The Rev. Dr. Thomas Coates was president of Concordia College (University) from 1946 to 1957.

Coates was born in Oakland, CA, on October 1, 1910. After graduation from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, he served parishes in Duluth, MN, and Harvey, IL. He earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1942 and a Doctor of Theology degree from Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1950. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, in 1965. He was assistant executive secretary for the Walther League, a young people's society, for many years. He was among those who organized the Lutheran Human Relations Association of America and served on the board of directors.

The growth in the student body as well as an increase in the number of faculty and administrators during his tenure led to the creation of an administrative council and a reorganization of the faculty into academic departments. He was instrumental in achieving accreditation for the high school, and he laid the groundwork for the eventual accreditation of the college. Also during his tenure an Alumni Association was formed, the Lutheran Education Society was rejuvenated, a junior college was authorized and implemented, and the first women students were enrolled.

Because of his tireless promotion of the College and his fund-raising activities, seven new buildings were erected during his presidency: Centennial Hall, Luther Hall, a service building (heating plant), a president's residence, the Library and Chapel of the Upper room addition to Luther Hall, a gymnasium (now the Fine Arts Building), and Guild Hall. The first building from 1907 was razed to make way for Luther Hall. He made the case and raised funds for Elizabeth Hall, although the building was not completed until after his departure from Concordia. He was especially pleased with the chapel as the campus center for the worship life of the Concordia community.

Coates was a prolific writer. At one time he was managing editor of the Cresset. He wrote articles on theology, and he kept his constituents current on events and needs at Concordia through a variety of publications. He authored eight books, including a collection of sermons delivered in the chapel at Concordia.

He left Concordia in 1957 to become a professor and head of the Department of Religion at the newly constructed Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, IN, for nine years. He then spent several years as a visiting professor in theological institutions and a workshop leader in India, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. Coates died in Hong Kong on January 3, 1980, and was buried in Chicago, IL.

In a ceremony on October 24, 2009, the student apartments on NE 29th Avenue and Holman Street were renamed the Coates Apartments in his memory.