The Heritage Award

Marilyn Knutson has been an ambassador of PLU since the late 1950s. She is a loyal advocate for PLU, frequently talks about her PLU home and how much she loves the university, and attends almost all University events.

Every morning, Knutson walks the perimeter of campus to pick up litter. She often offers to host guest speakers, organists and other university guests in her “bed and breakfast” apartment, where she offers great hospitality.

After her husband, former Religion Professor David Knutson ’58, passed away, she established the David and Marilyn Knutson Religion Lecture, and she hosts a reception in her home after each lecture. It is important to her to provide this opportunity to PLU students, faculty, staff and the local community. Her dedication has made this one of the best-attended lectures on campus.

She is a Heritage Society Member and a longtime generous Q Club/PLU Annual Fund donor. In addition, she was the PLU Women’s Club President for several terms and a member since its inception. She advocates for the club and was an instrumental member of the team of women who established the $350k+ endowment for student scholarships through Yule Boutique proceeds and other donations.