PLU professor uplifts story of ‘pink victims’ in farewell lecture
TACOMA, WASH. (April 5, 2017)- Professor of Religion and Chair of Lutheran Studies Samuel Torvend, Ph.D., ’73 has spent his life studying religion and politics. “I wrote my senior thesis on religion and politics and I have never strayed from that,” Torvend said. The alumnus…
PLU alumna serves as interim director of Tacoma’s Rainbow Center
TACOMA, WASH. (March 8, 2017)- Laura Brewer ’03 was no stranger to activism when she started volunteering at the Tacoma Rainbow Center in 2000. An active Lute, Brewer engaged in a variety of LGBTQ advocacy work on Pacific Lutheran University’s campus through Harmony, known today…
PLU Peace Corps program prepares Lutes for service work abroad
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 22, 2017)- Bonnie Nelson ’08 didn’t always plan on joining the Peace Corps. But when she met a returned volunteer in graduate school who helped her learn more about the organization, her plans changed. “It was through conversations with her about her…
Q&A: Gabri Joy Kirkendall ’09 discusses her vocational journey that led to success as a hand-lettering artist, author
TACOMA, WASH. (Nov. 8, 2016)- Gabri Joy Kirkendall ’09 studied political science and French languages and literature at Pacific Lutheran University. Now, she’s a published author and artist. Below is an edited discussion about her vocational journey and her experience creating hand-lettering books. Question: How…
Brian Bradshaw ’07 inspires others even after his death; scholarship encourages students to emulate his leadership
TACOMA, WASH. (Nov. 1, 2016)- Lt. Brian Bradshaw was an understated leader who put everyone else first. Ask anyone who knew him. Instead of walking with his head down past the crying stranger in the lobby of a residence hall at Pacific Lutheran University, he…
Lutes come full circle as they return to PLU campus to film pilot for TV series where indie-film sensation ‘The Gamers’ began
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 27, 2016)- The scene: a cramped room somewhere in a Pacific Lutheran University residence hall at the beginning of the millennium. The characters: five nerdy dudes, each with a handful of dice and plenty of junk food. This is “The Gamers,” a…
A thousand-plus Lutes across generations join on campus to get a ‘Taste of Home’ for annual Homecoming celebration
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 19, 2016)- With thousands of Lutes — whether current students, alumni, family or friends — on campus for Homecoming this weekend, it was difficult to find a corner of campus unoccupied by the joy of being at Pacific Lutheran University. The PLU…
Running away with the circus: PLU alumna does aerial performances following winding vocational journey
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 7, 2016)- Have you ever dreamed of running away with the circus? Nicole Laumb ’11 did and plans to do it again. “The giggles were endless,” she told her loyal Facebook followers at the end of the tour with the Flynn Creek…
Annual Meant to Live event focuses on interdisciplinary education, features Chicago Library CEO Brian Bannon ’97
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 6, 2016)- Every year during Homecoming, the Wild Hope Center for Vocation and the alumni office sponsor the Meant to Live conference. Featured alumni come back to campus and share their personal stories of vocation with fellow Lutes. It shows that vocational…
Summer success: Lutes spend off-months working hard, pursuing vocational goals
TACOMA, WASH. (Aug. 10, 2016)- Typically, summer allows college students to take advantage of free time that’s hard to come by during the academic year. But for many Lutes, summer is a time to work hard and continue their vocational endeavors. Students travel, work internships…
PLU alumna lands in Yosemite wilderness as park ranger after long journey traveling the world, exploring vocation
TACOMA, WASH. (Aug. 1, 2016)- Bryanna Plog ’10 seems to have done it all in her years after Pacific Lutheran University – teaching English abroad in Colombia, writing books about travel and interning for a conservation nonprofit. But now, she says, serving as a park…
93-year-old Lute, former softball player to throw first pitch at PLU Night at the Rainiers
TACOMA, WASH. (July 27, 2016)- Gloria Perry repeated “I’ll be darned” over and over upon hearing the news that she’ll step onto the mound at Cheney Stadium to represent Pacific Lutheran University and throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Tacoma Rainiers game Aug.…