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We are thankful to our good and gracious God for His abundant blessings during Concordia University Irvine’s first 40 years. Many things have changed at Concordia since 1976 when we began the school year with one building, 36 students and five faculty members. We are now a university of over 4,500 students, taught by 155 full-time faculty members on a beautiful main campus with over 20 buildings and on two nearby satellite campuses.
What hasn’t changed for 40 years is our commitment to providing excellent academic programs of study while remaining faithful to our Lutheran heritage. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and preparing students to “make disciples of all nations.”
These commitments are realized in the 41 excellent academic programs offered at Concordia and through the interaction of faithful faculty members with students, a rich campus ministry program, a great variety of theology courses, and multiple mission and service opportunities on and off campus.
To Him be the glory for allowing us to serve with excellence and faithfulness for 40 wonderful years.
Kurt Krueger, PhD President of Concordia University Irvine
Rev. Dr. Mark Brighton ’81 preached for Concordia’s 40th anniversary service on September 25, 2016. The following is an excerpt of his sermon from that day.
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Rev. Dr. Shang Ik Moon lived a life of pain and miracles on his way to becoming a co-founder of Concordia University Irvine/Christ College Irvine. God’s intervention brought him to faith and to the U.S. where academic and spiritual training prepared him for an assignment he never expected: helping to establish a new Lutheran university on the West Coast.
Over the past 40 years, God has done great things here. Things that impacted His Kingdom for good, things that changed our community for the better. This story that began in Irvine, with your grandparents, and your parents, belongs to all of us. We have seen God’s steady hand in the people, places, and passions that have brought Concordia to where it is today. Because it’s always been about Christ and our calling to make disciples.
Classes begin for the first academic year in the single-building campus with 36 students, 5 faculty members and 2 staff members.
Founders Hall (classrooms and labs) and Alpha Building (Residence Hall) are completed.
Christ College earns full academic accreditation from Western Alliance of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Sports Arena and Hallerberg Multi-purpose Center construction is completed.
Library and the Center for Worship and the Performing Arts construction is completed.
Christ College Irvine becomes Concordia University Irvine, the tenth campus in the national Concordia University System that was formed by the LCMS in 1992.
Rodney Lawrence Grimm Memorial Student Union construction is completed.
Concordia is listed in the John Templeton Honor Roll of Character-building Colleges. Women's Cross Country team takes National Championship.
First Endowed Chair established: Harry and Caroline Trembath Chair of Confessional Theology.
Men's Basketball wins the NAIA Division 1 Championship.
Robert Alan Grimm Hall completed and dedicated in March. Nursing Degree Completion Program established.
Nursing Program receives accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Dr. Kurt J. Krueger inaugurated as Concordia's fourth president. Concordia unveils the Core Curriculum, its innovative and award winning general education program.
Baseball captures NAIA National Championship.
Men's Basketball wins second NAIA National Championship. Women's Volleyball wins NAIA National Championship.
Men's Volleyball wins second NAIA National Championship in its inaugural season. Women's Softball wins NAIA National Championship. Forensics wins overall team sweepstakes at National Parliamentary Debate Association's (NDPA) Championship Tournament.
Concordia offers its first doctoral program, the Ed.D in Educational Leadership. WASC accreditation renewed for 10 years, the longest possible accreditation. NCAA Division 2 provisionally approves Concordia's application to join the PacWest Conference.
Concordia debate team wins its second national title in three years.
With God's steady hand and your investment, we are Called to Shine!
Celebrating 40 years of God's blessings at the following commemorative anniversary events scheduled throughout 2016.
Apr
10
2016
Concordia Sunday
Congregations of the Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are invited to help celebrate 40 years of partnership with CUI. Concordia provided worship resources including a special order of service, prayers, a hymn, children’s coloring page, and a bulletin insert. Visit our Concordia Sunday page to download resources for your congregation.
Jul
24
Concerts on the Green – Community Birthday Party
A very special Concert on the Green celebrating our 40th anniversary with the Irvine community.
Sep
25
40th Anniversary Celebration Worship Service
Concordia marks the 40th anniversary of the first day of classes with a special worship service, a mass choir of Concordia students and area church choirs, and special music.
Contact Bil Hood at [email protected] or (949) 214-3189.