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sequence. “The degree isn’t merely a prize for jumping through academic hoops,,” Rubin said. “The program is collaborative and process oriented throughout.. It’s very personal.” Rick Dakan is a recent graduate of the program from Sarasota, Fla. The 38-year-old fiction writer focuses on a specific genre with a “mixed media element.” He had published two novels before admission into the program and published two novels during his studies. “It really is exciting to see that chance to pause and reflect on

studies and political science major from Spanaway, Wash. “It doesn’t look very good,” the man responds as he gazes on the bag of lettuce. Wilted brown seems to be taking over the green of the produce. “It’s a little old, but really it’s still good,” McCracken says. “Would you eat it?” asks the man bluntly. McCracken pauses unsure what to say, so she just nods in agreement silently and the man continues down the line. “I thought about it and he was right,” McCracken said. “I wouldn’t eat that

. Small classes and attentive professors also helped her get through her studies and overcome dyslexia (another reason she decided against journalism as a career-she just couldn’t keep up with the teleprompter.) The solo performance class helped the 4-foot-10-inch Pansino battle her innate shyness and sparkle in her new-found calling, she said. She also credited trying out for the Lute cheer squad and teaching English in China during a J-term trip with helping her push herself through a natural

of the children in their homes and communities. In the end, gathered her findings and reported back to the schools in hope of helping them develop a curriculum that takes advantage of these funds of knowledge. “If I know more about their culture, then the better I can connect with them,” she said. “Learning for those children becomes a little bit easier.” In many ways, Thirumurthy’s studies are a slice of something in which she’s invested her entire career: understanding and exploring other

by John Froschauer) What’s more, beginning this year, Wild Hope will be a permanent component of the newly created Center for Vocation, with Lynn Hunnicutt, associate professor of economics, as its director. Samuel Torvend ’73, the previous director, stepped down when he was named University Professor of Lutheran Studies.  Torvend will advise the center as its director for vocational reflection, a position he has held before. It means that PLU’s Wild Hope project, and the university’s commitment

an integral part of the opera,” Van Mechelen said. After a taste of this, Van Mechelen knows that singing is what she wants to do with her life. She arrived at PLU as a transfer student. “I went into audition for the music program and the faculty was so warm and inviting … It just felt like home,” she said. Marlette Buchannan Hall, a vocal studies lecturer at PLU, said she showed up for the first day of rehearsals this last summer and realized a few of her students were right along side her. Hall

corporation after graduation. Colleen Hacker, professor of movement studies and wellness education at PLU, encouraged Bendzak to write down his goals, but also to go on information interviews even if no job was available. Bendzak on Nike campus. (Photo provided by Tyson Bendzak) This persistence and goals setting paid off when Bendzak finally landed a job at the child development center in 2011.“I would just say pursue your passion,” Bendzak said of students trying to figure out what they want to do, and

presented her dance, “Death and The Angel” at the International Association of Near Death Studies conference in Scottsdale, Ariz. in the Fall.  She is the co-author, with Nola Davis of  the non- fiction book, Live From the Other Side,  a collection of real life stories. Read Previous HBO DEF Poet to perform at PLU Read Next Diving into Islamophobia in America COMMENTS*Note: All comments are moderated If the comments don't appear for you, you might have ad blocker enabled or are currently browsing in a

the panel. Some professors are also integrating the book into their curriculum. Lisa Marcus, associate professor of English, will again be teaching the book in her Writing 101 seminar on “Banned Books.” She wants students to recognize that Urrea’s book has been banned in Arizona as part of a push to suppress ethnic studies, particularly works that address Mexican-American history and experience. Marcus stresses that beyond the story and relatability of the characters, it is important to think

May 24, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree— in her case, Hispanic Studies—she will be grateful for all the support that made her journey possible: from the Bensons, her Minds Matter tutors, the Karl Stumo family, her PLU professors and her parents, who arrived in the U.S. as undocumented workers 15 years ago. “They worked very hard and supported me,” Jimenez said of her parents. The Jimenezes also worked and saved to raise enough money—$6,000 each—to get the visas necessary