 82, still makes home communion visits to 15 to 20 members a month.
Marlene (Haut) Wirth, B.A. '67 retired and moved to Longmont, Colo.
1970s
Scott Snow, B.A. '75, is retiring from full-time ministry after serving 43 years in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
1980s
Cheryl (Larson) Norman, B.A. '87 is the new president of Ridgewater College, a community and technical college with campuses in the central Minnesota communities of Willmar and Hutchinson.
1990s
Willeta DeYoung, B.A. '90 started a role with Auris.io in October 2025. She helps small business owners streamline benefits, compliance, human resources, and payroll so they can reclaim their time and focus on leading their business.
Lisa (Keniston) Peterson, B.A. '92 retired from full-time teaching. She enjoys weaving, knitting, spending more time with family and friends, and traveling to fiber destinations such as Iceland, Norway, and Finland.
2000s
Katherine (Bessigner) Herzberg, B.A. '07, M.A. '20 has accepted her first call to serve as the music teacher for kindergarten through high school at St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Mattoon, Ill.
Sam Seefeld, B.A.'07 has accepted a position as Head of Schools for We Teach Truth Lutheran Education (formerly the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee).
Submitted between 5/8/2025 - 10/30/2025
Submitted between October 20, 2025 and May 20, 2026
2010s
Jessica (Casey) Cantu, M.A. '14 started a nonprofit organization in 2022 dedicated to neglected animals throughout the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
Greg May, M.A. '14 has been named head coach of the University of Minnesota Women's Hockey team.
Elizabeth Carey, B.A. '18 opened her office for postrehab after graduating. She recently completed a Holistic Health Practitioner/Educator certificate.
Beverly Tipton Hammond, M.B.A. '18 is retired from government. She opened her own center for the arts, TiptonHammond Center for the Arts, in spring 2026.
2020s
Alberta Konadu, B.A. '20, M.A. '24 is celebrating a new job at MHMR Tarrant County, working in Early Childhood Intervention.
Julie Thompson, B.A. '20 moved to Savannah to pursue her dream of becoming a fulltime artist.
Nathan Bautista, M.A. '25 secured a First Grade Teacher position within Minneapolis Public Schools.
IN MEMORIAM
1940s
Henry Friedrich, J.C. '48 passed away on February 6, 2026.
1950s
Lorraine (Guthmiller) Asmus, J.C. '54 passed away on October 13, 2025.
Robert Holst, H.S. ‘54, J.C. ‘56 passed away on May 12, 2026.
Paul Mueller, H.S. '56, J.C. '58 passed away on November 12, 2025.
Arline (Burfeind) Volkmann, '56 passed away on March 1, 2026.
Carleton Zahn, H.S. '56, J.C. '58 passed away on November 26, 2025.
Robert Kuhn, J.C. '57 passed away on March 1, 2025.
Ronald Laue, J.C. '57 passed away on February 9, 2026.
Donna (Dirks) Brunow, J.C. '58 passed away on February 16, 2026.
George Krueger, J.C. '58 passed away on January 7, 2026.
James Vanek, J.C. '59 passed away on December 5, 2025.
1960s
Al Braun, H.S. ' 60, J.C. '62, B.A. '64 passed away on October 1, 2025.
Ed Bode, J.C. '61 passed away on January 17, 2026.
Brenda (Behlings) Schmidt, J.C. '62 passed away on December 31, 2025.
Marilyn (Duval) Hopper, B.A. '67 passed away on November 17, 2025.
Cleo (Splinter) Austin, B.A. '68 passed away on March 7, 2026.
Anita (Stellwag) Mohr, B.A. '68 shares that her husband, Rev. Donald H. Mohr, passed away on October 27, 2025.
1970s
Terry Pankow, A.A. '70 passed away on April 26, 2026.
Mark Grimstvedt, B.A. '72 passed away on November 17, 2025.
Leslie Norman, B.A. '72 passed away on July 11, 2025.
Juliann (Gust) Baxter, B.A. '74 passed away on March 2, 2026.
1980s
Nancy (Vogt) Wallace, B.A. '83 shared that her husband, Edwin Wallace, passed away on February 1, 2026.
1990s
Andra (Iona) Olson, B.A. '94 passed away on March 19, 2026.
Barbara (Quimby) Kleeberger, B.A. '97 shared that her husband Steven passed away on June 30, 2025.
2000s
Anne Pitschka, B.A. '09 passed away on January 14, 2026.
2010s
Christopher Liebergen, B.A. '12 passed away on January 14, 2026.
Matthew Ostlund, B.A. '14 passed away on February 22, 2026.
EDUCATION
2000s
Angela Wirsing, B.A. '01, LIC '06 completed a Master of Worship Studies (MWS) through the Robert Webber Institute for Worship in December 2025.
ENGAGEMENTS/ MARRIAGES/ ANNIVERSARIES
1950s
Darlene (Penk), J.C. '53 and Alfred Bertke celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on September 25, 2025.
Ted, H.S. '55, J.C. '57, B.A. '59 and Elaine Strelow celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on February 11, 2026.
Gerhard, H.S. '57, J.C. '59 and Joan Michael were surprised by their six children and their families on July 4, 2025, with a party to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
1960s
Sandi (Edwards), '69 and Timothy, B.A. '71 Frick celebrated 55 years of marriage. They have four adult children and 14 grandchildren.
1970s
Timothy, '74 and Carol, '73 Wagner celebrated 50 years of marriage in July 2025.
Alumni Notes are submitted by alumni and friends of Concordia University, St. Paul and are not guaranteed to represent the views, beliefs, or endorsement of the University. Notes may be edited for content or clarity.
2000s
Allison (Huber), B.A., '03 and Ben Smits will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on August 4, 2026.
2010s
Jean (Panlilio), B.A. '14 and Ben, B.A. '08 Gabbert celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary this year. Their son is in his second year at Concordia, studying International Business Management, and will be studying abroad in South Korea this Spring semester.
2020s
Charles Pah, M.B.A. '25 celebrated his 11th anniversary in February 2026.
HONORS & AWARDS
1950s
Kenneth Block, J.C. '57 received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
1960s
Linda (Wuertz), B.A. '69 and Larry, B.A. '67 Stoterau received the Phyllis and Merle Freitag Award from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. This award is given to couples who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
OTHER
2000s
Peter, B.A. '06 and Michelle (Jaschen), '85 Gueldner have ten grandchildren. Peter has been serving as an LCMS Transitional Interim Minister in Rochester, Minn., since December 2021.
2010s
Thomas Pelissero, M.B.A. '12 has released Bring One Home, a memoir exploring boyhood, basketball, and hometown pride in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Charles Offenbacher, B.A. '14, M.B.A. '21 is completing his Ed.D. in Kinesiology while serving as an instructor with Air University Global Campus and supporting athletes through mental performance work with the Jr. PGA and the Veteran Golfers Association.
Alumni Distinguished Service Award
Jerilyn Bates, B.A. '91
Daniel Mueller, B.B.A. '03
Paul Perseke, B.A. '88
Daniel Wills, M.A. '12
Educator of the Year
Christopher Dennis, B.A. '05, M.A. '08
Gary Fritz, B.A. '88
Karen Henschen Lee, B.A. '86
Sam Seefeld, B.A. '07
Service to the Church
Phillip Johnson, B.A. '82
Rev. Vue Lee, B.A. '18, M.A. '25
Lonn Maly, B.A. '81
Rev. Dr. William Utech, B.A. '81
ATHLETIC
HALL of FAME
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL
Heather (Schiller) Emond, B.B.A. '16
Colin Goligoski, B.B.A. ‘15
Kole Goodchild, B.B.A. '08
Jordan Halverson, B.A. ‘15, M.A. ‘17, Ed.S. ‘23
Zach Moore, B.A. '14
Cole Olstad, B.B.A. '16
CJ Sanderson, B.A. '05
Jake Waldman, B.A. '08
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL 2026
Following God's Call
Each year, Concordia University, St. Paul hosts the Service of Sending, a chapel service that recognizes graduating students from church work programs and departmental honorees. This year’s service was held on Friday, May 8 and honored 31 students who have completed their studies and have been certified to be a commissioned minister within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) or will begin their studies at an LCMS seminary.
Elliott Arvey Placement Pending
Jacob Birkland
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Ames, IA
Sarah Hitchler
Living Savior Lutheran Church
Tualatin, OR
Elizabeth Rossow
Messiah Lutheran Church
Mounds View, MN
Tsega “Gracie” Abebe Placement Pending
Sophie Lee St. John Lutheran Church Cypress, TX
William Weatherford Carbone
Robert Finch
Blake Johnson
Joseph Manson
Rebecca Pumphrey
Scott Scholljegerdes
Andrew Simpson
Caleb Sutcliffe
Hunde Takele
Kyle Turnbull
Micah Wagner
Gabriel Weider
Sheralynn Weider
Kenneth Ziegler
Mariah Barth
Emmanuel Lutheran Church & School Hamburg, MN
Marissa Boris Hales Corners Lutheran Church & School Hales Corners, WI
Jackie Christensen
St. Paul Lutheran Church Bonduel, WI
Julia (Aarsvold) Gundermann Placement Deferred
Hallie Hutson
Christ Lutheran Church & School Little Rock, AR
Lorien (Swanson) Kitsch
Trinity First Lutheran Church and School Minneapolis, MN
Mollee Mielke
Zion Lutheran Church & School Mayer, MN
Teresa Rommel
Concordia Lutheran High School Tomball, TX
Naomi Staudenheimer
Concordia St. Paul, Hand in Hand Childcare Center St. Paul, MN
Cara Steely
Christ Lutheran Church & School Little Rock, AR
Matthew Wallace
St. John Lutheran Church and School Rochester, MI
Also honored during this service were a number of students who received awards from the Department of Theology and Ministry:
The Award For Exemplary Work in Theology and Ministry:
Jakob Nath Deanna Ringler
The Award for Exemplary Work in Biblical Languages:
Robert Finch
The Servant of Christ Award:
Isabella Cloete
Eva Gundermann
The Award for Theological Practice and Christian Vocation: Katelyn Colleran
