William E. Hamm Award Recipient Named

THOUSAND OAKS, CA –– Carol Keochekian of Thousand Oaks was selected to receive the William E. Hamm Outstanding Service Award by the California Lutheran University Community Leaders Association. The award, which is given to a member who has shown exemplary service, was presented to Keochekian on Feb. 13 during the Community Leaders Association’s annual membership brunch.

Keochekian, who retired as CLU’s Senior Director of University Relations last March, served the university for nearly two decades. As director of CLU’s public relations efforts for many years, she spoke eloquently on behalf of the university at numerous public events and gatherings and orchestrated the successful passage of the Campus Master Plan and the Master Plan Modification. She also served as the liaison with the CLU Community Leaders Association and oversaw numerous publications including the award–winning CLU Magazine.

Before joining the staff at CLU, she served as Director of Public Relations for Pleasant Valley Health Services in Camarillo. During her first tenure at CLU, she served as Director of Adult Education Services and Director of Women’s Programs. Among the many programs she initiated for the community were Creative Options: A Day for Women which celebrated its 25th year on campus in 2004.

As 40–year residents of Thousand Oaks, Keochekian and her husband, Sark, a retired Thousand Oaks High School teacher, are active in the Conejo Valley community where they raised their four children. Keochekian’s volunteer activities and community leadership roles span four decades and include service to the Thousand Oaks Library Foundation, the Conejo Valley Historical Society and the Conejo Futures Foundation.

The William E Hamm Award is named in honor of a former CLU vice president who contributed to the development of the University and to the betterment of the Conejo Valley community.

Founded in 1963, the CLU Community Leaders Association was developed to stimulate the interest of the community in CLU’s athletic and cultural programs. Members are involved in a variety of activities, including social and academic programs and fundraising efforts. Since its founding, the organization has provided more than $1.5 million to enhance academic programs and facilities at the university. Among the programs sponsored annually by the CLU Community Leaders Association are Mathews Leadership Forum, a live and silent auction event, and a “Dollars for Scholars” golf tournament. For more information, please call (805) 493–3151 or visit www.clunet.edu/cla