Founders Day Convocation

Founders Day is a festive event that gives thanks for CLU’s heritage and accents its primary mission of educating leaders for a global society. The 2010 Founders Day observance takes on special meaning as California Lutheran University continues to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding. This year's observance is held in conjunction with Homecoming and Family Weekend. Keynote speaker Richard Nelson, a 1975 alumnus of CLU, is senior pastor of Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and chair of the board of directors of Lutheran World Relief.

LWR is an international nonprofit organization that works to end poverty and injustice by empowering impoverished communities to help themselves. Nelson, who joined the LWR board in 2008, has served in parish ministry for 30 years, serving five parishes in five synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has assumed synod leadership positions and has also served as adjunct faculty for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Nelson, who also holds a degree from Luther Seminary, will present the homily at the Homecoming worship service on Sunday.

Admission is free. Limited parking is available in the Samuelson Chapel parking lot. Additional parking is available in the parking lots on Mountclef Boulevard north and south of Olsen Road. Street parking is by permit only Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.