John A. Nunes to be Inaugurated as California Lutheran University’s Ninth President

Rupert Thorpe

In 1959, California Lutheran University inaugurated its first president, Dr. Orville Dahl, whose leadership became the paradigm for all subsequent presidents. On Oct. 17, John A. Nunes, PhD, will be installed as the university’s ninth president, continuing Dahl’s legacy while charting a new course for Cal Lutheran’s future. The Inauguration: Investiture and Founders Day Service will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center on the Cal Lutheran Campus. The Community Celebration and Reception follows from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Lundring Events Center’s University Plaza.

“Dr. Nunes’ appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in his ability to provide the steady, mission-focused leadership needed to guide the university forward,” said Ann Boynton, chair of the Board of Regents. “His deep commitment to Cal Lutheran’s mission of educating leaders for a global society enables him to bring a collaborative and community-centered approach to his work with students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners.”

Nunes joined Cal Lutheran as interim president on June 1, 2024. On May 17, the Board of Regents unanimously appointed Nunes as the university’s president, effective June 1. His appointment is supported by the bishops of Region 1 and Region 2 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

“Frustrated in trying to start this institution, Dr. Dahl exclaimed in exasperation, ‘If God wants this, God will have to make it happen,’” said Nunes. “I believe God did and still does, and it’s up to us to reinvent this mission for this new generation.”

The author of five books, Nunes has served on the Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities since 2020. He was also president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief and held an endowed professorship at Valparaiso University.

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Nunes received his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario. He earned his Master of Theology and doctorate at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

The inauguration is scheduled alongside Cal Lutheran’s Founders Day and Homecoming Weekend to emphasize the campuswide and communitywide nature of the celebration, which honors the new leadership and rich traditions of the university. Events throughout Inauguration Week, Oct. 15-19, include lectures, the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, 23rd Annual Student Research Symposium, Homecoming Festival and Homecoming Worship Service.

Cal Lutheran is located at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. The Inauguration: Investiture and Founders Day Service is open to the community, but registration is required. For more information, call 805-493-3001 or email inauguration@CalLutheran.edu.

To view the complete Inauguration Week schedule, visit CalLutheran.edu/inauguration.