Concordia College, Moorhead
Encyclopedia
Concordia College is a private liberal arts
school located in Moorhead, Minnesota
, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
and offers bachelors' degrees in the arts and music
, as well as a master's degree in education
. The college was founded by Norwegian
settlers in 1891, and has since expanded to accommodate nearly three thousand students. Concordia's campus rests on 120 acres (48.6 ha) of land.
in the library.
and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
. It offers 78 majors and 12 pre-professional programs including engineering, law, and medicine. Master of Education
degrees are offered, and the most popular majors are education, biology, and communication.
The college upholds a curriculum that centers on a Christian and global
perspective. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
, Concordia practices the liberal arts
from the Lutheran
theological tradition. Faculty are encouraged to retain Becoming Responsibly Engaged in the World (BREW) as a thematic focus in their instructions. The college operates by a semester calendar and first-year students are required to take courses in health, communication
, religion
, and culture
. An honors
program is offered for motivated students.
Concordia maintains steady inclusion in the Open Doors survey of the top twenty baccalaureate institutions that send students abroad. The college offers four global education programs and offers instruction in nine languages. 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.
The college maintains 17 major music ensembles, including five choirs, four bands, two orchestras, three jazz ensembles, two percussion ensembles, and a handbell choir. Historically, music education began with the college's 1891 formation, when piano and organ lessons were taught by one instructor. The college has since expanded to hold a music department of 45 faculty, which offers five Bachelor of Music
degrees and two Bachelor of Arts degrees.
The college's premier ensemble, The Concordia Choir
, is a 72-member a cappella
group that travels internationally and has performed at major performance venues, including Carnegie Hall
and the Kennedy Center. The choir was founded in 1919 by the college's voice instructor and began touring in 1923 under the direction of Herman Monson. The choir grew to national prominence in the following decades when Paul J. Christiansen
, son of esteemed conductor F. Melius Christiansen
, joined the music department and became director. Christianson remained in the position for 49 years and established Concordia's choral tradition of excellence. Composer René Clausen
carried the tradition after becoming director in 1986, and he remains there to this day. Under the direction of Clausen, The Concordia Choir has released numerous recordings and has performed with the King's Singers
.
The college has put on an annual Christmas concert since 1927, which remains an integral tradition of the local community. From its inception, it has featured the music department's choirs and orchestra. In 1940, Christianson began working with painter Cyrus M. Running
to incorporate murals with the concert to reflect the music's themes. They were completed for the concert by Running until 1978, when their development was taken over by David J. Hetland
, whose murals have traditionally extended 56-by-20 feet. After his 2006 death, mural design was taken over by artist Paul Johnson. The concert is currently performed four times annually on Concordia's campus and twice annually at Orchestra Hall. Over 450 students perform for an audience of twenty thousand, and the concert is broadcast on radio and television. The 2009 concert, Journey to Bethlehem, was recorded by Twin Cities Public Television
and won a regional Emmy
. It was broadcast nationally by members of the Public Broadcasting Service
.
, which competes in NCAA Division III. Athletics began when a baseball club was organized in 1903 and a basketball team was formed after the construction of a gymnasium in 1907. Subsequently, football
emerged in 1916 and Concordia joined the MIAC
in 1920. Soon after, teams for tennis, golf, wrestling, softball, volleyball, and others came forth.
Athletics grew further when J. F. "Jake" Christiansen, brother of conductor Paul J. Christiansen
, was appointed physical education director in 1941. He coached the football team to five conference championships over his 27-year career. In 1952, Christiansen designed a new athletic facility that promoted the college's reputation in the region. One of Christiansen's former students, Jim Christopherson
, took over coaching in 1968 and lead the team to nine conference titles and two national championships. Both coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
.
, who was charged with espionage by Iran
and later released in 2009, Cynthia L. Bauerly
, member of the Federal Election Commission
, Alan Bjerga
, president of the National Press Club, Jim Christopherson
, former linebacker and placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings
, Gary Larsen
, defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
, Chris Coste
, former Major league baseball
catcher
and infielder
, Coya Knutson
, former congresswoman
, Ole H. Olson
, former Governor of North Dakota
, Earl A. Reitan, a published author and former professor at Illinois State University
, and Adolph Murie
, a biologist who was the first scientist to study wolves in their natural habitat.
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
school located in Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
and offers bachelors' degrees in the arts and music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
, as well as a master's degree in education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
. The college was founded by Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
settlers in 1891, and has since expanded to accommodate nearly three thousand students. Concordia's campus rests on 120 acres (48.6 ha) of land.
History
Concordia College was dedicated Oct. 31, 1891, by some of the first Norwegian settlers to the Red River Valley region of the U.S. (North Dakota and Minnesota). Twenty-one students graduated June 7, 1893, during the college's first Commencement. A complete liberal arts college was then formally organized in 1913. From the beginning Concordia has been closely allied with the Lutheran Church. Today, it is one of 27 colleges and universities associated with the ELCA. Concordia College's mission is to "influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life." There is a sculpture by the regionally distinctive sculptor Paul GranlundPaul Granlund
Paul T. Granlund was an American sculptor. His creative career spanned more than 50 years and more than 650 different works. Most of his work is figurative and made from bronze...
in the library.
Academics
Concordia currently holds 2,788 students, 61 of which attend part time. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning CommissionThe Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission oversees the accreditation of degree-granting colleges and universities in nineteen Midwestern and South-Central states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa,...
and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
. It offers 78 majors and 12 pre-professional programs including engineering, law, and medicine. Master of Education
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
degrees are offered, and the most popular majors are education, biology, and communication.
The college upholds a curriculum that centers on a Christian and global
Global citizenship
Global citizenship applies the whole world to bring world peace and the concept of citizenship to a global level and is strongly connected with the concepts of globalization and cosmopolitanism. World citizenship is a term which can be distinguished from global citizenship, although some may merge...
perspective. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
, Concordia practices the liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
from the Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
theological tradition. Faculty are encouraged to retain Becoming Responsibly Engaged in the World (BREW) as a thematic focus in their instructions. The college operates by a semester calendar and first-year students are required to take courses in health, communication
Communication studies
Communication Studies is an academic field that deals with processes of communication, commonly defined as the sharing of symbols over distances in space and time. Hence, communication studies encompasses a wide range of topics and contexts ranging from face-to-face conversation to speeches to mass...
, religion
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
, and culture
Cultural studies
Cultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory and literary criticism. It generally concerns the political nature of contemporary culture, as well as its historical foundations, conflicts, and defining traits. It is, to this extent, largely distinguished from cultural...
. An honors
Honors course
Honors course is a distinction applied in the United States to certain classes to distinguish them from standard course offerings. The difference between a regular class and the honors class is not necessarily the amount of work, but the type of work required and the pace of studying...
program is offered for motivated students.
Concordia maintains steady inclusion in the Open Doors survey of the top twenty baccalaureate institutions that send students abroad. The college offers four global education programs and offers instruction in nine languages. Moreover, students are permitted to study at two neighboring universities, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a four-year, public university located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has an enrollment of nearly 7,500 students and 337 full-time faculty members. MSUM is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system...
and North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...
, for course credit to their degrees.
Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
degrees and two Bachelor of Arts degrees.
The college's premier ensemble, The Concordia Choir
The Concordia Choir
The Concordia Choir is a critically acclaimed 75-voice ensemble known for its distinctive sound and regarded as one the finest a cappella choirs in the world. The ensemble is a highly selective mixed-voice choral ensemble composed entirely of students at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.The...
, is a 72-member a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group that travels internationally and has performed at major performance venues, including Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
and the Kennedy Center. The choir was founded in 1919 by the college's voice instructor and began touring in 1923 under the direction of Herman Monson. The choir grew to national prominence in the following decades when Paul J. Christiansen
Paul J. Christiansen
Paul Joseph Christiansen was a noted American choral conductor and composer. As the youngest son of F. Melius Christiansen, he was brought up into the Lutheran Choral Tradition and quickly developed his own style of conducting and composing that furthered the tradition started by his father...
, son of esteemed conductor F. Melius Christiansen
F. Melius Christiansen
F. Melius Christiansen was a Norwegian-born violinist and choral conductor in the Lutheran choral tradition.-Background:...
, joined the music department and became director. Christianson remained in the position for 49 years and established Concordia's choral tradition of excellence. Composer René Clausen
René Clausen
René Clausen is an American composer, conductor of The Concordia Choir, and associate professor of music at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota...
carried the tradition after becoming director in 1986, and he remains there to this day. Under the direction of Clausen, The Concordia Choir has released numerous recordings and has performed with the King's Singers
King's Singers
The King's Singers is a British a cappella vocal ensemble who celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s...
.
The college has put on an annual Christmas concert since 1927, which remains an integral tradition of the local community. From its inception, it has featured the music department's choirs and orchestra. In 1940, Christianson began working with painter Cyrus M. Running
Cyrus M. Running
Cyrus M. Running was an American regionally distinguished painter. A student of Grant Wood, he is sometimes considered a regionalist. Much of his art focuses on themes common to Minnesota or Norway. He was a member of the faculty of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, for many...
to incorporate murals with the concert to reflect the music's themes. They were completed for the concert by Running until 1978, when their development was taken over by David J. Hetland
David J. Hetland
David J. Hetland was a nationally recognized artist from Fargo, ND, known particularly for his liturgical works in mosaic and stained glass.- Life :Hetland studied under the regionalist Cyrus M...
, whose murals have traditionally extended 56-by-20 feet. After his 2006 death, mural design was taken over by artist Paul Johnson. The concert is currently performed four times annually on Concordia's campus and twice annually at Orchestra Hall. Over 450 students perform for an audience of twenty thousand, and the concert is broadcast on radio and television. The 2009 concert, Journey to Bethlehem, was recorded by Twin Cities Public Television
Twin Cities Public Television
Twin Cities Public Television is a non-profit organization based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, that operates the Twin Cities' two Public Broadcasting Service member Public television stations, KTCA-TV and KTCI-TV...
and won a regional Emmy
Upper Midwest Emmy Awards
The Upper Midwest Emmy Awards are a division of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The Minnesota division was founded in 1973...
. It was broadcast nationally by members of the Public Broadcasting Service
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
.
Athletics
Concordia maintains athletic teams in 22 sports, in which more than 800 students participate. It is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic ConferenceMinnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. As the name implies, member schools are located in the state of Minnesota...
, which competes in NCAA Division III. Athletics began when a baseball club was organized in 1903 and a basketball team was formed after the construction of a gymnasium in 1907. Subsequently, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
emerged in 1916 and Concordia joined the MIAC
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. As the name implies, member schools are located in the state of Minnesota...
in 1920. Soon after, teams for tennis, golf, wrestling, softball, volleyball, and others came forth.
Athletics grew further when J. F. "Jake" Christiansen, brother of conductor Paul J. Christiansen
Paul J. Christiansen
Paul Joseph Christiansen was a noted American choral conductor and composer. As the youngest son of F. Melius Christiansen, he was brought up into the Lutheran Choral Tradition and quickly developed his own style of conducting and composing that furthered the tradition started by his father...
, was appointed physical education director in 1941. He coached the football team to five conference championships over his 27-year career. In 1952, Christiansen designed a new athletic facility that promoted the college's reputation in the region. One of Christiansen's former students, Jim Christopherson
Jim Christopherson
Jim Christopherson was an American football player and coach. He played professional football for the Minnesota Vikings in 1962 and was the head coach at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota from 1969 to 2000...
, took over coaching in 1968 and lead the team to nine conference titles and two national championships. Both coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Alumni
Notable alumni include Roxana SaberiRoxana Saberi
Roxana Saberi is an American journalist who was arrested in Iran in January 2009. On April 8, 2009, the Iranian government charged Saberi with espionage, which she denied. She was subsequently sentenced to an eight-year prison term...
, who was charged with espionage by Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and later released in 2009, Cynthia L. Bauerly
Cynthia L. Bauerly
Cynthia L. Bauerly is a member of the United States Federal Election Commission. She was nominated by President George W. Bush on May 6, 2008. Her appointment received the unanimous consent of the United States Senate on June 24, 2008....
, member of the Federal Election Commission
Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
, Alan Bjerga
Alan Bjerga
Alan Bjerga is an American journalist, author of the book "Endless Appetites: How the Commodities Casino Creates Hunger and Unrest" and the 2010 president of the National Press Club. He covers agricultural policy for Bloomberg News and in 2010-2011 was also the president of the North American...
, president of the National Press Club, Jim Christopherson
Jim Christopherson
Jim Christopherson was an American football player and coach. He played professional football for the Minnesota Vikings in 1962 and was the head coach at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota from 1969 to 2000...
, former linebacker and placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, Gary Larsen
Gary Larsen
Gary Larsen was a defensive tackle in the NFL and played college football at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. He started his NFL career in 1964 with the Los Angeles Rams and then became a part of the famous Purple People Eaters for the Minnesota Vikings from 1965 through 1974...
, defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, Chris Coste
Chris Coste
Christopher Robert Coste is an author and Major League Baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. Coste was on a Major League Baseball team for the first time in his career at age 33...
, former Major league baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
, Coya Knutson
Coya Knutson
Cornelia Genevive Gjesdal "Coya" Knutson was an American politician from the U.S. state of Minnesota. She served two terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, from 1951 to 1955, before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 9th congressional district as a...
, former congresswoman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, Ole H. Olson
Ole H. Olson
Ole H. Olson was born in Mondovi, Wisconsin. After graduating from Concordia College, in Moorhead, Minnesota, he moved to North Dakota and eventually was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives and later was elected to the North Dakota State Senate. Olson was elected the Lieutenant...
, former Governor of North Dakota
Governor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
, Earl A. Reitan, a published author and former professor at Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
, and Adolph Murie
Adolph Murie
Adolph Murie , the first scientist to study wolves in their natural habitat, was a naturalist, author, and wildlife biologist who pioneered field research on wolves, bears, and other mammals and birds in Arctic and sub-Arctic Alaska...
, a biologist who was the first scientist to study wolves in their natural habitat.