The Blog

Edgrens Receive Hall of Faith Award

Each year, the board chooses one or two individuals or couples to receive the Hall of Faith Award. This award is presented for years of service at Nebraska Christian–be it through teaching, giving of time and finances, promoting the school, or being involved in other ways on campus, these individuals have made an impact on Nebraska Christian and its students.

This year, the board selected Dr. David & Kathy Edgren to receive this award. Advisory Council member Dave Ferris presented the award at the Harvest Festival on November 13. Below is some of what he had to say:

When the 2000-2001 school year began, the Nebraska Christian school board was still searching for a new K-12 superintendent. That search came to a close in late September, when Dr. David Edgren was hired. Dave and his wife Kathy arrived at a critical time in Nebraska Christian’s history, and he instituted many changes that have helped Nebraska Christian become the school it is today.

Under Dave’s leadership, the international program was vastly expanded, Encouragement Groups for students began, a new class called Cultural Literacy was started to help our students fill in the gaps that might exist in their education, and the board instituted its current Policy-Governance board model. Dave also believed in the power of prayer, and he began the prayer meetings that were held at the beginning of each semester. During the summer months, he frequently gathered the summer staff together for prayer meetings.

More memorable than any institutional changes, though, was Dave’s heart for people. He wanted to make sure that everyone associated with the school—students, parents, faculty & staff, board members, donors, and even former staff—knew that he appreciated them. He did this by sending cards to students on their birthdays, giving each staff member a copy of one of his favorite CDs, mailing Christmas gifts to donors, and giving lamps and rocking chairs to people who served at NC for many years.

The Edgrens together have a heart for international students which was readily apparent to any students who attended NC during Dave’s tenure. Kathy spent many hours tutoring international students, and Dave made sure to help the students assimilate to life in America while still affirming their individual cultures.

For their years of service to the Lord at Nebraska Christian, we are pleased to present the 2015 Hall of Faith Award to Dr. David & Kathy Edgren.