Concordia College (Moorhead, Minnesota)

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Concordia College is a private liberal arts college in Moorhead, Minnesota. Founded by Norwegian settlers in 1891, the school is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is unrelated to the Concordia University System operated by the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Concordia is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has a total student enrollment of 1,800. It offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Education, and Master of Science, and Master of Music Education degrees.

Since Concordia was founded, it has articulated a Christian and global curriculum. Students are required to take courses in health, communication, religion, and culture. The college maintains athletic teams in 22 sports and carries 20 music ensembles, including The Concordia Orchestra, The Concordia Band, and The Concordia Choir.

History

Old Main, constructed in 1906, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Concordia College was dedicated as a private academy on October 31, 1891, by a group of approximately one dozen Norwegian pastors and laymen<ref>Engelhardt, 16.</ref> who had recently settled in the Red River Valley. The school was founded on the property of the former Episcopalian Bishop Whipple School, which had closed in 1887.<ref>Engelhardt, 22.</ref> English professor Ingebrikt Grose of St. Olaf College was asked to preside over the academy,<ref name="autogenerated6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which at that time offered mixed-sex education in English literature, natural sciences, mathematics, piano, and organ.<ref name="Rolfsrud, 19-20.">Rolfsrud, 19-20.</ref> The school opened with three faculty and twelve students.<ref>Engelhardt, 25.</ref>

In 1892, Rasmus Bogstad, a Norwegian pastor, raised funds to build a male dormitory on campus grounds. His efforts led to the construction of Academy Hall.<ref>Engelhardt, 28.</ref> In 1893, Grose resigned and recently hired business professor Hans Aaker took his place.<ref>Engelhardt, 32.</ref> Aaker became mayor of Moorhead in 1900 and left two years later when that job compromised his dedication to the school.<ref>Rolfsrud, 42-43.</ref> Bogstad was appointed Concordia's next president and established its liberal tradition.<ref>Engelhardt, 43.</ref> Under Bogstad, Concordia constructed a new academic building, now called Old Main.<ref>Engelhardt, 52.</ref>

Henry O. Shurson held the presidency after Bogstad resigned in 1910 until Johan A. Aasgaard was appointed in 1911.<ref name="autogenerated6"/> Under Aasgaard, the nearby Park Region College and Bruflat Academy were merged with Concordia,<ref>Engelhardt, 60-61.</ref> and a new library was built in what is now called Grose Hall.<ref>Engelhardt, 75.</ref> In 1925, John N. Brown became president and oversaw Concordia's accreditation by the North Central Association in 1927.<ref>Engelhardt, 104.</ref> Eleven years later, a female dormitory was built, named Fjelstad Hall,<ref>Engelhardt, 128.</ref> and in 1947, a male dormitory was built, later called Brown Hall.<ref>Rolfsrud, 115-116.</ref>

Joseph "Prexy Joe" Knutson became president in 1951, and presided over the construction of 16 buildings and the increase in enrollment to 1592 students.<ref>Engelhardt, 288.</ref> Under his leadership, the Concordia Annual Fund, which continues today, was established to raise money for the college's interests.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Paul J. Dovre took the presidency in 1975<ref name="autogenerated6"/> and oversaw new college programs and articulated Concordia's Lutheran mission.<ref>Engelhardt, 300.</ref> In 1991, Concordia's Speech Team placed 4th in the nation at the AFA-NIET, beating schools with twenty times their enrolment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1999, the college welcomed President Thomas W. Thomsen, who implemented the design for a new campus center; in 2004 Pamela M. Jolicoeur, who established plans for the college's Offutt School of Business, was appointed the first female President.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Construction on the Offutt School of Business was completed in late 2012, and hosted students in the fall semester of 2013.<ref name="autogenerated6" /> William Craft began as president in 2011 and served until June 30, 2023. In 2018, the college's ministry became a member of Reconciling in Christ, affirming its support of LGBTQIA+ people.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Today, the college is led by President Colin Irvine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Academics

Concordia is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=hlc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It enrolls over 1,800 students<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and offers 61 majors and 12 pre-professional programs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Master of Education degrees are offered,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the most popular majors are business, education, and communication.<ref name="rankingsandreviews1"/>

The college upholds a curriculum that centers on a Christian and global perspective.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Concordia practices the liberal arts from the Lutheran theological tradition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=elca>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Faculty are encouraged to retain Becoming Responsibly Engaged in the World (BREW) as a thematic focus in their instructions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The college operates by a semester calendar<ref name="rankingsandreviews1"/> and first-year students are required to take courses in health, communication, religion, and culture.<ref name="Engaged">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An honors program is offered for motivated students.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Concordia is included in the Open Doors survey of the top twenty baccalaureate institutions that send students abroad.<ref name="Engaged" /> The college offers four global education programs<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and offers instruction in nine languages.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Moreover, students are permitted to study at two neighboring universities, Minnesota State University Moorhead and North Dakota State University, for course credit to their degrees.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In July 2023, Concordia opened the Heimarck Center, an experiential learning facility for the Sanford Heimarck School of Health Professions.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Concordia is a member of the Metro College Alliance, founded in 2025, which allows students to take classes at other Fargo-Moorhead colleges and universities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Student life

The Dovre Campanile (bell tower) is a campus landmark.

Music

The college maintains three choirs, four bands, two orchestras, three jazz ensembles, two percussion ensembles, and two handbell choirs.<ref>Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. - Department Courses Template:Webarchive</ref> Music education began with the college's 1891 formation, when piano and organ lessons were taught by one instructor.<ref name=autogenerated6 /> The college has since expanded to include a music department of 45 faculty that offers five Bachelor of Music degrees and two Bachelor of Arts degrees.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Concordia Choir is a 78-member mixed choir that travels internationally and has performed at major performance venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The choir was founded in 1919 by the college's voice instructor and began touring in 1923 under the direction of Herman Monson.<ref>Engelhardt, 86.</ref> The choir grew to national prominence in the following decades when Paul J. Christiansen became the director.<ref>Englehardt, 127.</ref> Christiansen remained in the position for 49 years<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> until composer René Clausen took over in 1986.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Under Clausen, The Concordia Choir has released numerous recordings and has performed with the King's Singers.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> He was succeeded in 2020 by Michael Culloton.

The college has put on an annual Christmas concert since 1927 that remains a tradition of the local community.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From its inception, it has featured the music department's choirs and orchestra.<ref name="autogenerated2"/> In 1940, Christianson began working with painter Cyrus M. Running to incorporate murals with the concert to reflect the music's themes.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Running completed the designs until 1978, when their development was taken over by David J. Hetland,<ref name="autogenerated2"/> whose murals have traditionally extended Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After Hetland's 2006 death, mural designs were taken over by artist Paul Johnson.<ref name="autogenerated2"/> The concert is currently performed four times annually on Concordia's campus and twice annually at Orchestra Hall.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Over 450 students perform<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for an audience of twenty thousand,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the concert is broadcast on radio and television.<ref name="autogenerated2"/> The 2009 concert, Journey to Bethlehem, was recorded by Twin Cities Public Television and won a regional Emmy.<ref name="2010 Christmas">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was broadcast nationally by members of the Public Broadcasting Service.<ref name="2010 Christmas" />

Athletics

Concordia athletics logo

Concordia–Moorhead athletic teams are the Cobbers. The college is a member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) since the 1921–22 academic year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Concordia–Moorhead competes in 20 intercollegiate varsity sports, in which more than 800 students participate.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, tennis, track & field, and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.

Origins

Jake Christiansen Stadium

Athletics began when a baseball club was organized in 1903<ref>Engelhardt, 47.</ref> and a basketball team was formed after the construction of a gymnasium in 1907.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Football emerged in 1916 and Concordia joined the MIAC in 1920.<ref>Engelhardt, 87.</ref> Soon after, teams for tennis, golf, wrestling, softball, volleyball, track, cross country running and others were formed.<ref>Engelhardt, 143.</ref>

Athletics grew further when Jake Christiansen, brother of conductor Paul J. Christiansen, was appointed physical education director in 1941.<ref>Rolfsrud, 210.</ref> He coached the football team to five conference championships over his 28-year career.<ref>Engelhardt, 261.</ref> In 1952, Christiansen designed a new athletic facility<ref name="autogenerated3"/> that promoted the college's reputation in the region.<ref>Engelhardt, 195-196.</ref> One of Christiansen's former students, Jim Christopherson, took over coaching in 1969 and led the team to nine conference titles and two national championships.<ref>Engelhardt, 353.</ref> Both coaches have been inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame.<ref name="autogenerated3"/>

The 1982 Concordia–Moorhead women's basketball team defeated Mount Mercy, 73–72, to capture the Cobbers' first AIAW Division III national championship. The Cobbers defeated St. John Fisher in the 1988 NCAA Division III championship game, 65–57, to claim the Cobbers' first NCAA national title.

Notable faculty

Notable faculty include:

  • Basit Bilal Koshul, Pakistani researcher writer and editor
  • Chris Coste, head coach, baseball
  • Hiram Drache, historian-in-residence
  • Rich Glas, athletic director and men's basketball head coach
  • Terry Horan, Minnesota Football Coach Association Hall of Fame inductee and Concordia College football coach.<ref name=":0" />
  • Marcus J. Borg, (1942–2015) American New Testament scholar and theologian who was among the most widely known and influential voices in progressive Christianity
  • Cyrus M. Running, American regionalist painter
  • René Clausen, Grammy award-winning composer and conductor emeritus of The Concordia Choir

Notable alumni

Academia

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Music

Science

  • Adolph Murie, first biologist to study wolves in their natural habitat<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }} A Brief History of Wolf Research, Steve Grooms, International Wolf, Summer, 2002, Volume 21, No. 2, p. 9</ref>

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Sports

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Theology

  • William F. Beck (August 28, 1904 – October 24, 1966), Lutheran pastor, author of The Holy Bible, An American Translation of the Bible.<ref>Multi-Language Publications Newsletter Bringing the Written Word to the World. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. March 2003 p. 2-3 Reu Beck "The Life and Work of Dr. William F. Beck" pdf Template:Webarchive</ref>
  • Marcus Borg (March 11, 1942 – January 21, 2015), former American New Testament scholar and theologian. He was among the most widely known and influential voices in Liberal Christianity.<ref>Star Tribune, Obituary: Marcus Borg, Christian scholar, January 27, 2015</ref>

References

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Bibliography

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