Students from PLU and Tacoma’s Lincoln High School work together to fight racism
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 4, 2016)- Kamari Sharpley-Ragin reluctantly admits that he used to joke about racism. The ninth-grader from Lincoln High School in Tacoma says it didn’t seem like a big deal, since he never really experienced overt discrimination himself. Now, he says he knows…
Ed Hrivnak ‘96: Firefighter, Flight Nurse, Veteran
Ed Hrivnak graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. His decorated career as a public servant included 20 years in the armed forces where he served as the Crew Director of a medical-evacuation team. A veteran of the…
Marissa Meyer ’04, Best-Selling Author
Marissa Meyer ’04 is the author of The New York Times best-selling series The Lunar Chronicles . She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Children’s Literature at PLU and went on to receive her MFA in Publishing from Pace University. Meyer is one of…
Mary Beth Sheehan ’00, Immigration Law Attorney
Mary Beth Sheehan ’00 is an award-winning attorney specializing in immigration law, including removal defense, asylum, U visas, VAWA claims, family-based petitions, adjustment of status and naturalization. Sheehan is one of 11 notable alumni currently featured in a billboard campaign that asks “what can you do with a PLU degree?” Others featured…
Teacher, Veteran, Mentor: Willie Stewart ’69
Willie Stewart , who earned a Masters in Education from PLU in 1969, became the first black principal in Tacoma School District history when he was appointed principal of East Tacoma’s Lincoln High School in 1970. After decades of leading Lincoln, in 1999 Stewart was elected…
Christmas Concert Gala to Feature Two Musical Premieres and a Superstar Headliner
TACOMA, WASH. (Nov. 2, 2015)- Pacific Lutheran University’s annual Christmas Concerts have entertained and inspired audiences across the Pacific Northwest for decades. For 2015, PLU is making Christmas Concert history in celebration of its 125th Anniversary. As in previous years, the concerts will be performed…
Tenor Noah Baetge ’08 Makes His Eleventh Appearance at The Met
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 23, 2015)- While many students are cranking away on midterms, one Lute’s voice is being heard loud and clear at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Noah Baetge ’08 is making his eleventh appearance on stage at the Met Opera House,…
Thomas Kim ’15 Meets Justice Sandra Day O’Connor at Law School
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 20, 2015)- Thomas Kim ‘15 is passionate about “Justice.” So passionate, in fact, that he likes to really emphasize the word by treating it as a proper noun. His passion doesn’t include just capitalizing Js, however: he’s walking his talk (and type)…
Neurologist Janice E. Brunstrom-Hernandez ’83 to Deliver 2015 Meant to Live Lecture
TACOMA, Wash. (Oct. 1, 2015)—Dr. Janice E. Brunstrom-Hernandez ’83 will be returning to campus on Thursday, Oct. 8, to deliver the 2015 Meant to Live Lecture. The inaugural event of Homecoming weekend, Brunstrom-Hernandez’s lecture will shed light on the personal and professional rewards she has reaped…
Student’s Study Away Experiences Lead to State Department Internship
TACOMA, Wash. (Sept. 24, 2015)—Courtney Lee ’15 applied for an internship with the U.S. State Department four times. After missing the mark three times and not hearing back the fourth, Lee had all but forgotten about it and was already looking at other positions. Then…
PLU Stages Special 125th Anniversary Exhibition at Seattle’s Nordic Heritage Museum
TACOMA, Wash. (Aug. 31, 2015)—Pacific Lutheran University has been closely connected to the Scandinavian world—and to the local Scandinavian community—since its founding by Norwegian Bjug Harstad in 1890. These days, PLU’s Nordic roots are reflected across campus: in building names, artwork, Scandinavian Area Studies programs…
Teacher/Coach/Award-Winning Alumnus Inducted into National High School Hall of Fame
TACOMA, Wash. (Aug. 21, 2015)—Mike Burton ’69 has been inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame for his 39 years of service as a national-award-winning speech and debate coach. Burton, who retired in 2008, is the first speech and debate coach from Washington…