Alumni Notes
The history of Concordia St. Paul is written by the lives of our alumni, so big news or small, we want to hear it all! If you have landed a promotion, welcomed a new family member, or moved to a new city, let us know by submitting an alumni note. Help us fill our future publications with the incredible things our alumni are doing.
-
Tom Evans
Tom Evans, B.A. ’81 has written a book to be released on May 22 entitled “Called to Grieve”. Leveraging thirty-five years of ministry and his own death-grief experiences, Rev. Tom Evans offers a practical guide to help people navigate death’s physical and spiritual transitions so they can grieve their loss and move forward to a…
-
Laurel Jonas (Frey)
Laurie (Frey) Jonas, B.A. ’80 published a children’s book teaching children the parts of prayer. It is titled “My Sandwich Prayer” and is available on Amazon.
-
Emilie Leach
Emilie Leach, B.A. ’24 is now working at Salem Health in Oregon. She shares, “At one point in my life, I couldn’t imagine being where I am today, but I did it.”
-
Barbara Gurney (Brockmann)
Barbara (Brockmann) Gurney, B.A. ’70 passed away on March 4, 2025.
-
Domonique Gilmer
Domonique Gilmer, B.A. ’12 was named to Black Leaders Worldwide’s 2025 Men to Watch list, honoring his impactful leadership in education, community development, and economic empowerment. A dedicated educator, entrepreneur, and doctoral candidate, Domonique is transforming lives through resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to generational change.
-
Deborah Zupito
Deborah Zupito, Ed.D ’23 founded Treehouse Minds with a core mission and vision for future excellence in all things Early Childhood Education. They advocate for the field while supporting and enriching the lives of children, parents, and educators, upholding excellence and quality initiatives in ECE. From strong roots, healthy growth occurs, and far-reaching perspectives become…
-
William Utech
William, B.A. ’81 and Lori (Luckwaldt), B.A. ’81 Utech authored and published “From Acts To Action — A 90-Day Devotional Journey to Missional Living”. If you’d like to experience the Lord of the Church working through you and your congregation to make an eternal difference in the lives of your family, friends, neighborhood, and community,…
-
Amanda Johnson
Amanda Johnson, B.A. ’08, M.A. ’14 won NSIC Coach of the Year. She has led the Golden Bears to a program-best 26-2 regular season record and the NSIC Regular Season Championship.
-
Ashley Farrington
Ashley Farrington, M.Ed. ’15, Ed.S ’17, is one of three Minnesota National Distinguished Principal Award finalists. One principal is chosen annually from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Peers in their home states nominates public school principals.
-
Diane Johnston (Schultz)
Diane M. (Schultz) Johnston, B.A. ’83 shares that her husband, Tracy Johnston, passed away from GBM brain cancer on Dec. 14, 2024. She retired from 40 years of teaching in Lutheran Schools in June 2024 to care for him. She is blessed to have been married for 35 years and been gifted her wonderful daughter…
-
Nancy Johnson (Verdon)
Nancy (Verdon) Johnson, A.A. ’77 retired on December 31, 2024 as Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Hillsdale College in Mich. after 31 years of employment there. Her husband of 48 years, Lee Daniel (Dan) Johnson, B.A. ’77 retired in 2021 after 40 years of pastoral ministry. Dan and I have five married children…
-
Richard Pape
Richard Pape, A.A. ’66, B.A. ’69 celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination on July 20, 2025. Additionally, he had his wife Sylvia celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on August 7, 1967.