Evenson and Lundring to Receive Christus Award from CLU

THOUSAND OAKS, CA–October 2005– Louise Evenson and Karsten Lundring, both former members of the California Lutheran University Board of Regents, will receive the Christus Award at the University’s annual Founders Day Convocation on Friday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. The Christus Award, presented by CLU and its Convocation, recognizes those persons who serve higher education in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and work to strengthen the bridge between the church and the university.

Evenson, a longtime friend of CLU, served as a member of the Board of Regents from 1995–2004. During her years on the Board, she served as Chair and Secretary of the Board and Chair of the Advancement Committee. Louise’s long history with the University includes positions as Associate Graduate Dean and faculty lecturer. She has also served as Group Vice President for American Express Financial Advisors and General Agent for Lutheran Brotherhood. She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and received an M.A. and Ph.D. from Arizona State University in Tempe. Louise has been an active participant in service to the Church and currently serves as a trustee on the ELCA Board of Pensions. Previously, Louise served on the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly Planning Team, the Sierra Pacific Synod Task Force for Theology of the Budget, on numerous church committees and in various capacities for Lutheran Social Services. Louise and her husband, Paul, live in Alamo.

Lundring, a friend, fan and 1965 alumnus of CLU, has been generous in sharing his time and talent with the University through the years. He was honored as the outstanding alumnus in 1972 and again in 1993. A longtime benefactor, he has supported numerous CLU projects including the Education and Research Institute in the School of Education, the multimedia classroom in the Soiland Humanities Center, a multitude of athletic programs and a family scholarship. The Events Center, which will be located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, will be named in honor of the Lundring family in recognition of their generous contribution to the project and the Now is the Time campaign. Lundring served on the Board of Regents for 20 years and as the Chair of the Board for six. He is a Managing Partner for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Lundring and his wife, Kirsten, a 1964 alumna of CLU, live in Thousand Oaks.

For more information about the Christus Award and the recipients, please call the University Relations Office at (805) 493–3151.