A pause for celebration
Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,
It is hard to believe that finals week for the 2020-21 academic year has come to a close, and we have already celebrated our 2021 Traditional Undergraduates at the in-person, drive-in ceremony at the Ventura County Fairgrounds last weekend. This week we are making final arrangements for the 2021 Cal Lutheran Graduate and Professionals Commencement and for a ceremony that acknowledges 2020 graduates from all programs. Both events will take place this Saturday at the same fairgrounds. Our graduates at PLTS will celebrate with a virtual commencement on May 22. As staff put final touches on those activities, I know that many of our faculty are finishing up final grading and preparing for some well-deserved time off this summer.
As we wrap-up this unprecedented academic year, I hope that you will take some time to reflect on all that we have learned. I’d like everyone to really think about what we have accomplished during this time. Even if some of those achievements seem trivial, remember that we did them during a global pandemic. It is so important, especially in difficult times, that we take some time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the wins.
Academics
Our hosting of the two-back-to-back in-person commencement ceremonies garnered national media attention from NPR and local media. We also held our Inaugural Cultural Celebration in-person on April 24 and were able to find creative ways to hold our annual Festival of Scholars.
Community
We were able to arrange COVID vaccination clinics for staff, faculty, and students. Our latest estimates indicate that 1,030 members of our community have received the vaccine. If you have not yet gotten yours, please do so at your earliest convenience. For many of us, being a part of a fully vaccinated community gives us a sense of peace and optimism that has been missing this past year.
Speaking of optimism, the results of this spring’s CARES Day signaled a bright future for fundraising. We came together as a community to attract more donors than ever before; collectively we raised more than $1 million for our programs. Also, staff and faculty worked together to secure more than $2.9 million in grant funding for programs that explore important areas of research, improve experiences for students, and address critical social issues.
One of those programs—the Community Scholars for Black Lives Fellowship Program—welcomed its first cohort of scholars. These impressive students shared their projects with Cal Lutheran faculty and staff and a host of community leaders during a virtual recognition event last week. Scholars worked with leaders across Ventura County to develop timely and relevant projects aimed at improving the lives of black people in our communities. The next cohort is currently being recruited.
During this whole year, so many of you have gone above and beyond to serve and support students and Cal Lutheran. Thank you for the compassion you have shown.
KCLU
KCLU was honored with 7 Golden Mike Awards for outstanding reporting by the News Directors Association of Southern California, bringing the station total to more than 350 major awards. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, KCLU continues to surpass its fundraising goals and has maintained a successful donor program with more than 40% of station donors committed to monthly, ongoing donations with no end date. We are fortunate to have this outstanding news organization as part of our community.
Athletics
In total, our student-athletes have been able to compete in more than 80 athletic contests this Spring. Our women’s water polo team, in particular, competed in the NCAA tournament this week in Westwood at UCLA. They had a strong showing against Division I Fresno State.
Shared Governance
We are making staggering progress in designing and implementing a comprehensive system of shared governance. Our enhanced system will create an official body for staff. It will also include a detailed decision-making matrix called ADRI that delineates who plays what role in key issues across campus. The eight-month process of building and populating this chart was a highly inclusive one; it involved over 50 meetings (60-90 minutes long each) with constituents across campus. The final draft of the chart (yet to be endorsed by the Board) has been directly shaped by the heart, the hands, and the head of many. I am told by the 13 members of the Task Force on Shared Governance this has been one of the most transparent and inclusive processes coordinated in a decade.
Hiring & Staffing
We are in the process of adding several positions that will support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work on our campus. These positions include the Vice President of Talent, Culture, and Diversity; Director of Faculty Development and Inclusive Excellence; and a senior role in the athletic department that will be funded through the NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. It is exciting that the incumbents in these new positions will be able to join forces with each other and with those of you who are have long supported DEI on our campus. I am confident that we will soon see positive and palpable changes in this area.
We also have a bittersweet celebration as we commemorate the retirement of our beloved Campus Pastor and double alumnus Pastor Scott Maxwell-Doherty. On behalf of all at Cal Lutheran, I thank him for his many years of service and spiritual guidance he has offered our community through joyous and challenging times. There will be an in-person celebration in the Peppergrove on May 19 at 11:30 am and a virtual celebration on May 20 at 4 pm.
Ahhh
I know these last 14 months have been hard, but I am encouraged by the resilience of our community. Last week, I announced the imminent return of furloughed employees, and soon we will be able to announce details about upcoming faculty searches.
Many of us will be able to take a little time this summer to pause or at least slow our pace for a short while. Let’s use that time to rejuvenate ourselves so we can come back refreshed and ready for the Fall.
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.
Lori E. Varlotta, Ph.D.
President
More
- April's Cultural Heritage Events
April 5, 2024As April unfolds, our university will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month alongside Arab American Heritage Month. The programs offered over the next few weeks provide myriad opportunities to pay tribute to diverse histories, vibrant cultures, and significant contributions of AAPI and Arab American communities.
- Outdoor Spaces and Places
March 28, 2024In Southern California, we are well aware that rain and water play vital roles in our individual, community, and environmental health and well-being. While we are grateful for the much needed moisture brought by recent precipitation patterns (atmospheric rivers aside), the weather has presented challenges for some of our outdoor projects. In today’s note, I’ll share a few updates on several of those projects.
- Highlighting Disability Awareness Month
March 5, 2024Cal Lutheran has marked March as Disability Awareness Month. This is a time when we are called to learn more about and celebrate the contributions that people with disabilities have made to our community and beyond.
- Join Us for a Special Installation
February 16, 2024During our University Chapel service on Thursday, Feb. 22, we will celebrate theinstallation of Rev. Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes in her role as Associate Vice President(AVP) of Mission & Identity.
- Update Regarding Human Resources
February 5, 2024After more than 11 years at California Lutheran University, Patricia Parham is resigning her position as associate vice president of Human Resources. As we say farewell to Patricia, we welcome a new colleague to the campus, Eduardo Salaz.
- Celebrating Black History Month
February 1, 2024Here at Cal Lutheran, we use this month to do more than acknowledge history. We ensure it is a time to provide an interactive and engaging experience that honors the contributions African Americans have made in shaping the world.
- Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 11, 2024This coming Monday marks the annual commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a leader who dedicated his life to non-violent resistance and equality for African Americans and other oppressed peoples.
- Remembering Borderline, Five Years Ago
November 7, 2023Today marks five years since the tragic shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. Borderline was more than just a hangout place; it was a vibrant gathering spot where students from Cal Lutheran and neighboring colleges came together for the joy of music, dance, and companionship. It was where connections were made, relationships were forged, and life was celebrated.
- Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month, 2023
November 6, 2023During the month of November, our university celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month to recognize and honor the contributions of Indigenous and Native-identifying communities. Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month prompts us to engage in activities where faculty, staff, students, and friends seek to learn and understand issues that are integral to Cal Lutheran’s commitment to service and justice.
- Investing in Ahmanson Science and the Faculty and Students Who Teach and Learn There
October 19, 2023As many of you know, over the course of the last few years, the Cabinet, aided by consultants from Credo, Inc., crafted our far-reaching Strategic and Campus Plans. Perhaps the most time-sensitive recommendations we received during the planning process were those associated with upgrades to the Ahmanson Science Center.
- Celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month, 2023
October 11, 2023Today is National Coming Out Day and the official start of Cal Lutheran’s celebration of LGBTQIA+ History Month. This commemorative month recognizes the positive impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people have had and continue to have at the local, national, and international level.
- Seeding and Pruning
October 5, 2023I love talking about the spirit of community during student-focused events like Commencement and New Student Orientation as the topic is a natural one that is easily highlighted during such celebratory events. Over this last week, I have seen the spirit of community manifest itself as we have come together to examine and talk about the challenging issues that are confronting higher education, including Cal Lutheran, today.
- Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month, 2023
September 14, 2023Tomorrow marks the beginning of Latinx Heritage Month. From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, California Lutheran University will honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of the Latinx community in the United States. We begin our celebration on Sept. 15 by recognizing the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The anniversaries of the independence of Mexico and Chile follow on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
- Welcome Back
August 31, 2023Whether you are a new student or coming back for your final year, let me begin with a warm welcome to California Lutheran University. The 2023-24 academic year is off to a great start. As part of this first bimonthly note, I would like to reflect on some of the festivities that kicked it off and remind you of some events that are scheduled for the coming days.
- Remembering Eloise Cohen
August 10, 2023It is with a heavy heart that I share news of the passing of Eloise Cohen. Eloise embodied the best of the California Lutheran University community: she was curious, compassionate, graceful, and committed. To say she will be sorely missed is an understatement.
- Exploring Exciting Initiatives for CLU
August 3, 2023With summer coming to a close, students will be back on campus in a few short weeks. As we prepare to welcome them back for a great academic year, I would like to update you on some of the key projects my team and I have worked on this summer.
- Personnel Updates
June 9, 2023For most of us, summer is simultaneously slightly slower-paced and highly productive. As part of our productivity, I am pleased to announce that we have made significant progress in filling three important leadership roles.
- Experiential Learning in Festival of Scholars
April 27, 2023This week marks our 17th annual Festival of Scholars. This tradition celebrates many of the high-impact programs such as student research, service-learning, internships, and capstone projects that make Cal Lutheran a special place to teach and learn.
- AAPI Month Celebrations
March 30, 2023As we approach Spring Break and Easter, I would like to draw your attention to an upcoming celebration: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Although nationally recognized in May, Cal Lutheran celebrates AAPI Month in April so that we can offer educational and enriching opportunities to students, faculty, and staff before some of us depart campus in May.
- Recent Town Hall
March 16, 2023Despite the rain and wind, Tuesday’s Faculty and Staff Town Hall brought over 75 attendees to Lundring for the in-person gathering. For anyone who wants to see or hear the information, a recap of the event is outlined next.
- Celebrating the State of the University
March 2, 2023With the start of Women’s History Month yesterday, Employee Appreciation Day tomorrow, and our Kingsmen Basketball team playing in the March Madness tournament tomorrow afternoon, there is much to celebrate at California Lutheran University.
- The New Normal and its New Policies and Services
February 16, 2023Though the pandemic is not completely over, many facets of our day-to-day life have returned to some semblance of normalcy… or perhaps more accurately, the “new normal.” Cal Lutheran administrators like me want to do everything we can to ensure the “new normal” has some relevant and interesting opportunities that make your collegiate experience as satisfying and fulfilling as possible.
- Getting into the Groove
January 26, 2023Spring 2023 is fully upon us, and many are already into the rhythm and groove of the term. Like the opening of most semesters and terms, we are kicking this one off at high speed with a host of programs and services designed to welcome us all back to our California Lutheran University community.
- Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 13, 2023Next week, we commemorate and honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who served as a beacon of hope to African Americans, the nation's working class, and the oppressed around the world.
- New DEIJ Initiatives
January 11, 2023Now that staff have been back to campus for over a week, I wanted to send out the first 2023 communique that announces the formation of a new Council and the forthcoming implementation of a new campus-wide plan.
- Happy Holidays!
December 15, 2022The semester’s final Town Hall last week brought ~200 faculty and staff to the table. For those who couldn’t be there in person or catch it online, below is a recap of what we shared.
- Gratitude in the Messy Middle
November 22, 2022The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. This means that many of us will be traveling to visit with family and friends; preparing a meal that brings and keeps loved ones to the table; rooting for our favorite teams; and reflecting on the people, places, and things for which we are grateful.
- Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month
November 9, 2022Please join us in activities organized throughout November as we recognize and honor Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month. These programs have been scheduled to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Indigenous and Native-identifying colleagues and neighbors and to affirm Cal Lutheran’s commitment to meaningful, inclusive engagement.
- Borderline....We remember and honor
November 7, 2022Four years ago, members of our community were impacted by a harrowing event — a mass shooting — at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks.
- Recognizing Culture, Community, and Identity
October 13, 2022In addition to calling us to join in the upcoming celebrations, this note gives deserved recognition to a number of recently awarded grants whose programs align directly with Cal Lutheran’s commitment to foster inclusion and emphasize vocation.
- A Call to Community
September 29, 2022In the final days of September, we are at the focal point of the academic year: students are in the midst of completing homework assignments and taking tests (but not quite midterms), and events are ramping up engagement with community celebrations. I too have been doing homework and had the privilege of participating in community-building activities recently at a theological conference in Utah.
- September Updates and Highlights
September 15, 2022Like I wrote in my first note to campus two years ago, I will use notes like this one to provide updates on events and activities, highlight important information, and/or share insights on issues of relevance to those of us in higher education. Today’s note focuses on the first two.
- Celebrating HSI Week and Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
September 12, 2022As a Hispanic Serving Institution, we are recognizing HSI Week today through Friday along with other HSI designated colleges and universities across the nation.
- Happy New Year
September 1, 2022Welcome to Fall 2022! Nothing makes our campuses more vibrant than welcoming new and returning students and employees to our shared spaces and places. This is my favorite part of the year — a new beginning to chart our course for a bright future.
- Renewed Funding for Campus Grant Programs!
August 18, 2022Over the last few months, many staff and faculty at Cal Lutheran have worked diligently to submit renewal applications to the Department of Education to support critical grants. In total, Cal Lutheran will receive $6.7M in renewal funds to support the Upward Bound and McNair Scholars programs.
- Compensation Update
August 16, 2022I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Regents approved a salary increase, which will go into effect this Monday, August 22.
- Rev. Dr. Howard Wennes
July 13, 2022It is with a heavy heart that I share this news. The Rev. Dr. Howard Wennes, a treasured member of the Cal Lutheran community, died yesterday following a recent hospitalization.
- April is AAPI Month at Cal Lu
March 30, 2022Like other college campuses whose Spring terms end in early or mid-May, Cal Lutheran will celebrate AAPI Heritage month in April to ensure that our students can participate in AAPI Month activities before they buckle down in preparation for final exams and projects.
- Initiatives that Spring Us Forward
March 24, 2022In the spirit of the new Spring season, many exciting and essential projects have begun sprouting around campus. In case you missed last week's Town Hall, this note will highlight several of them.
- Home to our Second Professional Athletic Team
March 8, 2022I am thrilled to announce that Cal Lutheran is now home to a second professional athletic team. We just finalized an agreement with the Angel City Football Club (ACFC)—the 11th member of the National Women's Soccer League.
- Building Momentum in the Early Weeks of 2022
February 18, 2022As we move into the second half of the Spring Semester, please know that the following updates and issues are the critical ones at this moment.
- Join us as we acknowledge the land and the people
January 25, 2022As we begin the second half of the academic year and the first part of 2022, I am pleased by the number and types of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs we are offering and the commitments we are actualizing.
- Winter and Spring 2022 Operations – Virtual Classes Week of January 17
January 12, 2022Classes across all academic programs at the University will meet virtually from January 17-23.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Week of Service
January 10, 2022Today, Dr. King’s legacy calls each of us to dedicate our time, resources, and unique gifts to breaking the chains of racism and poverty in service to our own communities.
- Together We Plan: Campus Community Day Follow-Up Items
November 24, 2021Last Thursday’s strategic planning workshop, led by our Consultants from Credo, was a huge success. Over two hundred of us attended the afternoon-long program where we generated a substantial number of ideas.
- The Gift of Time: Extended Holiday Break
November 8, 2021I write this note to expand on the theme of recognition and gratitude that the Cabinet and I touched upon at last week’s Fall 2021 Town Hall.
- Borderline....We remember together
November 5, 2021We remember the tragic shooting on November 7, 2018, at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks with heavy hearts.
- The Spirit of the Fall Semester
October 21, 2021October is to the collegiate year as December is to the holiday season. The crisp air wakes us up as we walk across campus or wait for the BART to bring us to our seminary classes.
- Being a part of the change that is here and that which is coming
September 23, 2021With seven days left in the month of September, we are several weeks into the Fall semester.
- Hopeful Change in the Newest of New Years
September 9, 2021For the first time in my 36 years in academia, more than half of our students are new to the university at this very moment.
- Launching our General Education Task Force
June 29, 2021Our core curriculum must evolve into one that is designed to help students find their vocation and their purpose, become agile thinkers and constructive doers, and live and work as engaged citizens who understand the intricacies and intersections ever-present in today’s global society.
- Meet in the Park
May 27, 2021One of the bright spots that emerged at Cal Lutheran during the pandemic is that we have a viable option of taking some of our work “outside.”
- A pause for celebration
May 13, 2021It is hard to believe that finals week for the 2020-21 academic year has come to a close, and we have already celebrated our 2021 Traditional Undergraduates at the in-person, drive-in ceremony at the Ventura County Fairgrounds last weekend.
- The semester's end is in sight
April 22, 2021In less than one month, the academic semester will be over, and we will have all completed a challenging academic year.
- Generosity in Action - the Spirit and Action of Cares Day
April 8, 2021Yesterday, a three-month planning process culminated in a stunningly successful fundraising campaign called Cal Lutheran Cares Day: Stronger Together!
- Values in Action: Expressions of Gratitude for Those Around Us
March 25, 2021We are more than one full year into the pandemic. When we vacated our campuses and our classrooms last March who would have imagined that the world we knew then would be disrupted at this level for this length of time? Over the last twelve months, all of us have become innovators and change agents.
- Repopulating the campus and weighing into the TO General Plan
March 11, 2021Next week marks the one-year anniversary of when Cal Lutheran students, faculty, and staff were sent home to study and work.
- New positions, a reflective goodbye, and summaries of important updates
February 25, 2021I will use today’s biweekly message to summarize news mentioned in three communiques and to provide an exciting update on our DEI efforts.
- New spaces, more faces, and much to do
February 11, 2021It’s nice to see the slow but sure increase in activity on our Thousand Oaks campus. Our residential students have settled in, athletic teams are starting to practice, and slightly more staff members are working on-site.
- Building the Structures Necessary for Mid-21st Century Success
January 28, 2021Every now and then I want to provide updates geared primarily to employees. Since this is one of those times, today’s note is written primarily for faculty and staff.
- Paying Homage to King, Welcoming A New Year, and Doubling Down on our Purpose
January 14, 2021I write this first note of the new year with a mind that is fully occupied and a heart that is heavy yet hopeful at the same time.
- Cal Lutheran’s Bright Spot in 2020–Student Success
December 17, 2020As 2020 draws to a close and we head toward a much-needed holiday break, I want to thank all of you for everything you have done this year.
- Nearing the Final Stretch of Fall 2020
November 19, 2020It’s hard to believe that for many of us Fall 2020 is in the final wind-down phase, and those of you taking and teaching undergraduate classes will soon be finished with that part of your work for the term.
- What kind of community are we?
November 12, 2020I am in day 72 of my Cal Lutheran presidency, having arrived at a time when periods are measured in days and weeks rather than years.
- A gradual return to campus and some of the things we have missed
October 29, 2020With November fast approaching, I want to update you on where the members of Cabinet and the Emergency Operations Committee are in terms of our phased-in repopulation plan.
- Looking ahead to the late fall and early spring
October 15, 2020I thought it would be helpful to share the current COVID-19-related guidance that has emerged since the President's Update I delivered in early October.
- Shoring up finances, reconfiguring structures, prioritizing DI efforts
October 1, 2020During my first Operational Update webinar last week, I shared the latest information related to Cal Lutheran’s revenue shortfall and the mitigation strategies the Cabinet aimed to put in place to close the gap.
- Continuing a faith journey that embodies Lutheran Values
September 17, 2020Sometimes, or should I say “often,” my office staff knows best. Earlier this week, they suggested that I send these notes on the Thursday that falls in between the Connecting@CalLutheran gatherings rather than on the same week.
- President Varlotta’s Inaugural Note to Campus
September 10, 2020I believe it is important for a president to communicate openly and routinely with the entire university. Therefore, I am going to continue a practice I started during my first presidency—sending personal notes to the campus community twice each month.