‘How was your summer?’
When I ask our students what they did over summer break, I am consistently impressed by their motivation. This summer, Nellie Moran ’15, an Economics and French major, worked for the Democratic National Committee in Washington D.C., during which time she met President Barack Obama…
Convocation, Opening of the New Year
PLU marks the opening of our ‘new year’ with Convocation. This ceremony dates back to customs from medieval universities meant to welcome new students and new faculty, and to set intentions for the year ahead — together. This morning, I had the honor of speaking…
Favorite #welcomehomelutes Posts
Welcome home, Lutes! What you see and what you feel on campus is important. One of the ways that Lutes communicate the look, feel and spirit of our community is through your Instagrams, Facebook posts and tweets. Below are a few of my favorite of…
The Intersection of Diversity, Justice and Sustainability
PLU recently had the honor of hosting Dr. Carolyn Finney, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California-Berkeley and author of Black Faces, White Spaces , at our annual University Conference to kick off the new academic year. She reminded…
Response to NYT article: ‘Is a Degree Still Worth It? Yes, Researchers Say, and the Payoff Is Getting Better’
During Fall Conference this week, I talked about some of the misconceptions around the student loan debt debate. In particular, I pointed to a Federal Reserve Bank of New York study that found that the return on investment for all college degrees has held steady…
PLU Colors Flyin’ High!
A burgee is a distinguishing flag, regardless of its shape, of a sailing vessel. Here is a glance at our PLU colors flying high!
Reading Recommendation | ‘Stop Blaming Colleges for Society’s Problems: The value of an elite education remains unparalleled’
Reading Recommendation | David A. Bell’s article on NewRepublic.com, “ Stop Blaming Colleges for Society’s Problems: The value of an elite education remains unparalleled ” This is a thoughtful piece on why universities will survive, and in fact thrive, in an era of free, online…
Two Lutes Attend Peace Scholars Program at the Oslo International Summer School
With seemingly unending conflict in the Middle East, and now horrible atrocities in the Ukraine with the downing of the Malaysian jet, it’s easy to throw up one’s hands and wonder if anything, really, anything is going to make a difference in this world. But…
Response to PolicyMic article: ‘The Obama Administration Finally Has An Answer to Student Debt — And Colleges Hate It’
A student messaged me on my Facebook page the other day with an article on college rating systems. Along with messaging her back my response, I thought to share my opinion here with you. Hi President Krise, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this…
First-Ever Krise Internship Awarded
Emily Ames ’15 Receives $2,000 for Summertime Community Work Emily Ames ’15 is the first recipient of the new Patricia L. and Thomas W. Krise Endowed Internship Fund, awarded annually to one Pacific Lutheran University student who accepts an unpaid summer internship. Ames will receive…
Response to New York Times Article: ‘Bryan College Is Torn: Can Darwin and Eden Coexist?’
Original New York Times article here . My Response to Bryan College Is Torn: Can Darwin and Eden Coexist? by Alan Binder At Pacific Lutheran University, we think of “Lutheran” as an ethic that informs how we think, how we teach and how we help students…
Associate Director of the Peace Corps Visits PLU
Associate Director of the Peace Corps , Helen Lowman, visited PLU this week. PLU ranks 3rd nationwide for Peace Corps volunteers with 16 undergraduate alumni currently serving. Read the story here . Proud to be a Lute!
Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students Announcement
It is my pleasure to share with you the news that Dr. Joanna Royce-Davis will join PLU as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students on Friday, August 1st, 2014. Joanna comes to us from the University of the Pacific, where she…
Krise Endowed Internship Fund
Announcing the Patricia L. and Thomas W. Krise Endowed Internship Fund. The benefits of a summer internship—even an unpaid one—are unlimited and undeniable: Students can apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations, network with people in the industry and gain valuable work…
What does being a Lute mean to you?
This spring, I was asked by a first-year student, “What does being a Lute mean to you?” To me, being a Lute means caring–caring about thoughtful inquiry, caring about service, caring about leadership, caring about other people, caring about community, and caring about the earth. …