Concordia College Alabama

Concordia College Alabama: History, Academics, Campus, Student Life and Legacy

Concordia College Alabama was a private historically Black college located in Selma, Alabama. Founded in 1922, the institution developed from a school created to educate and train African American teachers and church workers. It later became a four-year college and played an important role in Black education and Lutheran ministry in Alabama.

The institution was closely associated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and became the only historically Black college within the Concordia University System. Its history was also strongly connected to Rosa J. Young, an influential African American educator whose work helped establish schools and Lutheran congregations for Black communities across Alabama.

Concordia College Alabama continued serving students for nearly a century before financial difficulties and declining enrollment eventually led to its closure. The college held its final commencement ceremony in April 2018 and ceased operations at the end of the spring semester.

Today, Concordia College Alabama is no longer an operating institution. Its importance remains primarily historical, particularly in the areas of HBCU education, Lutheran history, teacher preparation and African American educational development.

What is Concordia College Alabama Known For?

Concordia College Alabama was best known for its role in providing higher education to African American students in Alabama and for its connection to Lutheran education.

The institution's origins were closely connected to Rosa J. Young, an educator who worked extensively to establish schools for Black children in Alabama. Young sought support for educational work in communities where African American students had limited access to formal education.

In 1922, a school was established in Selma with the support of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Its early mission was strongly focused on preparing teachers and church workers who could serve African American communities.

Over time, the institution evolved from a preparatory school into a junior college and eventually a four-year bachelor's degree-granting institution. In 1981, it adopted the name Concordia College Alabama.

The college became especially distinctive because it combined its HBCU identity with its Lutheran religious heritage. It educated students who went on to careers in education, ministry, business and other professional fields.

Rankings – Concordia College Alabama

Concordia College Alabama was not primarily known for national rankings. Its importance was more closely associated with its mission and historical contribution to education.

As an open-admission four-year institution, Concordia served students who wanted to pursue higher education in a supportive academic environment. Its historical significance came from its role in educating African American students and preparing teachers and Lutheran church leaders.

The college's identity as an HBCU within the Lutheran higher-education system made it particularly distinctive.

Because the institution closed in 2018, current university rankings do not apply.

Why These Rankings Matter

For Concordia College Alabama, rankings provide less useful information than its historical mission and educational impact.

The college operated during a period when educational opportunities for African Americans were significantly restricted. Institutions such as Concordia provided pathways to higher education and professional careers.

Its history also demonstrates how the mission and sustainability of smaller private colleges can change over time. Declining enrollment and financial difficulties eventually made continued operation impossible.

Quick Facts

• Institution: Concordia College Alabama
• Location: Selma, Alabama
• Founded: 1922
• Institution Type: Private historically Black college
• Religious Affiliation: Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
• Academic Type: Four-year college
• Historical Campus: Selma, Alabama
• Campus Size: Approximately 57 acres in its later years
• Nickname: Hornets
• Final Graduation: April 2018
• Closed: 2018

Q&A

Where was Concordia College Alabama located?

It was located in Selma, Alabama.

When was Concordia College Alabama founded?

The institution was founded in 1922.

Was Concordia College Alabama an HBCU?

Yes. It was a historically Black college.

Is Concordia College Alabama still operating?

No. The college closed at the end of the spring 2018 semester.

Campus – Concordia College Alabama

The Concordia College Alabama campus was located in Selma and grew substantially throughout the institution's history.

The original campus included buildings associated with the college's early development. Bakke Hall and the Dormitory were among the historic structures connected with the institution. These buildings were later recognized for their historical significance.

In 2010, the college expanded its campus from approximately 22 acres to 57 acres by acquiring the grounds and buildings of the nearby United Methodist Children's Home.

The campus served as the center of academic, residential and extracurricular life for generations of students. Classrooms, administrative spaces, residential facilities, athletic areas and community spaces contributed to the traditional college environment.

The physical campus also reflected Concordia's long history in Selma. For students and alumni, it represented a place where education, religious life and community relationships came together.

Following the college's closure, the campus ceased functioning as an active college campus.

Q&A

How large was Concordia College Alabama's campus?

The campus eventually covered approximately 57 acres.

Did the campus contain historic buildings?

Yes. Bakke Hall and the Dormitory were among the historically significant buildings associated with the campus.

Is Concordia's campus still an operating college campus?

No. Concordia College Alabama ceased operations in 2018.

Courses – Concordia College Alabama

During its operating years, Concordia College Alabama offered undergraduate education across several academic areas.

The institution's earliest academic mission focused strongly on preparing teachers and church workers. As the college developed, its curriculum expanded to provide students with broader bachelor's degree opportunities.

Academic study combined elements of liberal arts education with professional preparation. Students could develop knowledge in their chosen fields while also receiving a broader educational foundation.

The college's academic environment was influenced by its Lutheran heritage and its commitment to serving African American students.

Because Concordia closed in 2018, its academic programs are now part of the institution's educational history rather than current degree options.

Popular Subject Areas at Concordia College Alabama

Historical areas of study included:

• Business
• Education
• Behavioral sciences
• Nursing
• Computer science
• Religion
• Humanities
• Social sciences
• Natural sciences
• Liberal arts
• Communication
• Professional studies

Education remained particularly important because teacher preparation was central to the institution's original mission.

Religious education and ministry also remained connected to Concordia's Lutheran identity.

Q&A

What was Concordia College Alabama's academic focus?

Its academic mission included liberal arts, teacher preparation, professional education and religious studies.

Did Concordia offer bachelor's degrees?

Yes. The institution eventually became a four-year bachelor's degree-granting college.

Can students enroll in Concordia's programs today?

No. The college closed in 2018.

Student Life at Concordia College Alabama

Student life at Concordia was shaped by its close-knit institutional environment, academic programs, religious heritage and HBCU identity.

Students participated in campus organizations, academic activities, athletics and community events. The college's relatively small size allowed students to develop relationships with classmates, faculty and staff.

Athletics were also part of student life. Concordia's athletic teams were known as the Hornets, and the college competed in several collegiate sports.

The institution also maintained traditions connected with its Lutheran heritage and its history in Selma.

The final academic year was particularly significant. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members participated in events celebrating the college's long history before the final commencement ceremony.

The final graduating class consisted of 147 students who received bachelor's degrees in April 2018.

Facilities & Campus Life

Concordia College Alabama's campus contained academic, residential and recreational facilities.

Historic buildings were an important part of the campus environment. Bakke Hall and the Dormitory, both dating from the institution's early period, reflected the college's development during the 1920s.

The campus also included residential facilities and spaces for athletics and student activities.

One of the notable facilities was the Julius and Mary Jenkins Center Gymnasium. The gymnasium hosted the college's final graduation ceremony in April 2018, making it an especially important location in the institution's final chapter.

Q&A

Did Concordia have student housing?

Yes. Residential facilities were part of campus life.

Did Concordia have athletics?

Yes. The college competed in collegiate athletics under the Hornets name.

Where was the final graduation ceremony held?

The final commencement was held in the Julius and Mary Jenkins Center Gymnasium.

Careers & Employability – Concordia College Alabama

Career preparation was an important part of Concordia College Alabama's educational mission.

The institution's early history was strongly connected to teacher preparation. Students were educated for roles that would allow them to serve schools and communities throughout Alabama and other areas.

As the college expanded its academic programs, graduates entered a wider range of professional fields.

Graduates could pursue careers in education, business, ministry, public service and other areas depending on their academic background.

The institution's broader liberal arts education also helped students develop communication, analytical and interpersonal skills that could be useful in professional environments.

Career Support Includes

Historical career preparation included:

• Academic advising
• Faculty mentorship
• Teacher preparation
• Professional education
• Leadership development
• Community involvement
• Ministry preparation
• Undergraduate learning

The college's emphasis on service encouraged students to think about how their education could contribute to their communities.

Q&A

What careers did Concordia graduates pursue?

Graduates entered areas such as education, ministry, business, public service and other professional fields.

Was teacher preparation important at Concordia?

Yes. Teacher preparation was central to the institution's early mission.

Does Concordia currently offer career services?

No. The college ceased operations in 2018.

Fees – Concordia College Alabama

There are no current tuition fees at Concordia College Alabama because the institution is closed.

During its operating years, students paid tuition and other educational expenses. Costs varied depending on the academic year, program and individual circumstances.

Historical tuition information should not be presented as current pricing because students cannot currently enroll at the institution.

Estimated Tuition Fees for International Students

There are no current international-student tuition fees because Concordia College Alabama is no longer operating.

During its final years, the college had an international dimension to its student community. Students from African countries were among those who graduated in the final class.

However, historical costs should only be used for understanding the college's past and not for planning a current study-abroad application.

Scholarships for International Students

Concordia College Alabama historically provided financial assistance and scholarship opportunities to students.

Financial support was important to the institution's mission because many students came from communities where paying for higher education could be difficult.

There are no current Concordia scholarships for new applicants because the college closed in 2018.

Q&A

Can students currently apply for Concordia scholarships?

No. The institution is closed.

Did Concordia provide financial support historically?

Yes. Financial assistance formed part of the college's efforts to support students.

Should historical tuition or scholarship figures be treated as current?

No. They should only be understood in their historical context.

Concordia College Alabama for International Students

During its final years, Concordia College Alabama had students from outside the United States as part of its broader student community.

The college's educational environment brought together students from different backgrounds while maintaining its focus on undergraduate education, community and service.

International students could participate in academic programs and the wider campus community during the institution's operating years.

The final graduating class included students from African countries, demonstrating the international dimension of the college during its final period.

Today, Concordia is not available as a study destination because the institution ceased operations in 2018.

International Student Support Includes

Historically, international students could participate in:

• Academic advising
• Undergraduate programs
• Campus activities
• Student organizations
• Community engagement
• Cultural interaction
• Faculty-supported learning

These should be understood as historical aspects of the institution rather than current services.

Q&A

Did Concordia College Alabama have international students?

Yes. Students from African countries were among the institution's final graduating class.

Can international students apply today?

No. Concordia closed in 2018.

Can students currently obtain admission documents from Concordia?

No. The institution is no longer admitting students.

The Honest Verdict – Is Concordia College Alabama the Right Choice for You?

For students looking for a university to attend today, Concordia College Alabama is not an available option because it permanently closed in 2018.

However, its historical significance is substantial.

The institution provided educational opportunities to African American students for almost a century. Its work was particularly important in teacher preparation and Lutheran ministry.

Its connection with Rosa J. Young also gives Concordia a special place in the history of Black education and Black Lutheranism in Alabama.

Concordia College Alabama Is an Excellent Historical Example If You...

• Want to study HBCU history
• Are researching Black education in Alabama
• Are interested in Lutheran educational history
• Want to learn about Rosa J. Young
• Are researching Selma's educational history
• Want to understand the development of historically Black colleges

It May Not Be the Right Fit If You...

• Want to apply to an active university
• Need current tuition information
• Need current scholarships
• Need current international admissions
• Need current campus housing
• Want to earn a new degree from an operating institution

Frequently Asked Questions About Concordia College Alabama

Is Concordia College Alabama closed?

Yes. The college closed at the end of the spring 2018 semester.

When was Concordia College Alabama founded?

It was founded in 1922.

Was Concordia College Alabama an HBCU?

Yes. It was a historically Black college.

Who was Rosa J. Young?

Rosa J. Young was an African American educator whose work played an important role in establishing schools and Lutheran educational institutions for Black communities in Alabama.

What was Concordia's religious affiliation?

The college was associated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Why did Concordia College Alabama close?

The institution experienced years of declining enrollment and financial difficulties, which eventually made continued operation unsustainable.

When was the final Concordia graduation?

The final commencement ceremony took place in April 2018.

How many students graduated in the final class?

147 students received bachelor's degrees during the final commencement.

Where was Concordia College Alabama located?

It was located in Selma, Alabama.

Can students apply to Concordia College Alabama today?

No. The college is permanently closed.

A Final Word – Why Concordia College Alabama Deserves Your Consideration

Concordia College Alabama cannot be considered a current study destination, but its history remains important.

From its establishment in 1922, the institution provided educational opportunities to African American students in Alabama and helped prepare teachers, church workers and professionals.

Its connection with Rosa J. Young, its Lutheran heritage and its HBCU identity made it a distinctive institution in American higher education.

For generations of students, Concordia represented an opportunity to pursue higher education, build professional skills and contribute to their communities.

The college's closure in 2018 ended nearly a century of institutional operations, but it did not erase the impact of the people educated there.

For anyone researching American higher education, HBCUs, Black educational history or Lutheran education, Concordia College Alabama remains a meaningful part of Alabama's educational story.

Its greatest legacy is not simply the campus or the institution itself, but the generations of students, teachers, pastors and community leaders whose lives were influenced by the education they received there.