National Guard member and nursing major Justyn Freeman ’23 prioritizes service to his community
Before attending Pacific Lutheran University, Justyn Freeman ’23 served in the Air Force for six years. Now, he is a senior nursing major and will soon begin his residency at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. Justyn is a current member of the Washington Air…
After a pandemic hiatus, study away trips returned during J-Term
After a hiatus last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 65 undergraduate and 22 graduate students from Pacific Lutheran University were able to participate in January term study away trips this year. The program took PLU students all over the world, with courses designed and…
Confronting Mental Health: How the PLU community is demonstrating transformative care
Walk across campus and you can see the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic everywhere. Masks on faces, signs reminding you to wash your hands, restrictions on classrooms and more. But the pandemic hasn’t just caused physical changes, but also unexpected mental challenges. And that is…
PLU Wind Ensemble: Musica Ignota
The PLU Wind Ensemble performed the world premiere of Ingrid Stolzel’s “Musica Ignota” on October 9, 2021. Stolzel traveled to PLU to attended the premiere and work with the PLU wind ensemble and Professor of Music Edwin Powell in advance. A composition almost 1,000 years…
Housing Our Neighbors
Housing is something many of us take for granted. Much more than just a place to sleep and a structure to shelter us from the elements, our homes provide the space we need to maintain a functional life. It’s where we manage our mental health,…
Collective Impact: George Zeno talks Parkland, equity and community partnerships
Nearly a year into his new role as PLU Associate Vice President of Advancement, George Zeno and I took a walk through Parkland and discussed one of my favorite questions, #WhyPLU? Zeno is essentially a community matchmaker for social progress. Mentored at the University of…
People’s Gathering fosters timely conversations about race, perspective and inclusion
PLU Director of Multicultural Outreach and Engagement Melannie Denise Cunningham has an uncanny ability to get folks talking. In 2016, she noticed the community was yearning to discuss one pressing topic in particular. That summer, the news of Philando Castile, a Black man fatally shot…
Welcome Back Lutes
Most PLU alumni remember their first move-in weekend vividly. The nervous excitement you felt walking into your residence hall. Meeting your roommate for the first time. Just as you were starting to feel settled, it was time to head to your first New Student Orientation…
BJUG DAY: Q&A with Dr. Elizabeth A. Barton
PLU is creating a campus experience that helps our students thrive by supporting resources and experiential programs that cultivate the mind, body and spirit of each of our students. After all, it takes a healthy Lute to build a healthy community. Many of these resources…
When the pandemic cut her Peace Corps service short, Margaret Chell ’18 enrolled in medical school
During her senior year at Pacific Lutheran University, Margaret Chell ’18 decided to join the Peace Corps after a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer visited her global development class. She soon met with PLU Peace Corps advisor, Dr. Katherine Wiley to learn more. She was excited…
Community First: PLU alum supports local sellers and town with 3 Sisters Market
For Whidbey Island business owner Roshel Donwen ’17, her close-knit island community is everything. She finds fulfillment in running her store, 3 Sisters Market, providing local food and goods to the people she considers family. “The best part about running and owning 3 Sisters Market…
PLU Receives $11,000 Grant for Tacoma/South Puget Sound MESA Program
Pacific Lutheran University has been awarded another grant from School’s Out Washington and the Washington State Department of Commerce to be used toward the Tacoma/South Puget Sound MESA program. The $11,000 grant comes from the Washington Youth Development Nonprofit Relief Fund. The MESA program prioritizes…