![Teacher reads a book to students who are sitting on the floor in front of the teacher.](https://www.plu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/573/2024/06/rhiannon-leach-teaching-725x408.jpg)
Three students share how scholarships support them in their pursuit to make the world better than how they found it
During the 2023-2024 academic year, 2,345 students received PLU-funded aid, with the average PLU student receiving $37,036 in scholarships. Through scholarship support, donors are part of a network of care that supports students in pursuing their educational goals, unlocking their full potential, and becoming leaders…
![Kaden Bolton smiles while standing with his arms crosssed. He's standing on PLU's cmpus with two black and gold PLU flag pole banners behind him.](https://www.plu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/573/2024/06/bolton-banner-725x408.jpg)
Kaden Bolton ’24 explored civics and public policy on campus and studying away in Oxford
For the graduating class of 2024, freshman year was online and confined. So by the time fall came around for sophomore year, they embraced in-person classes, study groups, lunches, dinners, and more. That’s true at least for political science major Kaden Bolton ’24, who graduated…
![Shalita Myrick smiles into the camera. She is wearing a white blazer and standing on campus with green grass and bushes behind her.](https://www.plu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/573/2024/06/myrick-banner-725x408.jpg)
PLU welcomes new Chief Operating Officer and VP Shalita Myrick to campus
Shalita Myrick, Pacific Lutheran University’s new chief operating officer and vice president for administrative services, has one major takeaway after completing her first week on the job. “This is the most open and welcoming community I’ve ever been a part of,” she says. Throughout the…
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PLU French professor Rebecca Wilkin wins the 2024 Translation Prize
The French-American Foundation has announced that PLU Professor of French Rebecca Wilkin is one of the winners of the 2024 Translation Prize. Wilkin and her co-editor and translator Angela Hunter, an English professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, received the nonfiction prize…
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Heven Ambachew ’24 combines her passions and experiences to design major in innovation studies
Like many students, Heven Ambachew ’24 wasn’t yet sure of her major when embarking on her PLU journey. Four years later, thanks to PLU’s individualized major pathway, she is the university’s first graduate with a major in innovation studies . Innovation Studies at PLU Courses…
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Student athlete Vinny D’Onofrio ’24 excelled in biology and chemistry at PLU
Vinny D’Onofrio ’24 majored in biology and chemistry at PLU, played at nationals with the men’s soccer team, and prepared for a career in the medical field. D’Onofrio recently sat down with PLU News to discuss his PLU experience. How did you learn about PLU?…
![Three students present their senior capstone in front of a screen.](https://www.plu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/573/2024/06/senior-capstone-725x408.png)
Student-athletes Nasier Ford ’24, La’akea Ane ’24, and Jesse Canda ’24 utilize communication capstone to boost mental health awareness
The PLU capstone project is a meaningful culmination of a student’s academic journey at PLU. It offers students a chance to embrace complexity and ask tough questions. In a display of remembrance and advocacy, Nasier Ford ’24, La’akea Ane ’24, and Jesse Canda ’24 opened…
![Allen Tugade stands in front of a white wall with the PLU mission written on it in silver letters. Tugade is half-smiling and wearing a blue vest over a white button-up shirt.](https://www.plu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/573/2024/05/tugade-feature-image-725x408.jpg)
Sociology major Allen Tugade ’24 has been a dynamic researcher and student leader at PLU
As a student, Allen Tugade ’24 engaged in academic and applied sociological research on the student population of Pacific Lutheran University. Tugade was a member of Choir of the West and a well-known student leader on campus, serving as a Wild Hope Fellow and with…
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Ash Bechtel ’24 combines science and social work for holistic view of patient care; aims to serve Hispanic community
Ash Bechtel always wanted to be in healthcare, she just wasn’t sure which direction to take — nursing or medical school. So, Ash counseled with family and academic advisors before deciding to pursue a biology major that would put her en route to becoming a…
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Stuart Gavidia ’24 majored in computer science while interning at Amazon, Cannon, and Pierce County
Stuart Gavidia is a first generation Latino student and spent most of his life in Lakewood and then Spanaway, about 10 minutes from PLU, and he knew he wanted to come here for college, so he could remain close to his family. He also knew…
![Sianna Iverson Senior Spotlight](https://www.plu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/573/2024/05/20240415_sb_iverson-senior-spotlight_001-725x408.jpeg)
From the Court to the Classroom: Sianna Iverson’s continued resilience and drive is taking her from PLU to Duke University
Highly recruited as an outside hitter out of Chiawana High School, Sianna Iverson ‘24, a talented volleyball player, knew she found a home at PLU after a campus visit. “As soon as I visited, I knew it was going to be a great fit for…
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Former accountant Sarah Bell Rosenlund prepares for new career in nursing at PLU’s Lynnwood campus
Sarah Bell Rosenlund has always been a people person. She radiates positive energy, and smiles broadly when she talks about her PLU experience. “I realized that my gift is to be a helper to people,” she said. “I love to be in acts of service.…