Founders Day Convocation - The Rev. Dr. Howie Wennes

The 2009 Founders Day observance takes on special meaning as California Lutheran University celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding. Keynote speaker for this historic Convocation is CLU President Emeritus Howie Wennes.

A former bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wennes has served in leadership posts for the ELCA throughout the world. He came to CLU in 2005 as Director of Church Relations and Assistant to the President for University Ministries, and later served two terms as interim president. Prior to coming to CLU, he served as interim pastor for congregations in California and Arizona. He has also played an active role in international and ecumenical alliances including hunger and humanitarian relief efforts in Africa and Asia. He has been Chair of the Board of Lutheran World Relief, a staff member of ELCA Hunger Appeal, a visiting professor in South Africa, and a delegate to international assemblies of the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches.

Wennes will be presented with the Christus Award during the service, which also will include the commissioning of Convocators and members of the Board of Regents.

Admission is free. Limited parking is available in Chapel Circle and on Chapel Lane. Additional parking is available in the Pederson Administration Building parking lot at the corner of Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard and in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center parking lot north of Olsen Road. Street parking on campus is by permit only Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.