Welcome from President Friedrich
by President Brian Friedrich
Welcome to the 123nd academic year of Concordia University, Nebraska!
Our academic year theme, “Count it all Joy,” is taken from James 1:2–3 ESV: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” As the year begins, I hope you will join me in recognizing and celebrating all of the joy that is ours through the gifts and blessings of our heavenly Father. The most important word to me in our theme verse is “steadfastness.” That word, used 200 times in the Old Testament and 16 times in the New Testament, including five times in the book of James, always refers to the steadfast love of God! No wonder James said, “count it all joy”—even the trials and challenges of life. At the end of the day, we count all we experience at Concordia and in this life as joy because God’s love for us never changes!
It was a busy summer! We completed—mostly—four major campus improvements and more than a dozen smaller but equally important campus improvements! The men of Ruth B are no longer the “hottest men on campus!” Ruth B is air conditioned! The renovation of Weller Chapel will soon be complete—maybe we could do without new padded seats—not! There is a new parking lot behind Dorcas and Esther. Bulldog Stadium and Track have brand new surfaces, and Founders Plaza has been renovated and will soon be home to a second campus clock!
I am grateful for the generous financial support and the hard work of many people for making these positive additions to the campus. The enhancements are a source of joy! They improve the campus and our ability to better serve each of you, our wonderful students. However, they are only tools. The essence of our mission is the Concordia Experience: a Christ-centered education that takes place in a vibrant community, delivered by faculty and staff who are highly invested in your success as a student and committed to providing you an excellent academic education so you are equipped well to serve and lead in God’s church and world! At Concordia University, it is this experience that is the source of joy!
As a new year begins, please join me in delighting in the Concordia Experience. Seize every opportunity to participate in this incredible community with its many and varied members! Find joy in your experience even when trials weigh heavy. In those times especially, it is my hope that you will find comfort, hope, encouragement and joy in this Christian community and in God’s steadfast love for you!
Blessings,
President Friedrich
