Concordia Magazine

Paul Evenson

From his home in California, Paul Evenson '68 has worked on behalf of the college, supporting the outreach and advancement efforts in an official capacity for the past nine years and in an unofficial capacity since his graduation from Concordia in 1968.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in English, Evenson earned a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and a Master of Business Administration degree from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, in 1985.

He came back to Concordia and served as an assistant in campus ministry to then-campus pastor Carl Lee, where he formed a special relationship with Lee and his wife, Ann. Evenson was also an associate pastor at St. Olaf Lutheran, Garden Grove, Calif., and Prince of Peace Lutheran, Phoenix.

He was executive director for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries from 1979 to 1986, registered representative for Lutheran Brotherhood from 1986 to 1998 and as vice president for Seminary Relations for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary from 1998 until 2003, all in California.

Evenson’s work in the western United States included supporting trips from the late President Jolicoeur, President Dovre and President Craft. He has also worked with numerous student groups in organizing events and lifting up their work to, in Evenson’s words, “bring a little piece of Concordia College to the West.” 

Evenson has also been working diligently with donors and supporters to align their dreams with the dreams of our community. He secured support for the renovation of the Knutson Campus Center and the Campaign for Concordia. He has invited support for both the Offutt School of Business and the Update the Jake project. He has also been instrumental in working with many donors through the process of considering how to plan transformational gifts as part of their estate.

Gary Haugo, director of development, refers to the final sentences of the retrospect in Carl Lee’s book “We Worship as We Live” where Lee states, “I pray that my voice has been like that still small voice that has been God calling and speaking to you. I pray that God’s voice, through my voice, will continue to go with you.” “To me,” says Haugo, “this also is the essence of Paul’s ministry with Concordia College.”

Evenson and his wife, Louise '68, live in Alamo, Calif., and enjoy traveling. He’ll continue to keep busy in retirement. He enjoys golfing and is on the board of the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, Ariz.

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