Walter Danielson Scholarship

Some people, by their very nature, leave a legacy almost too large to be contained in a single page, and Walter Danielson was such a person. His life and his profession were integrated into the life of California Lutheran College from its very beginning. It was Walter who applied his legal expertise to forge an agreement between the Pederson family and representatives of the two Lutheran church groups involved in the college’s founding. Walter then became a member of the very first CLC board of regents, on which he served faithfully for many years. He also served as attorney for several of CLC’s earliest donors.

Walter was proud of his association with CLC. He was even prouder of his Swedish heritage. The son of Swedish immigrant parents, throughout his life he worked hard to see that heritage preserved. Everyone who knew Walter knew that he was Swedish.

Walter had an extremely successful career as a lawyer. At age 26, with a freshly minted degree from the University of Montana, he launched Danielson & St. Clair, a law partnership that became a highly successful firm in California. His diplomatic service was even more impressive. Initially appointed vice consul at Sweden’s Los Angeles Consulate in 1937, he rose to consul in 1955 and general consul in 1969. This makes him the first honorary Swedish general consul in the United States.

In addition to professional and diplomatic recognition, Walter received honors from CLU that are reserved for very few individuals. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1986. Ten years later CLU awarded him the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to public service and his leadership in public affairs.

Walter had already done so much on CLU’s behalf, but there was one more thing he still wanted to accomplish—a scholarship in his name. With two generous stock gifts he and his wife Beryl created the Walter Danielson Scholarship. Initially it was designed for a student planning to enter the legal profession. After a bit more thought, Walter expanded the criteria to include other “meaningful careers,” such as medicine, ministry or teaching but with a preference for prelaw. The Walter Danielson Scholarship is one of CLU’s most prestigious awards. The good news is…a student doesn’t even have to be part-Swedish to receive it!