Pacific Lutheran University embraces a tradition of reformation, grounded in our history that dates back before our founding in 1890. In an effort to learn more about our alumni and better serve the Lute community, we launched a donor-funded listening initiative last academic year. Through a series of professional surveys and constituent interviews, the university sought your opinions about its priorities and how connected you feel to your alma mater, ranging from your experience as a student to your perceptions of PLU today. In this issue of ResoLute, we begin our series sharing highlights of the valuable feedback from Lutes across our community. We plan to use your input to evolve our alumni and student engagement programs.
Responses show that alumni feel overwhelmingly positive about the experience they had at PLU. They praise the high quality of teaching and learning, express strong connection to their “academic homes,” and most enjoyed a strong community and a valuable exploration of their own sense of vocation. In most cases, alumni described their lives and perspectives as transformed because of PLU.
However, we also see a disconnect between the student experience alumni had and their understanding of the PLU experience for students today.
Thank you to everyone who participated, as your opinions are vitally important to how we serve our constituents. In upcoming issues of ResoLute, we will share how we plan to evolve student and alumni engagement programs based on your feedback. We welcome your continued engagement as we remain committed to the ongoing spirit of reform.
Connection Events
Portland
Sunday, March 4, 2–4 p.m.
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97211
Bellingham
Sunday, March 25, 3–5 p.m.
Goat Mountain Pizza
211 W. Holly St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
Denver
Sunday, April 22, 3–5 p.m.
History Colorado Center*
Terrace Room, fourth floor
1200 N. Broadway
Denver, CO 80203
*Complimentary museum admission for all guests from 2-3 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.
San Jose
Sunday, April 29, 3–5 p.m.
SP2 Communal Bar & Restaurant
72 N. Almaden Avenue
San Jose, CA 95110
RACHEL CARSON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY LECTURE
March 6
The annual event, supported by an endowment from George and Helen Long, is designed to bring leading experts in the fields of science and technology to PLU’s campus. The 2018 speaker is Pam Ronald, Ph.D., distinguished professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center at U.C. Davis who also serves as director of Grass Genetics at the Joint Bioenergy Institute in Emeryville, California. She also is faculty director of the U.C. Davis Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy.
WANG CENTER SYMPOSIUM
March 8-9
Migration: Toward an Interdisciplinary and Cross-Cultural Understanding of Human and Non-Human Mobility
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
April 14
The 2018 Dr. Rae Linda Brown Undergraduate Research Symposium is Saturday, April 14, in the Anderson University Center. The annual event showcases university-wide, interdisciplinary research and creative activities of PLU students. It provides them opportunities to further explore their area of study or future career path, as well as gain valuable hands-on experience and organizational skills in a collaborative work setting.
Richard and Helen Weathermon Endowment presents the Joyful Noise Guest Artist in Residence concert with the PLU Jazz Ensemble
May 11
This year’s guest artist will be saxophonist, Vincent Herring. Herring has appeared on stage or in recordings with Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band (Won a Grammy in 2010), Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, Mike LeDonne, Carl Allen, Ron McClure, and John Hicks, among others. His extensive guest soloist appearances include performances with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center and Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.
Regent Spotlight
Serving from afar
Thorhild Widvey is the only member of the Board of Regents who lives in Norway. She’s a Norwegian politician and member of the country’s Conservative Party. Her political career started at 22 years old. She served as a member of parliament starting in 1989, and most recently served as minister of culture (2013-15) and minister of petroleum and energy (2004-05).
“I really believe in the relationship between our two countries,” she said in October, during breakfast at her Oslo home. “What I think I can bring to PLU is all the knowledge I have about Norway.”
As one of the newest members of the board, Widvey said she’s still getting to know the PLU community. Still, her first impressions are strong. She said the university is a globally minded community, rooted in care for and acceptance of others.
“I think the world needs more of that,” she said. “We shouldn’t be afraid of other cultures.”
She said PLU’s values are in line with Norway’s: tolerance, mutual respect and open mindedness. She said coming to the United States feels familiar, and she believes that experience extends to PLU: “It feels like coming home.”
PLU marked the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with a yearlong series of events, culminating in a celebration Oct. 31, 2017.
