Concordia University-Portland

Concordia University-Portland ceased academic operations from spring 2020.

Concordia University-Portland was a liberal arts college in Oregon. Established in 1905 to serve local teachers and pastors, it then blossomed into a specialist institution with more than 2,000 students, mostly from Oregon and neighbouring states.

Coeducational from 1954 onwards, CU Portland had awarded four-year degrees since 1980. In 1989, it introduced accelerated degree programmes for working adults. It launched its first online course in education in 2002.

The campus was north of the city centre, three miles from Portland International Airport and Columbia River, which marks the border with Washington. The largest river in the North West is home to some enchanting views, with the panorama from the Columbia River Gorge surely one of the most spectacular in the country. Some 11,250-feet high, Mount Hood is one of the biggest volcanoes nationwide.

Natural beauty is not confined to the surrounding area, however. Portland itself has its fair share of winding rivers, leafy trees, and flower-strewn gardens which earn its City of Roses nickname.

Portland is largely seen as having grown out of the shadow of Seattle and San Francisco, becoming the country’s indie capital in some people’s eyes due to its many independent cinemas, microbreweries and coffee houses. Its alternative music scene has spawned bands like The Kingsmen, The Dandy Warhols and The Decemberists. Portland has also been home to Pavement lead singer Stephen Malkmus for years.

The City of Roses also rivals any other city that claims to be America’s cycling capital and is famous for its sustainability credentials in general.