Lynette Haaland, Four Points News editor, conducted this interview during Don Christian’s final days at Concordia University Texas prior to retiring as president and CEO late 2024.

1.) What about your character led you to your roles as president and CEO of Concordia University of Texas? Share career milestones.

Things about me that probably led me through that path into this place… One I’ve always had some aspect of leadership put on me and I’ve sought it from early on. I was curious, I was driven. I had leadership qualities and I was never satisfied with the status quo. Whether a kid or in high school or college or early on, I just wanted things to be better and I spoke up. 

I loved being a high school band director… Then really getting surprised by God to be working in a church in downtown Houston. When I was Minister of Young adults ages 20 to 40… I was empowering people to use their gifts for ministry and getting really exposed to leadership there. I would say that was the place where I went, ‘I can run larger organizations.’

From there, I think the next highlight for me was running, being head of school at Lutheran High North in Houston for five years… then getting tapped on the shoulder asking me to apply to be the (Concordia) Dean of Business. And then in 2014 applying for the role of president here.

This is the most fun I’ve ever had and the hardest work I’ve ever done for sure.

2.) Share something that you created at Concordia? 

I think we changed culture. We created constructive culture, looking really deeply and saying this is how we as people work together. Let’s get away from the boxes and lines and work in the circles to get our work done, which gives great freedom to people.

3.) How do you bring people together? 

Yep, I did that as a high school student and college too. I would organize things and did things. 

Bringing people together and making them feel good about themselves. And one of my goals is when I have a large group and I get to speak to them is to make them either laugh or cry.  

I think the other way I gather people is… I have learned the power of convening. 

4.) Anything else you’d like to share?

It’s been such a joy to work in a place that is Christ centered. To know that I can bring my faith into what we do, to know that this could be a place where Christ is honored and all are welcomed to live in that tension in some way of being faithful to the scriptures and being faithful to reason. Faith and learning are not the opposite things, they go together really well and to speak that into our faculty and our staff and our students and to live in the junction of faith and reason.

5.) What’s in store for you next?

So it’s about three things. One, I am going to spend more time with my wife in Maine. As I have told people, I’m going to become Mrs. Christian’s Mr. Christian. I get to serve her. Two, I’m going to read the books that I’ve not had the capacity to read over the last 10 years… “War and Peace” and “Les Miserables” and all those great novels that will take a lot of focus and time to read them for the first time or again. And then the third one is to give some space for God to surprise me by sending something my way…   who knows what I could get engaged with.

Don Christian retires, leaves mark on local university

Christian retires, leaves mark on local university Concordia 

Dr. Donald Christian served as the president and chief executive officer of Concordia University Texas for 10 years, from 2014 to 2024. His tenure at Concordia Texas was marked by significant achievements and transformative initiatives. 

Notably, under his guidance, Concordia Texas attained recognition as a Hispanic-serving institution in 2019, addressed college affordability, and oversaw multiple campus enhancements including a world-class softball field and a new residence hall. 

Prior to assuming the presidency, Dr. Christian served as the Dean of the College of Business at Concordia Texas for nine years. During his tenure in that role, he oversaw remarkable growth in enrollment, the establishment of new academic programs, and the development of impactful initiatives such as a community-wide speaker series and the launching of the Concordia Texas MBA program. 

Beyond his academic leadership, Dr. Christian served the community by holding positions on various boards, including Austin ECHO (Ending Community Homelessness) and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized for his contributions, receiving the CEO of the Year award from the Austin Chamber in 2021. 

Prior to his time at Concordia Texas, Dr. Christian served as the headmaster at Lutheran High North, a private school in Houston. His early career was in music, having been a high school band director. He earned his Master of Music degree in wind conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 1986 and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Concordia University Chicago in 1981. Dr. Christian also holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership degree from the University of Phoenix.

A key factor in Dr. Christian’s accomplishments was his partnership with his wife, Deb. Together, they dedicated their lives to the mission of Concordia Texas and Lutheran education. Their journey in Texas began in 1986, and they have been steadfast supporters of the university and its community ever since. 

Deb’s influence and support have been integral to their success and shared vision for Concordia Texas. She has been deeply involved, actively engaging with students, programs, and events. She has hosted a young women’s Bible study, provided professional development for the men’s basketball team, connected the baseball team with ACTS Church Lakeway for community service, and been a constant presence at many campus sporting events. Before her involvement at Concordia Texas, Deb was the college admissions coordinator at Concordia High School in Austin for nearly nine years. 

Concordia Texas announced on September 16 that its Board of Regents named Kristi Kirk as Christian’s successor as president and CEO.