Established on 10.27.2021 by Dr. Heidi '04 and Jonathan '03 Kamrath

Heidi (Meiers)’04 Kamrath and Jonathan (Jon) ’03 Kamrath met at Concordia College and married shortly after graduation. Heidi and Jon were both raised in Minnesota. Heidi, daughter of Sonja (Boyum) and Bill Meiers, found her way to Concordia as the daughter of an alum (Bill Meiers ’73). A first-generation college student Jon, son of Jon and Kim (Boecker) Kamrath, was drawn there for the college’s strong legacy in education. In addition to academics, Heidi was involved in choir, and Jon wrestled on the varsity team. Both were deeply impacted by the dedicated faculty at the college. Because of this influence, they, in turn, were able to touch the lives of those around them, both personally and professionally. Jon’s degree in art education prepared him to influence the lives of thousands of students, inspiring many to a career in the arts. Later, as a professional public sculptor, he continued to influence the world around him through his creativity, ingenuity, and collaboration. Heidi’s degree in biology laid the foundation for her to fulfill her calling as a physician. As a neonatologist, she was privileged to use her skills to save the lives of premature and critically ill infants.

At Concordia, Jon and Heidi found the blending of science and the arts to be the perfect foundation for their relationship from which their family flourished, blessing them with three wonderful children Noah, Kyra, and Adeline. As a couple, Jon and Heidi remained dedicated to the Christian life as active members of their church communities. In establishing this fund, Jon and Heidi seek to support the liberal arts faculty whose hard work and dedication change the world by sending out thoughtful and informed students equipped to work hard and think creatively.

The primary purpose of the Meiers Kamrath Faculty Development Endowed Fund is to support professional development activities for deserving faculty at Concordia College on sabbatical. First preference will be given to faculty from the visual arts department, and second preference will be given to faculty from the biology, chemistry, or physics departments. If there are no qualified faculty from the visual arts or the science departments listed, the fund may then be used to support any faculty member on sabbatical. Should additional funding be available, these funds may be used for professional activities for faculty members to deepen engagement within their scholarly area of responsibility at the college.