Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work Opens

Sep 21, 2012

lore Concordia’s new center for ethics and leadership held its inaugural event Sept. 21.
 
The Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work builds upon the practices of the former Center for Ethical Leadership. As part of the Offutt School of Business, it will identify and support ethical practices in individuals and organizations.
 
The center honors the life and work of Norman M. Lorentzsen, philanthropist, former CEO of Burlington Northern, alumnus of Concordia College and former member and chair of its Board of Regents.

Speaking to a capacity audience of Fargo-Moorhead business leaders and clergy, Lorentzsen said he was very happy to see ethical leadership become part of the Offutt School of Business.

“It’s one thing to know truth, but it’s quite another to know the whole truth,” he said.
 
At the inaugural event, Dr. David Miller, director of the Princeton University Faith & Work Initiative, spoke of the important role faith has on good business practices.

“The idea that faith and work must be kept in separate compartments is really bad theology,” said Miller. “We need to take our faith to work with us.”

Miller said Concordia is onto something special with the Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work.

“I think it’s a stroke of genius to locate a center for ethics within the school of business because it informs the conversation,” he said. “It’s obvious that Concordia is passionate about helping people think in ethical terms in a grounded, Christian worldview.”
 
Future activities supported by the Lorentzsen Center will include a speaker series on ethics in business.
 
Dr. Paul J. Dovre, former president of Concordia, serves as the interim director of the center. Dr. James R. Legler, associate professor of ethics and leadership in the Offutt School of Business, is associate director.
 

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