$1 Million Gift Supports Concordia University Expansion

George R. White Invests in Concordia and its Future Law School in Boise

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Concordia University in Portland, Ore., received another million dollar gift from Boise, Idaho philanthropist, business and civic leader George R. White and his wife Geri White.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110103/DC23679)

The gift supports the University and the development of Concordia's future law school in Boise, Idaho.  In recognition of this remarkable support, Concordia University will name its new law library the "George R. White Law Library" upon the facility's completion and opening at 501 Front Street in downtown Boise. The renovated building will seek LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

An earlier multi-million dollar gift from George and Geri White in spring of 2008 marked the first step in Concordia's expansion plans and helped name and open the new George R. White Library & Learning Center in August 2009 on the Portland campus.  The 74,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold certified building provides a critical intellectual and cultural resource for the campus and local community, already having issued more than 1,200 free library cards to neighbors in Northeast Portland.

"White's quarter century of service and unwavering dedication to Concordia University's mission is a tremendous blessing," said Concordia University President Charles Schlimpert. "The Whites are critical contributors to our record expansion - both in terms of the student body as well as the academic programs and infrastructure to support them."

George and Geri White reside in Boise, Id., where Mr. White is founder and president of National Bark Sales.  He joined Concordia University's Board of Regents in 1992, serving on numerous committees and taskforces, and served as chair of the regents during a critical transitional period for the University. White was instrumental in the expansion and development of the Concordia University Foundation and served as a Director of the Foundation for nine years.

In addition to the recently opened George R. White Library & Learning Center in Portland and the law library under construction in Boise, Concordia's Portland campus recently: opened a new residence hall; overhauled its Hagen Campus Center to serve as a Student Union; and dedicated the new Concordia University Throw Center, adjacent to Portland International Airport, serving youth and Olympic hopefuls. Next, the University will break ground on the new Concordia University & Community Athletic Complex.  

Concordia University's growth is a physical representation of its growing enrollment and intentional outreach to the community. The University's enrollment more than doubled in the past decade from 1,000 to nearly 2,500 students.  During the same period, Concordia made a concentrated commitment to community partnerships locally and globally, especially in North and Northeast Portland.

ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, liberal arts university founded in 1905 and located in Northeast Portland with a mission of preparing leaders for the transformation of society.  The University serves nearly 2,500 students through its College of Education, College of Health & Human Services, College of Theology Arts & Sciences and School of Management.  Concordia was recently ranked #1 in the nation in community service hours by Washington Monthly magazine. www.cu-portland.edu

CONTACT: Madeline Turnock, +1-503-803-3729, [email protected]

SOURCE Concordia University