SEWARD, NEBRASKA (May 11, 2026) — On May 9, nearly 500 Concordia University, Nebraska undergraduate and graduate students were awarded degrees. The class of 2026 was honored during a commencement ceremony held in the Walz Human Performance Complex.
Jake Nelms of Geneseo, Illinois, earned a Bachelor of Science.
Pastor Ryan Matthias, the campus chaplain, delivered this year's commencement address. Matthias has served at Concordia since 2008. Prior to his arrival, Matthias was a counselor for juvenile delinquents and ran boot camps for youth who were legally challenged. He also served as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa.
In his speech, Matthias spoke about the legacy of grace and peace, how that legacy began with the commencement of the university in 1894 and how it continues with this year's service.
"Every vocation is vital, and every graduate needs the grace and peace of God," he said.
"Each day is a mini commencement. Who knows what God will bring? For the baptism of a student, it starts the divine journey home. The music of Christmas at Concordia ushers in a peaceful advent with the echoes of a manger scene. Some meet their future spouses on innocuous days. Whatever day it might be, God is involved."
"And then we have the final commencement, like our beloved student Matthew Wing, who received the greatest call of all. We await that day," he added.
"Until then, though, each day commences with the grace and peace of God our Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In twenty-five years, it will still be the same. God be praised."
Graduates are listed alphabetically by state [with the exception of Nebraska first and international locations last], city and last name.
Illinois
Lars Gindler, Collinsville, Illinois, BA, CLE
Josiah Seabaugh, Elmhurst, Illinois, BA
Jake Nelms, Geneseo, Illinois, BS
Nichole Lentino, Hampshire, Illinois, MEd
Arabella Blakeley, Havana, Illinois, BA
Lauren Holmlund, Loves Park, Illinois, MEd
Odaly Medina, South Elgin, Illinois, MS
Ethan Kirby, Stewardson, Illinois, BA
Hannah Weaver, Stewardson, Illinois, BS Ed, LTD
Hannah Schauer, Union, Illinois, BS Ed, LTD
Iowa
Teagan Meyer, Alta, Iowa, BS Ed
Joseph Follett, Ankeny, Iowa, BA
Faith Anderson, Boone, Iowa, MEd
Westley Determan, Cedar Falls, Iowa, BA
Bronx Lewis, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, BA
Autumn Consier, Churdan, Iowa, BA
Annah Heck, Coon Rapids, Iowa, MA
Joel Smith, Earlham, Iowa, BA
Andrew Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa, BS
Paige Melohn, Manson, Iowa, BS
Leah Fett, Panora, Iowa, BS Ed, LTD
Madeline Lewis, Traynor, Iowa, BS
Alayna Laughridge, Waterloo, Iowa, BS Ed, LTD
Grace Zaugg, Watkins, Iowa, B.S.Ed.
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully-accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
