Concordia celebrates the start of the 2026-27 academic year
Marches were played. Advice was given. Corn-related puns were shared. And then, following the ceremonial opening convocation of Concordia College’s 136th academic year on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, more than 500 freshly planted Cobbers flung their beanies to the skies on Olin Hill.
The convocation itself is a long-standing academic tradition for many college campuses, meant to welcome students and encourage them in their efforts to learn and grow.
“We are gathered in this newly renovated Memorial Auditorium … A renovated building is a reminder that growth has never really finished. We build on what came before,” said Rachel Bergeson, Concordia athletic director and primary speaker at the event. “We're constantly looking for ways to improve and better ourselves and our spaces. We strengthen the foundation that we've built. We make changes when something needs change, and then we create opportunities for what comes next. That's true of buildings, and I think that's even more true of people.”
She urged students to be courageous, and to understand that it takes courage to grow. She challenged them to have the courage to try, but also to fail, and grow.
“Let Concordia believe in you,” Bergeson said. “We’re all here to help you find the courage to grow as a Cobber. And if you still can’t figure out what’s next and you feel lost, remember: you might not be lost. You might simply be growing.”
A current of enthusiasm and excitement for the start of the new school year ran through both the assembled students and the Concordia faculty and staff throughout the convocation, starting with The Concordia Band’s opening prelude and processional.
Dr. Susan Larson, provost and dean of the college, gave the welcome, followed by an invocation prayer from the Revs. Dave and Kim Adams, campus pastors. Larson and Ben Iverson, vice president for Enrollment, announced the new student matriculation, formally reciting the college’s responsibilities to the new Cobbers and the students’ responsibilities to their college.
Rachel Huynh ’27, Student Government Association president, shared advice with the new students as well, encouraging them to talk to other people, including classmates, professors, and parents, and create connections with people.
“You learn by allowing yourself to be a beginner … be open to change. Embrace that you will make mistakes and learn different perspectives,” Huynh said. “You are going to learn, unlearn, and relearn in so many different ways, and that will be a cycle. And lastly: it will all be OK.”
Students who made the dean’s list in the spring were recognized, as were faculty members receiving tenure or promotion.
Dr. Colin Irvine, president of Concordia College, gave a call to engagement, encouraging students to be present, and to be present with and for each other.
“Accept not only your place here, and this is the most important and main thing that I ask of each of you, but please, please accept the place of everyone around you as being critically important to our community. Everyone in this room belongs here,” Irvine said. “Nobody belongs more or less than anyone else. That's our starting point as a community of Concordia College Cobbers on Aug. 25, 2026. What we do from this point forward is up to us.”
Larson formally declared the start of the academic year, and the Concordia community sang “Hymn to Concordia” together before recessing to the music of The Concordia Band.