Eldred C. Dodson Endowed Scholarship

Eldred C. Dodson was not a familiar name on the CLU campus in 1992, but California Lutheran University was a familiar name to her, even though she lived up near Sacramento, in the community of Fair Oaks. Given her knowledge of CLU, when she met with her attorney to discuss modifications to her trust, she chose to establish an endowed scholarship at CLU as part of her end-of-life stewardship. That was good news to CLU.

Eldred was born in Minnesota and was proud of the fact that she was of pure Norwegian stock. She later lived in the Sacramento area for 26 years and was an active member of Advent Lutheran Church.

As a college student, Eldred knew with certainty what her professional goal would be. She wanted to be a social worker. When she had earned her undergraduate degree she went on to get a master’s in social work. Her Lutheran ties eventually led her to work for Lutheran Social Services as well as other organizations. She was deeply committed and felt called to her work. Eldred eventually married and enjoyed nine years of married life before losing her husband. She spent the next 20 years as a widow, passing away in 1997 at the age of 88.

Mrs. Dodson knew exactly what she wanted her gift to CLU to accomplish. She wanted her scholarship to help those who were definitely interested in a career in social work. The Eldred C. Dodson Endowed Scholarship may be awarded to either an upper-division undergraduate student or to a graduate student preparing to become a marriage and family therapist.

Mrs. Dodson’s bequest to CLU has provided meaningful assistance to those preparing to carry on the work that meant so much to her. That was her legacy.