2007 Spring Commencement / LuteCast

Date: Sunday, May 27, 2007, 2:30 pm

View Stream | Archival Information

Location: Tacoma Dome Arena, Tacoma, WA

Download Commencement Program (614K PDF)

Order of Events

Academic Processional

Members of the University Symphony Orchestra

Invocation

Nancy J. Connor, University Pastor

Greetings

Robert Gomulkiewicz (’83),
Chair of the Board of Regents

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Patricia O’Connell Killen, Provost
Christian D. Wong, Business
Sharon E. Shull, Nursing

Faculty Retirements

Loren J. Anderson, President
Assisted by Provost Killen

Musical Selection

Choir of the West

Reflections

Jennifer R. Henrichsen,
Bachelor of Arts, Communication & Political Science
Jessica T. Holden,
Bachelor of Arts, Communication

Commencement Address

Robert B. Reich
Professor of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley

Conferral of Master’s Degrees

President Anderson
Assisted by Provost Killen, Michael R. Hillis, Co-acting Dean, School of Education Diane B. MacDonald, Associate Dean, School of Business Terry W. Miller, Dean, School of Nursing Douglas E. Oakman, Dean, Division of Humanities

Conferral of Baccalaureate Degrees

President Anderson
Assisted by Provost Killen

Closing Comments

President Anderson

Musical Selection

Beautiful Savior, arr. by F. Melius Christiansen

Prayer and Benediction

Dennis G. Sepper, University Pastor

Recessional

Pacific Lutheran University Mace

For centuries, in academic and ecclesiastical processionals, a mace has been carried by the marshal to symbolize the official opening and closing of a formal event.

At the base of the walnut staff is a silver pine cone, made from a casting of a cone found on the PLU campus. Its head has a descending dove, representative of the harmonious presence of the Holy Spirit within the learning community.

The cradle bears a plaque which will carry the names of the current and subsequent presidents, as well as the following inscription from Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore, get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding."

Designed and created by Tom Torrens, former PLU artist-in-residence.

The Mace was a gift from President-Emeritus and Mrs. William O. Rieke and family, presented at Commencement, 1976.

Pacific Lutheran University Seal

The Pacific Lutheran University Seal was adopted for use when the institution became a university in September 1960. The PLU seal appears on official university documents, including the diploma. The design incorporates elements that symbolize the university’s heritage and function. The elliptical shape symbolizes the close relationship between the university and the church, which owns and encompasses the school. The ellipse is an ancient Christian sign that indicates the relationship between God and human. The name of the institution and the date of its founding are appropriately placed along the border.

Central to the design is the ancient "Chi Rho," a sign designating Jesus as the Christ and drawn from the cross of the Calvary. The "Chi Rho" is planted in the book, which stands for both the Bible and for the chief tool of the student. Such signs were in common use in the early development of the Christian community. The lamp of learning is traditional in the Western civilization that is our heritage and symbolizes the human search for free knowledge and wisdom. The flame of the lamp illuminates the book. The evergreen tree, perhaps the greatest natural resource of the Pacific Northwest, ties the university to its locale and is symbolic of the abundance of the natural surroundings, as well as our dependence upon it.