Justin and Bri Dorpat are the fifth generation to attend a Concordia. Family traditions can be so formative that they endure for generations.
Such has been the case for the Dorpat family.
There are at least eight Dorpats spread out over five generations who have attended a school within the Concordia University System.
The tradition’s start is first officially recorded with Rev. Theodore Erman John Dorpat, who graduated from CUW (then Concordia College, Milwaukee) more than a century ago before matriculating through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Although no record was immediately found to identify the name or background of Theodore’s father, other sources corroborate that he was also a pastor, likely within the LCMS, which would extend the Dorpats’ Concordia legacy one step even further.
The youngest Dorpats to call themselves a Concordian are Bri and Justin, who are currently enrolled at Concordia University Wisconsin. Bri plans to graduate in 2022 with her bachelor’s in social work and a minor in justice and public policy. Her brother, Justin, is on track to graduate in 2024 with his bachelor’s degree in nursing.
“Despite the history, it wasn’t necessarily expected of me to go to a Concordia. That faith base is something that I’ve grown up with and have held as important though, so it’s a natural fit,” said Justin. “This family tradition is something that I’m proud to say I was able to continue.”
Meet a few of the other Dorpats who contributed to the family’s Concordia legacy.
Rev. Theodore Erman John Dorpat
Concordia College, Milwaukee (1914)
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1918)
Rev. David Miles Dorpat
Concordia High School, Portland (~1950)
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1957)
David Dorpat
Concordia University, Nebraska
Deanna Dorpat
Concordia University, Nebraska (1980)
Dayna Dorpat
Concordia University, Nebraska (1987)
Daniel Dorpat
Concordia University, Nebraska (1999)
(Bri and Justin’s dad)
Brianna Dorpat
Concordia University Wisconsin (2022)
Justin Dorpat
Concordia University Wisconsin (2024)
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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