Established on 04.25.2019 by the Estates of Dr. Cornell '53 and Diana Runestad, Eric '93 and Anna '94 Runestad, and Kurt Runestad and Carly Woythaler-Runestad
Cornell Runestad attended public schools in South Dakota and graduated from high school in Oklee, Minnesota, in 1949. Cornell graduated with a music major from Concordia in 1953 and then taught high school choral music at schools in Princeton, Minnesota, and Kenosha, Wisconsin for 10 years. He received his M.A. from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Illinois. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and served two years with the Seventh Infantry Division, U.S. Army in Korea. He married Diana (Rogovin) Runestad, also a music teacher, in 1965 and had two sons, Kurt and Eric ’93. He directed the Chapel Choir at Concordia from 1968-1970 under his mentor, Dr. Paul J. Christiansen. Cornell moved to Wayne, Nebraska, in 1970 where he taught choral music at Wayne State College until his retirement in 1995. Cornell loved to travel, making nearly 40 trips abroad during his lifetime, many of which were with his college choirs. Cornell died January 4, 2019 and was preceded in death by Diana in 1984. Cornell was a man known for his kindness, humility, independence, optimism and faith.
The purpose of this endowed scholarship is to provide encouragement to students who desire a Concordia education. The Dr. Cornell '53 and Diana Runestad Endowed Scholarship in Music is awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to students participating in one of Concordia’s many choirs.