FOR MORE INFORMATION:
ERIC JOHNSON, Alumni Relations director
(218) 299-3447
AMY KELLY, College Communications and Media Relations director
(218) 299-3642
CONCORDIA HONORED ALUMNI WITH AWARDS
DURING HOMECOMING 2019
Concordia College announces 2019 Alumni Achievement Awards to Dr. Paul Brandvik ’59, Dr. Kristi (Martinson) Ferguson ’71, the Rev. Ann Svennungsen ’77, and Dr. Thomas W. Samuelson ’81. Awards were presented at the Homecoming Banquet, Friday, Oct. 11.
Brandvik, professor emeritus of music at Bemidji State University, served as director of choral activities for 31 years. He earned his Master of Music in voice from the University of Wisconsin and Doctor of Musical Arts in choral music from the University of Illinois. Brandvik received several awards, guest conducted more than 100 festivals and workshops in 16 states and abroad, and composed, edited or arranged more than 50 works.
Ferguson, is professor emeritus of General Internal Medicine and served as director for the Office of Consultation and Research in Medical Education at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine from 1995-2018. She earned a master’s and doctorate at the University of Michigan and spent her career at Carver College where she greatly influenced the development, implementation, and evaluation of the curriculum. She’s served on committees for several national organizations and recently was elected as vice chair of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago Board of Directors.
Svennungsen, bishop of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod, is the first female bishop to serve in any of the ELCA’s six Minnesota synods. Svennungsen previously served churches in Iowa City, Edina and Moorhead, and as president and CEO of The Fund for Theological Education and president of Texas Lutheran University. A well-respected theologian and speaker, she is published in numerous journals, and is invited to lecture, preach, and provide keynote and commencement addresses.
Samuelson, a board-certified ophthalmologist, is a founding partner and attending surgeon at Minnesota Eye Consultants, P.A., Minneapolis, adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota and on the faculty of Hennepin County Medical Center. He earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota. Samuelson has received several awards, has been named to America’s Top Doctors each year since 2002, written numerous articles and given more than 600 presentations around the world.
Chosen by the National Alumni Board, the Alumni Achievement Award is given to alumni who have exemplified the ideals of Concordia College through outstanding service and leadership in their profession, community and church.
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