CLHS Alumni Awards – Nominate Outstanding Graduates
Each year, Concordia Lutheran High School recognizes and honors alumni who have made significant contributions to their careers, communities, or to the ministry of CLHS. Click here to see a full list of past Alumni Award recipients.
Please submit your nominations for any of the three alumni awards by March 31, 2026.
For questions about submitting a nomination, contact Audrey Gilbert at (260) 483-1102, ext. 217, or [email protected].
- Distinguished Alumni Award (Highest Honor)
Candidate must be a CLHS graduate who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to Christian principles, the church, and the values of Concordia Lutheran High School. Candidates will have achieved both lifetime and personal excellence in their vocation, profession, and community service.
Eligible nominees may be asked to provide additional background information or elaborate on specific questions from the alumni award committee, and must be able to attend the award ceremony.
Click Here to Nominate Someone for the Distinguished Alumni Award
- Distinguished Service Award
Candidate must be a graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School with a record of dedicated support, activity, and service to the ministry of CLHS through their gifts of time, talent, or treasure. Nominations should describe the breadth and impact of the nominee's service to CLHS. The award will be granted when nominations allow.
Eligible nominees may be asked to provide additional background or elaboration and must be able to attend the award ceremony.
Click Here to Nominate Someone for the Distinguished Service Award
- Neale M. Shank Award
Candidate must be 40 years old or younger by December 31 of the award year. Nominees have demonstrated leadership and service to their given career, community, church, or Concordia Lutheran High School, and remained engaged with CLHS post-graduation. The award will be granted when nominations allow.
Eligible nominees may be asked to provide additional background information and/or elaborate on specific questions from the alumni award committee and commit to attending the award ceremony.
Click Here to Nominate Someone for the Neale M. Shank Award
About Neale Morgan Shank
Neale M. Shank was born in Kendallville, IN, to Mike and Jacquelyn Shank on April 26, 1981. After attending Concordia Lutheran Elementary School, he moved on to Concordia Lutheran High School, where he was deeply involved in the Army JROTC Cadet Battalion. He served on the Adventure Team, commanded the CLHS Snap Squad during his senior year, and achieved the rank of c/Major before graduating in 1999.
Neale enlisted in the Army’s delayed entry program during his senior year and reported for active duty in August 1999. He was admitted to West Point in 2001, majoring in Civil Engineering, and graduated from the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, GA. Known as a precise and demanding leader, Neale also had a deep compassion and desire to mentor cadets and soldiers wherever he served.
Neale exemplified a Christian attitude and spirit of heart as a Cadet at Concordia Lutheran High School, a soldier in the United States Army, a USMA Cadet, and an Officer serving his country in Iraq. Neale tragically passed away on March 30, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq.
