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Rev. Kenneth C. Haugk, Ph.D., is a pastor and clinical psychologist. A member of the inaugural class at Concordia Junior College (later Concordia University Ann Arbor), he attended from 1963–1965 before completing his bachelor’s degree at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was named Alumnus of the Year by Concordia University Ann Arbor in 1992.

Rev. Haugk recalls his time at Concordia as a formative period in his life. “Playing sports at Concordia was instrumental in my personal development,” he says. “Dr. Erich von Fange, who was the academic dean and also a psychologist, would come to the gym to play pick-up basketball with us. As a former player for Concordia Seward, he held his own on the court, and I respected him a lot. In fact, Dr. von Fange’s example—who he was as a person and his character—was what inspired me to become a psychologist.”

Ken was a member of Concordia’s first basketball team, an experience he believes continues to influence his life to this day. “The values I learned from playing basketball at Concordia have stayed with me,” Dr. Haugk says. “In particular, the desire to strive for excellence that Coach David Wenzel instilled in us through his integrity and leadership has shaped who I am. I would be much less of a person, personally and professionally, without having had Coach Wenzel in my life.”

Rev. Haugk later earned his M.Div. from Concordia Seminary and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Washington University, both in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1975, he founded Stephen Ministries (www.stephenministries.org), a non-profit organization based in St. Louis. Stephen Ministries is best known for the Stephen Ministry system of lay caregiving, which is used in almost 14,000 congregations representing over 180 denominations worldwide. Dr. Haugk currently serves as the organization’s Executive Director.

In addition, Dr. Haugk has written books and courses on numerous caring topics, including Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart, Speaking the Truth in Love, Journeying through Grief, Cancer—Now What?, Antagonists in the Church, and, most recently, The Gift of Empathy. A member of the American Psychological Association, his research and other writings have been published widely in psychological journals and popular periodicals. In 2003, Rev. Haugk received the National Samaritan Award from the Samaritan Institute for his work with Stephen Ministries.

Ken currently lives in St. Louis, where he enjoys playing basketball and pickleball and spending time with his two daughters, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

“The things I gained at Concordia—the values, knowledge, and friendships—have remained with me for the rest of my life,” he says. “And the memories. Yes, the memories! I still remember driving all night to Washington, D.C., with six of my freshman classmates to attend the funeral of President John F. Kennedy after someone proposed it when we were talking in the dorms. I’m grateful for my time there, and I look forward to seeing how the University will continue to shape the lives of Christian leaders into the future. God bless Concordia’s academics—and the athletics. Go Cardinals!”