By Dianne Anderson

Becoming a district attorney to advocate for the less fortunate was the big dream for the young Evan T. Carthen, a scholar-athlete and active campus leader, well known for his life’s philosophy to be a blessing unto someone else and lift up the people that other people didn’t see.

But his reach extended far beyond the boardroom at Cal Lutheran University, where he served on the Board of Regents, to the basketball court and beyond campus walls. Long before student government or Pepperdine Law, that sense of purpose was already forming at home.

“In my opinion, Evan desired to help make a positive change in the community, which would be by holding others accountable for their actions, protecting vulnerable citizens and advocating for systemic reforms to address root causes of crime,” his mother, Twillea Evans-Carthen, said.

After graduating from Cal Lutheran, she said he chose Pepperdine Caruso School of Law because he wanted to change the world through a career in law. Today, his scholarship continues that compassionate mindset, helping others learn and serve.

Established in his name, scholarships and leadership awards ensure that his commitment lives on.

As part of the permanent endowment at Cal Lutheran, students receive help not only for today, but they will receive funding 50 to 100 years from now, and beyond.

Evan T Carthen with his mother Twillea Evans Carthen

Carthen, who was an avid student, served as student body president, volunteered and worked as a tutor. While maintaining top academic grades, he still found time to lead, serving first as Programs Board Director, then as President of ASCLUG at California Lutheran University.

Public service wasn’t just textbook knowledge for Carthen. His mother said it was a way of life from an early age, that he wanted to fight for fairness and look out for people who felt invisible.

“How Evan lived really speaks volumes of his character. And so, it is the ultimate sign for me, a sign of his lifelong, self-sustaining impact that will continue on for years to come,” she said.

Carthen, a first-year student at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, died in 2016, just before his 23rd birthday.

As a young teen, she remembers how naturally he cared, often reaching into his own pockets to help those in need. Even as she hesitated to give money out on the streets, he had no fear.

“If someone needed even a dollar, he would help even those that are unhoused on the street,” Evans-Carthen said. “Even his actions, he truly demonstrated walking in love. Well, I just knew that I needed to keep money in my pocket.”

The apple also never falls far from the tree.

For decades, his mom’s tireless advocacy and community volunteerism have been a driving force in the Inland Empire and at Cal State San Bernardino, especially through her work with the Black Faculty, Staff, and Administrators Association scholarships.

While the permanent scholarship held in Carthen’s honor is based at California Lutheran University, that scholarship is not specifically for any affinity group. At CSUSB, through her years involved with the BFSSA Pioneer Scholarships and the Emergent Leader Scholarship through the Socialites Beautillion, her focus remains on providing scholarships for young African American students.

Long before leadership awards bore his name, Carthen was the kind of student campuses rallied around. A scholar-athlete and student body president at California Lutheran University, he was known as “Mr. President,” graduating in 2016 before beginning law school at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.

Today, scholarships and leadership awards at both schools carry his legacy of service and leadership forward. People are still talking about his impact.

“It’s really a blessing because a number of them are really trying to make a difference on campus. And those in leadership roles that wear the hat of Mr. President typically serve on the board of regents,” she said.

Juggling so many aspects of collegiate life, student government and athletics, was not easy, but she said he managed responsibilities like a situational leader with a servant’s heart. His peers and young leaders are still inspired by how he led with integrity and empathy.

At California Lutheran University, Carthen remained one of the most recognized student leaders in school history as student body president, known for his energy and commitment to service, and later honored in the student government office dedicated in his name.

He’s still simply “Mr. President.”

“As a humble young man, he showed compassion for others on and off the basketball court, and that carried into his time as Mr. President at Cal Lutheran,” she said, noting that the Student Government Center still has a room dedicated to him.

It was an opportunity to make a positive influence on helping the community, not just the campus community.

“He spent his time and resources, you know, and it wasn’t like he was making a lot of money as a part-time worker on campus. But even whenever he could, he helped of his time, even being a tutor to some of the students there,” she said.

From his freshman year, he was part of student leadership at California Lutheran University while also competing as a student-athlete. He and his identical twin brother, Eric, both attended on academic scholarships and graduated in 2016.

Earning and maintaining those scholarships, she said, was a significant accomplishment. She said it’s not unusual to lose students after their first, second and third year, and especially for African Americans by their senior year.

“I’m just really thankful and blessed that the resources were there for them to continue their education in this private institution,” she said.

He always held his own, academically and athletically, but his legacy wasn’t about his own personal growth, but his strong sense of what the community needed.

The legacy extends beyond Cal Lutheran. This spring, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law marked the 10th presentation of the Evan T. Carthen Inspirational Leadership Award, recognizing a new generation of student leaders who reflect his commitment to service and leadership.

She said she is forever grateful to have raised him from an infant to a young man with such a personal sense of responsibility to help others.

“To see what he worked so hard in accomplishing through his undergraduate years to actually go to law school, and so I just feel that he’s practicing law with our Heavenly Father,” she said.