The purpose of the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning is to promote dialogue on how the dynamic interplay of faith and learning shapes not only the identity of Concordia College but ultimately the sense of vocation experienced by students, faculty, staff alumni.
Established by Concordia President Emeritus Dr. Paul Dovre and his wife, Mardeth, the Dovre Center was one of the first of its kind in Lutheran higher education, devoted exclusively to the interaction of faith and learning. The center continues to help faculty and students manifest their abilities to contribute to society through the expression of four specific goals:
- To keep the questions and issues of faith and learning alive on campus
- To assist faculty in connecting matters of faith with their work and their contributions to the college's religious identity
- To assist in developing and sustaining faculty community
- To encourage new initiatives in relating faith and learning to students
Today, Dr. Michael Chan serves as the administrative liaison to the college president for multiple faith expressions on campus including the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning, the Office of Mission and Inclusion, the Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work, the Center for Interfaith Engagement, Campus Ministry, and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Opportunity (IDEO) Office.
About the Dovres
It's hard to imagine a Concordia without Dr. Paul and Mardeth Dovre who served here for 35 years, including more than 20 as president and first lady. Upon their retirement at the close of the 1998-99 academic year, the Board of Regents established the Paul J. and Mardeth L. Dovre Endowment for the Center for Faith and Learning. Funds designated in their name to the 21st Century Fund: Sustaining the Mission, underwrite in perpetuity the work of the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning.
