Concordia University, River Forest (CURF) is a private, Lutheran liberal arts university located
in the suburb of River Forest, Illinois, just west of Chicago. On its 40
acre (162,000 m²) campus, Concordia serves 1,200 undergraduates and 700 graduate students. Concordia is a member of the
Concordia University System, a network of ten
American colleges and universities affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. It was the only university in the 10-school system to
achieve the rank of top tier on US News and World Reports Best Colleges 2003 list, although some other CUS institutions made the
list in 2004.Concordia was founded in 1864 in Addison, Illinois as
Concordia Teachers' College, making it the oldest institution in the
Concordia University System. In 1913 the college moved to its present campus in River
Forest. In 1992, the institution expanded its education-based program to become a full
liberal arts institution and changed its name to Concordia University.Education is still CURF's largest academic program. Others include Business, Nursing, Communications, Music, Theology, and many other undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Many students plan on
becoming professional church workers. Half of Concordia's student population is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod.The student body form a close community: 92% of recent alumni agreed with this statement in a 2000 survey. Roughly 50% of
Concordia students come from outside Illinois.Concordia's athletic teams are called the Cougars. CURF is classified as an NCAA
Division III school. The school colors are maroon and gold.Concordia University Mission Statement: "As a distinctive, comprehensive University of the Lutheran Church-Missourri Synod,
centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and based in the liberal arts, Concordia university equips men and women to serve and lead
with integrity, creativity and compassion in a diverse, interconnected and increasingly urbanized church and world."The Alma Mater: "Hail to thee our Alma Mater; Hail to thee maroon and gold! Here we stand thy sons and daughters, thinking
back to days of old. Days of joy and happy meetings, days of friendship and of love. As we stand before thy pillars, hail
Concordia hail!"
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