Family Pledges $5 Million to Concordia

A family that has asked to remain anonymous has pledged $5 million to Concordia University, the largest gift in the college’s 20-year history, school officials said.

The donor, identified by school officials this week only as a “family with roots in Orange County,” has offered $2 million toward the construction of a new campus student center and freshman dormitory and $3 million as a challenge grant to be matched by other donors, said Alan C. Zacharias, vice president and executive director of Concordia’s foundation.

“They are deeply grateful for the way the Lord has blessed them in their lives,” Zacharias said of the family. “This is one manifestation of their life of giving and service.”

School officials said the gift will help launch a new fund-raising campaign for capital projects and a variety of student financial needs. The money also will be used for a new seminary program that will train pastors to work in various cultures in this country and around the world, officials said.

“This $5-million gift provides a solid foundation for Concordia to better serve students,” said D. Ray Halm, Concordia’s president. “We are most grateful this family has taken such ownership in the mission and vision of this school.”

Concordia University, formerly Christ College Irvine, is in the Turtle Rock section of Irvine and has an enrollment of 1,400 students. It is one of 10 universities nationwide operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.