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- Excellence in Advising 2005 Biography Keith Cooper has been teaching at PLU since 1984. His graduate degrees in philosophy are from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; he also has a master’s degree in theology. His main areas of interest are the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of science, especially the question of methodological parallels between metaphysical inquiry and scientific theorizing (e.g., abductive reasoning). Favorite courses, in addition to those areas, include Formal Logic and

Virginia Graves AM Dish Attendant Phone: 253-535-7472 Email: gravesvm@plu.edu Biography Biography Virginia is a 25 plus year veteran with PLU Dining & Culinary Services. She’s enjoyed seeing so many students come and go and through the years she’s done everything from serving them desserts to running the dish room. When she’s not at work, Virginia enjoys her family and dogs.

Karen M. Travis Professor of Economics Email: traviskm@plu.edu Status:Emeritus Professional Education Ph.D., Economics, University of Washington, 1995 M.A., Economics, University of Washington, 1990 B.S. with honors, Physics and Mathematics, University of Puget Sound, 1986 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Teaching Areas: Health Economics, Econometrics, and Introductory Statistics Research Interests: Physician Payment, Access to Health Care, Prenatal Care Productivity, and Economics Education

Dr. Terri D. Farrar Associate Professor of Kinesiology Phone: 253-535-7360 Email: farrartd@plu.edu Office Location: Olson Auditorium - 105 Professional Education Ph.D., Capella University M.A.Ed., City University B.A.E., Eastern Washington University A.A., Spokane Falls Community College Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Health and Fitness Teacher Education Books Health for Life With Web Resources co-authored with Charles Corbin, David Corbin, Karen McConnell (Human Kinetics 2014) : View Book

Mary Herstad Data Management Specialist Phone: 253-535-7421 Email: mary.herstad@plu.edu Professional Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Database Management Advancement System Support Responsibilities Mary Herstad began her career at Pacific Lutheran University in November 2016 and serves as the Data Management Specialist. Mary is responsible for maintaining clean and accurate alumni and donor records, which includes supervising the Operations Student Interns who do data entry work.

Gretchen Howell Director of Human Resources Phone: 253-535-7329 Email: crosgrgm@plu.edu Professional Additional Titles/Roles Member: Title IX Committee Responsibilities Position control and salary budgeting Employee relations Consultation on HR planning and policies Salary surveys Annual contracts and letters Contracts for new faculty Visa sponsorship Banner Human Resource Information System Staff Hiring processes Tuition benefits University Transportation Coordinator Data Administration Team

Olivia Holberg Human Resources Specialist Phone: 253-535-7268 Email: olivia.holberg@plu.edu Office Location: Hauge Administration Building - 110 Professional Education MS, Applied Psychology, University of Southern California BA, Psychology, University of Washington Responsibilities Staff position announcements, advertising, and recruitment Onboarding for new staff Faculty part-time teaching agreements Service agreements and temporary staff Personal and Professional Development Opportunities

her to the realm of cardiology, where she worked as a Nurse Practitioner in both inpatient and outpatient settings until 2019. It was during this time that she discovered her true calling in aesthetics. Since the summer of 2023, she has been a member of the PLU community, sharing her knowledge and basic nursing skills with her students. She finds immense satisfaction in teaching and supporting new students during their clinicals, witnessing their remarkable progress in a short span of time

Katie Curtis Director of Fundraising Operations She/Her/Hers Phone: 253-535-7422 Email: katie.curtis@plu.edu Office Location:Martin J. Neeb Center Professional Education B.A., Communication, Pacific Lutheran University, 2014 Certificate, Fundraising Operations, Rice University, 2019 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Fundraising Operations Gift Processing Prospect Research Matching Gifts Auction Guidelines Responsibilities Katie Curtis began her career at Pacific Lutheran University in 2014, and

Mary Jo Larsen Assistant Dean Phone: 253-535-8456 Email: larsenmj@plu.edu Office Hours: Tu & Th: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Fri: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Professional Biography Education Ph.D., Education, Seattle Pacific University, 2014 M.A., Education, Pacific Lutheran University, 2004 B.A., Education, Pacific Lutheran University, 2002 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Endorsements in English and Biology Biography Mary Jo earned both her B.A. and Master’s in Education from PLU. Her varied career in education