Concordia University Chicago

Concordia University Chicago is private liberal arts university in River Forest, Illinois. Formerly a college exclusively for parochial teacher education, Concordia-Chicago is now a comprehensive university offering more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with more than 5,000 students.[5] The university is a member of the Concordia University System,[6] a nationwide network of colleges and universities affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Concordia University Chicago
Former names
Addison Teachers Seminary, Concordia Teachers College, Concordia College, Concordia University River Forest[1]:7, 95
MottoYou shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free
TypePrivate
Established1864
Religious affiliation
Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Academic affiliation
Concordia University System
Endowment$22 Million, June 30, 2017
PresidentDr. Russell P. Dawn
ProvostO. John Zillman, PhD[2]
Students6,005 [3]
Undergraduates1,511
Postgraduates4,494
Location
River Forest
,
Illinois
,
United States

41.89967°N 87.80954°W / 41.89967; -87.80954
CampusSuburban, 40 acres (0.16 km2)
ColorsMaroon and Gold         
NicknameCUC, Concordia-Chicago, CUChicago
Sporting affiliations
Northern Athletics Conference, NCAA Division III
MascotCharlie T. Cougar[4]
Websitecuchicago.edu

Concordia Chicago, originally named Addison Teachers Seminary, was founded in the Lutheran tradition by Saxon German immigrants in 1864.[1]:7, 9 The university continues to maintain strong ties to its faith-based heritage.

History

Background

Lutheran teacher training in the United States began in Perry County, Missouri; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1839, 1846, and 1855 respectively.[7]:35 In 1857, the responsibility for the operation of the teachers seminary in Milwaukee was given to the denomination. Subsequently, the Milwaukee teachers seminary moved and merged operations with Fort Wayne[7]:35 uniting it with the theological seminary that had been founded there by followers of Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe.

In October 1863, the LCMS in convention voted unanimously to move the teachers seminary to Addison, Illinois, appointed the first Praeses of the institution, and instructed that a new building be constructed on land donated by a local Lutheran congregation.[7]:30

Founding and Addison campus

Concordia University Chicago marks 1864 as its founding in Addison, Illinois. Originally called Addison Teachers Seminary the institution is the oldest in the Concordia University System. Construction began on a new facility, with the cornerstone laying service on June 15, 1864. During the construction period, a nearby two-story vacant tavern was rented to ensure the new teachers seminary could carry out its educational training as scheduled, beginning September 1, 1864.[7]:43 The original buildings in Addison are now gone, but a monument stands on the site of the seminary.[8]

River Forest campus

On November 12, 1912, ground was broken for a new campus in River Forest, Illinois. More than 8,000 people attended the cornerstone laying service on December 15, 1912.[7]:84 On October 12, 1913, the institution moved to its present campus with an estimated 30,000–45,000 people attending the dedication.[7]:112 Prior to the dedication of the River Forest campus, much discussion took place regarding a new name for the institution. On May 20, 1913, the faculty settled on Concordia Teachers College with the official charter from the Illinois Secretary of State's office being issued on April 28, 1915.[7]:85

In 1979, the institution expanded its education-centered program to become a full liberal arts institution and changed its name to Concordia College. Eleven years later, in 1990, having experienced tremendous growth in its graduate offerings, the school reorganized and changed its legal name to Concordia University. Since then the institution has branded itself as Concordia University River Forest[1]:95 (1990–2006) and Concordia University Chicago (2006–present)[1]:103

Colleges

Concordia University Chicago has five colleges, each chaired by an academic dean.

  • College of Arts and Sciences: Rachel Eells[9]
  • College of Business: Claudia Santin[10]
  • College of Education: Kevin Brandon[11]
  • College of Graduate Studies: Robert K. Wilhite[12]

Many of these students attend classes online or at Cohort (educational group) sites around the Chicago metropolitan area.

  • College of Innovation and Professional Programs: Thomas Jandris[13]

Athletics

Concordia Chicago teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. Concordia Chicago was a member of the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference until the spring of 2006, and since 2006 has been a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The school colors are maroon and gold.

Music

The current chair of the music department is Professor Johnathan Kohrs. Dr. Richard Fischer is the Director of Bands, where he conducts the Wind Symphony and University Band as well as teaching conducting and music education classes. The Wind Symphony, Concordia's premiere instrumental ensemble, has performed in 43 states, Europe, Asia, and most recently, South Africa. The group has released fourteen recordings of sacred wind music. The ensemble has given many premiere performances of compositions by current wind band composers. The Wind Symphony performed at Carnegie Hall on March 4, 2014, and again on March 13, 2019.

The Kapelle, under the direction of Dr. Charles Brown, is the university's premiere choral ensemble, and has performed around the U.S., Europe, and South America. The ensemble also has four recordings to its credit. Dr. Steven Wente, previously the chair of the music department, is currently a distinguished professor of music and the organist for the Chapel of Our Lord. Other musical ensembles include Schola Cantorum (Chapel Choir, conducted by Jonathan Kohrs), Chamber Orchestra (Maurice Boyer), Mannerchor (Men's Chamber Choir with Charles Brown), Laudate (Women's Chamber Choir with Maurice Boyer), Jazz Band (Kirk Garrison), University Handbells (Johnathan Kohrs), Cougar Band (student-led pep band), and other ensembles.

Notable alumni

References
  1. Kohut, Hannah (2014). Faithfully onward, Ever Upward: 150 Years of Concordia University Chicago. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company Publishers. ISBN 978-1-57864-885-6.
  2. "O. John Zillman, PhD". Concordia University Chicago. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  3. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Concordia+University+Chicago&s=all&id=144351
  4. "We Are the Cougars!". Concordia University Chicago Athletics. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  5. "Undergraduate Fast Facts". Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  6. "Campuses – Concordia University System". cus.edu.
  7. Freitag, Alfred J (1964). College with a Cause: A History of Concordia Teachers College. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.
  8. Lutheran Teachers' Seminary Monument. Addison Historical Museum Web site. http://addisonadvantage.org/History/docs/monument.htm Archived January 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  9. "Rachel Eells, PhD – Concordia University Chicago". cuchicago.edu. February 15, 2011.
  10. "Claudia Santin, EdD – Concordia University Chicago". cuchicago.edu. March 15, 2011.
  11. "Kevin Brandon, EdD – Concordia University Chicago". cuchicago.edu. February 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  12. "Robert K. Wilhite, EdD – Concordia University Chicago". cuchicago.edu. March 15, 2011.
  13. "Thomas Jandris, PhD – Concordia University Chicago". cuchicago.edu. March 15, 2011.
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