Ruth Elaine Andersen Endowed Music Scholarship

The events leading up to and resulting in the creation of the Ruth Elaine Andersen Endowed Music Scholarship are a classic example of the way philanthropy works.

Ruth was the only child of James S. and Naomi H. Andersen, strong Lutherans and loyal supporters of California Lutheran College from its inception. Ruth was born, raised and educated in Fresno, California, earning both her baccalaureate degree and teaching credential from Fresno State University. She became an elementary classroom teacher and taught in the Fresno Unified School District for 36 years. But Ruth was also raised in the Lutheran Church and very early on exhibited a love of music. Throughout her youth and into adulthood, Ruth participated in everything musical, whether instrumental or vocal, but she found her greatest fulfillment when playing the organ.

Ruth’s parents had a strong sense of Christian stewardship and shared it with their daughter. In 2000, when CLU announced its Now Is the Time capital fundraising campaign, Ruth made a generous pledge in memory of her parents. When that pledge was completed, she began to think about creating a legacy of her own. As she explored various options she realized her need for professional advice to put her financial affairs in order. In the process of updating her trust, Ruth clarified her goal—to establish a scholarship at CLU for the benefit of students who, like Ruth, loved music.

The Ruth Elaine Andersen Endowed Music Scholarship has only one criterion for selection of the recipient: the student must be majoring in music. Ruth’s story is a good example of what someone can do to create a personal legacy.