Lance Orozco, news director at California Lutheran University’s KCLU Radio, marked his 25th year in the role on Apr. 21 as the station faces new financial challenges following federal funding cuts.
Orozco’s career and storytelling have shaped KCLU into a leading source of local news for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. His decision to share his personal battle with kidney cancer in 2012 brought listeners closer to his reporting, with many reaching out for advice after hearing his story. “I always ask people to tell these stories about themselves,” Orozco said. “And I just thought, ‘Well, maybe this would be an interesting story.’”
His coverage has included major events such as wildfires in Simi Valley and Moorpark, Ronald Reagan’s funeral in Simi Valley, the Metrolink train crash that killed 21 residents of Ventura County, the Thomas fire, Montecito mudslides, and the Borderline Bar and Grill mass shooting. The spring 2025 Nielsen Audio ratings listed KCLU as the top news station in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Orozco has received more than 110 Golden Mike Awards from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California along with two national Edward R. Murrow Awards.
Mary Olson, general manager of KCLU Radio since its founding by California Lutheran University’s Board of Regents in 1994, said: “Lance is the best hire of my 40-year career.” She added about his work: “His whole focus and goal are, ‘How can I tell community stories? How can we serve the community?’ He is tireless in his efforts … not just getting the story but getting the story right.”
The university competes athletically through its Kingsmen and Regals teams at NCAA Division III level within the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference according to its official website. It also promotes diversity, equity and inclusion while preparing graduates for community service according to its official website. The main campus covers 225 acres in Thousand Oaks with additional satellite centers according to its official website, enrolls over 3,100 undergraduate and graduate students according to its official website, is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education according to its official website, affiliates with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America according to its official website, and provides education across several campuses while drawing students from various states and countries according to its official website.
After Congress voted to defund National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), KCLU now faces a $300,000 annual shortfall previously covered by listener donations combined with federal support. Olson said she is relying on listeners’ contributions: “If you appreciate long-form journalism… then we ask people to please support this unique special thing called public radio on KCLU.” She has started a Resiliency Fund program seeking multi-year commitments from donors.
Orozco remains committed despite physical demands: “There’s always going to be a need for people to do what I do because people want to know what’s real…” He continues reporting both serious issues like housing costs or immigration policy impacts alongside lighter features that highlight positive aspects of local life.
