Swensons, others fund new CLU academic facility
Swenson Center for Academic Excellence to open by 50th anniversary
Jim and Sue Swenson of Dana Point have contributed $5 million to help fund construction of a social and behavioral science building.
Jim and Sue Swenson of Dana Point have designated their recent $5 million gift to enhance academic facilities at California Lutheran University. The donation will help fund construction of the Swenson Center for Academic Excellence -- a new social and behavioral science building with faculty offices and classrooms on the Thousand Oaks campus.
Other donors who have stepped forward to bring the $8.5 million building and $2 million endowment to fruition are Marv and Fran Soiland of Santa Rosa, the Ullman Family Foundation, Karen and Allan Spies of Denver, Colo., Kirsten and Karsten Lundring of Thousand Oaks, and Jack and Carol Gilbert of Oxnard. A gift from the estate of Eleanor and Paul Culver will go toward a program endowment for the center.
A native of Wisconsin, Jim Swenson worked as a research chemist before starting his own circuit board technology company, Details, Inc., based in Anaheim. After his retirement, Swenson and his wife established the Swenson Family Foundation to benefit education and religion through scholarship funds. Through the foundation, the Swensons have provided numerous renewable scholarships to CLU students and funding for capital projects on campus.
All of the building donors except the Swensons have a CLU facility that bears their names. Jim Swenson, George Ullman and Karen Spies are current members of the Board of Regents; Jack Gilbert, Karsten Lundring, and Marv Soiland are Regents Emeriti.
“We are so grateful for these generous donors who have supported so many CLU programs and capital projects,” said Bill Kane, Chair of the Board of Regents. “We are honored to have the Swenson name added to a building and to be able to provide another academic facility for CLU students and faculty.”
The completion of a social and behavioral sciences facility will lead the way for a new science facility and a performing arts center, both of which are part of the university’s master plan. The Swenson Center is slated for completion by fall 2009 as part of the university’s 50th anniversary celebration. CLU will complete construction of a new softball field in spring 2008, and a new residence hall will open in fall 2009.