2021 Assembly Reports: View reports for our 2021 assembly on our assembly report page and in this collection of blog posts.

View report as PDF

California Lutheran University, a member of the Network of Colleges and Universities of the ELCA, equips graduates who are called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.

Amidst the changing landscape of the pandemic, over 4,000 Cal Lutheran students learn virtually or in hybrid classrooms in several different centers in California. We offer 20 undergraduate majors and 29 graduate programs of study. Over 50% of our undergraduate students are from underrepresented populations and one third are the first in their family to attend college. Our students come from over 40 states, 49 countries, and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures. With a network of 30,000 alumni, students from our founding in 1959 until now have discovered their purpose and are transforming their community and the world.

In August of 2020 we welcomed our 8th University President, Dr. Lori Varlotta.  She is the first female president in Cal Lutheran’s 61-year history, and she came to the university as an established leader with broad experience in change management and curriculum reform, student success and inclusion, strategic planning and budgeting, and friend-raising and fundraising. Varlotta considers her 35 years working at mission-driven colleges and universities a calling, not a career. 

Pastor Scott Maxwell-Doherty, who has served as Campus Pastor for 21 years, is retiring from university ministry in May 2021. His service to the university has spanned over two decades.  He has seen many changes, accompanied young people, faculty and staff through their journeys, and has preached a lot of sermons. He will be greatly missed by the entire campus community. If you wish to send him a greeting, please do so at mmmdsjmd@gmail.com.

More students experienced in-person learning this semester! Our facilities staff worked hard to equip each of our outdoor classrooms (video) with the technology and safety measures necessary to create a comfortable and engaging learning environment. It doesn’t hurt that the Thousand Oaks campus enjoys the beautiful Southern California sun year-round. 

The Office of Campus Ministry has been creative all year with worship online, seeking new ways of connecting through walking worship, social media, online dinner church and highlighting faculty and staff members during our weekly online Chapel hour. All of these have strengthened community in a time when we have been living and learning in multiple locations.  

The Western States Youth Gathering (July 2020) was cancelled due to COVID. WSYG is a large youth gathering for ELCA high school youth from congregations in Regions 1 - 4 held at Cal Lutheran. Our website and social media will share updates as soon as there is a plan to move forward. www.WSYG.com

Executive Skills for Church Leaders: Learning from the world of the MBA is offered twice yearly for church leaders and clergy applying concepts from management to the complex arena of ministry today. In January 2021 this event moved online and hosted our first international pastor from Canada, our first interfaith clergy person, and was all interpreted in Spanish! What a gift to have such a dynamic community gathered to learn together. Stay tuned for the ways this event will continue to adapt to support pastors, deacons, and faith leaders in their areas of need. Details here: www.CalLutheran.edu/ExecSkills

The Thriving Leadership Formation program brings ELCA leaders together to cultivate skills and networks of trust, support, spiritual practice, and accountability. Fueled with a $1million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., this project helps pastors and church leaders throughout 14 Western States avoid burnout and thrive in their ministries. Our first year is finishing with 12 cohort groups, 80 people, across Regions 1 & 2. If you are interested in joining a small group or leading one find out more here: www.ThrivingLeadershipFormation.com

Fifty and Better (FAB) — Check out our online courses for those who are 50+.  Courses change often (i.e. Architecture and Design in the Reign of 16th-19th Century European Rulers; The Beach Boys in the Studio; The World of Jewish Art and Artists; and more). For details, visit Cal Lutheran Fifty and Better. 

Thank you for praying for and remembering your Lutheran university and telling others about us.  www.CalLutheran.edu

Videos:

1.     Cal Lutheran outdoor classrooms video: School of Management | New Outdoor Classrooms

2.    Hear from some of our Lutheran students: https://youtu.be/txl595zkP8U

3.    General Cal Lutheran video from 2020 (with subtitles and translation into Spanish): https://youtu.be/kDtHEDzO_Ew

4.    General Cal Lutheran video (student voices): California Lutheran University

5.    Cal Lutheran Mariachi ensemble video performs “La Mariquita”  La Mariquita on Vimeoand “El Gusto” El Gusto CLU Mariachi.m4v

6.    Cal Lutheran Jazz Collective: Cal Lutheran's Jazz Collective performs "Gozadera"

7.    California Lutheran Music- University String Symphony Bloch Concerto Grosso No. 1 B. 59: https://youtu.be/e5kVApTlsmos

8.    Cal Lutheran University Choir 

a.    Cal Lutheran Choir Department You Tube Channel:” Cal Lutheran Music Department

b.    Cal Lutheran Digital Choir - "Light of a Clear Blue Morning": Cal Lutheran Digital Choir - "Light of a Clear Blue Morning"

9.    Cal Lutheran at a Glance Cal Lutheran at a Glance

10. Cal Lutheran information session California Lutheran University Information Session

11. Student Vlog of Admitted Students day California Lutheran University first VLOG | Nand Javia