CLU presents award to longtime supporter
Marv Soiland is generous donor, former regent
Marv Soiland's support for CLU dates back before the university opened and he and his wife, Fran, went on to become two of the university's most generous donors.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Oct. 25, 2010) California Lutheran University bestowed its Christus Award upon one of its most generous benefactors, Marv Soiland of Santa Rosa, during Founders Day Convocation on Oct. 22.
Each year, CLU presents the award to someone who has made significant contributions to higher education in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and/or to strengthening the bridge between the university and the church.
Soiland's support for CLU dates back before the university opened and he and his wife, Fran, went on to become two of the university's most generous donors. Soiland Humanities Center, which was dedicated in 1998, was named for them. They also contributed to the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, Pearson Library, Samuelson Chapel, Spies-Bornemann Center for Education and Technology, and the new Swenson Center for the Social and Behavioral Sciences. The couple created the Soiland Family Endowed Scholarship in 2007.
The founder and CEO of a construction consulting and real estate development company, Marv Soiland served on CLU's Board of Regents from 1974 to 1995 and chaired the Administration and Finance Committee for 20 years. He also served on the California Lutheran Educational Foundation Board of Trustees. CLU named him "Philanthropist of the Year" in 1989 and awarded him a Distinguished Service Award in 1996 and honorary doctorate in 2004.
Five of the Soilands' children graduated from CLU in the 1980s and 1990s and their grandson graduated from the university in 2004. Family members accepted the award for Soiland, who could not attend the convocation.