What Does "Lutheran" Mean?

We run into a lot of confusion about our name at PLU. People see "Lutheran" and jump to conclusions. Here are some things that you might not know about us:

• We are proud of our Lutheran heritage. It is the base upon which we build our commitment to academic quality and our understanding that success in life includes service to others.
• The open-minded pursuit of truth-wherever it leads us- is key to a Lutheran approach to education. It is something you should ask about when you visit campus.
• You do not need to be Lutheran to go to school here. You will fit in just fine. Just over one-third of our freshmen say they are Lutheran. About the same number are of other protestant denominations. About 6 percent say they are Catholic and 16 percent report no religious affiliation.
• There is no required chapel at PLU, but there are many opportunities to practice your faith or explore the faith of others. There are regular Lutheran church and chapel services on campus as well as many other events and activities for Lutheran and non-Lutheran students, many sponsored by Campus Ministry.
• You do need to take two religion classes to meet your general university requirements. Religious studies are part of any well-rounded liberal arts education.