Around Campus

June 2007

Concordia University wrapped up its most successful athletic campaign in school history scoring 737 points and earning a third place finish in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup, presented annually to the best overall NAIA collegiate athletics program in the country.

"At Concordia University, we are blessed with a great team of coaches and student-athletes who are committed to our mission of transforming lives via Christian character-building, education and athletics," said Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Preuss. "We are pleased and proud that their efforts have earned the highest Director's Cup finish in school history."

The Eagles claimed their best-ever finish in the all-sports competition thanks to four national finishes in the top three of the respective sports. In the Fall, Concordia claimed second place in men's cross country while grabbing third place in both women's cross country and women's volleyball.

While also scoring in both men's and women's soccer, the Eagles added another second place finish during the winter campaign as the men's basketball team took runner-up honors. The winter concluded with more valuable scoring during indoor track and field season as the men and women took 11th and 14th place, respectively.

Head coach Tony Barbone and the baseball program made another strong run into the playoffs before falling in the NAIA Region II championship game to earn another solid total for the program. The men's golf team earned a 21st place finish in its first-ever national tournament appearance while points were also earned in women's golf, tennis and outdoor track and field.

The Eagles have continued to climb the tables in the Director's Cup, an all-sports competition that awards points in 12 different sports based on regional and national competition, equally divided between men's and women's sports. Starting with a 33rd-place finish after the 2003-04 season, the Eagles jumped to 12th place the following season, then vaulted up to 6th position one year ago.  This year Concordia was just 8.25 points from taking second place overall and looks to improve once again next year.

Around Campus

May 2007

Concordia University Honors Record Size Graduating Class

• Concordia University honored 664 graduates (395 BA and 269 MA), along with nine distinguished leaders of the church and community, at its commencement on Friday, May 11, 2007.  Held UCI Bren Event Center, more than 5,000 family members and friends joined in the milestone day. More than 100 Bachelor of Arts graduates achieved distinctive academic rankings earning the recognition of honor scholars, honors associates, Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude. More than 80 Bachelor of Arts graduates became members of national honors societies in mathematics, pre-medicine, psychology, leadership, business/management/administration and theology. Senior Division Awards were presented to 35 graduates by the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Professional Studies, School of Education and Christ College. 

• Concordia's SIFE team presented their community outreach projects at the regional SIFE competition this spring.  The projects focused on ethics, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business success skills and market economics.  The judges were impressed with the students' strategy of allowing more time for questions allowing them to interact with the panel of 28 judges. Concordia placed first runner up in their division winning against Biola University and USC. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a global non-profit organization that partners with universities to implement programs that create real economic opportunities for members of their communities.

• The Aerie, Concordia University's literary magazine just released its ninth publication.  The magazine features contributions from all realms of the humanities including art, poetry, non-fiction, and fictional prose.  Students from all backgrounds and disciplines contributed original pieces to the publication.  Creativity and uniqueness were encouraged by professors Gretchen Beck, Thea Gavin and Rachel Soo, who coordinated and helped edit the journal.  Fifteen poems, ranging in theme from religion, race and social issues were contributed, as were six non-fiction pieces regarding student's real-life personal experiences.  Two fictional pieces were contributed, and evoked satirical sentiments about the society.  The art selections, which help to segue from artistic to literary expression, were selected from the Art Department's Student Art Exhibition in the Fall of 2006. The Aerie is available throughout campus.  

• New Honor Society on Campus:  The California Pi Chapter of the national mathematics honor society, Pi Mu Epsilon, has been installed at Concordia University.  Pi Mu Epsilon recognizes academic achievement in mathematics, with the mission of promoting scholarship and mathematics.

Athletics

• Concordia University track and field head coach Martin Gonzalez was recently named the NAIA Region II Coach of Character as Concordia named its winners of the 2007-08 Champions of Character Scholarship Award.  The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character program is designed to instill an understanding of character values in sport and provide practical tools for student-athletes, coaches and parents to use in modeling exemplary character traits.  Gonzalez was honored among over 4,000 coaches that participate around the country in the program. Concordia has also launched its own Champions of Character Scholarship Award program where one underclassman from each program is awarded a $500 scholarship for the following year.
• In just its second season of intercollegiate competition, the Concordia University men's golf team has earned an at-large berth to the 2007 NAIA Men's Golf National Championship Tournament, taking place May 22-25 at the Indiana National Golf Club at Swan Lake in Plymouth, Ind.  "This is the culmination of all the hard work these fine young men have put together," said head coach Joey Cerulle. "I look forward to seeing us in action against the best."  The Eagles are one of four NAIA Region II teams to earn a place in the field.

Concordia in the Community

• Concordia selected seven students and two staff members to go with Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Builds to South Africa to build homes for orphans that have been affected by HIV/AIDS. The trips will be July 20-30 and August 10-20 in Durban, South Africa. This will be in conjuction with Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. Closer to home, Student Services recently took 30 students and staff members to Tijuana, Mexico, joining Amor Ministries to build homes for underpriveliged families.

• School of Education Grad Student Named "Teacher of the Year"
  Greg McFall, a graduate student in the School of Education was named 2007-2008 Orange County and Westminster School District "Teacher of the Year." He has taught middle school history and language arts in the district for 10 years.

Theatre

SPRING DANCE CONCERT

Concordia University Dance Company
Dr. Janice Gudde Plastino, director

Friday, May 4 • 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 5 • 8:00 p.m.
Concordia University Studio Theatre

We're proud to present our first-ever dance concert, performed by the students of Concordia's recently formed Dance Ensemble Company. Led by Dr. Janice Gudde Plastino, founder of the University of California, Irvine dance program, whose choreography and dance credits include the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, NBC and BBC television, and directing opera at Lincoln Center in New York. The company will perform styles ranging from ballet to jazz to modern dance, choreographed by Dr. Plastino and student members of the Company. Don't miss this exciting new event!

$8 general/$6 students and seniors
For More Information, Call: (949) 854-8002, ext. 1526

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice

Book by Linda Woolverton

Directed by Prof. Mic Shackelford '90, MA '00

Musical Direction by Rob Blaney '92

Choreography by Janice Gudde Plastino

Presented at the Alexandra Nechita Center for the Arts

Lutheran High School of Orange County

2222 N. Santiago Blvd., Orange, CA 92867

Based on the treasured Disney film, this Tony® Award-winning, modern-day classic has captivated audiences around the world.  Join Belle as (with the help of some magical household friends) she teaches the Beast the true meaning of kindness and love.  The fairytale score features the delightful songs "Be Our Guest," "Belle," and the Academy Award®-winning title song.  Enjoy the magic of this enchanting family favorite in the elegant intimacy of theAlexandra Nechita Centerfor the Arts at Lutheran High School of Orange County.  Beauty and the Beast has never been so beautiful!

Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International
Date: March 16 - 25, 2007
For Tickets:  Call (714) 282-4699 or visit www.lhsoc.org/arts For More Information, Call: (949) 854-8002, ext. 1525

Hey Everyone! Check out the programs that Concordia Univeristy offers, we currently added more great new programs and majors, take a look and click on each link to take you straight to that page on the website.  If you want to just browse around the website visit us at www.cui.edu

If you want to be directly connected to the application page click here : Application

Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Water Polo, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Softball, Cross-County and Track & Field!

Academics:

Undergraduate Majors-Business, Church Work, Communications, Education, Exercise & Sports Science, Fine Arts & Music, Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science, Theatre, Theology and Research with Full Professors.

New Majors!

Debate & Speech, Film, Nursing, Biblical Languages and Aquatics

Graduate-Coaching & Athletic Administration, Education (Classroom and Online), International Studies, Business Administration, Teaching Credentials, Theology and MBA Online!

Adult Studies-Degree Completion and Certificates

Home Schooled Students Tell Why Concordia University is the Perfect

As a parent of two home schooled sons, I ask myself, "How will college compliment the lessons they have learned?"  The interviews below explain how three home schooled students thrived academically, personally and spiritually at Concordia University.   

Jesse Cook, Concordia student

With your background in home schooling, how did Concordia help you succeed as a student? 
Well the good thing about Concordia, when it comes to being home schooled, is the fact that most of the classes are relatively small, which enables teachers to be able to help a student one on one.

How did Concordia nurture the values that your parents instilled?
Concordia is like a family in the sense that they are very supportive and friendly.
This helps a lot because it's usually not easy making friends at a new school but
with the values Concordia has it makes it quite easy to do so. Also since it is a Christian university the professors help me strengthen my faith inside and outside of class.

What opportunities did Concordia present to you in order to grow and develop character?
Concordia gave me the opportunity to take classes for a Missiology minor which
has helped me grow in my faith and character. The friends I have made here have also played a role in developing my character.

What was it like adjusting to living on campus and "fitting in?"
Living on campus is great for your first year because it gives you the chance to
meet new people and since you're around them all the time it makes it very easy to
make close friends.

How did faculty help you succeed as a student?
The faculty has helped me tremendously, especially in classes I struggled with. They are always more than willing to help you one on one outside of class and help you learn the information, because they want you to succeed.

Torin Beeler '06, Concordia Alumnus

With your background in home schooling, how did Concordia help you succeed as a student? 
Concordia helped me to succeed as a student by providing an atmosphere that was not overwhelming in size, and that had a faculty base that was eager to lend a helping hand. Coming from a classroom of three, myself and my two brothers, the classroom size was very small.  The classroom size at Concordia was conducive to the environment that I was used to. It made me feel comfortable and gave me an opportunity to build a relationship with many of the faculty members. Something I am thankful for to this day and do not believe I would have established if I would have attended a larger university.

How did Concordia nurture the values that your parents instilled?
Attending a university that would continue to enhance the values that my parents had instilled in me was a large factor in my selection of attending Concordia. There are a plethora of opportunities to get involved in that will not only help you succeed in the classroom but also continue your growth spiritually. Specifically through the variety of theology courses I attended it brought a deeper understanding to the Bible and gave me a more confident attitude toward sharing my faith.

What opportunities did Concordia present to you in order to grow and develop character?
Concordia University presented me with a unique opportunity to grow and develop my character in a way that I wish all students could experience. I had an opportunity to be involved in making history by being a part of our first National Championship Team for the university's men's basketball team. On many occasions the athletic departments as well as my coaches were able to share in major challenges as well as exciting new adventures in my life. I always knew they had my best interest in mind and were sincerely interested in helping me develop not only as an athlete but my character as a human being.

What was it like adjusting to living on campus and "fitting in?"
My best friends to this day are definitely my roommates that I had while attending Concordia. I believe that the time you spend in college and the relationships you establish will mold the person you will be later in life. So why not make those relationships with people who share the same values as you do? And that is exactly what I found at Concordia. Going to any college and trying to "fit in" can be something that is out of your comfort zone. But having people that shared my same values and that I had things in common with me made the process exciting.

How did faculty help you succeed as a student?
I felt a common theme throughout my college career at Concordia that the faculty sincerely wanted all their students to succeed. If ever I had a challenge with an assignment my professors always made me feel like I had an open door policy to ask questions after class and get personal help if necessary.  My professors at Concordia also new me and my fellow students by first name which gave us a great opportunity to establish relationships with the faculty.

Sarah (Hall) Ailes, '06 Concordia Alumna

How did Concordia nurture the values that your parents instilled?
Because Concordia is a Christian school, I was surrounded by an environment that promoted that values and the faith that I grew up in. More than that, though, Concordia's professors held me to high standards, academically and morally, thereby creating an atmosphere of supportive accountability in which I could mature as a college student. Concordia's small class sizes allowed me to get to know my professors and develop a mentoring relationship with many of them, allowing my professors to be maximally effective inside and outside the classroom.
 
What opportunities did Concordia present to you in order to grow and develop character?
The small class sizes were especially instrumental promoting mentoring relationships with my professors. Because of these relationships, my professors were able to challenge me to grow in maturity and in my studies. One unique experience was the opportunity I had to work with Professor Bruening on a paper for the President's Showcase Competition. That semester was a time of learning one-on-one with a professor I highly respected and admired.

What was it like adjusting to living on campus and "fitting in?"
I was a commuter for three years, and only lived on campus during my senior year. Living on campus was an easy adjustment, because I had a base of friends already at Concordia. When I first started attending Concordia, fitting in was difficult. Joining choir really turned that around for me, and I think that any extra-curricular activity like choir (sports, handbells, etc) would accomplish the same thing. Choir was one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of my college career.

How did faculty help you succeed as a student?
The personal attention given to each student made Concordia an ideal place for me as a home schooler. Coming out of an environment of 100% one-on-one teaching was not difficult because of the quality of the professors and small class sizes. The faculty was very accessible and always willing to help and answer a question.

For more information on Concordia University, please call 800-229-1200 or visit www.cui.edu.

Interested in applying to CUI?

We encourage you to visit Concordia and tour our beautiful campus.  You can take a virtual tour of our campus, or, even better yet, you can take an on site campus tour.  Tours are available during the following weekly schedule:

Monday's at 9:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM
Tuesday's at 9:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM
Wednesday's at 9:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM
Thursday's at 9:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM
Friday's at 9:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 2:00 PM

Tours last one hour and are either preceeded or followed with a talk with an admissions counselor to go over the specifics of applying for admission to Concordia.

In addition, you may join us for campus worship in chapel which is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week from 10:30 - 11:00 AM, during the fall and spring semesters.

FREE lunch is available to prospective students and their families that wish to experience the great campus food service. If you would like to join us for lunch please indicate that on your visit/tour form below, or when you call. Lunch is served 11:00 - 2:00 M-F.

To schedule a campus tour you may contact the admission office directly at 800.229.1200 extension 1106.

Please note private tours are not available on Preview Days. Please contact the admissions office or click here for more details about Preview Days.

TO APPLICATION PAGE CLICK ON LINK BELOW:

Apply Today!!