Concordia University marks start of new school year

Concordia University Irvine welcomed about 600 students, instructors and staff members to a celebration of the beginning of the school year.

The Monday morning service, held in the campus gymnasium, began with an invocation from campus pastor Quinton Anderson and an opening speech from the university’s president, Kurt Krueger.

Concordia faculty members, leaders in student government, resident advisors and others were recognized during the event.

The private Christian school, now in its 40th academic year, has begun each school year with an opening service.

“Concordia is staying committed to two pillars. One is faithfulness and the other is excellence,” Krueger said.

“We’ve been faithful to our mission of providing a Christian education as well as excellent academic programs. We feel that Concordia has been doing both these things for 40 years and we’ll continue to do for the next 400 years.”

According the Krueger, the university will serve a student body of around 4,500 this school year.