Loren J. Anderson, Ph.D.
In his 16th year as president of Pacific Lutheran University, Loren J. Anderson encourages a shared, campus-wide vision for the university based on the theme, "Educating for Lives of Service." This vision has been realized through the cooperative development and implementation of two long-range plans, PLU 2000 and, most recently, PLU 2010: The Next Level of Distinction, which guides the university in its strategic initiatives.
Anderson played a key leadership role in PLU's classification as a New American College, a unique association of institutions of higher education that are committed to the integration of the study of the liberal arts and the study of professional disciplines. PLU is one of only 23 schools across the nation to hold the distinction of being a New American College.
Since coming to PLU in 1992, Anderson has worked to ensure that the campus community remains focused on student achievement, and that PLU lives up to its mission "to empower students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, leadership, service and care-for other people, for their communities and for the earth."
Under Anderson's leadership, student enrollment and the quality of new students has steadily increased. His philanthropic expertise has been a significant factor in the success of two major fund-raising campaigns. First was the university's successful Make a Lasting Difference campaign, which concluded in 1997 and raised more than $72 million (surpassing its goal by $20 million). Anderson recently led the most ambitious and aggressive fund-raising effort in PLU's history. The Campaign for Pacific Lutheran University: The Next Bold Step was launched publicly in May 2000 and exceeded its $100 million goal by more than $28 million.
Most of Anderson's career has been dedicated to Lutheran higher education. At Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., he served as assistant professor of speech communication and director of institutional research starting in 1972. After serving as assistant to the president from 1975 to 1976, he became vice president for planning and development. At 31, he was the youngest vice president in Concordia's history.
In 1984, he became executive director of the division for college and university services of the American Lutheran Church. He returned to Concordia in 1988 as executive vice president with responsibilities for fund development, communication, academic planning and general administration.
Anderson has spearheaded efforts to forge strong alliances with Norway. He is a leader in the PLU-Norway-Namibia program, supporting efforts of peace studies. Scores of PLU faculty and students have traveled to Namibia to study and learn, and PLU students study at Hedmark University College in Norway and the University of Namibia. He is board chair of the Norwegian-American Foundation, a national organization that strengthens ties between the U.S. and Norway.
Anderson currently serves in other prominent positions including board member of the Independent Colleges of Washington, and of the premier study-abroad organization, The Institute for the International Education of Students. He has served on the boards of the American Leadership Forum in Tacoma and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, where he was chair.
Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Concordia College, a master's degree in rhetoric and public address from Michigan State University, and a doctorate in communication theory and research from the University of Michigan. In 1981, he received a diploma from Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management, and he completed Harvard's 1992 Seminar for College and University Presidents.
Anderson was born and raised in Rugby, N.D. His wife, MaryAnn, is PLU's external relations coordinator. They are parents of a daughter, Maren, who is a PLU junior. The Andersons live in Tacoma.
Patricia O'Connell Killen, Ph.D.
In her second year serving as provost and dean of graduate studies, Patricia O'Connell Killen continues her 18 years of active involvement in faculty development and other projects designed to strengthen the academic culture of the university. Killen brings to the role of provost a wealth of teaching, scholarly and administrative experience.
Killen has held a variety of leadership posts at the university. She was elected vice-chair (1993-1994) and then chair of the University Faculty (1994-1996). Her service on elected faculty committees includes a term on the Committee on Rank and Tenure (1999-2002), which she chaired from 2000-2002. Twice the chair of the Department of Religion (1990-1993 and 2003-2006) she has overseen its faculty grow as an outstanding department of teacher-scholars widely known for their commitment to student success in learning and scholarship.
Killen co-authored the grant that funded PLU's Wild Hope Project which works across all segments of the university to make the university a more intellectually rigorous, world-engaged, and developmentally astute context for students, faculty, and staff to reflect on questions of meaning, value, and vocation.
Nationally and internationally known as a scholar of North American religious history and of practical theology, her distinctions and awards in teaching and scholarship are numerous. At PLU she received the K.T. Tang Faculty Excellence Award in Research for 2004, and the Center for Teaching and Learning Teaching Excellence Award in 2001. In 1991 she became the first PLU faculty member to receive an Arnold L. and Lois S. Graves Foundation Award for Outstanding Humanities Teachers.
In 1999 she received the Elizabeth Seton Medal for her role as outstanding woman theologian in the United States. At its annual meeting in November 2006, she received the American Academy of Religion's award for teaching excellence.
She has most recently been the primary editor of Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone (Alta Mira Press, 2004). This work, the first to present an interpretation of the religious configuration of the region, has revised the understanding of religion's character, nature and demography in the Pacific Northwest.
While serving as provost, Killen will continue to direct the university's pilot Center for Religion, Cultures, and Society in the Western United States, which works to increase understanding of the dynamics of religion in building healthy and sustainable communities.
Born and raised in rural western Oregon, Killen received her bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University in theology and religious studies, and her master's degree and doctorate from Stanford University with degrees in Religious Studies-American Religious History.
Killen is married to David Patrick Killen who holds a doctorate in historical theology. He is retired. The Killens live in Parkland.
Sheri Tonn, Ph.D.
Veteran PLU educator and administrator Sheri Tonn was named vice president for finance and operations in May 1999. She oversees Facilities Management, Dining Services, Auxiliary Services (including the newly opened Garfield Book Company at PLU), the golf course, Conferences and Events, Human Resources and the Business Office. Her office manages all university property and real estate transactions. She is also responsible for PLU construction projects, risk management, and management of the endowment and trusts. She is leading the development of a new campus master plan.
Tonn, who served as PLU's dean of information resources from 1997-2000, led the university's technology initiative, which resulted in the installation of high-speed network connections in each residence hall room, as well as the creation of several classrooms equipped with high-tech teaching aids.
From 1993 to 1997, Tonn was dean of PLU's natural sciences division. She was chair of the Department of Chemistry from 1989 to 1993 and has taught chemistry here since 1979. Before coming to PLU, she was a postdoctoral fellow and instructor at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minn., from 1976 to 1979. She earned a doctorate in chemistry from Northwestern University in 1976, and a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Oregon State University in 1971.
Tonn has been instrumental in securing more than $2 million in grants for PLU's science program over the years. Most notably, she helped obtain a $500,000 matching-funds gift from the Kresge Foundation, and oversaw a $391,000 summer undergraduate research program funded by the Murdock Charitable Trust in 1995.
She is the project manager for grants for laboratory and school safety education, as well as grants related to campus sustainability. Tonn also serves on the board of directors of ELCA Risk Management, an insurance consortium, and the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Tonn is cofounder and past president of Citizens for a Healthy Bay. She is a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi and the National Association of College and University Business Officers.
A native of Hood River, Ore., Tonn resides in Brown's Point, and is married to Jeffrey Tonn, a design engineer.
Laura F. Majovski, Ph.D.
Laura Majovski became vice president for student life in June 1999. The Office of Student Life gives direction to a variety of student service departments and co-curricular programs, including new-student orientation. Departments within the division are Student Involvement and Leadership, Residential Life, International Student Services, Athletics, Career Development, Student Employment, Health Services, Campus Safety, Counseling Center, and Disability Support Services.
From 2003 to 2007, Majovski also served as vice president of Admission and Enrollment Services, where she oversaw admission, financial aid and the Student Services Center. Majovski was assistant to the president from 1996-1999. She came to PLU in 1992 as a clinical psychologist for Counseling and Testing Services. Born and raised in the San Marino, Calif., area, she earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1976 with majors in psychology and religion. She earned a master's degree in theology (marriage and family therapy) and a doctorate in clinical psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary in 1978 and 1982, respectively.
She was in private practice specializing in individual and family psychotherapy in Pasadena, Calif., for 10 years before coming to PLU.
During her tenure at PLU, Majovski has served on numerous university committees. Currently, Majovski serves as co-chair of the University Diversity Committee, and chair of the Student Success and Retention Task Force. In addition, she has served as chair of two Master Plan committees: the Athletic, Recreation, and Physical Education Master Plan Study Committee and the University Center Renovation Planning Committee.
Majovski is active in the local community, as a fellow of the American Leadership Forum of Tacoma/Pierce County.
Majovski lives in Gig Harbor with her husband, Dr. Larry Majovski, a Tacoma area clinical psychologist. Their twins, Karen and Greg, are college juniors.
Steven E. Titus, J.D., Ph.D.
Steve Titus became vice president for development and university relations at Pacific Lutheran University in May, 2007. As vice president, he oversees the offices of Alumni and Parent Relations, Congregation Relations, Development, University Communications, and KPLU 88.5 FM, for which PLU is the licensee.
From 2002-2007, Titus served as president and distinguished professor of leadership and change for Midland Lutheran College. He is co-creator and co-director of the Lutheran College and University Leadership Program and the Lutheran Leaders Program, and founder of the Presidential Leadership Group, an executive coaching and leadership enrichment firm committed to serving college and university leaders. Titus is a certified professional coach and credentialed through the International Coach Federation. He is passionate about coaching, leadership, personal and purpose mastery, and the human side of enterprise.
Prior to joining Midland in 2002, Titus was executive assistant to the president at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., and a tenured professor of leadership studies and organizational behavior at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall. There he founded and directed the leadership studies program and the Leadership Development Institute.
Titus served as an attorney and commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1990-1995. He held several positions while on active duty, including legal advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, labor and employment law attorney on the Department of the Army Staff at the Pentagon, and as a trial defense counsel with the Third Infantry Division in Wuerzburg, Germany, during Operation Desert Storm. Titus served as Minnesota's Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) from 1999-2002, and he was awarded the United States Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in 2002.
Titus holds a B.S. degree in business administration from Southwest Minnesota State University, a J.D. degree from Marquette University Law School, and a Ph.D. degree in higher education and strategic leadership from the University of Virginia, where he was a Governor's Fellow. Titus also holds a diploma from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School, and certificates from the Advanced Leadership Education Program at the Kennedy School of Government and the Institute for Educational Management at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. He is a graduate of The Coaches Training Institute, a member of the International Coach Federation, and is an inaugural member of the International Leadership Association.
Steve and his wife, Sara, live in Tacoma, with their two daughters.
Karl Stumo
Karl Stumo became vice president for admission and enrollment services on June 1, 2007. In his role, Stumo oversees the Offices of Admission, Financial Aid and Student Services, and works with the university community to develop marketing, financial aid, recruitment and communication strategies in support of the university’s overall enrollment goals. Prior to becoming vice president, Stumo served as dean and associate vice president of admission and financial aid.
A native of Minnesota, Stumo earned a bachelor’s degree in 1992 from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., with majors in English writing and organizational communication. In 2000 he earned a master’s degree in higher education from Iowa State University.
From 1992 to 1997, Stumo served as admission counselor and assistant director of admission at Concordia College, Moorhead. While at Iowa State University from 1997 to 1999, he served as graduate assistant in the Office of Special Recruitment working with National Merit student recruitment services as well as the Office of Financial Aid.
From 1999-2004, Stumo served as associate director of freshmen admission at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, overseeing the freshmen admission staff and recruitment activities.
Stumo has served as a member of the Government Relations Advisory Committee of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling. He has been recognized as an outstanding admission professional in both regional and national divisions of NACAC.
He currently serves PLU as a member of the admission and retention committee, advisory member of the ad hoc steering group for general education, and chair of the new student enrollment task force.
Stumo is an active member of Mt. View Lutheran Church in Edgewood, Wash., serving as Sunday school teacher for senior high students, choir member, and congregational worship assistant.
Stumo lives in Parkland with his wife Nicole and two children Bryn and Karsten.