2022 Dr. Donna J. Streufert Leadership Award Winner: Rachell Bender

The Women’s Leadership Institute proudly introduces the 2022 recipient of the Dr. Donna J. Streufert Leadership Award, Rachel Bender!

This leadership award recognizes a female student at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) and Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) who has demonstrated exceptional and/or unusual servant leadership as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Miss Bender was selected to receive the award for her exemplary leadership at CUW which includes a $500 scholarship and plaque of recognition on the CUW campus.

Rachel Bender is a student at Concordia University Wisconsin and she is studying Lutheran elementary and special education. She holds numerous leadership positions, both on campus and in the community. Rachel is very involved with the Campus Ministry Leadership Team and has served as the administrative assistant and is currently the president. She is a member of women’s ministry, intergenerational ministry, youth ministry, and comfort dog ministry. In addition, Rachel is involved with the education club, volunteer club and Bethesda student instruction. Both at CUW and in the community, Rachel volunteers her time working with disabled adults as a job coach, mentor and friend.

The selection committee was impressed with Rachel’s understanding of leadership as a service that honors the gifts God has given to us. She not only grasps the role of vocation, recognizing that leadership and character go hand-in-hand, but she is a servant leader in how she lives her daily life. She has been described as having a caring and generous heart, a humble leader who does exceptional work and uplifts others every chance she gets.

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING RACHEL AT OUR 20th ANNIVERSARY BANQUET ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AT CU WISCONSIN!