
Multi-talented senior and composer TJ Wheeler ’22 views music as his vocation
TJ Wheeler ’22 is a music composition major at Pacific Lutheran University. This semester, he was a valuable member of six music ensembles, including Choir of the West, Opera, Steel Band, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and the PLU Ringers handbell choir. We talked with Wheeler…

Karen Marquez ’22 aspires to help her community through her studies
Karen Marquez ‘22 is a senior social work major with minors in Hispanic studies and criminal justice. Marquez is a heritage speaker of Spanish, and has a deep love for languages, culture, and diversity. She hopes to use her degree and the skills she is…

Despite pandemic challenges, transfer student finds community at PLU
Monya-Dawn Wilson ’22 is a DJS Fellow and Rieke Scholar who came to PLU as a transfer student. Wilson is a Biology major, and dreams of becoming a pediatrician. “I’ve always liked science and learning,” said Wilson. “I like learning about the body, learning about…

Sarah Saavedra ’22 shares her experience as a first-gen college student
Sarah Saavedra ’22 is a social work major with a minor in psychology and a certificate in Peace Corps Prep. The Auburn resident is the first in her family to go to college. She credits her many scholarships for navigating college as a first-year student.…

Makaela Whalen ’23 pursues newly launched pre-law minor
Makaela Whalen ’23 has a passion for the environment and animals. Her desire to find a meaningful vocation that feeds those passions resulted in her pursuing a degree in either environmental or animal law. “As long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to…
International student finds home away from home
Ricky Haneda ’22, a Japanese international student, share his experience at an American international school in Japan, how he decided to attend PLU, and how PLU has shaped his path toward a psychology major and a career in mental health and wellness. Keep reading to…

Q&A with Sophia Barro ’22 on her student teaching experience
Sophia Barro ’22 is a senior education major and religion minor at PLU. She recently completed full-time student teaching at Lakeview Hope Academy. We spoke with Barro about her experiences at PLU and as a student teacher, and about the values she hopes to inspire…

History and literature senior aspires to be a lifelong learner
Kathryn Einan ’22 is a self-proclaimed “book nerd.” She is a triple major in Literature, History and Nordic Studies with a minor in Chinese. She has a deep love of learning and hopes to become a teacher one day. “There are so many interesting things…

Yaquelin Ramirez’s ’22 passion for helping others leads to a future in healthcare
As a child, chemistry major Yaquelin Ramirez ’22 often went to work with her mother at a Federal Way nursing home. The time spent watching her mom help the residents sparked something inside of her — a desire to pursue a career where she helps…

Musician turned math major is excited to teach in his community
Kevin Canady-Pete ’22 has a history with the Pacific Lutheran University campus. He grew up down the street, just a couple of miles from the university. The Franklin Pierce High School graduate came to PLU intending to pursue a music education major. While he enjoyed…
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