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and students care about all these and more.” In rating institutions based on their contributions to the public good, Washington Monthly defines those three categories further: Social Mobility: recruiting and graduating low-income students; Research: producing cutting-edge scholarship and Ph.D.s; and Service: encouraging students to give something back to their country. The Washington Monthly also named PLU a “Best Bang for the Buck” university, meaning that a PLU education offers the best value

prepare first-year students to successfully navigate their transition from high school to college. The program provides incoming first-year students the opportunity to earn six credits at no cost while focusing on skills paramount to thriving in college: reading, writing, critical thinking, dialogue and discussion.Thanks to Summer Academy, Reinmuth – a music education major from Vancouver, Washington – said that he felt calm and comfortable by the time he returned to campus more than a month later for

fiscal year, but I did not care. I decided to take my chances, and by God’s grace, I was selected. How did that process make you feel—that is, what did you personally, uniquely experience?   I felt this process could very well be worth the time and the extreme effort that I was putting forth. Although only eight scholarships were being awarded, my faith was strong and something within said do not shy away from this opportunity and to give it all you got! Admittedly, I oftentimes felt weary during the

respect, justice and care. You’ll hear more about BIRT at Convocation next week—and you’ll see BIRT all over campus soon, in the form of colorful, informative door hangers. Incidents of bias—even unintentional—are at odds with our mission. And we have a big, important mission. This year we also plan to continue to: improve student retention rates. We started the climb last year, with 84.3% retention of first-year students (up from 81.5% in 2013), but we are far from finished. improve our four-year

said she believes hand-drawn art is critical in this age of technology. “The moving of the hand goes through the prism of the soul,” she said. “It puts one’s mark, heart and life to it. Something happens between the eye and hand as it goes through the artist.” Kullberg believes anyone can learn to draw with the right training. In 1999, when the Internet was not what it is today, a woman in Texas emailed Kullberg, wanting to take private online lessons. As a result, Kullberg pioneered online art

their local election offices to have their ballot mailed to them. No matter the approach, the key is having a voice regarding issues that matter, Johnson said. Voting, no matter where it happens, shows care for the community and models to the rest of the country that people want their voices heard, she said. Ingeborg Jore, an international student from Norway studying business, can’t vote in the U.S. but is passionate about civic engagement and getting involved in other ways. “Every single vote

inquiry, service, leadership and care along with them as they pursue new careers, volunteer opportunities and ventures abroad. Lutes will remain connected with the thread of community that was central to their time at PLU. Below, four of PLU’s roughly 700 Commencement participants (Jonathan Adams, Sarah Henderson, Todd Hoagland and Priya McBride) look back on their experiences on campus and share their hopes for the future as they embark on their post-graduate journeys.Commencement 2016Learn more

with the status quo. “It’s about engaging in difference,” she said, stressing that the university as a whole must ask big questions — including asking why there isn’t more faculty of color. “We all own this,” Brown said. “That is critical.” To do that, she explained, PLU must do two things: embrace implicit bias training across the board and critically look at hiring practices to see what’s missing. She says implicit bias training combats the tendency of people to hire those who look like them and

her first year at the university in 2014 that Norman made a breakthrough. A combination of her own research and talks with the campus doctor led to a bipolar diagnosis and the proper medication. She built a trusting relationship with a campus counselor and appreciated how consistent and comfortable the Counseling Center was, she said.   “I’m happy I know why I am the way I am,” she recalled feeling at the time. “Now, I can figure out the steps to take care of myself.” Fast-forward a couple years

there.” What about the future of ELSK the Studio? “ELSK the Studio may be growing in the future. But I didn’t start this business to make money. I really just wanted to try a creative venture that would express my values about sustainability and friendship. Clothing design is one way to do that, but there are also other ways, including working on social innovation projects in the South Sound area and beyond.” “At PLU, I learned that entrepreneurship begins with critical thinking—learning about a