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East Ventura News

Monday, January 13, 2025

Cal Lutheran honors alumni for career achievements and humanitarian efforts

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Lori E. Varlotta, PhD. President | California Lutheran University

Lori E. Varlotta, PhD. President | California Lutheran University

Cal Lutheran University has announced the recipients of its annual alumni awards, recognizing graduates and honorary members who have made significant contributions in their fields or through humanitarian efforts.

The Outstanding Alumni Award was given to Sue Dwyer-Voss, a 1986 graduate. For 35 years, Dwyer-Voss has dedicated her career as a school social worker to helping young people recognize their inherent worth and dignity. She provides support for students facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and navigating LGBTQ+ identities. "In 2020, Dwyer-Voss co-founded the CLU Peace and Social Justice scholarship," which has supported nine Cal Lutheran students of color pursuing careers in social justice with over $25,000.

Vanessa Frank received the Honorary Alumni Award for her exceptional service to Cal Lutheran and achievements in immigration law. Raised in Los Angeles, Frank was influenced by her parents' commitment to social justice and the immigrant stories from her family heritage. She founded an immigration-focused law practice in Oxnard in 2009 and has been involved in advocacy work offering pro-bono legal services to immigrants. As an adjunct professor at Cal Lutheran, she inspires students through courses on ethics and religion viewed through the lens of immigration.

Esmeralda Martinez-Rosales, who earned her master's degree from Cal Lutheran in 2023, was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Coming from a background where higher education seemed unlikely, Martinez-Rosales became the first member of her family to attend college. Her dedication led her to earn a bachelor's degree from CSU Northridge before completing her master's at Cal Lutheran while working full-time. As a career and transfer specialist at Oxnard College, she supports first-generation students juggling studies with financial responsibilities.

These awardees exemplify commitment to career excellence and social reform, reflecting Cal Lutheran's values of service and leadership.

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