CLHS Alumni Awards
Each year, Concordia Lutheran High School recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of alumni who have made significant contributions to their careers and community or have been instrumental in serving the high school. Click here to see a full list of past Alumni Award winners.
The 2025 CLHS Alumni Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 28th, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at CLHS. Nominations for this year's awards are now open until Sunday, July 13, 2025.
For questions about submitting a nomination, please 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 demonstrated both lifetime and personal achievement in their vocation, profession, and in serving the community.
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 on Sunday, September 28.
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 provide a detailed explanation of the breadth of impact eligible candidates have made serving CLHS. The Distinguished Service 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 on Sunday, September 28.
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 year award is given. Candidate shall have made significant contributions to their given career, community, church, or Concordia Lutheran High School in the areas of leadership and service. Nominees should have been involved with the ministry of Concordia Lutheran High School post graduation. The Neale Shank award will be given as 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 on Sunday, September 28.
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, Neale moved on to Concordia Lutheran High School. While attending Concordia Lutheran High School, Neale was heavily involved in the Army JROTC Cadet Battalion. He was a member of the Adventure Team and commanded the CLHS Snap Squad during his senior year. Neale achieved the rank of c/Major before graduating in 1999. During his senior year, Neale enlisted in the Army’s delayed entry program and reported for active duty in August of that year.
Neale was admitted to West Point in July 2001, where he majored in Civil Engineering. While attending West Point, Neale graduated from the Basic Airborne Course, Fort. Benning, GA. Neale was an exacting taskmaster for his charges, but also had a great sense of compassion. He had an inner desire to mentor cadets and soldiers wherever he was assigned.
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 was taken from us by a tragic accident on March 30, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq.
