Office of the President

Cal Lutheran at a Glance

Milestones
  • 1959 — California Lutheran College founded
  • 1961 — First students arrive
  • 1964 — First class graduates
  • 1972 — First master’s degrees granted
  • 1986 — Name changed to California Lutheran University
  • 2002 — First doctoral program offered
Mission

California Lutheran University is a diverse, scholarly community dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies. Rooted in the Lutheran tradition of Christian faith, the University encourages critical inquiry into matters of both faith and reason. The mission of the University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.

Presidents
  • Chris Kimball, Ph.D., 2008
  • John R. Sladek, Ph.D., 2006-2007
  • Luther S. Luedtke, Ph.D., 1992-2006
  • Jerry Miller, D.D., 1981-1992
  • Mark Mathews, D.B.A., 1972-1980
  • Raymond Olson, D.D., 1963-1971
  • Orville Dahl, Ed.D., 1959-1962
Administrative Leadership
  • President: Chris Kimball, Ph.D.
  • Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs: Leanne Neilson, Psy.D.
  • Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance: Ryan Van Ommeren, M.S.
  • Vice President for Marketing and Communications: Ritch K. Eich, Ph.D.
  • Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students: William Rosser, M.S.
  • Vice President for University Advancement: R. Stephen Wheatly ’77, J.D.
Academic Leadership
  • Dean of the School of Education: Carol Bartell, Ed.D.
  • Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Joan Griffin, Ph.D.
  • Dean of the School of Business: Charles Maxey, Ph.D.
  • Chair of the Faculty: Kristine Butcher, Ph.D.
Location

The 225-acre campus is located midway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, nestled against the hills in Thousand Oaks, just 14 miles inland from Malibu and easily accessible from the Ventura 101 Freeway. Thousand Oaks, home to 127,000 people, and is rated one of the safest cities of its size in America, according to FBI statistics.

Off-campus graduate centers are conveniently located in Oxnard and Woodland Hills.

Affiliations and Accreditations

CLU is one of 28 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and Council of Independent Colleges. CLU is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The Financial Planning Program has been registered with Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board).

Enrollment
  • Total: 3,298
  • Undergraduate: 2,124
  • Graduate: 1,174

Originating from across the nation and around the world, CLU’s student body represents a diversity of faiths and cultures. The University maintains its residential emphasis with approximately two-thirds of traditional undergraduate students living on campus. Average class size is 15 students.

Faculty
  • Full time: 134
  • Part time: 149

CLU’s dedicated and committed faculty is one of the University’s greatest assets. Of the full-time faculty, 84 percent have earned their doctorate or terminal degree.

Academic Programs

CLU offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs through its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and School of Education. Thirty-six undergraduate majors and 31 minors are offered in addition to an accelerated degree evening program for adults. Graduate programs include a doctorate in educational leadership and master’s degrees in education, psychology, computer science, business administration, and public policy and administration. Undergraduate catalogs are available through the Admission Office, (805) 493-3135. Graduate and adult degree program catalogs may be obtained through the Graduate and Adult Programs Office, (805) 493-3127. CLU’s World Wide Web address is www.callutheran.edu.

Athletics

CLU’s intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and the NCAA, Division III. Men’s teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and water polo. Women’s teams compete in basketball, cross country, softball, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo.

The University

CLU is a selective liberal arts and science institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. CLU also offers an Adult Degree Evening Program (ADEP) for part-time returning undergraduate adult students. Founded in 1959 and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, CLU is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); all faiths are welcome.

Computer Facilities

Personal computers and the Internet have revolutionized teaching and learning. With a commitment to enhancing our students’ experience by providing the very best resources, CLU offers access to more than 14,000 full-text journals to assist students with their research needs. These journal databases, along with the rapidly expanding World Wide Web, are served over the Internet through our campus network service CLUnet. Students can access CLUnet from the library, from any of several computer laboratories on campus, from their dorm rooms, or from off campus via the Internet. Students may also use our wireless network access with a laptop nearly anywhere on campus including the Centrum Café and Kingsmen Park.

Residence Halls

All 13 residence halls on campus are coed, divided by floor or section, and offer recreational areas, kitchen and laundry facilities, and security systems. Individual rooms are equipped with voice mail, computer hook-ups, free cable and air conditioning. Each suite of rooms has a private bathroom. Parking is free throughout campus.

Student Organizations

Student organizations include academic clubs, student government, campus media, drama and musical groups, multicultural, political, social, service-oriented and athletic clubs. Organizations are open to all students.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Available assistance includes need-based and non-need-based college scholarships and low-interest, long-term loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Cal Grants, Federal Pell Grants and Federal Work Study. Eighty percent of all CLU students receive some form of financial assistance.

Admission
  • Applicants must complete the application form and submit a high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, one letter of recommendation, an essay, and a nonrefundable application fee of $45 by mail or $25 online.
  • An interview is strongly recommended.
  • International students must also submit TOEFL scores.
  • Required preparation includes four years of college-preparatory English; three years of mathematics (including Algebra II), four years preferred; at least two years of the same foreign language; two years of social studies; and two years of laboratory science (three years highly recommended).
  • Transfer applicants must also send a transcript of all college work and should have a minimum 2.75 grade point average.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • November 15 - Early Action Deadline
    • January 15 - Regular Decision Round I Deadline and Presidential Scholarship deadline
    • March 15 - Regular Decision Round II Deadline
Address

California Lutheran University
60 West Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2787

Telephone Numbers
  • Undergraduate Admission Office: 805-493-3135 (FAX: 805-493-3114)
  • Graduate Admission Office: (805) 493-3127 or (888) CLU-GRAD
  • General/Switchboard: 805-492-2411
E-mail