Search

February 28, 2008 English professor receives prestigious award Assistant Professor of English Rona Kaufman was named a recipient of a 2008 Graves Award in the Humanities. The award is given every two years to eight to 10 faculty members from private, liberal-arts colleges in California, Washington and Oregon. Recipients must exhibit exemplary skill and enthusiasm as teachers, and use the award stipend for a research project that will enhance their skill in the classroom. “It’s an award for good

May 9, 2008 ‘The holy cow’ moment As Clarice Swanson ’89 walks in the barn located on her family’s 400-acre Walla Walla cattle ranch, her mind isn’t on the hundred or so Herefords and Black Angus chewing on new grass just down the road. It’s on the tiny balls of grey striped fluff peeping at her feet. These turkey chicks, or poults, represent one of the few Unimproved Standard Bronze flocks on the West Coast. Even if the chicks or their parents didn’t have the shelter of a barn to escape the

May 16, 2008 Alumna, graduate speak at commencement More than 700 undergraduate and graduate students will participate in Spring Commencement 2008 at the Tacoma Dome on Sunday, May 25 at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony features a keynote address by career diplomat Joyce Barr ’76, as well as a speech by graduating senior Candice Hughes. Hughes was selected to speak by faculty and staff. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Hughes came to PLU as a freshman in 2004, and is the first graduate of the

May 16, 2008 University Center earns LEED silver The renovated University Center has reached silver-level certification in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.“It makes you feel good; we’re not creating more problems for the world,” said John Kaniss, construction projects manager who oversaw the renovation. Even before the project began, PLU decided the $14 million renovation would comply with LEED standards. The university is proud to

July 8, 2008 Life is about choices. What choices have you made? A few years ago, student body president Joel Zylstra addressed the incoming freshman class at Fall Convocation. His timeless reflection on the meaning of success captures the unique culture of Pacific Lutheran University and the life-changing experiences that students encounter here. I was a camp counselor a while back for 5 to 8 year-olds. One night, after lots of games and activities, we were talking before I tucked them in to

September 15, 2008 What does being a Lute really mean? A record crowd of faculty, staff and continuing students welcomed over 1,000 new students with a standing ovation as they processed into opening Convocation on Sept. 8.Bruce Bjerke ’72, vice-chair of the Board of Regents brought greetings on behalf of the regents and spoke of the character of PLU where all care deeply about things beyond themselves. He also reminded new students that in the first days of the academic year they will be

September 22, 2008 Dean says travel broadens perspectives At a time with the United State is no longer the 800-pound gorilla, it’s time for future leaders graduating from college and universities to take stock of what they can offer the world, according to PLU’s new business dean. At least that’s what James Brock, the dean of PLU’s School of Business, plans to talk about Wednesday night when he kicks off the State Farm MBA Executive Leadership Series in the Morken Center, Room 103 at 6 p.m

December 1, 2008 PLU receives a 300 year-old Torah During November, Cindy Boyce generously gave PLU a Torah with a pedigree that dates back to the 1700s.“You want to be careful what you do with them,” Boyce said about the scroll’s delicacy and how sacred it is in the Jewish faith. The 300 year-old scroll has been decommissioned for a number of years and was transcribed in Morocco. “It can’t be used in a synagogue,” said Samuel Torvend, associate professor of religion and chair of the religion

June 4, 2009 Helping those in need is a moral imperative, not necessarily a religious one How did Harold Lerass come to believe self-sacrifice is a moral imperative, not just a religious one? In this world, there are many people who need help, and for PLU student Harold Leraas, helping those in need is the greatest mission in life. “I guess I’d just like to see people better off,” he said. “If I can help make someone else’s life better, I guess that’s a pretty successful life.” He doesn’t

July 23, 2009 One-on-one: Behrens By Barb Clements Being a marine biologist is a pretty good gig. And why wouldn’t it be? There are obvious perks, Michael Behrens admits, to having a job where diving is part of the package. Seeing creatures swim by as they hunt for food in the Galopagos is a nice benefit, as well as diving in the rocky shoals of Washington state, which he counts as among the most beautiful places on earth. For PLU Assistant Professor of Biology Michael Behrens diving gives him