Justin Meek ’18

Outstanding Young Alumni

When Justin Meek ‘18 was tragically killed in the mass shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill in 2018, a profound sense of loss reverberated throughout the Cal Lutheran community and beyond. The kind of person everyone loved to be around, Justin was known as a warm-hearted and compassionate young man who had an innate drive to protect those he loved. He studied criminal justice and aimed to join the Coast Guard to make a career of protecting others; he died a hero doing just that. As an undergraduate, Justin was an integral part of the fabric of our campus community. He founded Cal Lutheran’s line-dancing club, played water polo for the Kingsmen, and sang in the choir and Kingsmen quartet. Justin’s mother, Laura Lynn Meek ‘18, and sister, Victoria Rose Meek ‘20, are also Cal Lutheran alumni. To honor the memory of this extraordinary young man, the university installed a bench in Kingsmen Park—Justin’s favorite spot on campus—creating a place of quiet reflection for generations to come.