Growing into her own: Sarah Davis ’23 discovers her passion for plant biology at PLU
Sarah Davis began her PLU journey with the idea that medicine and health care would be the ultimate goal, but then a couple of classes focused on plant development and global agriculture grew a new passion “I have a family history of agriculture, my grandfather…
Grayson Nottage ‘23 prepares to become a teacher who excites students about science
Grayson Nottage ’23 has wanted to become a middle school science teacher ever since she was a middle school science student. She admired many of her own science teachers, and aspires to become the sort of educator that inspires and excites students about science. Next…
PLU senior Allison Sheflo discusses her triple major in geosciences, environmental studies and religion
Senior Allison Sheflo will graduate this spring with a triple major in geosciences , environmental studies and religion and a minor in mathematics . She forged her own trail at PLU, welcoming the adventures that piqued her curiosity and let that lead her way. “It’s…
Dr. Erik Arnits ’11 relies on his medical training – and sense of humor – as an ER doctor in Central Washington
PLU, Dr. Erik Arnits ’11 studied biology and chemistry as a double major. At first, he thought chemistry or dentistry was his future—but a medical mission trip the summer before his senior year to Costa Rica and Panama changed everything. He kept a journal of…
Full Circle: Brandi Hilliard, Director of Career, Learning & Engagement
As a first-generation college student, Brandi Hilliard was nervous when she began her studies at Pacific Lutheran University. But those uncomfortable feelings soon diminished. “I found PLU to be a warm, supportive and an intimate community, which made it an easy place to fit in,”…
Beautiful mutants: a PLU biology class harvests for the future
About two years ago, PLU professor Neva Laurie-Berry partnered with a world-class plant research center. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Mo., sends Laurie-Berry’s BIOL 358 Plant Physiology class millet seeds with random mutations. Student teams study plants in PLU’s warm, sunny…
PLU’s new anatomy and physiology lab is the first in a series of science upgrades
When PLU science students returned to campus in fall 2022 they were in for a surprise. The previously outdated anatomy and physiology lab in the Rieke Science Center had been transformed into a cutting-edge learning facility, complete with best-of-its-kind educational technology, thanks to contributions from…
PLU’s culturally sustaining STEM program helped prepare Becca Anderson to be a dynamic teacher
PLU alumna Becca Anderson ‘19, ‘22 is in her first year teaching biology to ninth graders at Sammamish High School in Bellevue. Her classroom consists of a diverse population of students — something her recent completion of the Culturally Sustaining STEM Teacher Program at Pacific…
PLU announces Carol Sheffels Quigg Award winners
Pacific Lutheran University is pleased to announce the winners of The Carol Sheffels Quigg Award for Excellence and Innovation, established by alumna and regent Carol Quigg, whose endowment funds the awards. The Quigg Awards provide support for faculty, staff, and students who have demonstrated unusually…
PLU interns combat climate change one tree at a time
A group of PLU students interning with the Tacoma Tree Foundation spent the summer increasing the number of trees in the city to reduce polluted stormwater runoff and heat during the summer months and improving the livelihoods of those who live in urban areas. The…
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