James R. Treiberg '91 Memorial Scholarship

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 blessing, he had spent his final semester working as an intern for a State Assemblyman before being promoted to legislative aide in June. He had even become a first-time home buyer, with the help of his parents, Robert and Linda Treiberg.

On July 17, that perfect world was shattered when the unbelievable happened. In a case that remains unsolved to this day, James was murdered in the garage of his Sacramento home. News of his death spread quickly across campus and among alumni. Intent on keeping his memory alive, five of his closest buddies contacted former classmates and professors, inviting them to help endow a scholarship in James’ name. They worked closely with James’ parents, Bob and Linda, who were active in the CLU parent organization. Their goal was to have the first award be made on Honors Day 1992. Amazingly, they were successful.

Much of the group’s success was due to the character and integrity of James himself. He was born in Ventura, California, and moved with his family to Nevada City at the age of three. A product of Nevada City’s schools, he graduated from Nevada Union High School in 1987 and became an Eagle Scout that same year. He entered CLU as a freshman in the fall of 1987. During his time at CLU, he served as a peer adviser to freshmen, a disc jockey at KRCL and as treasurer of the Residence Hall Association. He also played rugby on the club team.

James and his family were active members of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley. The Treibergs were an unusually strong family unit. Birthdays were very important, and for at least 25 years after James’ death, his parents sent a check for the scholarship fund around the 15th of April, his birthday. James had a younger brother, Michael, who struggled over James’ death. He also deliberated in choosing a college, eventually decided to enroll at CLU in 1993. There were several CLU professors who proved to Michael that he had made the right choice. Michael went on to become a successful financial planner in Tucson, with a business of his own.

The James R. Treiberg Memorial Scholarship was designed to perpetuate James’ own values. It is to be awarded to a student with a definite Christian commitment, clear career goals and a strong desire to meet human needs.