CLU President to take CEO Post at EDC, Inc., in Boston Area

(THOUSAND OAKS, CA – December 16, 2005) – Dr. Luther S. Luedtke, President of California Lutheran University since 1992, has accepted a position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Education Development Center (EDC) of Newton, Mass. EDC is a $100 million non–profit organization dedicated to improving education, health care and community development worldwide. He will begin leading EDC in April following a three–month sabbatical at CLU.

As the third longest serving president of the 28 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) colleges, Luedtke, 62, has been a leader to the university and to Lutheran higher education organizations. During his tenure, CLU has seen enrollment increase from 1,250 to 2,000 undergraduates and the establishment of several new graduate programs. The growth in the size and quality of faculty and facilities has kept pace with the growth in enrollment. This past year has been especially exciting with the groundbreaking of the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center and the hiring of 27 new faculty.

After two decades at the University of Southern California, where he held a series of professorial and administrative positions, Luedtke accepted the presidency at CLU in 1992. He has been a Fulbright Professor in Germany, director of the American Studies Research Center in India, and Resident Scholar with the U.S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C., as well as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Education, the Council for International Exchange of Scholars and other governmental bodies. Luedtke received his bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in his native Minnesota and his Ph.D. in American civilization at Brown University.

EDC is a not–for–profit research, policy, development and project–management company with 800 employees, $95 million in annual operations, and more than 300 projects in 60 countries. Aside from its main offices in Massachusetts, New York City, Washington, D.C., and the Netherlands, EDC also operates field offices in more than 20 countries to support project initiatives.

“With the offer of this new position, I came to realize that I was being called to a new chapter in my life’s work in education, scholarship and human development,” said Luedtke. “While on sabbatical, I will work with the Board and senior staff as needed to assure the graceful continuity of operations, programs and friendships that are vital to CLU’s progress.”

Dr. Howard Wennes, who has been named Acting President during what was to be Luedtke’s sabbatical, will continue as Acting President until a presidential search is completed or other arrangements are made. Dr. Wennes, who has most recently served as Director of Church Relations and Assistant to the President for University Ministries, has led the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and served in posts throughout the United States and the world.

“I am sure the entire CLU community will miss the warmth and friendship that both Luther and Carol Luedtke have shown to all of us for so many years,” said Bill Kane, chair of the CLU Board of Regents. Although we are saddened by their departure, we are also grateful for the time and energy that we have received from Luther’s years of service at CLU. We are also fortunate to have a very strong and dedicated senior faculty and administration to provide support and guidance to Dr. Wennes and the Board of Regents during this transition period, added Kane.

“Such an endorsement by EDC, Inc., pays tribute to Luther’s leadership abilities and to CLU whose reputation has certainly grown immeasurably in recent years,” said Ritch K. Eich, Ph.D., Vice President for Marketing and Communications.