Concordia Texas Celebrates 100 Years: Your Guide to Centennial Weekend

One hundred years of faith. Generations of lives transformed. One unforgettable weekend.

Concordia University Texas is turning 100, and we're celebrating the people, memories and mission that brought us here.

What began in 1926 with 26 students has grown into a university preparing generations of leaders for lives of critical thought, compassionate action and courageous leadership.

From our earliest days to today's mission of developing the mind, heart, soul and body, one thing remains constant: God continues to work through Concordia Texas to shape lives of purpose and service.

This October 23-24, students, alumni, faculty, staff, families and friends will gather on our Northwest Austin campus to honor that legacy and look faithfully forward together.

Whether Concordia was your home decades ago or you're experiencing campus for the first time, this celebration belongs to you.

Beginning with Prayer and Celebration

Faith has been at the heart of Concordia's story since 1926. Begin Centennial Weekend with prayer, music, fellowship and worship this Friday, October 23, joined by Austin's faith community.

• 8 a.m. - Check-in
• 8:30 a.m. - Prayer and music
• 9:15 a.m. - Prayer walk opens; breakfast available
• 10 a.m. - Centennial Chapel Service

An Evening of Dinner and Dancing

Friday evening brings a Texas-sized celebration: the Centennial Round-Up at The Oasis on Lake Travis. With a small program, the Concordia community will have opportunities to reconnect.

This event is sold out and requires advance tickets.

Concordia Texas Together - A Celebration Spanning the Campus

Free and open to all!

Saturday is the heart of our Centennial Celebration, with an entire day of reunions, storytelling, music, campus tours, hands-on experiences and worship.

Come for your favorite professor, stay for the memories, and discover something new about the university's second century.

Start Here: Welcome Ceremony

9-9:50 a.m. | Guest Check-In

Begin your day at the Deb & Don Christian Fieldhouse. Donuts, breakfast tacos and coffee will be available for purchase.

10-10:50 a.m. | Centennial Welcome & Opening Ceremony

Join President and CEO Dr. Kristi Kirk, honorary chairs Jane Martens and Dr. Larry Meissner, and generations of Concordia leaders for a historic gathering.

Reconnect with the People Who Shaped Your Story

11 a.m.-Noon | Legacy Lectures - Building F

Hear from familiar faculty and leaders whose teaching and service helped shape generations of Concordia students, including Dr. Tom Cedel, Linda Lowery, Dr. Larry Meissner, Dr. Edna Rehbein, Dr. Don Christian, Dr. Paul Puffe, Dr. Claudia Teinert and Dr. Ann Schwartz.

11 a.m.-Noon | Dr. David Zersen Book Talk - Building F

Noon | Meet, Greet & Mixer - Building F

Reconnect with former presidents, faculty and friends, including Dr. Don Christian, Dr. Tom Cedel, Dr. Paul Puffe, Dr. Claudia Teinert, Dr. Ann Schwartz, Dr. Michael Moyer and Laura Arldt.

1-2 p.m. | President's Panel - Chapel

Hear from university leadership as Concordia reflects on its history and looks toward its next 100 years.

Explore Campus, Old and New

Whether you remember the original campus or know Concordia Texas from its scenic, 400-plus-acre nature-preserve setting, there's plenty to discover.

Tours and experiences include:

• Campus Tours
• Preserve Tours
• Tornado Trail Tours
• Cave and Preserve Talks with Dr. Jen Hofmann: Noon and 2 p.m. - F202
• Nursing Simulations: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. - D130
• Student Symposium: 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. - Student Center

Relive Your Concordia Texas Years

11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Activities Throughout Campus

Make time for traditions and experiences designed to connect generations:

• Rooms Through the Decades: Step back into Concordia's history through four eras, from 1926 to today, in Building C.
• Centennial Mini-Galleries: Discover photographs, stories and milestones across campus.
• Video Storytelling Interviews: Share your Concordia memories and help preserve the stories of our first century in D265.
• CTX Loves You Wall: Leave a message of gratitude or encouragement in the Purple Rock Garden.
• Plant the Future: Take part in an activity symbolizing the legacy we continue to grow.
• Prayer Walk and Wall: Reflect on God's faithfulness and offer prayers for Concordia's future.

You'll also find live music, face painting, rock painting, games, mascot photo opportunities, CTX swag, a bookstore pop-up, lunch (advanced purchase required) and more.

End the Day Where Our Story Begins: Worship

4 p.m. | Centennial Worship Service - Deb & Don Christian Fieldhouse

Our Centennial celebration culminates in worship, giving thanks to God for a century of blessings and looking ahead with confidence in His promises.

Rev. James H. Rockey, president of the Florida-Georgia District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, will deliver the sermon.

Stay for an evening reception outside the Fieldhouse with live music by Shay Domann.

Before You Arrive: Your Centennial Checklist

Where: Concordia University Texas, 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin, TX 78726.

Parking: Park in Lot C, to the right as you enter campus. Golf carts will be available to assist with transportation to check-in and between event locations.

Arrival: Saturday check-in begins at 9 a.m. The Opening Ceremony starts promptly at 10 a.m.

Admission: Saturday's community celebration is free, though the catered lunch requires advance tickets.

What to bring: Your Concordia Texas memories, curiosity for the future and comfortable walking shoes. Purple and gold are always welcome!

Plan ahead: Review the schedule and choose your can't-miss activities before arriving.

With God We Shall Do Valiantly

When Concordia welcomed its first 26 students a century ago, Psalm 108:13 helped establish a foundation that continues to guide the university:

"With God we shall do valiantly." - Psalm 108:13

Those words remain a declaration of faith and a call to action.

For 100 years, Concordia Texas has prepared students to discover their gifts, pursue their calling and serve their neighbors. The classrooms, faces and even the campus location may have changed, but God's faithfulness and the mission of Christ-centered education continue.

This weekend is more than a birthday celebration. It's a homecoming, a reunion, a time of thanksgiving and an invitation to see what God will do through the next generation.

Faithfully forward together.