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recent SNC meeting in the first floor Stuen lounge, I was greeted by a cheerful collective of students, as well as fidgets. There was a unique sense of empathy among members of the group, as they discussed school, life, challenges and triumphs.  To learn more about the Student Neurodiversity Club, I interviewed the current SNC president, Ryan Browne. Ryan is a senior majoring in Communications at PLU.What does it mean to be neurodivergent?  Just a difference in brain chemistry for the most part. We

the main session. She continues to work on ways to support what she calls “group solidarity,” which can be more challenging in the online format. Dr. Brenda Llewellyn Ihssen and her dog Bubs The pandemic has affected several scholarly projects Dr. Llewellyn Ihssen was working on, including a major translation project. It was difficult to work when libraries were shut down last summer, she mentioned, something both educators and students alike can agree on. She stated that the virtual world of the

, Mexico photographed in 2017 by Christa Slater (‘20) It must be recognized in the first place that the ultimate burden of carrying out this unique response of PLU lies with the faculty. Thus, as a group of professionals, we must ask ourselves if we can in fact uphold such a claim in practice and with integrity. In other words, can we make it a reality in the praxis of our classrooms and programs? Although promoted in good faith and with the interest of the institution at heart, is the mixing of

are just another benefit of the linked course learning experience: a readymade group of friends and study partners for first-year students transitioning from high school to college and adjusting to life on campus.“It’s amazing how well we get along,” Cherish said. “We already have this similar interest in STEM that brings us together, but my roommate has become my best friend and these people are now like my family. We eat together, we study together, we hang out together… we’ve got so close

kids for an hour or so and then help the next group — it sounded pretty awesome to me. When I got into high school, I was part of a cool mentoring opportunity called Link Crew, where, as a junior, I got to mentor freshmen during advisory period. I was helping them transition into high school, and that really made me want to become a teacher. How did you find yourself drawn to studying philosophy? I’ve always been interested in philosophy but never really had a chance to explore it in a classroom

impact people’s lives in a positive way, but I also didn’t want to major in biology or chemistry, so I entered my freshman year as a computer science major,” he says. It was a choice that would radically change his chosen path.In his first computer science class at PLU, Gavidia learned how quickly software can scale and impact people around the world. “Just one person, or a small group, can accomplish so much,” Gavidia says. That moment was key for him: he realized he didn’t have to go to med school

time is used judiciously and learning is extended into asynchronous activities. Google Hangouts Meet provides faculty with a basic option for communication with students. If you are looking for increased interactivity, consider using Zoom PRO which provides hand-raising to ask questions, breakout rooms for small group discussion, polling options, and more. Instructional Technologies has created a chart that compares the two virtual meeting software. Contact itech@plu.edu to obtain a Zoom PRO

, and Sportin’ Life, the drug dealer. Hall recalls the rehearsals as grueling. “I don’t think people realize all the work that goes into it,” she said. Having a built-in support group of Lutes helped. Along with Hall and Van Mechelen, there was Novalee Richard, ’09, Stephanie Johnson ’11 and Ieisha McIntyre ’97. Johnson said that she has received huge support from her fellow Lutes, including Choir of the West members who helped her put together audition videos, and her current voice instructor (and

jazz music. “A jazz combo is a smaller, more intimate ensemble that tends to emphasize improvisation and spontaneous interaction over more formalized, written-out music that is more native to the larger 20-piece band,” explains Deacon-Joyner. “A ‘little big band’ is bigger than a combo, (but) smaller than a ‘big band,’” he says. “This group totals from eight to 10  players, five or six wind instruments and a rhythm section. This lean, versatile instrumentation can feature both intricate written-out

want to teach at PLU? Its reputation for musical excellence as well as the atmosphere of inquiry and service. What do you hope your students take away from your classes? Three things: A shared sense of commitment to community; tools that will be valuable for them in the future; and a value for listening. What makes you proud to be a PLU faculty member? That I am allowed a place among this tremendous group of professionals and colleagues. They are truly impressive. Tell us a few fun experiences that