Concordia Names New President

Michael Thomas becomes the fifth president of Concordia University Irvine Jan. 1. 

He succeeds former President Kurt Krueger.

Thomas is currently executive director at the Lutheran Institute at Concordia University Portland, where he has served for more than 15 years.

“I’m thrilled to bring my knowledge of the Concordia University system to a new location,” Thomas told the Business Journal.

He said the Lutheran institution will stay “rooted deeply in the mission, vision and values that has guaranteed students an excellent education, and an education known by name.” 

The private university began as a liberal arts school, and true to its heritage, took the wraps off the Borland-Manske Center for music, worship and theology in October. 

The 37,500-square-foot building includes a recording studio to help students prepare for music industry careers.

STEM

Thomas said he is also interested in leveraging the institution’s recent push into professional and STEM degrees and building relationships with area businesses and universities; Concordia recently created a bridge program with Chapman University’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences to bring graduates to its Master’s in Healthcare Administration program. 

He “absolutely intends” to create a bridge program between the Irvine institution and Concordia University School of Law in Boise, Idaho, as well.