Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated for the 2025 Alumni Awards. Following nominations for the Neale M. Shank Award, Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Alumni Award, the following have been chosen as this year's recipients:
Distinguished Alumni Award: David Lupke (’82)
We are honored to recognize David Lupke with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his lifelong dedication to education, conservation, the arts, and his faithful service to the Fort Wayne community.
A native of Fort Wayne and a 1982 graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School, David went on to study Biology with a Concentration in Environmental Studies at Williams College, graduating in 1987. His studies took him around the world, from researching giraffes in Kenya and chorus frogs on Isle Royale to forestry work in the Berkshires. After graduation, David taught Field Biology at the Centre for Rainforest Studies in Queensland, Australia, and later conducted bird research in Papua New Guinea under a Conservation International grant.
In 1989, David returned to Fort Wayne to join the family business, Lupke Rice Insurance, where he currently serves as President. He furthered his insurance education at the Commercial Union Insurance School in Boston and at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
David’s passion for service has extended into many areas of the community. He has served on the boards of Arts United, Stockbridge Audubon, ARCH, Friends of the Parks, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Indiana Landmarks. He has also advised the Center for Historic Preservation at Ball State University, The Nature Conservancy of Indiana, and the Little River Wetlands Project, and was appointed by Governor Daniels to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Advisory Council.
Today, David continues his strong commitment to Lutheran education and the arts, serving as President of the Concordia Educational Foundation, a Trustee of the University of St. Francis, and on the boards of the Allen County Courthouse Preservation Trust and the Fort Wayne Ballet.
In his free time, David enjoys travel, photography, fishing, paddling, woodworking, and birding.
Distinguished Service Award: Kurt Gutman (‘88)
We are honored to present the Distinguished Service Award to Kurt Gutman in recognition of his outstanding dedication to Concordia Lutheran High School, Lutheran education, and the Fort Wayne community.
Kurt and his wife, Carrie (also ’88), are lifelong residents of Fort Wayne and proud Concordia graduates. Together, they have raised three children—Katie, Emily, and Joe—who are also Concordia graduates. The Gutmans are active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne.
Kurt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and has worked in financial services since 2000. He holds numerous licenses, including FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, and 66, as well as Life/Health and Property/Casualty Insurance licenses. He is also a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), supporting individuals and institutions with fiduciary responsibilities, budgeting, and portfolio management.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Kurt is deeply involved in the community. He serves as a Board Member of both the Concordia Education Association and the Concordia Education Foundation, is a Lutheran Foundation delegate, a Commissioner on the Allen County Redevelopment Commission, and the assistant Boys Soccer Coach at Concordia Lutheran High School.
Neale M. Shank Award: Kyle Thoms (’04)
We are proud to honor Kyle Thoms with the Neale M. Shank Award for his faithful commitment to Lutheran education and his leadership in shaping future generations of students.
Kyle Thoms, a 2004 graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School, currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Enrollment at Concordia University Chicago. Since 2012, he has dedicated his career to Lutheran higher education, taking on leadership roles in enrollment, athletics, coaching, administration, and teaching as adjunct faculty.
Kyle previously spent ten years at his collegiate alma mater, Concordia University Ann Arbor, where he earned his B.A. in Business Marketing in 2008. He later completed his M.B.A. at Concordia University Wisconsin in 2018 and is now pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kyle values time with his wife, Rachel, and their two children, Elliot and Chloe.
Please join us in congratulating these three deserving recipients.