Dispatches from the assembly: Hushagen receives Bishop's Award

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Jim Hushagen, outgoing vice president of the Southwestern Washington Synod, was this year's recipient of the Bishop's Award.

The longtime business attorney at the Tacoma law firm Eisenhower Carlson also has spent many years  doing work for Lutheran causes, usually for free.

Besides serving seven years as the top lay leader of the synod, Hushagen has been "the voice of the member" on the Thrivent Financial for Lutheran board for many years. As a regent for Pacific Lutheran University, he recently chaired the search committee for a new president, making sure Thomas Krise had the right skill set for Lutheran higher education as it plays out at PLU.

He helped improve the finances and rose the visibility of Lutheran Summer Music, a nationwide training academy for talented young church musicians.

With the synod, he steadfastly stood alongside Bishop Robert D. Hostad in steering the synod through good and hard times.

As pro bono attorney for Holden Village, he is working on the legal end of a $100 million environmental remediation to start soon.

Hushagen worships at Mountain View Lutheran Church of Edgewood, where Rev. John Vaswig said, “Whether playing the guitar in the band or singing in the choir or serving on a national board or attending a men’s breakfast group, Jim is simply an involved guy viewing church as anything but a spectator sport.”

Bishop Robert D. Hofstad said Hushagen is the personification of the assembly's theme, "Sunday Worship Meets Monday Work."

Hushagen said he was humbled by the award.

Cutline: Outgoing synod Vice President Jim Hushagen relaxes in his office at Eisenhower Carlson in Tacoma.