Convocation to celebrate founding of CLU

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Oct. 2, 2009) California Lutheran University will mark its 50th anniversary during a special Founders Day Convocation at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in Samuelson Chapel.

The Rev. Howard E. Wennes, president emeritus of CLU, will reflect on the event's theme, "Celebrating CLU's 50 Years of Legacy and Faith," in his keynote address.

The Thousand Oaks resident will also receive the Christus Award during the service. The award is presented annually to a person who has done an outstanding job building a bridge between the university and the church and/or has made significant contributions to higher education in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Wennes came to CLU in 2005 as director of church relations and assistant to the president for university ministries and later served two terms as interim president.

A former bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod, Wennes has served in leadership posts for the ELCA throughout the world. He has played an active role in international and ecumenical alliances including hunger and humanitarian relief efforts in Africa and Asia. He has been chair of the board of Lutheran World Relief, a staff member of ELCA Hunger Appeal, a visiting professor in South Africa and a delegate to international assemblies of the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches. He served as interim pastor for congregations in California and Arizona.

The convocation will also feature the commissioning of Convocators and members of the Board of Regents.

The annual Founders Day Convocation is an opportunity to recall the university's genesis, give thanks for its heritage and pray for its continued success.

CLU was founded as California Lutheran College in 1959 on land donated by Richard Pederson, a Conejo Valley rancher and son of Norwegian pioneers. Two years later, 330 students began classes. Today, the university has 2,250 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and School of Business. Members of the CLU student body come from across the nation and around the world and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures.

CLU's mission is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.

The event is free and open to the public. The chapel is located near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. For more information, call the Church Relations office at (805) 493-3936.