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“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20

Campus aerial shot

Celebrate with us

Join us as we celebrate 50 years with ribbon-cuttings, alumni reunions, musical concerts, Oktoberfest, and more! You won’t want to miss this celebration weekend!

October 2 - 3, 2026
Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia, Irvine

Schedule of Events

All events are free and open to the public

Friday, October 2, 2026

2:00 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting – CU Center for Worship and the Performing Arts
2:30 p.m.

Concordia Symphony Orchestra concert in CU Center
3:30 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting – Golden Eagle Athletics Complex (GEAC)
4:00 p.m.

Live Music on the GEAC Terrace
5:00 p.m. La Fiesta Taco Bar Opens outside GEAC (pay-at-the-door $10 guests/ students use meal plan)
6:00–8:30 p.m.

Fall Family & Friends Festival (registration opens soon)

Saturday, October 3, 2026

2:00 p.m.

HymnFest & Celebration Service in CU Center
3:30–8:30 p.m.

OktoberFest Celebration & Alumni Reunions

  • Free music, tours, food, drinks, and more! Fun for the whole family.

Let Us Know You're Coming

Hotels & Travel

Special rates available for the celebration weekend

Hilton Garden Inn Irvine

Hilton Garden Inn Irvine

2381 Morse Ave., Irvine
October 1 – 4, 2026

Single/Double Occupancy: $179.00
Triple/Quad Occupancy: $189.00
Plus applicable taxes

Deluxe King or Double Queen rooms available.

Includes:

  • Hot breakfast daily
  • Covered and uncovered parking discounted to $15.00 per night, per vehicle

Must book before September 15 to guarantee rate.

Book Your Room

Sonesta Irvine

Sonesta Irvine

17941 Von Karman Ave., Irvine
October 1 – 4, 2026

Single/Double Occupancy: $149.00
Plus applicable taxes

Deluxe King or Double Queen rooms available.

Includes:

  • Hot breakfast daily
  • Parking discounted to $15.00 per night, per vehicle

Must book before September 10 to guarantee rate.

Book Your Room

Our History

  1. 1964
  2. 1972
  3. 1973
  4. 1975
  5. 1976
  6. 1980
  7. 1981
  8. 1988
  9. 1993
  10. 1995
  11. 1998
  12. 1999
  13. 2000
  14. 2002
  15. 2003
  16. 2004
  17. 2007
  18. 2010
  19. 2011
  20. 2012
  21. 2013
  22. 2014
  23. 2016
  24. 2017
  25. 2019
  26. 2020
  27. 2021
  28. 2023
  29. 2025
  1. Street sign at the newly purchased Irvine property, 1964

    1964

    113 acres purchased from the Irvine Company for approximately one million dollars.

  2. Articles of Incorporation for a Lutheran college at Irvine, 1972

    1972

    The Articles of Incorporation for a Lutheran college at Irvine are signed by Secretary of State Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on May 22, 1972.

  3. Rev. Dr. Charles Manske

    1973

    Rev. Dr. Charles Manske accepts the call to be the college’s acting president and vice president of academic affairs, taking office on April 1. The name Christ College Irvine is selected on June 11, 1973.

  4. Groundbreaking for the Living Learning Center, June 1975

    1975

    June 8: Groundbreaking for Christ College’s first building, the Living Learning Center – today’s Administration building.

  5. First class gathered outside the campus, 1976

    1976

    Sept. 27: Classes begin for the first academic year on the single-building campus with 36 students, 5 faculty members, and 2 staff members.

  6. Inauguration of Rev. Dr. D. Ray Halm

    1980

    Rev. Dr. D. Ray Halm becomes Christ College’s second president. The college heralds its first full-term (four-year) graduating class.

  7. Christ College earns full WASC accreditation, 1981

    1981

    Christ College earns full academic accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

  8. School of Education and School of Arts and Sciences, 1988

    1988

    The School of Education and the School of Arts and Sciences are formed.

  9. Christ College Irvine becomes Concordia University Irvine, 1993

    1993

    Christ College Irvine becomes Concordia University Irvine, the tenth campus in the national Concordia University System formed by the LCMS in 1992.

  10. Cross-cultural Ministry Center program launch, 1995

    1995

    The Ethnic Pastor’s Certification Program (now the Cross-cultural Ministry Center) launches in partnership with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, preparing missionary pastors for culture-crossing ministries.

  11. Rev. Dr. Jack Preus

    1998

    Rev. Dr. Jack Preus becomes Concordia’s third president.

  12. School of Theology formed, 1999

    1999

    The School of Theology is formed – theology, philosophy, and biblical and classical languages. Christ College remains a separate school until 2006, when the School of Theology combines with Christ College. The MBA program is formed.

  13. Concordia University Irvine 50th Anniversary

    2000

    The Women’s Cross Country team takes the National Championship.

  14. School of Business established, 2002

    2002

    The School of Business is established.

  15. Concordia University Irvine 50th Anniversary

    2003

    Men’s Basketball wins the NAIA Division I Championship.

  16. MA in Coaching and Athletic Administration launched, 2004

    2004

    The MA in Coaching and Athletic Administration is launched.

  17. Nursing classroom

    2007

    The Nursing Degree Completion Program is established.

  18. Inauguration of Dr. Kurt J. Krueger

    2010

    Dr. Kurt J. Krueger is inaugurated as Concordia’s fourth president. Concordia unveils The Core Curriculum, its innovative general education program, and launches the Around-the-World Semester® program.

  19. Baseball NAIA National Championship, 2011

    2011

    Baseball captures the NAIA National Championship.

  20. Men's Basketball and Women's Volleyball national championships, 2012

    2012

    Men’s Basketball wins its second NAIA National Championship; Women’s Volleyball wins the NAIA National Championship.

  21. Men's Volleyball, Women's Softball, and Forensics national titles, 2013

    2013

    Men’s Volleyball wins the NAIA National Championship in its inaugural season; Women’s Softball wins the NAIA National Championship; Forensics wins overall team sweepstakes at the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) Championship Tournament.

  22. First doctoral program, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

    2014

    Concordia offers its first doctoral program, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

  23. Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling, 2016

    2016

    The Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling launches in partnership with New York Times bestselling author Dr. John Townsend.

  24. Concordia joins the NCAA

    2017

    Concordia joins the NCAA as the first Division II school in Orange County.

  25. Hispanic-Serving Institution celebration

    2019

    Concordia reaches Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation.

  26. Inauguration of Dr. Michael A. Thomas

    2020

    Dr. Michael A. Thomas is inaugurated as Concordia’s fifth president; Christmas concerts air on PBS SoCal.

  27. Aerial view of the Borland-Manske Center courtyard

    2021

    The “Forward in Faith” comprehensive campaign exceeds $100M – the largest campaign in the university’s history.

  28. New Spectrum Campus building

    2023

    Spectrum Campus opens; Men’s Lacrosse wins the MCLA Division I Championship.

  29. Concordia launches its 50th academic year, 2025

    2025

    Fall launches the 50th academic year.

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2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

In honor of Concordia University Irvine's 50th Academic Year, we honor the 28,000+ alumni around the world as a recipient of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. This distinguished honor is bestowed upon individuals who have made a lasting impact through philanthropic work, community service, and/ or dedication to the arts. Each alumnus/a has played a critical role in Concordia's history! 

Steve Mueller '86

2026 Servant Leadership Award Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller '86

For decades, Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller has helped shape the heart and mission of Concordia University Irvine, and his life reflects a deep commitment to faith formation, theological clarity, and service to the Church

From his days as a Christ College student to his current role as Chief Mission Officer, Mueller has faithfully served Concordia as a theology professor, dean, and member of Concordia’s administrative team. His contributions as a hymn writer and author on Christian doctrine, the Lutheran Confessions, worship, and C.S. Lewis have been far-reaching within The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and beyond.

50 Alumni in 50 Weeks

Follow along and experience the stories that make up our history from 50 alumni over 50 weeks.

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