Concordia College New York announces plan to cease operations, sell campus

Feth Administration Hall, Concordia College New York, Bronxville, N.Y. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

On Jan. 28, Concordia College New York (CCNY), Bronxville, N.Y., and Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., issued a joint press release detailing the closure of CCNY in the fall of 2021. The release “announced the institutions are proceeding with a formal agreement for Iona College to acquire Concordia’s Bronxville campus and provide continued education for Concordia’s students through a teach-out plan, enabling most students to continue their degrees to completion at Iona. Concordia College New York’s classes will cease beginning with the fall 2021 semester and the college will close.”

CCNY, though a separate legal entity governed by the CCNY Board of Regents, is part of the Concordia University System (CUS) and, as such, has been an important part of the mission and ministry of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The impact of the CCNY closure will be felt by the entire LCMS community.

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison said, “Today our hearts are heavy at the news of the coming closure of Concordia College New York. For 140 years, its graduates have served — and are serving the church and the world — in God-pleasing vocations around the globe.

“I cannot but reflect with thanksgiving, even today, on the myriad blessings God has produced through this school. We thank God, too, for the heroic effort of the CCNY Board of Regents, CCNY President Rev. Dr. John Nunes, the LCMS Atlantic District and District President Rev. Derek Lecakes, and the faculty and staff of CCNY to find a way forward.

“It is our deepest desire now that the Lord will richly bless all, especially students, as transitions are made. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. For His mercy endures forever. Amen.”

Read the full joint press release from CCNY and Iona College.

Read a press release from the CCNY Board of Regents.

Read a statement from LCMS Atlantic District President Rev. Derek Lecakes at the Atlantic District website.

Read a joint statement from the CUS presidents.

CCNY traces its beginnings to 1881. It was provisionally chartered in 1936 by the New York State Board of Regents and received an absolute charter in 1940. CCNY has offered associate degrees since 1951, bachelor’s degrees since 1972, and master’s degrees since 2011.

Posted Jan. 28, 2021/Updated Jan. 28, 2021