Concordia University Texas has a rich history of providing Christ-centered, high-quality education in Central Texas.
Founded in 1926 as a high school north of Austin, its initial location on a 20-acre plot sparked questions about its size and distance from the city. Back then, Austin was a far cry from the bustling metropolis it is today. What was once vast, open countryside has transformed into a dense network of development, an airport that has come and gone, and a major interstate highway.
Infused with the spirit of growth and courage and guided by the vision of academic excellence and Lutheran ethos, the University took the necessary steps to live that mission.
In 2005, after considering over 30 locations, the Board of Regents made a visionary decision to move the campus and in 2007, Concordia Texas purchased Schlumberger’s former campus, the Austin Hill Country Reserve. The 437-acre property would allow for significant growth and development.
The new campus opened in 2008, featuring renovated buildings, a new field house, student housing, and a unique crown jewel: a 250-acre nature preserve. The rich ecosystem offers students a stunning natural environment that is home to wetlands, caves, and dense tree cover that protects two endangered species of birds: the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. The relocation offered an expansion of services for students and the broader community.
Since then, several academic buildings and other facilities have been constructed and named after impactful individuals who advanced Concordia Texas’s mission. Among them, the Zielke Academic Support Center, The Gardner-Boggs Baseball Field, Martens Hall—named in honor of former University President Ray Martens, Cedel Hall—named in honor of former University President Dr. Tom Cedel—and the Birkmann Entrance.
As Concordia University Texas approaches its second century, it remains dedicated to empowering students of all backgrounds to live lives of critical thought, compassionate action, and courageous leadership. Here, the adventure of faith, learning, and life-changing experiences leads to meaningful work.
For more information about Concordia Texas's rich history, please visit our online archives.