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Concordia University Irvine Announces Its Largest Comprehensive Campaign

“Forward in Faith” invests in five areas including music & theology, athletics, and scholarships

Irvine, Calif. (October 22, 2018)--Concordia University Irvine (CUI) has launched the public phase of an effort to raise $85 million by 2020. The comprehensive fundraising campaign, known as Forward in Faith invests in five areas—a music and theology building, athletics, scholarships, academic programs, and the endowment. To date, the University has raised over $70 million, or 83 percent, of its $85 million goal, making it the largest campaign in the University’s history.

“The campaign, which has already garnered much support from our donors since it began in 2013, represents an investment in our students and our Lutheran vision,” said Concordia University Irvine President Kurt Krueger.

Areas of support include the Borland-Manske Center, a new building housing music and choral academic programs in one wing, and Christ College, the university’s School of Theology, in the other wing. Named for Mike and Caryn ‘85 Borland of Newport Beach who provided the lead gift, the name also pays tribute to Concordia University Irvine founding president Rev. Dr. Charles Manske who, along with the university’s other founders, laid the ground work for the institution around the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” The new building replaces outdated classrooms with modern technology, including a state-of-the-art recording studio. Nearly $26 million of the $30 million required for the Borland-Manske Center have been raised from private donations.

“The singular focus of the Borland-Manske Center will touch and transform our students and faculty alike for the purpose of evangelism,” said Caryn Borland, a member of Concordia’s Board of Regents, CUI alumna, and honorary campaign co-chair. “Dr. Manske’s focus was missional—to prepare and disciple us to go out and share the Gospel. The building will enable students and faculty alike to refine the great tools of evangelism.” Currently under construction, the Center is scheduled to open June 2019.

Four million ($4 million) dollars in campaign funds will support athletic facilities. As a new member of NCAA Division II, Concordia will be making upgrades designed to meet NCAA requirements. Plans include new training facilities, outdoor amenities, and adding field lights for baseball, lacrosse, softball, track, and soccer allowing student-athletes to practice in the evenings, giving them more flexible class schedules during the day.

Student scholarships will benefit with a $14 million investment while $8 million will support academic programs and learning experiences outside the classroom such as mission trips, study abroad, and research projects. The Campaign is also designed to grow the University’s endowment by $29 million supporting student scholarships and academic programs in perpetuity.

Campaign co-chairs, Paul and Cathy Schroeder of Corona del Mar, share the sentiment of University leadership. “The Forward in Faith campaign will build new facilities, strengthen academic resources, increase scholarship support, sustain co-curricular programs, and provide for a lasting legacy through Concordia’s endowment,” said Paul Schroeder. “It’s something we can do now for our students in the future.”

To learn more about the Forward in Faith campaign, visit www.cui.edu/forwardinfaith.

ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE

Concordia University Irvine (CUI) is a non-profit Lutheran Christian liberal arts four-year university that prepares students for their vocations—their calling in life. Concordia offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in education, nursing, theology, business, and athletics administration. CUI’s undergraduate program is distinctive because of its nationally recognized core curriculum, Enduring Questions & Ideas, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. The university is part of the Concordia University System, the second largest education ministry system in the United States just behind the Catholic Church. The NCAA DII private university enrolls over 4,000 students annually.

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