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opening of the concert, and I wanted it to be exciting.” At PLU, Whatley is principal bass in the University Symphony Orchestra and spends the bulk of his time practicing, writing and performing classical pieces. As a student of composition, he has participated in composers forums, represented the department in the National Association of Schools of Music concerts and has had works published in the student arts publication Saxifrage. After graduation, Whatley plans to pursue graduate studies in

Bible, is required to select a passage from the Hebrew Bible and demonstrate its importance by re-creating the passage in a contemporary manner. “What I’m doing differently is, instead of writing a paper, I’m asking students to give me their arguments in a visual form where it could be understood in 2015,” Finitsis said. The Lutes write, direct, act, edit and shoot their films before premiering them in class. Finitsis then invites the students with the highest-quality videos to enter the Hebrew Idol

students transition from college to careers. Shared experiences will create a supportive community space that will help students connect through study groups, social events and professional development opportunities. The research will measure students’ sense of belonging and the impact of program resources over time. Curricular engagement will include a transitions course, linked introductory courses and supplemental instruction. Students will learn skills such as resume writing, scientific

, and in doing so learning more about themselves as scientists and thinking about science as a career.” A polymer chemist by trade, Waldow is currently studying and developing solid polymer electrolytes for use in lithium ion batteries. This work could lead to substantial improvements in performance and safety in these batteries, which are commonly found in smartphones. Additionally, his contributions to grant writing have helped lead to necessary scientific equipment for PLU’s Chemistry Department

themes include colonialism, superstitions and prejudices — topics Rich believes are still prevalent today.  “I can’t speak to what H.G. Wells was thinking when he was writing it, but a lot of it is more inwardly reflective,” Rich said. “The Martians coming down are a lot more evocative of British imperialism than they are of an outside force.”Orson Welles’ production of “The War of the Worlds” is a mock radio broadcast reporting an alien invasion in New Jersey. When it debuted in 1938 during the

captivation of the whim in classic fairytales. She knew little of Rachel Carson before encountering the play, but found her story compelling, universal, and an invaluable piece of history. The play follows Rachel Carson during the research and writing of her book Silent Spring, which is credited with launching America’s environmental movement. As she struggles to complete her book, she fights her progressing cancer and factions of American enterprise that launch a crusade against her reputation. Carson’s

much of my attention this year will be on research and writing, I am still developing my teaching and thinking ahead to the courses I’ll teach upon my return. This includes the second outing of my new History at the Movies class and I’m especially thrilled not to have to teach this one over Zoom again! I am also excited to be preparing a course (new to me), Hist 247: U.S. Capitalism. This course is a great opportunity for us to consider the changes and continuities in the development of capitalism

(so well represented here today), and in the fine and performing arts. It also includes a suite of select graduate and professional programs that all seek to build our students’ capacity to serve the world— nursing, marriage and family therapy, finance, education, creative writing, and business. So, you see, the world needs more PLU. Lives of Service and Care As a community and as individuals, PLU people care about the development and success of our students and of each other. We have high

conspiracy theories on web platforms and forums; the decline of public trust in institutions and experts; and what to look for to ensure the credibility of online information. The class culminated in a final “Critical Making” project, where students built, designed, or mocked up a media literacy tool. The goal of the assignment was to envision a web that prioritized the circulation of credible information. Critical making is a process where students apply theories and concepts to a creative project or

Youtz, who is now a composer, and professor at Pacific Lutheran University, accessed a fundamental community in grounding his eventual creative form. “It is too important to write music that the cannery worker could understand and appreciate. It has allowed me to not drift into the avante-garde,” he says, commenting most definitively on a politically inclined piece, entitled Drum Taps, which he premiered last May. “Artists must not consider themselves above their audience,” Youtz says. “It is