Concordia Cohorts

Kim Schmidt started Design Details, a Twin Cities residential design firm, in 1995. Today, Design Details partners with R&R Construction to provide homeowners and new construction clients with top-notch design and construction services that incorporate current trends reflecting each client’s unique style. In our first Emerging Artist Cohort Conversation of the year, Kim will discuss the details of being an interior designer, small business owner, and project manager and explain the fine art of guiding and supporting clients.

Tim Urban (CA ‘00) has followed a career path from mechanical engineer to product engineer to his current role as Director of Product Management at Northridge Home, a furniture and home furnishings manufacturing company. In this STEM Cohort Conversation, he’ll touch on the vast range of engineering opportunities, provide guidance to help students determine if engineering might be of interest as a career option, and discuss how he tries to honor the Lord with his work.

Herbert Johnson, Professor of Music, teaches piano, piano theory, and piano pedagogy at Bethel University. He is also an active solo and collaborative pianist in the Twin Cities, participating in chamber music recitals, worship services, and sacred concerts. Join Professor Johnson for this Emerging Artist Cohort Conversation as he discusses his training, career path, and experiences with sacred and secular music, both in classrooms and concert settings.

With over 45 years of experience in commercial real estate, David Frauenshuh’s name is synonymous with honesty and integrity within the industry. His company, Frauenshuh Inc., specializes in developing and financing medical facilities. While you can see the Frauenshuh name on numerous Twin Cities buildings, it also extends to properties throughout the country. Join David for this Humanities Scholar Cohort Conversation as he discusses his company and career, explains the importance of giving back to others across the globe, and shares how humility, hard work, family, and faith are at the core of his company...and his life.

Marla Urban has a Master of Nursing degree from the University of Minnesota and currently works as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse in a level IV NICU. She’ll share her path to a career in nursing, the benefits of such a diverse occupation, and tips and tricks for those interested in pursuing a nursing career. 

Halle Rittgers and Hadley Rittgers are young local artists already making their mark in the professional community. Halle is a painter and mixed media artist; Hadley specializes in ceramics and jewelry.  Come and observe both the unique and the common elements found in the creativity of these twin sisters.

Tom Kuseske is a Concordia Academy legend. He shared his passion and love for history as a teacher and coach at CA for 31 years. His wonderful ability to tell a story makes history come alive to anyone who is listening, and you can experience that Mr. K. magic for yourself at this Cohort Conversation.

For 15 years, Tracy Keizer has been working in psychiatry, including ten years at Regions Hospital, where she currently serves as Lead Advanced Practice Clinician as well as the Psychiatry Advanced Practice Clinician Fellowship Director. In her STEM Cohort Conversation, Dr. Keizer will explain how she found her calling to practice psychiatry and share with students the educational pathway she took to become a Certified Physician Assistant.

Chris Fink (CA ‘96) has been telling stories for his whole career. With an extensive background in broadcast journalism, Chris currently creates and produces videos through his company, Upswing Creative. In his Emerging Artist Cohort Conversation, Chris will share his experiences in the world of video production, from freelance videographer to successful business owner, and discuss the lessons that he’s learned along the way about following your passion and making work fun.

Pastor Vue Lee grew up in an animistic home, but at the age of 23, he was baptized into the Christian faith. As he grew in his faith, God called him into the ministry of the church. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at King of Kings Lutheran Church and School in Roseville and also volunteers as a chaplain for the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. In his Humanities Cohort Conversation, Pastor Lee will discuss his work with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department and explain how God works through him in incidents ranging from scenes of death to search and rescue operations for missing persons. 
 

In his career as a Building Agent and Field Specialist, Wes Tacheny (CA ’18) finds himself knee-deep in biology, sometimes literally. Wes, a HAAG Engineering-Certified Commercial Building Inspector who studied biology at Bethel University, will discuss how biology regularly plays a key role in his job and explain how his education led to his current role at BA Roofing and Construction.

Rebecca Hed (CA ’17), a member of CA’s first Emerging Artist Cohort, graduated from Bethel University with an art major and now teaches art at CA. She’s also an award-winning duct tape artist whose work has been displayed throughout the country. A recipient of the Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship, she was a featured artist at the 2021 Taco Bell Franchisee Conference in Colorado Springs. Rebecca will discuss her experiences and share practical advice related to CA’s cohorts program, being an art major, and pursuing your passions. And she’ll bring free Taco Bell tacos and swag, too!

For over 40 years, John Linc Stine has made a difference as a public servant who protects and improves water throughout Minnesota and across the Great Lakes. John will discuss how, as Executive Director of Freshwater, he connects natural science, social action, and political awareness daily. He will also look back at his time serving the MN Department of Natural Resources, the MN Department of Health, and the MN Pollution Control Agency.

Join Ria Thurston, owner of [Ri&He] Photography, as she shares her story of owning a thriving photography business. Since 2009, she has photographed countless weddings, families, seniors, and other life milestones. Ria will talk about her photographic journey, serving Jesus through the arts, and her passion for encouraging others to pursue their God-given dreams. You'll be inspired by her infectious energy, real-world experience, exceptional talent, and deep faith.

Daily, Jason Campagna brings science to life for 3M customers, in ways that go far beyond Post-It Notes! In his 29 years at 3M, he has worked in product and application development and managed their Innovation Center, a place to innovate, collaborate, and experience how to improve every life, every day. During this conversation, Jason will discuss how an interest in high school chemistry and physics led to degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from University of Minnesota. He'll also answer questions about his role at 3M, a Twin Cities-based Fortune 500 Company that connects science to millions of people across the globe every single day.

You can't have "history" without "story," and Paul Hillmer loves both. While doing research for his writing, which includes several books, numerous articles, and a documentary DVD series, he has traveled throughout the US, China, Thailand, Laos, Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, meeting fascinating people and encouraging them to share their unique stories. Dr. Hillmer will talk about the importance of people's personal stories in historical research and share anecdotes about individuals he's met during his journeys. Don't be surprised if, in addition to sharing his stories, he also shares a bit about some of his other passions: playing guitar, being a die-hard Twins fan, sailing, and serving as the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Concordia University, St. Paul.

Marita Meinerts Albinson's career began in Nashville where she joined a record company in marketing and communications roles, eventually touring the United States as a road manager for national artists and musicians, including the late Rich Mullins. Back in Minnesota and following three tenures totaling more than 10 years at the world-renowned Guthrie Theater, she is currently managing their communication and public relations strategies. Join Marita to get an insider's perspective on the music industry, professional theatre, and the intersection of faith and the arts.

Peter Zeller is an application engineer working for Trane, an international manufacturer of HVAC (heating ventilation & air conditioning) systems. He is a 2015 CA alumnus, and he graduated from Iowa State University in the spring of 2019 with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. In his free time, he also makes use of his engineering education as he enjoys designing and tinkering with 3D printing hobby projects. Peter will share his experience in studying to be an engineer and will offer advice to fellow Beacons who are considering becoming engineers themselves.

The Ramsey County Community Corrections department paves the way for safe and healthy communities through interventions that promote personal change and accountability. Working with and connecting with individuals is at the heart of the important work that Jason Mereness (CA '99) does as an adult probation supervisor for the Community Corrections Department. Join Jason as he shares stories of how probation, courts, and correctional institutions connect with people on a daily basis.

Anna Leigh Biedenbender works from multiple sources when creating her award-winning art. With a keen interest in exploring the human condition, her process includes photographic reference and direct observation, combining and translating this information through painting and drawing. As Anna works, she reflects on the intersections of personal identity, sanctuary, and relationship. In her Emerging Artist Cohort Conversation, Anna will answer questions about her painting process, show examples of her dynamic work, and share her feeling about being an artist who is a Christian. You can view her art at www.annaleighbiedenbender.com.

Tracy E. Berglund is passionate about inspiring generosity, and in her role as a financial advisor with Thrivent, she gets to do that on a daily basis. In her STEM Cohort Conversation, she'll discuss the educational path to her career, explain the role of a financial advisor (it's more than just crunching numbers), and share some of the benefits of working for a Christian organization such as Thrivent.

For much of U.S. history, the farm has been a key component of culture and a foundation for family life in America. Dan Kapernick, a 2005 CA graduate, and his wife Jenny are a part of that important tradition as owners and operators of Little Big Sky Farm, a diverse vegetable farm located in the beautiful Minnesota River Valley. The farm serves the Twin Cities and greater St. Peter/Mankato area by growing approximately 50 different vegetables on two acres of cultivated land. Join Dan as he discusses how working on an organic farm in high school planted the seeds of Little Big Sky Farm, the community-supported agriculture (CSA) movement, and what it means to serve...and feed...the community through farming.

Matthew Griswold (CA ’01) made the transition from US Army soldier to professional songwriter/musician in 2008, and after a short stint in Nashville and securing a publishing deal with Universal Music Group, he headed back to Minnesota and began his career of writing and producing songs for film and television. In 2018, he was even the focus of an episode of PBS’s “Prairie Musicians.” Matthew will talk about his career path, share some of his music, and explain his passion for being a “personal messenger.” Learn more at matthewgriswoldmusic.net.

As a project manager for Ryan Companies, Ashley Herman (CA ‘10) works with construction team members, subcontractors, and owners to create spaces that people live in, work in, and do life in. She’ll shed light on construction-related career paths, including architecture and engineering, virtual design and coordination, construction/project management, and field construction. Ashley will also allow students to explore a virtual building model with VR goggles.

Humanitarian Aid Worker Jen Meyerson (CA ‘03) has worked for missions groups, medical organizations, and the United Nations, living in refugee camps and areas of conflict. As the Director of Relief at Preemptive Love, she comes alongside families and creates programs that provide emergency food and healthcare in the midst of crisis. She also designs sustainable programs that offer job opportunities and support families as they rebuild their lives. In 2019, she launched programs in Syria, Iraq, Mexico, and Venezuela.

As a genetic counselor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Laura Fisher works to evaluate and understand a family's risk of inherited medical conditions, dealing with specialties such as cancer, cardiology, Neurofibromatosis, and whole exome sequencing. In this STEM Cohort Conversation, Laura will discuss the responsibilities and roles of genetic counselors, talk about the education required to become a genetic counselor, and share some case examples. 

LINC Twin Cities raises up and empowers leaders from multiple ethnic backgrounds to start outreach ministries like a restoration home for victims of sex trafficking, a network of Christ-centered small schools, and a grocery store in food dessert and more. In this Humanities Cohort Conversation, Pastor Ben Griffin, City Director for LINC Twin Cities, will talk about leading a non-profit, entrepreneurship, and working with diverse cultures to make a powerful impact in the community.

Herbert Johnson, Professor of Music, teaches piano, piano theory, and piano pedagogy at Bethel University. He is also an active solo and collaborative pianist in the Twin Cities, participating in chamber music recitals, worship services, and sacred concerts. For this Emerging Artist Cohort Conversation, join Professor Johnson as he discusses his training, career path, and experiences with sacred and secular music, both in classrooms and concert settings. (Note: This Cohort Conversation has been rescheduled from March 6.)