Weekend cabin trips are commonplace for many Minnesotans, but for guests at Faith’s Lodge, they are a heaven-sent. Executive director Anna Leighton ’08 coordinates the efforts to make getaways to Faith’s Lodge possible for families coping with a child’s serious illness or the loss of a child.

The Wisconsin nonprofit retreat center was developed by a couple who lost their daughter, Faith, in 2000. Following their loss, they realized the importance of having an affordable and appropriate place to escape and grieve together. Faith’s Lodge came to fruition in 2007 to keep Faith’s memory alive and provide a resource for families coping with crisis. The year-round destination provides programming and fellowship for up to eight families. Families from as far as Georgia and California have benefited from the one-of-a-kind North Woods experience.

“It’s incredibly gratifying to bring families together in a cathartic and tranquil setting and help them find strength and hope for the future,” Leighton said. “Faith’s Lodge illustrates that everyone can benefit from the healing grace of nature and the companionship of those sharing similar experiences.”

Leighton strives to expand and enhance programming, while also raising funds to make the lodge accessible to families with financial need. Leighton says every day brings new challenges, as well as fulfillment. “I wake up every morning and can’t wait to get to work,” she said. “I have the opportunity to positively impact people every day, which truly is the greatest gift. I am continually amazed by the power of the human spirit and how resilient individuals can be.”

Leighton said her master’s degree in Organizational Management from Concordia was the perfect springboard for leading a nonprofit, which necessitates wearing many different hats. “As the executive director I need to be able to successfully oversee our finances, market the organization, and manage employees and volunteers,” Leighton said. “Concordia provided me with the tools necessary to manage all aspects of an organization in a compassionate manner.”

Leighton is grateful her degree did not impede on her other commitments and interests. “It was such a delightful experience, providing the flexibility necessary to volunteer, be involved in my church and work full-time, while pursuing a graduate degree.”

Popularity: 10% [?]

Max Wipperman ’60 can’t imagine life outside the furniture industry. He grew up watching his father run a family furniture store in small town North Dakota. His father’s guidance showed Wipperman enough for him to own and operate his own upscale furniture showroom, G. Maxwell Collection, in Minneapolis’ International Market Square.

Wipperman graduated from Concordia Academy and Concordia Junior College, then returned to his home state to complete his four-year degree. He began working at the family’s furniture store and eventually bought the store and ran it for a number of years. In 1972, he sold it and made the Twin Cities home again. He continued to work in furniture retail but aspired to bigger things in the furniture industry. Together with business partner, Gordon Oberlander, he opened Gordon Maxwell, a wholesale fabric store in International Market Square.

The operation has evolved since its 1985 inception into one that sells regionally exclusive furniture only to interior designers. When that transition occurred, so did ownership. Wipperman took over as sole president and furniture buyer for the upscale, four-person operation and changed its name to G. Maxwell Collection.

G. Maxwell Collection is still located in IMS, the 70-plus showroom design center. Wipperman said location is everything and compares IMS to a shopping center because shoppers are able to find everything for their homes in one location. “If you want to be successful in this business, you have to be where everyone is,” Wipperman said.

Wipperman’s Christian education informs the way he does business. He said it taught him to be fiscally responsible and conservative in his dealings with people. He prides himself in providing customer service based on honesty. He also works hard to offer an excellent product and then stands behind it. “Success is product-driven and then service-driven,” Wipperman said. “We bend over backwards for customers and they tell us they appreciate it.”

Popularity: 10% [?]

There is no doubt professor of Organizational Management Dr. Richard Brynteson has seen Concordia change since his 1992 arrival. As programs, students and technology change, the College of Business and Organizational Leadership’s mission to develop Christian business leaders remains the same.

Since joining Concordia, Brynteson developed the undergraduate Marketing and Human Resource majors. He ran both the B.A. and M.A. Organizational Management majors, and most recently helped start the Masters of Business Administration degree program.

Brynteson said Concordia’s type of student and methods of teaching have dramatically changed over time. His classrooms, once filled with baby-boomers, are now filled with millennials who demand a different delivery method. “The world has changed in my years here and I’ve had to change,” Brynteson said. “I’ve changed from information disseminator to knowledge connector,” he said.

Technology has changed along with the students. Brynteson didn’t have a laptop when he started and the internet was still a far-fetched idea. Now, his assignments are reliant on the web and he teaches many online classes.

Just as things have changed for Brynteson, so will the workplace for his graduates. “I tell them any content I give them will be obsolete in six years,” he said. “But the questions that need to be asked are what survive over time. So, I teach them what the questions are, not the answers.”

“I’m a Christian and my values system comes through when I teach,” he said. Honesty and being environmentally conscious are important values Brynteson passes on. In Brynteson’s mind, self-awareness is the key to being a successful leader. “If you know yourself, you know your strengths, you can lead with them,” he said. “If you know your weaknesses, you can work to fix those things and you can get people around you that fill in where you’re lacking.”

Despite changes in the teaching environment, Brynteson said one thing remains the same—the people. “My students and my colleagues are wonderful,” he said. “Yes, higher education is an idea business, but it’s a people business too.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

The cover story for this edition of “Concordia St. Paul” is about business leaders. For decades the business of Concordia almost exclusively was preparing pastors and church school teachers. Some readers may not know that in the Lutheran theology and tradition, the founding educators envisioned a comprehensive curriculum preparing students for a variety of vocations. (more…)

Popularity: 11% [?]

(more…)

Popularity: 10% [?]

Former Concordia president, Dr. Alan F. Harre, accepted a position on the Advisory Council for the Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach (OHSCO). Harre served as University president from 1984-1988 and served as Valparaiso University president until his retirement at the end of the 2007-2008 academic year. (more…)

Popularity: 12% [?]

The Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach sponsored its annual OHSCO Partners Dinner, themed “Building Outreach on Ossie’s Legacy,” on Friday, April 18 at The Machine Shed restaurant in Woodbury. (more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]

Dr. Steve Arnold assumed the role of University chaplain on June 1. Arnold has ambitious goals to transform the ministry into one that is cutting edge and exemplary. He plans to interview various campus constituents to uncover ways the ministry can serve more than just students. (more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]

The Center for Hmong Studies hosted the second biennial International Conference on Hmong Studies, April 11-13 on Concordia’s campus. (more…)

Popularity: 12% [?]

(more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]