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Alumni Awards

The Cal Lutheran Alumni Board of Directors Awards Program recognizes the outstanding achievements of California Lutheran University alumni. Nominations for awards in the five categories listed below are welcomed from all members and friends of the Cal Lutheran community.

We look forward to receiving your nominations and recognizing the outstanding achievements of your fellow alumni.

James L. Thompson, D.D.S.

Service to Alma Mater

If there’s a football or basketball game taking place at CLU, you’re likely to spot Dr. Jim Thompson in the bleachers rooting for the home team. 

A staunch supporter of his alma mater, Jim is a member of the CLU Alumni Board, served on the steering committee for the North Campus development and is a longtime donor of the University. 

A consistent proponent of CLU, Jim introduces the university to others with pride and enthusiasm.  He particularly likes to talk with prospective students and their families, pointing out the quality academic, social and spiritual education he received and CLU’s top rating in the US News and World Report.  He firmly believes, and tells anyone who will listen, that CLU is a fine institution with unique and positive values.

Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Jim lived in Boston, Massachusetts, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, before moving to Thousand Oaks in 1964 to attend CLU as a physics major. He met his future wife, Gwen Theodos, on campus.  They were married in August following their graduation in 1968. 

The newlyweds moved to Minneapolis where Jim attended graduate school and was a teaching assistant in physics at the University of Minnesota.  After obtaining his master’s degree, he decided to change course and pursue a career in dentistry.  The Thompsons, which now included Spencer ’93, moved to Oak Park, Illinois, and Jim attended Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago.  He received his D.D.S. in 1978, and the family returned to Thousand Oaks, where Jim set up his practice.

In addition to his volunteer work with CLU, Jim played trumpet in the Conejo Valley Symphony Orchestra and is an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church, where he sings in the choir and serves on several committees.  He is also affiliated with several professional dental associations.  In his spare time, Jim loves to fly in his own Lancair airplane, which he built in his garage over a nine-year period.

 Jim and Gwen reside in Thousand Oaks and have three grown children.

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