Established on 10.01.1998 by Concordia College in honor of President Paul Dovre and Mardeth Dovre  

Concordia was blessed with the leadership of President Paul Dovre and of Mardeth Dovre. They were unwavering partners in their commitment to the mission of this college and to the students it was established to serve. They worked tirelessly to enhance the traditional strengths of the college and to strengthen and enhance its financial resource base.

Paul was born in Minneota, MN, and raised in Porter, MN. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in speech and economics from Concordia in 1958 and earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from Northwestern University. He also attended Luther Seminary for one year. Paul joined the communication studies and theatre art faculty in 1963 and served as dean and academic vice president. 

In 1975, at age 39, he became the eighth president of Concordia. Paul was instrumental in the formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was named one of the nation’s top 100 college and university presidents, and received the Concordia Alumni Achievement Award. He has honorary degrees from Capital University, Concordia College, Wartburg College, St. Olaf College, and Luther College.

Mardeth was in born in Ambrose, ND, and raised in Halstad, MN. She graduated from Concordia in 1957 with a bachelors degree in business education and psychology. She went on to be a business teacher for 20 years at Fargo South High School. Mardeth was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma in Fargo, ND. She has been honored with the Concordia Alumni Achievement Award and most recently served in leadership roles with Hospice of the Red River Valley, Moorhead Healthy Community Initiative (now Metro Youth Partnership), and the Women’s Fund of Fargo-Moorhead.

Upon their retirement, Concordia College recognized their 35 years of faithful and inspired leadership by establishing an endowment fund bearing their name in support of the Center for Faith and Learning.

The Center for Faith and Learning was established by action of the Faculty Senate of Concordia College to assist and encourage faculty and students to explore the dynamic relationships between faith and learning, belief and action. The center accomplishes this task by keeping questions and issues of faith and learning alive on campus, by assisting faculty in connecting matters of faith with their work at the college and by nurturing a sense of community among the faculty around these issues.

The purpose of the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning Endowment is to perpetuate this priority program and recognize Paul Dovre's and Mardy Dovre's commitment to the mission of Concordia College: to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life.