Founders Day Convocation
About
Each fall, the university community, alumni and friends gather to celebrate the founding of the university at Founders Day Convocation. We celebrate the educational commitment of the university to equip graduates who are called and empowered to serve the neighbor so that all may flourish.
Join us:
Founders Day Ceremony
Date: Friday, October 18th
Time: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Samuelson Chapel
The Founders Day Address will be given by The Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, '84, '88. Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA.
Bishop Johnson was ordained extra ordinem in 1990, in violation of church policies preventing LGBTQIA+ leaders from serving
as ordained ELCA clergy. He has been a leader in the movement for the full participation
of lgbtqia+ people in the ELCA. Throughout his ministry, he has been deeply committed
to interfaith collaboration and civic engagement around advocacy, justice, equity,
and inclusion.
Founders Day Lecture
Date: Friday, October 18th
Time: 1:15 - 2:05 pm
Location: Samuelson Chapel
Keynote Speaker:
The Rev. James Wetzstein, University Pastor, Valparaiso University.
“The Thought and Legacy of Ernst Schwidder, Liturgical Artist”
Sculptor Ernst Schwidder created works for hundreds of worship spaces including the across North America including the Samuelson Chapel and Ascension Lutheran Church over a five decade career. His work was deeply theological and driven by highly developed ideas about how visual art functions as a communications medium. James Wetzstein is a PhD candidate in Liturgical Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He has been studying Schwidder’s work and interviewing communities that live with this work as part of his dissertation research.
The ceremony
The Founders Day Convocation program includes the installation of the Board of Regents, commissioning of the Convocation, blessing of the Associated Students of California Lutheran University Government, musical performance, and Graduate and Professionals Student Council, and bestowing of the Christus Award.
2024 Christus Award
To be announced...
For more information about Founders Day Convocation, please email missionandidentity@CalLutheran.edu
Learn more about Christus Award
About Founders Day, 2023
On October 27, 2023, The Founders Day Address was given by Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, Executive Director, Network of ELCA (Lutheran) Colleges and Universities (NECU).
As an international human rights activist, he focuses on enhancing and expanding access to education in equitable ways among global populations.
