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New program, SaLUTE, matches veteran, ROTC students for dual mentorship opportunities
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 7, 2018)— Michael Farnum, director of military outreach at Pacific Lutheran University, is playing matchmaker. “It’s sort of like a dating site,” Farnum said. But Farnum is not talking about the next OKCupid or Match.com. Instead, he’s connecting students through SaLUTE, a…
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MediaLab explores issues of diversity with premiere of documentary series, ‘A World of Difference’
TACOMA, WASH. (Jan. 29, 2018) — Two episodes of a new four-part MediaLab documentary project are set to premiere next month in Seattle. The series, titled “A World of Difference,” explores issues of diversity, including gender, race, immigration and social class. The first two segments,…
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Student Care Network proactively supports students
TACOMA, WASH. (Jan. 25, 2018)— As a resident assistant in Harstad Hall at Pacific Lutheran University, Tegan Mitchell ’18 hosts events, conducts regular check-ins and is a general resource for the residents who live in her wing. “But on a daily basis I really only…
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PLU to host public memorial for fallen sheriff’s deputy
TACOMA, WASH. (Jan. 12, 2018)- Hundreds of community members are expected to attend a gathering at Pacific Lutheran University on Wednesday, Jan. 17, to celebrate the life of a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty. A two-hour, public memorial for…
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PLU alumnus, longtime educational partner of the university named superintendent of the year
TACOMA, WASH. (Dec. 11, 2017)- A Pacific Lutheran University alumnus and a strong partner in the extended Lute family recently earned an exceptional honor from the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). Frank Hewins ’86, superintendent of Franklin Pierce Schools located in PLU’s backyard, is…

Lute receives endowed scholarship honoring her Native American heritage
TACOMA, WASH. (Dec. 11, 2017)- Katie Dean ’21 acknowledges that she takes after her Norwegian mother, at first glance. Still, Dean says her father’s Native American heritage is an important part of who she is, something she is most proud of. “That’s part of my…
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MFA alumnus — out of options to treat his cancer — works to raise $500,000 for clinical trial
TACOMA, WASH. (Nov. 27, 2017)- “You have to raise $500,000 or you’re going to die.” In so many words, that’s what Keven Drews ’16 says his doctor told him over the phone in October, when Drews learned he was out of options in his longtime…
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Lutes, local inmates share storytelling experience
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 13, 2017)- “We made a magazine!” Taryn Collis exclaimed to a group of Pacific Lutheran University students and several inmates at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. “It’s impressive,” continued Collis, an actor and educator with Seattle-based Freehold Theatre Lab Studio. “Everybody…

Local and international film critics lose their marbles — in a good way — over Lute’s live-action short film
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 11, 2017)- In a lively yet ominous steampunk world, a boy and a bully clash in the classic struggle of good and evil. The stakes: bravery and freedom. The battle: a simple game of marbles. Such is the world depicted in a…
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Endowment helps Lutes pursue science internships
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 6, 2017)- When George and Helen Long reached out to Pacific Lutheran University 10 years ago, all they knew was that they wanted to support the sciences. “George sort of felt like he owed his success and his career to PLU,” said…
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Lutes learn self defense from Karate Club
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 5, 2017)- “If you find yourself in a confrontation, the first thing you want to do is get low,” said master karate instructor Marc Cordice, moving his body into a wide-leg stance. “Next, you want to look your attacker in the eyes.…
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Professor to serve as featured speaker at statewide conference aimed at addressing opportunity gap
TACOMA, WASH. (Sept. 27, 2017)- Maria Chavez leads with her own experience when she addresses academic opportunity and achievement. Specifically, she empathizes with students who come from marginalized populations. Chavez, chair and associate professor of politics and government, identifies as Latina. She’s a native Spanish…