CUI Alumni Association

Tom Stueve

Class of '89

Lutheran high school teacher Tom Stueve ’89 empowers students to excel in science and on the stage, leading a solar-car-building team and a theater program in Oregon.

Celina (Stratton) Giles

Class of '17

Stratton came to Concordia from San Diego — where she grew up an avid Chargers fan — and served in student leadership. Concordia’s emphasis on servant leadership made a strong impression on her.

Devon Molitor

Class of '12

Devon Molitor joined the Marine Corps right out of high school as a nuclear-biological-chemical defense specialist, and served in Iraq to train police and border patrol. He then worked his way up in the field of occupational safety and today is a director and associate vice president in his group at AECOM, the mammoth global company that designs and builds large-scale projects like bridges, airports, stadiums, and much more.

Margueritte Aozasa

Class of MCAA ’21

UCLA Bruins women’s soccer coach Margueritte Aozasa, MCAA ’21, led the Bruins to an NCAA title, becoming the first coach in NCAA women’s soccer history to win a national championship in her first year.

Rev. Stephen Heimer

Class of MA '11

Rev. Stephen Heimer, MA '11 serves as the Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, leads worship weekly at Ysleta Mission in Ciudad Juarez, and performs in the Mariachi San Pablo, a hymn-playing mariachi band that he founded.

Cindy Steinbeck and Steve Schedler

Class of MA ’02 and '84

Cindy Steinbeck, MA ’02 and Steve Schedler ’84 both walked through seasons of great personal hardship. Now, as spouses and partners in the Voice in the Vineyard Ministry, they are supporting ministers with teaching, renewal retreats, and the healing power of relationship.

Christopher Aceves

Class of '22

Christopher Aceves’s ’22 innovative original costumes for a recent Concordia theatre presentation earned him the nation’s highest collegiate costuming award—a first for any Concordia student.

Chris and Beth Vecera

Class of '11, MA '14, and '13

Chris Vecera ‘11, MA ‘14, and his wife Beth ‘13 followed their dream to start their own coffee roasting company and established Naysayer Coffee, a coffee roastery and shop, in Napa in 2019.

Joshua McArthur

Class of MA '22

Joshua McArthur, MA ‘22, wanted to refocus his career as the Director of Culture at High Brew Coffee and chose to attend Concordia’s Townsend Institute to pursue his master's in organizational leadership and culture because of the program’s faith element.

Nick Holton

Class of '06

Nick Holton ’06, coaches his three kids’ baseball and softball teams. In his son's baseball league, teams choose colleges as their team names. When Concordia found out that Holton's little league team is the Concordia Eagles, the University donated shirts to all players, then invited them to be special guests at a home game.

Anthony Johnson

Class of MA '19

Anthony Johnson, MA ’19 has enjoyed three careers—one as a successful NFL running back, another as a longtime NFL team chaplain, and now, with the help of the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, as a counselor with a burgeoning practice in Florida.

Gian-Marco and Sara Ciallella

Class of '11

G.M. works for the Anaheim Ducks, a National Hockey League (NHL) team, and today runs the club’s digital marketing strategy and campaigns, plus the esports division (the Ducks’ presence in video games). Meanwhile, Sara became a physical therapist at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton (not the children’s hospital). She is board-certified in Neurological Physical Therapy (NCS) and presently leads a team in spinal cord rehabilitation.

Teresa Flynn-Everett

Class of '97, MA ‘08

Theresa Flynn-Everett ‘97, MA ‘08, is a principal at Perris Elementary School in Riverside County, a professional speaker and author, and Concordia University Irvine’s Alumna of the Year: Professional Development. Currently, Flynn-Everett is pursuing her doctoral degree in educational leadership at Concordia University Irvine and shares her story of how faith and purpose drive her forward.

Eric Velazquez

Class of '99

Eric Velazquez ‘99 went from sports and fitness journalism to walking a police beat on the streets of his hometown, Murrieta. He is this year’s winner of the Alumnus of the Year: Distinguished Service Award.

Sarah Dubbeldam

Class of '05

A former catalog model for brands like Target and Crocs, Sarah wanted to promote positive body images and lifestyle habits for women. She founded Darling Media, and flagship publication Darling magazine, which in the last ten years has led a sea change in the way women are depicted in advertising and fashion photography.

Jon-Thomas (J.T.) Royston

Class of '15

Concordia University Irvine alumnus Jon-Thomas (J.T.) Royston ’15 is helping give voice to the world’s conversation on racial injustice through film, acting as a producer in the 2020 film Black Boys. The project is a tribute to young black men and boys in America that honors his upbringing.

Justin Winn

MBA ‘20

Recent graduate Justin Winn, MBA ’20, has served on active duty with the U.S. Army for nearly 15 years, rising from an entry-level position as a helicopter mechanic to become a commissioned officer specializing in human resources. When Winn got the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree, he chose to come to Concordia Irvine to earn his MBA.

Katherine Pond

Class of '05

Katherine Pond ’05 has been a strong supporter of Concordia since she was a young adult. She has been involved in the mentor program and Concordia University Irvine’s Business Insight Series breakfasts. This year, Concordia University Irvine named her the Alumna of the Year for Professional Achievement.

Heather Manning

Class of '94

Heather Manning ’94 and husband Mark Manning ’94 started Searchlight Ministries, a Lutheran Church in Orange, in 2001, and soon became known as a church where families and kids with special needs are welcome. Heather was recognized with the Alumna of the Year for Distinguished Service award.

Christian Guebert

Class of '10

Christian Guebert ’10 is an accomplished young arranger and handbell expert who is making a name for himself in the field of music. Concordia University Irvine awarded him as the first alumnus to receive the G.O.L.D. (Graduate Of the Last Decade) Alumni Award.

Tom Pfotenhauer

Class of '99

Tom Pfotenhauer ’99 set the record for most saves as the goal-keeper for men’s soccer, and started every game but one in four years. This year, Concordia University Irvine inducted Tom into the Hall of Fame for soccer.

Tristen (Ryan) Holton

Class of '06

Tristen (Ryan) Holton ’06 had a knack for sinking three-point shots, and set records at Concordia University Irvine in her four years on the women’s basketball team. Tristen was inducted into the Hall of Fame for women’s basketball at Homecoming 2020.

Tlaloc Venancio

Class of '07

Tlaloc Venancio ’07 grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, and was working in the agricultural fields by the time he was eight. An older brother brought him to San Diego, and a high school coach recruited him to run cross country. His running talent opened a door for him to attend Concordia Irvine. This year, Tlaloc was inducted into Concordia’s Hall of Fame for track and field.

Brooke (Marino) Nicholson

Class of '12

Brooke (Marino) Nicholson ’12, MCAA ’17 was relatively short to play volleyball at 5’10”, but was able to come in under the radar, rack up a number of personal awards and help her team win its first national championship. Brooke has been inducted into the Concordia Irvine Hall of Fame for women’s volleyball.

Curtis "Badger" Smith

Class of ‘80

Curtis “Badger” Smith ’80 was among the first students to enroll at the newly-created Christ College (now Concordia University Irvine). In a first-person essay, he recalls what those early days were like.

Sarah Herron

Class of '19

Outstanding long-jumper Sarah Herron ’19 became the first woman from Concordia University Irvine and the PacWest conference to be an NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 honoree.

Ryan Ellis

Class of '03

Ryan Ellis ’03 helped the Eagles win their first men’s basketball national championship. Today, he is president of Travis Mathew, the hottest men's apparel brand for work and play.

Matthew Busch

Class of '12

As a professor of trumpet at Nanhai Conservatory of Music, Matthew Busch '12 is educating students in China about the value of western music, and improving artistic standards for orchestral wind instrument music.

Scott Esswein, '15 & Ariana Sadeghipour, '17

Class of '15, Class of '17

Scott Esswein ’15 and Ariana Sadeghipour ’17 not only met at Concordia University Irvine, but both served as ASCUI president during their time as students.

Chris Singer

Class of '91, MA '03

Rev. Chris Singer ’91, MA ’03, is the recipient of the 2018 Servant Leadership Award, which he will receive at Concordia’s annual Gala of Stars in April 2018.

Matthew Hansen

Class of '84

Matthew Hansen '84, mathematics teacher and dean of academics at Orange Lutheran High School, received this year’s Distinguished Service Award from Concordia University Irvine, honoring his more than thirty years of teaching and pioneering in the sciences.

Jessica Paris

ABSN '13

Jessica decided to become a nurse after spending seven weeks in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with her daughter, born at 28 weeks.

Kevin McCaffrey, MCAA '11 & Mark Edgemon, MCAA '15

Both Mark & Kevin are now instructors for the CSADA (California State Athletic Directors Association) conference. Mark was recently named President of the CSADA. He presented Kevin with the Rookie AD of the Year Award. Kevin is the Athletic Director of University High School in Irvine. 

Henry Alonzo

MBA '09, 2018 Concordia University Irvine Alumnus of the Year, Founder & CEO of Adarga Entertainment Group

A marketing, development, and publishing company for the music business who has helped his clients earn seven Latin Grammy awards (among many other things), has recently accepted a position as part-time Program Director at Azusa Pacific University for their new Master's degree in Music Business. He "blames Concordia University Irvine" for his success.

Joe Cruz

Class of '07

Joe caddied for Adam Hadwin at the Valspar Championship in Florida, guiding Hadwin to his first PGA tour victory. On 16, Hadwin lost his tee shot in the water and made double-bogey. Joe kept Hadwin focused. Hadwin gained his confidence back and with a final par, won the Championship. Now just shy of the Top 50 in the world, Hadwin earned a spot in the Masters where Joe will caddie for Hadwin again.

Natalie Elliott, MAED '15

Teacher of the Year

Elliott has been a teacher at an elementary school in Watts, CA for nearly a decade – driving 10-12 hours each week to serve these students. She was recently named Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year. Elliott was one of seven teachers from the Los Angeles Unified School District who joined 11 others from across LA County to compete for the 2017 California Teacher of the Year.

Chris & Katie Pond

2017 Gala of Stars co-chairs

This dynamic pair of alumni with huge hearts for Christ and the mission of Concordia have served Concordia University Irvine in countless ways. In 2013, Chris joined the Alumni Board of Directors and in 2016 was Board President, leading its officers and directors to "dream big" and continue to support Concordia through time, talents, and treasures; encouraging others to do the same. Katie brought her powerful presence serving as co-chair with her husband for the 2017 Gala of Stars which exceeded expectations of valuable donor support for student scholarships. Her vision, commitment, and humble servant heart was experienced by all at this impactful event. Chris now serves on the Board of Trustees for Concordia University Irvine and continues to "dream big" as Concordia grows while constantly serving The Great Commission of Christ Jesus.

Audrey Biesk

Class of '14

Currently a reporter for WMBF News ABC affiliate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Audrey, a Mass Communication Studies major with a minor in Global Cultural Studies and an Around the World II participant, is most comfortable interviewing someone. She believes that "everyone has a voice and deserves their story to be told." Audrey shares that "Concordia taught me what it means to follow your dreams and trust in The Lord with all your heart. I learned what true surrender is in being a faithful servant. That allowed me to feel blessed every single day walking on Concordia's campus and I will always take that with my future endeavors!"

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Ryan Kauth

Class of '14, MCAA '16

Ryan has found his fit as the new Interim Head Swim & Dive Coach at Biola University. Kauth comes to Biola after spending the last three years as an assistant coach at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana and at Concordia University Irvine. Committed to his gifts, Kauth swam for Concordia University Irvine and was president of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) while completing his undergrad in Exercise and Sports Science and then on to complete his Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration.

Jason Negro

Class of MCAA ’21

Coach Jason Negro, a standout graduate of Concordia's Masters of Coaching and Athletics Administration program, has excelled as a high school football coach, guiding St. John Bosco Catholic School to national titles while prioritizing the holistic development of his players. Despite tempting opportunities in higher-level coaching, Coach Negro remains devoted to shaping young lives, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and education by furthering his academic qualifications alongside coaching triumphs.

Naseri Tumanuvao

Class of ’14

Naseri Tumanuvao, a standout athlete from Western Samoa, found his passion for volleyball upon moving to the U.S., leading Concordia's men's team to a national championship in its inaugural season and earning induction into the CUI Athletics Hall of Fame. Despite his humble beginnings and transition to a new country, Tumanuvao's dedication to volleyball propelled him to success, both as a player and now as a coach, impacting lives positively through his passion for the sport and mentoring young athletes.