Inauguration of John A. Nunes

Inauguration header

John Nunes

John A. Nunes, PhD

California Lutheran University's Ninth President

Join us in welcoming President Nunes to the university at these events during Inauguration, Founders Day and Homecoming from Oct. 15-19, 2025.

Meet President Nunes

Inauguration Week Schedule

Khrystyne Wilson

Academic Lecture:
Khrystyne Wilson, PhD, & Panel Discussion

“Holy Justifications: The Use of Religion in Legalized Oppression — Lessons from Native American Law”

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

4:00 p.m.
Lundring Events Center

Mark Gulsrud

Mark Gulsrud '72 Lecture

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

4:00 p.m.
Samuelson Chapel

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Inauguration: Investiture and Founders Day Service

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center
RSVP is required

Plaza

Community Celebration and Reception

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
University Plaza
Lundring Events Center
RSVP is required

Hall of Fame

Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

6:00 p.m.
Gilbert Arena
* Ticketed event

SRS

23rd Annual Student Research Symposium

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

1:00 p.m.
Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center

Homecoming Festival

Homecoming Festival

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Kingsmen Park
* Ticketed event

Chapel

Homecoming Worship Service

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025

10:00 a.m.
Samuelson Chapel

 

For more information, please call 805-493-3001 or email inauguration@CalLutheran.edu.

Accommodations & Travel

 

Mission and Values

Founded in 1959, California Lutheran University is home to nearly 2,300 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students who come from more than 58 countries and represent a wide variety of faiths.

The mission of the university is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.

Our dedicated, accomplished faculty works with small classes of students who are open-minded about ideas, about people and about faith, and are seeking to grow as individuals. Both in the classroom and outside of it, everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping students pursue their passions to discover their purpose and follow that purpose to transform their communities — and the world.

 

University Seal

Seal

The official seal of California Lutheran University was designed by founding President Orville Dahl. The oval shape accentuates the Latin, étoile (star-shaped) cross; the violet color of the field represents penitence and the passion; the gold color of the cross signifies divine wisdom, goodness and glory; the lower section of the quartered fields contain the symbols of the shield, meaning faith and protection, and the lamp, meaning truth, enlightenment and knowledge; and the motto of the university is wrapped about the cross in the words “Love of Christ, Truth & Freedom.”

Medallion

Medallion

The design for the presidential medal, commissioned by Karl Kreft as a gift to President Nunes, is inspired by the university’s mission — its core values rendered as letters in different fonts and sizes. When the letters are connected as words, they become ideas and take on meaning, as found in community. This is a metaphor for the university — the notion that identity is created through connection and becomes even more beautiful sub cruce.

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