Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026

Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionCollege/University Boards of Regents

Concordia University, Nebraska

11 candidates placed on this slate by the Committee for Convention Nominations. 5 link to a profile in the directory.

Candidates (11)

1.
Scott T. AdleImperial, NE
Zion, Imperial NE· Pastor· LCMS member 47 yrs

Personal statement

I was born and raised in North Platte, Neb. I graduated from Concordia University Nebraska in 2000 with a degree in theology. Following that I attended Western Nebraska Community College and received a degree in Aviation Maintenance. I later attended seminary and graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne in 2008 Since then, I served two parishes in Illinois and am currently a pastor in Imperial, Neb. I am married to Rosie, and we have six children.

Synod service

Years
  • 2

District service

Years
  • 7

Congregation service

Years
  • Pastor17
  • Vicarage Supervisor
2.
Luther C. BiggsLincoln, NE
Christ, Lincoln NE· Pastor Emer· LCMS member 60 yrs

Personal statement

I recognize that some of the greatest assets within our Synod are the universities that make up our Concor- dia system. For numerous decades our schools have equipped the saints to serve offices within our body as well as vOcations as Christian leaders. Over the course of my ministry, I have been blessed to serve congregations within which schools have been integral. Additionally, I have had the experience of teaching at our St. Louis seminary. I am committed to seeing that our schools continue to equip individuals vocationally in a manner that upholds the teachings, doctrines, and confessions of our church body. I truly believe that our schools are and should remain one of the crown jewels of ministry.

Congregation service

Years
  • Pastor41

Other service

  • Taught Evang. Class at
3.
John David Karl ZischkeFayette- ville, AR
Restoration, Fayetteville AR· Pastor· LCMS member 15 yrs

Personal statement

I am encouraged by the opportunity to serve as a regent of Concordia University, Nebraska, as a way of giving back to my alma mater and supporting Lutheran education in service to the church and the world. As an ordained pastor of the LCMS, I value Concordia's role in forming future pastors, teachers, church workers, and students prepared for faithful vocations beyond the church. I see this service as faithful stewardship within our shared confession and mission, supporting congregations by strengthening Lutheran higher education. I would approach this role with gratitude, clarity ofpurpose, and commitment to Concordia's long-term faithfulness and vitality.

Synod service

Years
  • Adv. Team Mem. Church Planting Com
  • Certified Coach/ Trainer Ctr. For U.S. Miss
  • LCMSU Pastor8
  • Conv. Deleg

District service

Years
  • Miss. 4
  • Mem./Secy. Fl. Com. Miss. & Min. Com

Other service

  • Adv. Bd. Mem. St. John's Luth. Child Care Ctr
  • Fund Devel
4.
Craig A. ErnstmeyerSt. Peter's, MO
Messiah, Weldon Spring MO· Dir. of Operations & Devel· LCMS member 53 yrs

Personal statement

As a graduate of CUNE, I am excited about the potential of continuing to serve as a member of the Board of Regents! In the ever-changing world in which we live, the timeless truth of the Gospel the Con- cordia system provides needs to continue to be the top priority. The Lutheran education landscape is changing, and we need to provide our K-12 schools with teachers ready to equip future generations. This happensbest through preparation at universities like CUNE. Our schools continue to grow with students who don't know Jesus, and teachers need to be equipped to share Him with others.

Synod service

Years
  • 7
  • School Min. Cons9
  • Cons./Capt22

District service

  • Vice-Chm. Bd. of Ed. Serv.9
  • Governance Com

Other service

Years
  • Assoc. of Luth. Secondary Schools Bd. Mem5
  • Luth. Elem. School Assoc. of St. Louis Adv. Coun3
5.
John KrauseMaryville, IL
Good Shepherd, Collinsille IL· Prin· LCMS member 64 yrs

Personal statement

I am honored to be nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of the LCMS, where I have held membership for my entire life. I believe that my 42 years of service as a commissioned minister uniquely qualify me to bring a healthy perspective on the role of schools in our LCMS and the importance of sharing the Gospel with people of all ages. We are at a critical time in our life together, one in which the love of Jesus needs to be lifted up in our Synod as we come together to teach about Christ crucified to all. Also candidate for: Board of Regents, Seward

Other service

Years
  • Fundraising
  • Tchr41
  • Admissions Couns
  • Asst. Prof. Behavioral Serv
  • Exec. Dir. High School Assn
6.
Alan Paul RungeRoscoe, IL
· Head of School· LCMS member 59 yrs

Personal statement

the LCMS as a commissioned teacher. I am deeply connected and committed to our Lutheran universities of the CUS, where eight of niy 22 years of professional experience were served at Concordia University Texas as its provost. I am conmmitted to help ing CUNE continue to be highly relevant to today's students while remaining firmly grounded in its Lutheran identity. I will leverage my experiences in higher education, executive leadership, finances, fundraising, and operations to supporting Concordia wherever I can.

District service

  • School Min

Congregation service

  • Elder
  • Min. Support Team

Other service

Years
  • Head of Schoo/12
  • Pres./ Luth. Assoc. of St. Louis
  • Provost 8
  • Dean of Academic Affairs DeVry Univ8
  • Asst. Prof. 2
  • Fundrais- ing. lam a proud alum of Concordia University
  • Nebraska
  • through which I completed studies to attain rostered status in
7.
Dan BumanBennington, NE
· Dir. of Nuclear Oversight & Strategic Asset Mgt· LCMS member 33 yrs

Personal statement

I have had the wonderful opportunity to have served on the Concordia University, Nebraska, Foundation Board since 2019. To be able to witness how the Lord is using this facility in the lives of the students has truly been a blessing to me.

Synod service

Years
  • Found. Bd7
  • Conv. Deleg

District service

  • Conv. Deleg

Other service

Years
  • Energy Federal Credit Union11
8.
Christopher Paul HeinsHigginsville, MO
· Owner/C00· LCMS member 40 yrs

Personal statement

Our forefathers and the faithful congregations of generations past labored hard to build this uniquely Lutheran university as well as countless other Christ-centered foundations and pillars upon which we rely today. Too often we abandon their work becausewe have strayed from the Word that they stood upon or we are simply too lazy to uphold it. I am eager to serve on this board because CUNE still endeavors to thread that needle, and I am equally anxious to assist her staff and students in helping her remain a vibrant part of the confessional integrity of our church.

District service

  • Conv. Deleg.

Congregation service

Years
  • Elder4
  • Trustee3
  • Mem. Building Com1
  • Mem. Strategic Plng. 1
  • Mem. Call Com2

Other service

Years
  • Corp. Mem. Midwest Dairy Assoc2
  • Mem. Missou- ri-Kansas Div. Midwest Dairy Assoc13
9.Jonathan D. Schultz
10.
Douglas P. TewesBennet, NE
Messiah, Lincoln NE· Orthopedic Surgeon· LCMS member 58 yrs

Personal statement

Pres. NE Orthopedic Ctr. I have been honored to serve on the Board of Regents for CUNE for the last three years. During that time, I have served on the strategic planning committee and am currently chair of the committee. If reelected, I would expect to continue progress on the current strategic plan and assist the staff and board in the process of establishing the next strategic plan for CUNE. I havea particular interest in continuing the emphasis on the preparationof servant leaders for the church and world.

Synod service

  • 3. Found. Bd. 18

Congregation service

Years
  • Call Com3
  • Tchr8

Other service

Years
  • CUNETeam Physician
  • Managing Partner16
11.
Stan UllerichCouncil Bluffs, IA
Timothy, Council Bluffs IA· Prof. Emer. of Economics· LCMS member 65 yrs

Personal statement

My career in higher education at a highly selective state university and a selective private collegewih visiting stints at an R-1 land grant applied international university's campus and "one of the Concordias"-has provided experiences well suited to benefit CUNES board and its students. Continued service in my home congregation our circuit lowa District West and RSOs (LFS LCEF BLHS) attest to my desire to "Grow God's Family, Show God's Love." The recruitment, mentoring, andeducating of tomorrow's leaders as they excel in their chosen vocations is CUNE's purpose. Only with continual increases inacademic expectations and in scholarly endeavors can this be done. I hope to assist in CUNE'S growth.

District service

  • Endowment & Legacy Com

Congregation service

  • Elder
  • Fin. Secy
  • Cong. Pres
  • Midweek Tchr
  • Stewp. Com. Mem

Other service

  • LFS
  • LCEF
  • College Prof
  • Dean School of Business

About this position

Concordia University, Nebraska — Board of Regents. 4 seats up for election. Authorized by 2023 Handbook, pp. 171–78..

Conditions for election →

Other slates for College/University Boards of Regents

Source: Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees, 69th Regular Synod Convention (Phoenix, Ariz., July 18–23, 2026), published by the Office of the Secretary. Bios key →