Falk Family Endowed Scholarship

The term “family affair” takes on special meaning when applied to the Falk Family Scholarship. In determining educational plans for themselves and their daughter, Howard and Jerry Falk chose CLU and never looked back. They were so pleased with that decision that they decided to create this scholarship as a way of sharing their pride in being CLU alumni.

Howard Falk chose to pursue his MBA while still working at Farmers Insurance Company, completing his coursework and earning his degree in 1992. He retired a few years later as vice president/treasurer but not before seeing his wife Jerry graduate with her baccalaureate degree in 1993. Jerry then earned her teaching credential and became the fifth grade teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Simi Valley.

Since her parents had been so pleased with their CLU experience, their daughter Vanessa decided to follow in their footsteps to Cal Lutheran. She chose history as her major and graduated in 2007.

The Falks’ attorney and financial advisor were significant ingredients in the development of the Falk Family Endowed Scholarship. With their encouragement, the Falks made a substantial pledge to the endowment fund for the scholarship, making payments over a period of four years. Because of Howard’s business background and his natural tendency toward detail, there was never any question as to exactly where the pledge payments stood.

The criteria for the Falk Family Endowed Scholarship require that the recipient be either an upper-division or graduate-level student with a strong grade point average. The Falks also stated a preference for reentry or transfer students hoping to reach their academic goals at Cal Lutheran.

The Falks are a true demonstration of how good planning can have a broad and lasting impact. This award will be a blessing to many future CLU students.