Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R14.2
- Report title
- R14.2 Concordia University, Irvine
- Workbook start page
- 89
- Workbook end page
- 90
- Source pages
- 89, 90
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R14.2 Concordia University, Irvine A. 1976–2026: 50 Years of Faithfulness Our Lord and Savior continues to bless the ministry of Con- cordia University, Irvine (CUI)! Called into being as Christ Col- lege Irvine, with 38 students, 5 professors, and 1 building, CUI now serves 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually by offering 60+ degree programs throughout southern California and beyond. Join us in early October as we celebrate this amazing milestone! A.1. CUI’s Continued Faithfulness We are proud to report that the formal and informal ecclesiasti- cal accreditation visits by the Concordia University System (CUS), as required by 2023 Resolution 7-04B, have demonstrated CUI’s exemplary commitment to our shared confession as we carry out our specific calling as a university of the LCMS. CUS’ official re- ports are filled with commendations testifying to how we carry out our mission and inculcate our core convictions and values each and every day, in classrooms, labs, athletic fields, music and theatre venues, residential halls, and online. A.2. Mission Statement Concordia University Irvine, a comprehensive Lutheran Chris- tian university guided by Christ’s Great Commission, develops wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens to serve society and the church. 2026 Convention Workbook 90 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Retention remains strong, supported by faculty mentorship, comprehensive student services, and a vibrant, Christ-centered community, reflecting CUNE’s distinctive mission and enduring appeal. This vibrant community life is especially evident in the grow- ing participation in daily chapel among students, faculty, and staff. As CUNE’s worship life continues to flourish at the heart of cam- pus, the steady increase in attendance suggests that the university may need to consider how to provide worship space that can fully support a growing campus family and a shared life of Word and worship through a stand-alone chapel. Strategically, the university remains focused on recruiting mis- sion-fit students seeking a Lutheran higher education. Recruitment pipelines have been strengthened through partnerships with Lu- theran schools, districts, and ministries, while marketing outreach highlights CUNE’s Christ-centered academic excellence, academ- ic communities, and pathways into church work vocations. A.1. Academic Communities and Christ-Centered Excellence CUNE continues to focus on mission-driven student support, as well as disciplinary catechesis and vocational discipleship. A key thread of the strategic plan is strengthening our commitment to Christ-centered academic excellence through the development of distinct, inspiring, and holistic academic communities, includ - ing: • Luke Scholars Honors Program—a rigorous, Christ-cen - tered honors community emphasizing academic excellence, leadership, and service. • Micah Pre-Health Scholars Program—supporting students pursuing medical and health-related careers through men- toring, advising, and service-learning grounded in Christian compassion. • Paul Scholars Work Education Program—supporting stu- dents through meaningful classroom experience integrated with vocational exploration. • Uzziah Ag Scholars Program—equipping the next genera - tion of agricultural leaders through hands-on experiences, industry engagement, and a theology of stewardship. A.2. Church Work Recruitment and Support CUNE continues its commitment to raising up faithful church workers for the LCMS. The university’s current undergraduate enrollment includes more than 300 students majoring in church work with a goal to recruit 100 new church work students each year. Recruitment initiatives include collaboration with districts and Lutheran high schools, revitalized visit days for church work recruitment, digital storytelling highlighting current church work students and alumni, and a dedicated church work admissions re- cruiter. CUNE’s Church Work Scholarships, together with church and outside scholarships and federal aid, mean that church work stu- dents pay, on average, less than $3,500 in tuition per year, helping students pursue their callings in ministry without undue financial burden. As the number of students preparing for service in Christ’s church continues to grow, additional gifts and ongoing support will be essential to sustain and enhance the financial aid packages that help make this formative preparation possible. ary 2026, CUI has raised $43M in gifts and pledges towards these projects! Thanks be to God! • In 2025, CUI received a $5M pledge to support the build- ing of new engineering and computer science labs to support the expansion of new concentrations in these two majors, including mechanical, electrical, and biomechanical engi- neering, and cybersecurity and robotics as concentrations in computer science. Thanks be to God for this transformative educational gift! • CUI’s partnership between Music and PBS SoCal and na- tional PBS syndicates continues each year to produce a made-for-TV special called “A Concordia Christmas.” Since 2021, CUI has created six award-winning broadcasts, shar - ing the Gospel through music and spoken word, which have reached audiences in the millions throughout the U.S. During the 2025 Christmas season, CUI led all of higher education in reach and impact by delivering over 750 hours of nation - wide programming, outstripping even St. Olaf College and Belmont University, known nationally for music. We were pleased to feature a song in the 2025 show that was filmed and recorded at the LCMS Youth Gathering. • As part of our ongoing effort to communicate more boldly, clearly, and widely that CUI is the premier Christian uni- versity in Orange County, Calif., the university entered into a 12-year partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL)’s Anaheim Ducks and OCVIBE, one of the nation’s largest sports and entertainment locations (over 100 acres) as the “Official Educational Partner.” Throughout this part- nership, which includes extensive marketing through digi- tal billboards throughout the complex and inside the Honda Center, CUI will tell our story visually and orally. Addition- ally, this partnership includes guaranteed annual student internships, performances at new venues, educational of- ferings for Ducks and OCVIBE employees, and community events, prominently sponsored by CUI. This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce CUI more fully to southern Califor- nia and, through NHL broadcasts, to the nation. Michael A. Thomas, President