Beyond the Classroom

We’ve run dozens of stories about innovative programs, unique teaching methods and new initiatives to help you stay informed about campus. But, with all the exciting advancements to talk about at Concordia, it’s not often we get the opportunity to focus a cover story on current students.

We set out to explore the ways our students learn outside of the classroom through involvement in clubs, organizations and activities, as well as service-learning, volunteering and outreach in the local community.

We brought together students from a wide variety of majors and interests and asked them, “What activities are you involved in on-and off-campus? What do you learn from participation in these activities?” And, perhaps most importantly, “Why devote precious time to service and volunteerism?”

Their answers showcase students who truly embody the Concordia mission to prepare students for thoughtful and informed living, for dedicated service to God and humanity, and for the enlightened care of God’s creation.

We are inspired by their dedication, integrity, humor, faith and leadership - not to mention their amazing time management skills! We look forward to seeing these talented people make their mark on the world as have so many of the Concordia alumni who preceded them.

The students in our story told us that meaningful participation in campus clubs requires hard work, creativity and passion. Is it worth it? They say a resounding yes because it has helped them discover skills and abilities that will serve them well throughout the course of their lives.

Along the way, they have developed new knowledge, strong leadership and goal-setting, time management, strength they didn’t know they had, organization and time management skills, and teamwork, all while building friendships that will last a lifetime.

These students said the knowledge derived from their involvement in clubs and organizations has helped shaped who they are as individuals, and influenced the kind of person they want to be … the kind of life they choose to lead.

Ultimately, though, their dedication to serve has less to do with the benefits to themselves than about making a difference to others. Senior Psychology major Anna Stone sums up the motivation to serve in this way, “I know that God is accomplishing good in all things, and I consider my involvement in clubs and orgs to be a part of that. My hope would be that what I am doing speaks to what God has done.”

Jessica Moriah Ellis, junior | Maplewood, MN
“All people have personal gifts to offer and the need to share them. Getting to know others enriches my life even as I enrich others with my gifts.”
MUSIC-VOCAL PERFORMANCE MAJOR
» UMOJA, co-president
» Student Alumni Council
» Christus Chorus
» Student of Color Mentor Program

Kelsey Walt, senior | Bloomington, MN
“Being part of a college sport introduced me to wonderful students and gave me another opportunity to excel. The coaches and athletes on my golf team are some of my best friends. I couldn’t imagine college life without my sport.”
BIOLOGY & MATH MAJORS
» Tetra Delta Science Club
» Tri Pi math club
» Women’s Golf, captain, NSIC Academic All-American
» Basketball coach at local grade school

Kelli A. Jensen, junior | Nisswa, MN
“The point of my being involved with CAB is to make college more fun. I hope that through the variety of activities that we have put on I have helped a few more people on campus get out there and try something fun, new or both!”
LUTHERAN CLASSROOM TEACHER - K-8 LITERATURE/COMMUNICATION ARTS MAJOR
» Concordia Activities Board - plans events such as Winter Formal, Snowcoming, Nerf Tag, Blood Drives and Knollapalooza
» Student Senate
» Tutoring at local Lutheran school
» Christus Chorus
» FISH, prayer team leader

Colby Reinking, sophomore | Grundy Center, IA
“I am paying for a good college experience with my tuition, not just a good education. You get out what you put in and so by putting a lot of time and effort into all these activities, the end result is going to be a more enjoyable college experience.”
COMMUNICATION STUDIES & THEATRE MAJORS
» Concordia Activities Board
» Communication Club
» FISH
» Christus Chorus
» VOX9 - vocal jazz ensemble
» Prisms
» STAGE
» Theatre productions
» The Sword campus newspaper
» Spirit Squad (flag and mascot team) and SuperFan
» PLUS Time

Nathan Burrows, senior | Delavan, WI
“Many of the organizations are very proactive at creating change and making Concordia a better place to live and learn.”
CHEMISTRY MAJOR, THEATRE MINOR
» Tetra Delta Science Club, president & former secretary
» American Chemical Society science outreach volunteer
» STAGE
» The Sword campus newspaper
» Student Senate - Student Union Board of Governors, Fact Finding Committee
» Theatre productions
» Handbell Ensemble
» Concordia Progressives

Shelly Schwalm, sophomore | Nortonville, KS
“I love meeting new people and getting to know people from different groups; extracurricular activities really open up that opportunity.”
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MAJOR
» STAGE, vice president
» Christus Chorus
» Chapel Band
» Exploring Careers weekend committee
» FISH, worship team member
» Intramural sports

Timothy Sailer, sophomore | Sioux Falls, SD
“Involvement in many of these clubs has started to point me in the direction of my future teaching career. I see very useful applications within all of these activities, so it’s another benefit to becoming involved.”
5-12 COMMUNICATION ARTS/LITERATURE EDUCATION & THEATRE MAJORS
» STAGE
» Student Alumni Council
» Writing Center Tutor
» Teachers of Tomorrow - co-president
» Christus Chorus
» VOX9 - vocal jazz ensemble
» Phantom Regiment, an Illinois-based touring drum and bugle corps

Cameron Heiliger, senior | Billings, MT
“I have had some amazing opportunities, from meeting student leaders at other Concordias to lobbying state legislators at the Capitol. I never imagined I would have such a close relationship with so many administrators, especially President Holst, who has been influential simply because of his integrity and his openness to students.”
LUTHERAN CLASSROOM TEACHER - K-8 SOCIAL STUDIES & HISTORY MAJORS
» Student Senate, student body president (2006-07)
» History Club
» College Republicans
» Concordia Mission Society
» PLUS Time volunteer
» Archaeology excavation, Israel

Chee Lor, senior | Saint Francis, MN
“Joining these clubs and organizations has helped me to create lifelong friends and build knowledge within the club and outside of it as well. But, more importantly, it has built my self-confidence.”
GENERAL BUSINESS MAJOR
» Southeast Asian Student Association, treasurer
» Badminton Club
» Student of Color Mentor Program
» Faculty research assistant
» Student Alumni Council

Rachel Flaherty, senior | St.Paul, MN
“Athletics has taught me a lot about things in life that are important, such as perseverance, integrity, and teamwork and that these characteristics are essential to living a happy and successful life.”
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
» Psychology Club
» Soccer,Academic All-Conference ‘04,‘05,‘06
» Minnesota Thunder youth coach and mentor program

Carol Olson, senior | Fort Collins, CO
“My mom said ‘Getting involved is the only way you’ll survive college and enjoy graduation.’ And moms are always right so I followed her advice.”
CLASSROOM TEACHER/5-12 MATHEMATICS MAJOR, LUTHERAN CONFESSIONALISM & THEATRE MINORS
» Tri-Pi math club
» Theatre performance

Lance Meyer, junior | Janesville, MN
“Through athletics, I have learned discipline and a work ethic that has helped me both in school and in life in general. It has allowed me to make great friendships and given me an escape from the stress of classes and homework.”
ENGLISH MAJOR, POLITICAL SCIENCE AND WRITING MINORS
» The Sword campus newspaper
» Men’s Golf - NSIC All-Academic Team

Aaron Paul Cawthorn, senior | Des Moines, IA
“It’s very hard to adjust to college life, and with activities and clubs you are able to open your mind to new ideas and activities that you never thought you would learn about or enjoy.”
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR
» Football - captain, 5th all time leading rusher, two-time All Conference honorable mention, 3rd team All Region running back
» Track
» String ensemble
» Fellowship of Christian Athletes,president
» Concordia Mission Society, treasurer
» FISH, worship team musician
» UMOJA

Stephanie Olson, junior | Pequot Lakes, MN
“My college experience has been abundant with just that - experience. I gain confidence in myself, my abilities, and I get to see others grow as well, which is exciting.”
COMMUNICATION STUDIES MAJOR
» Dance team
» Theatre performance and tech crews
» Student Senate, Executive Board (2005-06)
» National Concordia Student Leaders, national secretary, national chair
» Communication Club
» Concordia Television Productions
» Prisms
» Concordia Mission Society

Katy Davis, sophomore | Spring, TX
“I would say that through being raised in Lutheran schools I have learned to give my all and be the best that I can be,and that everything is done to the glory of God in response to the gift that I have received through Jesus.”
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & URBAN MINISTRY MAJORS, PHOTOGRAPHY MINOR
» Student Alumni Council
» Student Senate - Undergrad Academics Committee
» The Sword
» Student Athletic Advisory Committee
» Student Admission Ambassador
» Fish - music team
» Concordia Mission Society - service trip to Louisiana

Mee Vang, junior | Minneapolis, MN
“Dr. Chatman [CSP's Executive Vice President and Dean of Diversity] said that quiet people can be leaders too. Yes, I am a quiet person, and I agree with her! ”
COMMUNICATION STUDIES MAJOR
» Southeast Asian Student Association
» Student of Color Mentor Program
» Youth Educational Support (Y.E.S.), a program through Union Gospel Mission providing tutoring
for Hmong refugee children in grades 1-5.

Erin Jolie Thompson, senior | Trenton, MI
“I think that life is a lot more fun and meaningful if you live it and not just allow it to happen to you, so being involved in activities that interest you is important because they will expand your experiences, stretch your mind, and add to your life.”
THEOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS
» Prisms
» Student Senate
» PLUS Time
» The Sword
» Concordia Mission Society
» Cross Country, NSIC All-Academic team
» Archaeology excavation, Israel

Shae Wallin, junior | Big Lake,MN
“By participating in extracurricular activities, my tolerance level has improved and my patience has grown. I have also been able to practice public speaking and learned how to effectively work with a group of peers.”
MATHEMATICS MAJOR, SPANISH MINOR
» UMOJA, secretary
» Student Alumni Council
» Student Admission Ambassador
» Tri-Pi math club
» Student of Color Mentoring Program
» Shades of Harmony multicultural choir
» Women’s Cross Country, NSIC All Conference Academic Teams ‘05,’06, NSIC Runner of the Week ‘04,’06
» Women’s Track & Field, captain, NSIC All Conference Academic Team ‘06
» Tiger Club - after-school program through Trinity First Lutheran School

Anna Stone, senior | Balsam Lake, WI
“As president of CMS I am organizing and running meetings, contacting outside agencies, and communicating effectively between my peers and professional mission organizations. These experiences add to my resume. I’ve also been kissed on both cheeks by Peruvian toddlers and heard the faith story of a 40-year-old former alcoholic. These experiences add to my life.”
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
» AEX
» College Democrats
» Concordia Mission Society, president
» FISH, prayer team coordinator
» Psychology Club
» Dance Team
» Theatre performance

Elizabeth Caulkins, senior | Tyler, TX
“I started working full-time when I was 15; I never really had time to get involved. Coming to Concordia last semester finally gave me the chance to get involved and have the ‘college experience’ that I have always wanted.”
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
» Student Senate Representative, Health and Wellness Committee chair, Student Fact-Finding Committee secretary, Academic Events Committee
» TRUTH, education coordinator
» Psychology Club
» STAGE
» SuperFan athletics spirit group
» Investment Club
» History Club
» Concordia Progressives
» College Republicans
» Business Club
» Concordia Mission Society

Michael A. Brooks Jr., junior | Key West, FL
”Concordia University is a very diverse school and our student clubs and organizations are a great representation of that… it adds to the versatility and uniqueness of Concordia. ”
BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY MAJORS
» UMOJA, co-president
» Tetra Delta Science Club, treasurer
» Football
» Student of Color Mentoring Program

Shannon Bitzan, junior | Clara City, MN
“This is what college is all about - experiencing what wasn’t always offered in high school in order to have the chance to make a difference.”
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR,BIOLOGY MINOR
» TRUTH, founding member
» Psychology Club, vice president
» Student Senate, Health & Wellness Committee
» Peer Advisor - Academic Advising
» Friends of Service-Learning - promoting service learning on campus by leading through example
» Campus Compact Ambassador
» Project Homeless Connect volunteer
» Dance Team, captain

Kevin Steven Olson, senior | Brooklyn Center, MN
“I like being a part of something that seems larger than just school and academics.”
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING MAJORS
» Business Club, president & investment account manager
» Investment Club, co-founder
» Student Alumni Council
» Financial Literacy Program,instructor
» Brooklyn Center Mayoral candidate (2006)

Brad Scherer, senior | Saint Joseph, MN
“I have made many close friends, learned how to deal with tough situations, learned what hard work is, and how to accomplish high goals.”
GENERAL BUSINESS MAJOR
» Fellowship of Christian Athletes
» Football, ESPN The Magazine: Academic All-American Second Team (’06), Academic All-District V First Team (’06) and Second Team (’05)