Gracie Hansen ’25 turns a calling into action with a social work degree at 20
From a young age, senior Gracie Hansen ’25 felt a calling to help others. “I chose social work because I truly believe my purpose is to bring hope to the world and make a difference in people’s lives.” Now, as she prepares to graduate with…
Senior Justinpal Singh’s heart for service, science, and creating community space
Looking back four years ago, Justinpal Singh ’25 remembers that he was seeking a university that was more than just a place to get a degree. “I really wanted a university that was not necessarily competitive, but more so encouraging and fostered individual growth,” Justinpal…
Bridging Borders: PLU nursing students gain global health experience in Oaxaca
“I am forever changed by the people of Oaxaca, Mexico. Through direct community engagement, I learned how to meet people where they are and build trusting and meaningful rapport despite language barriers.” – Claire Hindman ’26, PLU Nursing Student What happens when classroom learning meets…
PLU’s women’s lacrosse: How PLU’s newest varsity sport centers community
Pacific Lutheran University’s most recent addition to the varsity roster is gearing up for its inaugural NCAA season! Women’s lacrosse takes the field this weekend as the university’s first new varsity team since 1996, and the group is ecstatic to start playing Division III games…
When community is the classroom – students learn through service in J-Term on the Hill course
At Pacific Lutheran University, service is a core value. That ethos is embodied in “J-Term on the Hill,” a social work class in which education is grounded in real-world impact. “It’s not a typical class,” notes Assistant Professor of Social Work Douglas Epps , who…
What’s in a name? As it turns out, just about everything.
Every person’s name — given or chosen — is infused with meaning. Some names connect us to our ancestors or our families, while others represent a purposeful break from our past. The PLU Names Are Sacred initiative promotes the concept of honoring someone’s name in…
Collective Action Rooted in Reciprocity
At a summer 2023 banquet launching the Uukumwe Project, Sanet Steenkamp, executive director of Namibia’s Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, advised a group of Namibian and American teachers not to hold back. “The children,” she said, “deserve for us not to hold back.” Steenkamp’s…
PLU will launch into Earth and Diversity Week with the Schnackenberg Memorial Lecture and the Steen Family Symposium
Earth & Diversity Week is an opportunity to explore the interconnected relationship between diversity, justice, and sustainability and how these values experienced in our contexts today. Earth & Diversity Week is hosted annually during the week of Earth Day and features Earth Day lectures, campus…
PLU professor curates an Oxford Univ. museum collection at the intersection of religion, medicine and disability
In April 2023, PLU religion professor Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen , Ph.D., attended the Natural History Museum Late Night with PLU students at the University of Oxford. At Late Night events, the Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum host tours and various evening activities offered…
The 8th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Speaker Series: Dr. Richard Lapchick presents “Facing Uncomfortable Truths”
The 8th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Speaker Series presented by PLU’s Department of Kinesiology will feature Dr. Richard Lapchick and his keynote presentation, “Facing Uncomfortable Truths” on February 28th, 2024, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. in the AUC (Chris Knutson Hall). In his keynote presentation,…
PLU community members help welcome Hōkūle‘a to Tacoma
A group of PLU students, staff and alumni joined the Puyallup Tribe, members of the South Sound’s Hawaiian/Polynesian community, and other locals at a gathering welcoming the Hōkūle‘a to Tacoma yesterday. A 62-foot-long traditional voyaging canoe operated by crew from the Polynesian Voyaging Society in…
Law school-bound Jasneet Sandu ’23 is passionate about global studies, anthropology, computer science and religion
Jasneet Sandhu had planned to minor in global studies. But soon into her PLU experience, she decided to double major in it, along with computer science. She added anthropology and religion as double minors—as part of a strategy to enjoy her college experience at a…