Synod foundation director returning to Concordia in St. Paul as its 9th president

April 15, 2011 at 1:08AM

Concordia University in St. Paul will soon be led by its ninth president in the school's 118-year history.

On June 1, the Rev. Tom Ries of Burnsville will succeed the Rev. Robert Holst, who is retiring after 20 years, the school announced Wednesday.

For the past seven years, Ries has been president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Foundation, where he has overseen growth in its net assets by nearly 200 percent.

Before his time at the foundation, Ries, 56, was vice president for finance and operations at Concordia. He also has been a pastor for 12 years, worked with an auditing firm for four years, and for three years was assistant to the president and vice president for college relations at Concordia.

"I have a long-standing passion for the mission of preparing students for thoughtful and informed living, dedicated service to God and humanity, and the enlightened care of God's creation," Ries said in a statement released by the school. "I look forward to helping shape Concordia's vision for the best way to live out our mission in the years to come."

Concordia operates as a private school under the auspices of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. As of fall 2009, the school's enrollment was slightly more than 2,800.

PAUL WALSH

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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