Grateful for You

Dear Cal Lutheran Community,

To say I feel welcomed into this community would be the understatement of my working life. As Simone Weil (1909-1943), an extraordinary woman philosopher of the early 20th century, said: "attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." Since my first official day on the job, I have had the privilege of meeting many of you. You have welcomed me with open arms at local church services, a synod assembly, during impromptu conversations along "the spine," and at The Habit for lunch and Starbucks for coffee. I have listened as you’ve told me about your work for the sake of our students, your lives, and your passions. You’ve shared your perspectives, your anxieties, and shown me why so many people truly care about this place.

But let’s back up a moment, and I will properly introduce myself. My name is John Arthur Nunes (pronounced “new-ness”). I am a double immigrant, born in Jamaica and raised in Canada. Husband to my beloved Monique “Ms. Mo” Nunes, I am a devoted Lutheran, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. My employment and academic focus for over four decades of adulthood has centered on faith-based, nonprofit, Lutheran-Christian organizations that provide options for life transformation through education, international humanitarianism, urban congregational life, and community development. I cheer for the Buffalo Bills and, sorry, cannot do otherwise.

As I shared with many of you at the Faculty and Staff Town Hall last week, I am not approaching my “first 100 days” with concrete goals other than to listen, learn, and then lead. Cal Lutheran is a strong institution, but is not immune to the challenges most higher education institutions are facing. My previous experiences as a university president as well as CEO of Lutheran World Relief situate me uniquely to navigate these challenges and seize opportunities for growth and betterment.

If there is one thing you learn about me, I hope it is this: I consider my appointment to be a calling, and I am “confident in my vocation and identity.” This institution is more than a place of working and learning; it is life-giving. Over the next two years, we have a lot of work to do TOGETHER.

Thank you for welcoming me into this next episode of Cal Lutheran’s storied journey.

With deep and sincere appreciation,

John A. Nunes, Ph.D.
Interim President