Paul Leckband Named Nebraska LCMS Outstanding Lutheran Educator for 2004

Paul Leckband, principal and executive director of Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, was awarded the Outstanding Lutheran Educator Award for 2004 by the Nebraska District LCMS at their All Professional Church Worker Conference in Omaha on October 19.

By receiving this award, Leckband, who has served in his current position at Lutheran High Northeast since 1997, was recognized by his peers as a respected and dedicated servant for Lutheran education in the Norfolk area.

“Paul has been a tireless promoter of Lutheran education,” according to one nomination form. “He works well with students, parents, pastors, teachers, and boosters. The Holy Spirit is working mightily through Paul to provide Christ-centered education.”

Leckband returned to the Nebraska District in 1997 when he accepted the call to be the first principal and executive director of the newly-forming Lutheran High Northeast. He has served faithfully as this school “has grown each year in student population while maintaining its focus on training high school students to be lights for Christ in this darkened world,” says another nomination form.

Leckband also served in the Nebraska District from 1980 – 1993 at Lincoln Lutheran Junior High in Lincoln.

Paul is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk, where he serves in leadership roles on various boards and committees. He also has served on the Nebraska District LCMS Board of Directors since 2000.

Three other Lutheran educators in the Nebraska District received nominations for this award – Keith Dirks of Trinity Lutheran School in Lincoln, Kim Franzen of Immanuel Lutheran School of Columbus, and Stanley Wehling of St. Paul Lutheran School in Ogallala.

This award recognizes recipients for being an exemplary Christian role model who significantly impacts students’ faith and life development, as well as honoring their extraordinary contributions to the Lutheran teaching ministry, distinguished long-term service to the Lutheran teaching ministry, outstanding churchmanship, and recognized leadership in Lutheran Christian education.