Inauguration of CLU president slated

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An expert on American history and higher education, Kimball has a distinguished career as a scholar and leader and is well respected in academic circles as well as the local community.

Photo: Phil Channing

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – April 3, 2009) California Lutheran University President Chris Kimball, Ph.D., will be inaugurated during a weekend of free public events celebrating arts, athletics, faith, service and scholarship from April 24 through 26.

Kimball became the seventh president of CLU in April 2008 after serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs for nearly two years. An expert on American history and higher education, Kimball has a distinguished career as a scholar and leader and is well respected in academic circles as well as the local community.

The inaugural celebration reflects the many facets of CLU as well as Kimball’s interests. It begins at 10 a.m. Friday, April 24, with a lecture by Mark Schwehn, Ph.D., in Samuelson Chapel. Schwehn, a widely published author and humanities professor at Valparaiso University, will speak about the importance of scholarship in Lutheran higher education. Inauguration weekend leads into the weeklong Festival of Scholars, which showcases student and faculty research.

The President’s Night at the Arts begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, when visitors can view a student multimedia exhibit called CLUFEST 2009 in Kwan Fong Gallery of Art and Culture. 

The highlight of President’s Night at the Arts will be the Seventh Annual New Music Concert featuring the music of acclaimed composer Eric Whitacre, who will speak during the show, and performances by Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann and CLU’s choral ensembles at 8 p.m. Friday, April 24, in Samuelson Chapel.

CLU’s commitment to service will be highlighted during a Habitat for Humanity Playhouse Build from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in the Administration parking lot. Visitors can watch students and alumni at work and participate in other service projects at the site.

President’s Day at the Ballpark will feature Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rivals CLU and Pomona-Pitzer going head to head at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the George “Sparky” Anderson Baseball Field. Kimball has done scholarly work on the history of sport and his passion is baseball.

An Evening Worship service celebrating the inauguration will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in Samuelson Chapel.

The festivities, which are funded by donations, will culminate with the Installation Service at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in Gilbert Arena inside the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center. A reception will follow.

For more information or to RSVP, visit http://www.callutheran.edu/inauguration or call (805) 493-3695.