Sometimes only a trip back into time can reveal some of the true heroes of an institution. Such is the case with this wonderful scholarship. Although they had no children of their own, the Andersons—Sven Hartvig “Harvey” and his wife Clara—had an interest in and...

The reason the Hekhuis Communication Arts Award is an award rather than a scholarship is that the donor, Mary Hekhuis, decided to fund it annually until it eventually became endowed through her estate. That’s what you call looking ahead. Mary had a long, successful...

According to those who knew her, Helen Heimarck was a remarkable woman in a way that defied her time and her age. She was, as they say, a woman of good stock. Helen was devoted to her church, her profession and her husband Reuben. Before her death in 1980, she...

The love story of Raymond and Helen Haas is like something out of a story book. But it just happens to be true. The couple’s life together became especially meaningful to CLU because of the influence of one Borgny Baird, a Long Beach attorney. Helen Searight was one...

CLU choir members may sometimes question their role as ambassadors for the University, but this story erases any doubts about their positive effect on all those fortunate enough to hear them perform. Helen Ramsey was a quiet, unpretentious and exceptionally faithful...

CLU missed an opportunity to personally become acquainted with donors Herman and Gunda Reque during their lifetimes. The University only learned of the couple’s support for CLU’s mission came in 1973 shortly after Herman’s death. At that time, the college received...

There are several families that will forever hold a special spot in the history of California Lutheran University because of their faith in and dedication to the vision that created the institution. The Hoff family is one of those families. Three members of the Hoff...

It is nearly impossible for someone living in the 21st century, with technology evident in almost every sphere of life, to imagine what life was like when Homer Bryan Price was born in 1896. But if ever there was an individual who packed loads of living into 100...

For the Howie family, loyalty seems to be an inherent trait. Evelyn Howie, the family matriarch, raised her children to be true to their beliefs and values. And that is exactly how they lived their lives. Cal Lutheran’s introduction to the Howie family came through...

Born, reared and educated in North Dakota, Henry Hummel loved gardening, woodworking and fishing. When he moved to Southern California he added traveling to his list of favorite things to do. The son of a Lutheran pastor, Henry graduated from the State University of...

Ida Marie Nelson was a person who offered herself and her gifts to others willingly. From her generous heart she was able to help the four motherless children of her brother when they most needed her. Here is her story. Ida “Auntie Marie” Nelson was born in Sweden...

This award, based on a private enterprise essay competition, was endowed by the International Franchise Association in honor of past President Waslien whose three sons attended California Lutheran University.

This is the only scholarship at California Lutheran University that is in memory of a mother and her son. Inga Parkel was the beloved wife of Joseph Parkel, an engineer who worked for Lockheed California in Burbank. The family lived in North Hollywood, where Inga...

Ms. Ingeborg Estergren, wishing to promote the Swedish culture of her parents, Sophia Hansen and Waldemar von Schneidau, used a portion of her estate to create the Ingeborg Estergren Scholarship. The scholarship is for undergraduate students participating in an...

The giving patterns of individual donors can be very unpredictable. People who are generous by nature will often bestow their gifts in unexpected places. The Jeppesens are one example. They were faithful members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bakersfield, but they...

Gerald “Jerry” Thompson was a local businessman who was well connected to the Thousand Oaks community. He was a contractor and developer, and his company was Riggco, Inc. Jerry’s mother had been an educator, and Jerry believed that higher education was an important...

In July 1991 life was good, and the future looked promising for 22-year-old James Treiberg. Two months earlier he had graduated from California Lutheran University with a double major in political science and French. As an upper classman and with Professor Steepee’s...

If the number of memorial gifts received following a person’s death is any indication of their personal impact, Dr. Janice Bowman had a great affect on many lives. Jan was a woman of many talents, and the reflections at her memorial service from her family, her...

The youngest of three children, Jeffrey Birk struggled in his early years to develop his own identity. With the loving help of family and special people who entered his life, Jeff became one of CLU’s finest examples of what can be achieved with the proper attitude...

Jennifer ’78 and Craig ’79 are alumni of Cal Lutheran’s Graduate School of Education, and are dedicated to supporting the arts at Cal Lutheran and in the community. The Jennifer and Craig Zobelein Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate music...

Perhaps it is only natural for a recently retired college president to want to leave a permanent mark on the university where he served, but it also helps immensely if his wife works for a company that has a generous matching gift program. That was definitely the...

Music was the focus of Jim Kasten’s life—before, during and after his years as a student at CLC. He graduated with the class of 1974 and died of cancer seven short years later, in May 1981. Jim was known as a quiet, sincere and humble person, with a beautiful...

Jodi Moore was the type of student every church-related institution hopes to recruit. And Cal Lutheran became that fortunate institution. Jodi enrolled as a freshman in 1981 and graduated in 1985. She was a strong student and chose a double major—political science...

The seed for the Beck scholarship was actually sown 30 years before it sprouted. Before being elected to the board of regents in 1975, John Beck had been a lifelong Lutheran. He was interested in helping the fledgling college in Southern California become a strong,...

The story of how this scholarship came to be is part of CLU’s history. It began in 1964 when John Nordberg accepted President Ray Olson’s invitation to become vice president for development at California Lutheran College. Nordberg was just completing a successful...

Living less than two miles from the campus of California Lutheran College was one of CLC’s staunchest and most loyal supporters. Her name was Marjorie Price, and her faithful gifts to the college began when she became a widow in 1976. Marjorie and her husband John...

Jack Gilbert was a successful entrepreneur who took pride in the University and believed in its potential to serve the needs of the region. The Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center is testimony to his generosity and his influence on the campus. So, too, are the many...

The year was 1963. The Shamels, Chester (Chet) and Ruth, were longtime residents of Ohio, but they were intrigued by news of the new Lutheran college starting up on the West Coast. First they decided to respond to the call for financial support through a group called...

Every road to a new endowed scholarship is unique, and the John F. Merrell Music Scholarship is no exception. John F. Merrell was a self-made individual and businessman. Orphaned at an early age, as an adult he became a door-to-door salesman—a very good one. He...

It’s safe to say that most people want to live a life that makes a difference. For John R. “Jack” Siemens, this was definitely true. Jack was an athletic director, and he made his mark on the CLC campus, as this story will explain. Jack was married to Connie, a...