What does being a Lute really mean?

A record crowd of faculty, staff and continuing students welcomed over 1,000 new students with a standing ovation as they processed into opening Convocation on Sept. 8.Bruce Bjerke ’72, vice-chair of the Board of Regents brought greetings on behalf of the regents and spoke of the character of PLU where all care deeply about things beyond themselves. He also reminded new students that in the first days of the academic year they will be meeting others who will be their friends for the next 40 years or more.

ASPLU President John de Mars brought greetings on behalf of the student body and encouraged new students to strive to reach their personal goals through patience, involvement and goal setting. He implored faculty and staff to be courageous in seeking partnerships with students.

Karl Stumo, vice president for admission and enrollment services, announced awards for new and continuing students. Patricia Killen, provost, announced faculty recognition for achievement, promotion, tenure, development and research grants. She also introduced new faculty and faculty leaders.

In his keynote address President Loren Anderson drew upon themes inspired by the band Coldplay, the movie Batman: The Dark Knight, the Olympic Games and Fareed Zakaria’s new book, The Post-American World.

Anderson challenged students to engage in life fully, to deal with complex moral issues, to discover the true meaning of success and to understand the power of ideas. He concluded by revealing for the first time what a “Lute” really is.

Read the full text of the Convocation 2008.