PLU Lectures, Presentations & Workshops

Learning doesn’t end when you graduate! PLU alumni continue their quest for knowledge, engagement, and critical thinking as they explore new ideas, challenge their beliefs, and listen to new perspectives from diverse groups. We are excited to offer lectures, conferences, and workshops that are open to the community. See upcoming opportunities and past lectures below.

Upcoming Events

Image of Cynthia Leitich Smith, speaker for the 2025 Benson Education Lecture

Native Now and Forever: Celebrating and Integrating Indigenous Literary Voice for Young Readers

Jolita Hylland Benson Education Lecture
April 29, 2025, 6:30pm
Cynthia Leitich Smith (Mvskoke citizen) will highlight the history and growth of Native representation both on the page and behind the bylines. 

Image of the Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts exterior

Exposing the Untold Story of PLU

Vocational Vista Series
May 15, 2025 at 4:00pm Pacific Time (Virtual)
Samuel Torvend will consider the economic, political, and social forces that continue to influence the story of PLU, forces that hamper and inspire the university’s mission in the 21st century.

Image within the Ness Family chapel with Pastor Jen Rude

The Changing Spiritual Lives of University Students

Vocational Vistas series
June 17, 2025 at 4:00pm Pacific Time (Virtual)
University Pastor Jen Rude will offer a fascinating look at the questions and concerns raised by PLU students in their quest for lives marked by meaning and purpose.

Past Lectures & Presentations

Image of Cutcha Risling Baldy, speaker for 2025 Natalie Mayer Lecture

Ninis’a:n-na:ng’a’/ The World Came to Be Lying There Again, the World Assumed Its Present Position

Annual Natalie Mayer Lecture in Holocaust & Genocide Studies
April 16, 2025
Presented by Cutcha Risling Baldy, whose research focuses on Indigenous feminisms, Californian Indians, Environmental Justice, Traditional ecological knowledge, and decolonization.

Image of Dr. Thomas Jay Oord, speaker for the 2025 David and Marilyn Knutson Lecture

What if God is NOT in Control?

David and Marilyn Knutson Lecture
April 9, 2025 
Dr. Thomas Jay Oord will offer a view of God’s loving activity that answers our biggest questions about life, evil, and scripture.

Chris Stevens Celebration of Service: Peacebuilding and Motorcycling

Peacebuilding and Motorcycling: Re-Framing Narratives in Documentary Filmmaking

Chris Stevens Celebration of Service
March 3rd, 2025
Keynote lecturer Dr. Jaremey McMullin

Sephardic Jewish Voices and Experiences in the Holocaust

Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education
November 6-8, 2024
Keynote speaker Devin E. Naar

Image of a grave site with glowing candles

Preparing for Death, the Last Calling in Life

Vocational Vistas series
November 4, 2024 

Image of Walter C. Schnackenberg Memorial Lecture banner

Makah Voices and the Sea

The Walter C. Schnackenberg Memorial Lecture
April 17, 2024
Speaker: Joshua L Reid

Wang Center Symposium: The Matter of Loneliness, Building Connections for Collective Well-Being

The Matter of Loneliness: Building Connections for Collective Well-Being

Wang Center Symposium
March 7-8, 2024

Cover for book - Flush, The Remarkable Science of an Unlikely Treasure by Bryn Nelson, PhD

From Revolting to Revolutionary: How Poop Has Transformed Science and Reshaped the World

Rachel Carson Lecture
February 21, 2024
Speaker: Dr. Bryn Nelson

The 17th Annual Dale E. Benson Lecture - Adam Smith's America, How a Scottish Philosopher Became an Icon of American Capitalism with Glory M. Liu, John Hopkins University

Adam Smith’s America: How a Scottish Philosopher Became an Icon of American Capitalism

The Seventeenth Dale E. Benson Lecture
October 19, 2023
Speaker: Glory M. Liu

Lutheran Studies Conference: Where the Waters Begin banner. Title of conference, "Indigenous Education, Tribal Sovereignty, and the Legacy of Ceceilia Svinth Carpenter"

Where the Waters Begin: Indigenous Education, Tribal Sovereignty, and the Legacy of Cecelia Svinth Carpenter

The 14th Annual Lutheran Studies Conference
September 26, 2024

Natalie Mayer and Raphael Lemkin Lecture 2024 banner: Undesirables - Forced Mobilities and Internments in Mediterranean

Undesirables: Forced Mobilities and Internments in Mediterranean Bande Dessinée

Annual Natalie Mayer and Raphael Lemkin Lecture
April 2, 2024 
Speaker: Aomar Boum

Workshops

Continuing Education at Pacific Lutheran University offers a variety of professional development courses and programs to meet the needs of business professionals and life-long learners. Discounts for the workshops below are available for PLU alumni, students and current employees. Contact Continuing Education at CE@plu.edu prior to registering for the discount code.

School Nursing workshops at PLU

The Center for Continued Nursing Learning (CCNL) provides excellent continuing education and professional development for nurses and other interested health care professionals. We offer multiple programs that provide the opportunity to gain contact hours and clock hours.