Search under way for new CLU President

(THOUSAND OAKS, CA – March 2006) – Dr. Luther S. Luedtke, a longtime resident of Pasadena and the longest serving president of California Lutheran University, will officially leave the university at the end of March. A series of farewell gatherings for Luedtke and his wife, Carol, were held on campus and at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library this month as the search begins for the sixth president of the 45–year–old university.

A presidential search committee chaired by Kate McLean, a member of the Board of Regents, is currently working with respected higher education search firm Witt/Kiefer to fill the position by fall 2006. Members of the committee represent a broad spectrum of the university, including faculty, staff, administrators, students and members of key constituent groups.

As the third longest serving president of the 28 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) colleges, Luedtke has led the university as well as several Lutheran higher education organizations. He accepted a position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Education Development Center (EDC) of Newton, Mass., in December. His duties as leader of the nonprofit organization dedicated to improving education, health care and community development worldwide will begin on April 1.

In recent years, CLU has seen enrollment increase from 1,250 to 2,000 undergraduates, the establishment of several new graduate programs, and the dedication of numerous new buildings, including Grace Hall and the Spies–Bornemann Center for Education and Technology. This past year has been especially exciting with construction of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, the inauguration of the George “Sparky” Anderson Baseball Field, the hiring of 27 new faculty members, and the refurbishment of several town–gown facilities and the University’s largest outdoor sculpture, The Enormous Luther.

In February, the university unveiled a sophisticated branding initiative that includes new logos and a refreshing look to the Web site, campus signage and all publications. The campaign is designed to heighten the school’s name recognition throughout the region and the nation.

After two decades at the University of Southern California, where he held professorial and administrative positions, Luedtke accepted the presidency at CLU in 1992. He has been a Fulbright Professor in Germany, director of the American Studies Research Center in India, and Resident Scholar with the U.S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C., as well as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for International Exchange of Scholars and other governmental bodies. Luedtke, a native of Hutchinson, Minn., and valedictorian of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1961, received his bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College and his Ph.D. in American civilization at Brown University.

EDC is a not–for–profit research, policy, development and project–management company. Aside from its main offices in Massachusetts, New York City, Washington, D.C., and the Netherlands, EDC also operates field offices in more than 20 countries to support project initiatives.

Dr. Howard Wennes, who has been serving as Interim President since January, will continue in that capacity until the presidential search committee has selected the new president. Dr. Wennes, who has most recently served as Director of Church Relations and Assistant to the President for University Ministries at CLU, has led the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and served in posts throughout the United States and the world.