Tatiana Zaragosa

Pastor Beth and Bre Freiberg embrace each other after Thursday’s installation.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, California Lutheran University officially installed the Rev. Elizabeth Gallen ’12, also known as “Pastor Beth,” as its new campus pastor. The morning service at Samuelson Chapel included a choral performance and remarks from university faculty, staff and members of Pastor Beth’s family.

“After prayerful deliberation, we of California Lutheran University have invited Rev. Elizabeth Gallen as minister of word and sacrament in the position of campus pastor,” said John Nunes, president of Cal Lutheran in his introduction to attendees. 

Pastor Beth, who is an alumna of Cal Lutheran and graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in international studies, said she was first encouraged to apply to Cal Lutheran after a youth director suggested visiting schools sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

“The minute we got out of the car and I saw campus, I knew that this was the place for me,” Pastor Beth said, recalling her first visit to campus as a prospective student.

During her time at Cal Lutheran, Pastor Beth served as a Global Studies Department Assistant and studied abroad at the University of Oxford her senior year. Pastor Beth was also involved in the Theatre & Dance Department and participated in musicals and stage production.

Pastor Beth has since received her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and previously served at New Journey Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, Arizona, according to an email announcement from Nunes on July 29.

The position of campus pastor was previously held by the Rev. Scott Adams until 2024, at which point he transitioned to become the university’s chaplain of athletics. The Rev. Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes then assumed the role on an interim basis for the 2024-25 academic year. Windham-Hughes was later appointed the rector of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in August, according to Cal Lutheran News.

Ryanne Rojas, Cal Lutheran’s spiritual life engagement coordinator, said there was a multi-step selection process to select a new campus pastor. According to Rojas, the Campus Pastor Search Committee went through resumes, interviewed candidates, and had candidates host an engagement talk with staff, faculty and students on campus.

From there, Rojas said several campus committees like Student Life, Campus Ministry, and the search committee gave feedback and decided which candidate would be the best fit. 

“[Pastor Beth] joins us in our mission to educate more leaders for a global society,” said the Rev. Dr. Julia Fogg, professor and member of the search committee, in a prayer. “With her guidance, may we continue to dedicate ourselves to learning and growth and to the work of serving one another.”

According to Pastor Beth, she has three primary goals as campus pastor: to build relationships, visibility and community. Pastor Beth also said she hopes to lead more collaboration across Christian groups on campus. 

“I am excited to emerge in campus ministry, listen to what’s happening on the university, and what God is up to, and excited to learn what other people are noticing and seeing and hoping for,” Pastor Beth said. “That I can come alongside and be supportive of what’s happening in other people’s lives, trusting that God’s in the mix.”

At the installation, Pastor Beth’s husband, Stephen Gallen, said Cal Lutheran is “so lucky” to have her.

“She [Pastor Beth] listens with attention, she feels deeply, she has a joyful heart and spirit that is infectious,” Stephen Gallen said. “She will laugh with you and cry with you and be by your side in times of need. She is courageous and bold and loves to try new things even if they might fail. She does this all not only as pastor but also as mother and partner.” 

In addition to her weekly services at University Chapel, on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to noon, Pastor Beth is available for “confidential pastoral counseling, consolation in times of crisis, and hospital services” for members of the Cal Lutheran community, according to the Campus Ministry webpage. 

Fogg said Pastor Beth is strong in character and judgement, confident in her identity and vocation, and is committed to serve Cal Lutheran in justice.

“May she guide us with wisdom, compassion, and grace,” Fogg said. “May Pastor Beth’s leadership grow our capacity to receive and discern our next steps as a community of learning.”