Enhancing the student experience, one scholarship at a time

Every year thousands of students are provided the opportunity to attend PLU because of the dedicated support given to them by alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff – even fellow students. Gifts to Q Club, PLU’s annual fund, help strengthen academic and athletic programs, support campus life and other areas of need at PLU. Most importantly, these gifts support student scholarships. Ninety-five percent of all PLU students receive some form of financial aid through scholarships, grants and endowments, many of which are funded by PLU constituents. Gifts to Q Club help lessen the financial strain on students and their families, support the faculty in enriching curriculum, and allow students to expand their campus activities and learning experiences. Many people have gone above and beyond the call to support PLU and Q Club. We profile a few of them here. While their affiliation to PLU is varied, they share a spirit of dedication and commitment to supporting the students of PLU.

Kelly Ryan ’10
Hometown: Missoula, Mont.
Giving history: Student Q Club member since the 2007-2008 academic year
PLU Affiliation: Recent graduate
Student activities: TelALutes, Debate/Forensics, Student Alumni Association, University Congregation, Resident Assistant
Why I give to Q Club:
“It’s important for students to get used to giving back, regardless of what organization they give to. As a student, PLU has given me so much, and I feel I’m doing my part by supporting Q Club.”

Ann Kelleher
Hometown: Tacoma
Giving history: Giving to Q Club since 1993
PLU affiliation: Professor of Political Science
Why I give to Q Club:
“I give to the students. That’s the attraction of Q Club. With over 28 years of dealing with students, I see how much promise they have, how much they want to learn. That’s the beauty of this program; that’s the point of why I give back. So many students could not be here without that aid. They work for it and they deserve it. Our students, more so than at other universities, have to deal with more demands on their time. They work their way through school, they work hard at their studies, they play sports, participate in the arts, they are excellent people. I only wish we had more to give.”

Jerry and JeanMarie Foss
Hometown: Fircrest, Wash.
Giving history: Giving to Q Club since 2006
PLU affiliation: Current parents
Activities: JeanMarie volunteers in PLU’s Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations. Both JeanMarie and Jerry have been on the Parents Council since 2006.
Why we Give to Q Club:
“Living in Western Washington, we both knew about PLU but didn’t really know PLU. In 1995, our dad, Julian Foss, became interested in the new Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Organ installation and, after his death, the Foss family created an endowment in his name for its upkeep. We later met alumnus Darren Kerbs ’96 through our church and got to know a little more about the university. Our daughter Jillian, as a freshman in high school, decided she wanted to attend PLU after she graduated. By then, we were hooked on PLU. Now, we see how the university approaches education by not just giving students all the answers. It has a bigger goal: Teach students to ask questions.”

Leanne Jones ’02 and Kristian Wiles ’02
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
Giving History: Giving to Q Club since 2002
PLU Affiliation: GOLD alumni
Student Activities: ASPLU, Diversity Center, Coalition and Harmony
Why we Give to Q Club:
“As professionals in higher education we think it’s important to give to Q Club to support student scholarships. Our PLU education has a significant impact in our lives, and this would not have been possible without Q Club contributions from other donors. Now it’s our turn to give back.”

Pete ’78 and Joan Mattich ’77
Hometown: Olympia
Giving History: Giving to Q Club since 1987
PLU Affiliation: Former students
Student Activities: Pete played basketball and Joan was involved in cheerleading
Why we Give to Q Club:
“We began to give money to Lute Club after graduation and were contacted by Jim Kittilsby in the early ’80s about Q Club. Our four years at PLU were very meaningful in both education and spiritual growth. You just can’t out-give God and we feel blessed to be a blessing to the university. A college education is important, but very expensive. The future leaders of tomorrow need our financial help today to cope with rising costs. My company matches a large part of our annual giving to PLU, which makes it a win-win for the Lutes too. We are very grateful and thankful for the ‘quality education in a Christian context’ experience we enjoyed at PLU – and this is just our small way of saying thanks.”