Breana Downs ’24: A summer soaring with native birds at the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance
Just south of Denver, Colorado, tucked beneath the vast mountain range, lies Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance . Their vision soars high above the Rocky Mountains as they unite communities and ignite a passion for wildlife like never before, relentlessly working to deepen public understanding, resolve…
Beyond pedagogy: from Tacoma to Namibia, a partnership reframing teacher development practices
In Kwangali and Oshindonga, widely spoken languages in Namibia, “Uukumwe” means “togetherness.” For six teachers in Washington and seven teachers from Namibia, the word personifies the relationship-building that lies at the heart of education. “It was a vision that was bubbling in my mind because…
From Eastvold to Broadway: Justin Huertas ’09 and Kiki deLohr ’10 debut on musical theater’s biggest stage
It’s 11 a.m. in Harlem. Justin Huertas ’09 and Kiki deLohr ’10 are feeling loose, relaxed — even a bit silly — as they sip coffee outside Sugar Hill Café. In a few short hours they will make their off-Broadway debuts in a musical written…
The People’s Librarian: Brian Bannon’s passion for democratizing information led him to the New York Public Library
In 1997, Brian Bannon was a PLU senior. An exemplary student, he wrote for The Mast, and was a double major researching social justice through the lens of queer rights movements. One afternoon, Bannon found himself in the office of history professor Beth Kraig, discussing…
Aaron Bell ’04: A Philosopher in Finance
PLU graduate Aaron Bell ’04 learned early on that life is full of pathways — and that it was his responsibility to pursue his interests with passion to find his purpose. He grew up in Wisconsin where he was a standout student — an Eagle…
Emily Peterson ’14 : Global policy, politics and partnerships
Like many students, Emily Peterson ’14 began her time at PLU unsure of what, exactly, she wanted to do. “I wanted to work for the United Nations,” she says. “Although at the time, I didn’t know what it was, to be honest, when I was…
Dayton Campbell-Harris ’16: Fighting for voters’ rights
Originally, Dayton Campbell-Harris ’16 planned for a career as a high school history teacher and high school football coach — he played football for PLU when Scott Westering was an inspirational coach. But during his junior year at PLU, a social work class moved Campbell-…
Military To Medicine: Air Force, Navy veterans become nurses after second chances at college
Stephanie Millett ’22 was in her early 20s when she walked into a U.S. Navy recruiting office after dropping out of the University of Oregon in 2010. The decision to enlist, she says, was “a bit of a last resort” to get her family and…
Annica Stiles ’25 explores Iceland’s wilderness and culture
Embarking on a journey to study in Reykjavik, Iceland, during the summer is a unique and life-changing experience that offers an extraordinary blend of academic enrichment and natural wonder. Imagine being immersed in a land of fire and ice, where the midnight sun never sets,…
Born and raised in the Philippines, Maria Surla ’23 is now a PLU grad and a nurse at MultiCare Good Samaritan Emergency in Parkland
Maria Surla has traveled a long and rewarding road. The 39-year-old recently graduated with PLU’s Class of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “The difficult experiences I’ve had made me who I am now,” Surla says. Born and raised in the Philippines, Surla…
Lute Powered: PLU alumni provide leadership, care and expertise at Sound Physicians
Sound Physicians is a national, multi-specialty medical group that strives to improve quality and reduce the cost of healthcare for patients in every community it serves. It partners with more than 400 hospitals and is the practice of choice for over 4,000 physicians, advanced practice providers, CRNAs,…
Anni Lange ’00 uses skills learned at PLU as VP of marketing and communications for Sound Physicians
Anni Lange ’00 is vice president of marketing and communications for Sound Physicians , a national medical group headquartered in Tacoma. Lange oversees all aspects of marketing and communications including brand management, marketing operations, sales and recruitment marketing and internal and external communications. Lange majored…