James M. Evensen Ph.D.

Honorary Alumni

Professor James Evensen was posthumously granted Honorary Alumnus Status and his son, Jim ’86, was present to accept the award.  Doc Evenson served as chair of CLU’s geology department from 1965 until his untimely death on December 24, 1988.  Much loved by the CLU community and highly regarded by his students, he was voted professor or the year four times.

Doc E’s feelings for the University were stated clearly in a 1977 speech presented to CLU’s Committee for new Dimensions.  He said, “My desire to be at CLC revolved about such simple expressions as love, concern, commitment, academic freedom and above all, my religious beliefs…I believe we have a cause-- Jesus Christ.”

In addition to his teaching duties, Professor Evensen served on both the Presidential and Dean Search Committees and volunteered to guide field trips to the national Parks for the Community Leaders Club and other groups.  He was also a significant force behind many grants and scholarships including grants from various oil companies and two major grants from the Lon V. Smith Foundation of Beverly Hills, both for $100,000.

He was a member of many professional organizations and served on the board of Regents for Dana College, a sister Lutheran institution in Blair, Nebraska.  He was also on the Board of Directors for Mesa, a geological consulting firm in La Cresenta, and an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks.

Doc Evensen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Minnesota in 1955.  He completed his post graduate work at the University of Arizona receiving his master’s in geology in 1961 and his doctorate in geology in 1969.