Candidate Looks for New Partnerships Across the Globe
Photo Courtesy of Sower Staff
By Elisha Meyer
Students and faculty at Concordia University-Nebraska received the chance to hear from the first of two final candidates for president of the university in Walz Arena Monday afternoon.
Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan is currently President of the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Hagan was also a student at Concordia, as well as an editor during the early days of The Sower.
Hagan brought forward several ideas that he said could help Concordia’s outreach efforts. Ideas included creating more community-wide partnerships and partnering with Lutheran universities across the globe.
He also proposed that the university create an expansion of dual-credit possibilities for both national and international high school students, which he said would help increase the number of students to attend the university in future years.
“Whether we’re talking about high schools in Texas or Arizona, or we’re talking about international high schools in Asia,” Hagan said, “there are opportunities for us to build and establish partnerships across the country and across the globe.”
Students and faculty were allowed to attend the event through an online registration forum as long as they abide by the policies outlined in Concordia Cares. This included wearing face coverings and attempting to maintain a six-foot distance from others. Hagan took the opportunity to remind attendees that while COVID-19 brought uncertainty upon the days to come, that God is working good through us.
“We can’t predict the future, but we can be assured of this,” Hagan said. “God is with you in 2020, and he will be with you to sustain you and strengthen you no matter how long we wear these masks.”
Hagan made sure to note how important a loving Christian community would continue to be for both Christian and non-Christian students. In response to the question of what makes Concordia different, he said that Christ was, is, and will continue to be a part of everything at Concordia.
“Please rest assured of this,” he said. “The one thing that cannot change is that Christ is at the center of this institution.”
A survey was sent to students on Tuesday in order to gain information regarding how students reacted to Hagan’s speech. The survey remained open until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Information from the survey will be taken into consideration when a new president is selected.
Dr. Bernard Bull, President of Goddard College in Vermont, will make a virtual visit to campus from Aug 17-18. Students will be able to watch his livestream speech at 3:45 pm on Aug 17.
