Isaiah Banken ’21 paves the way to medical excellence from PLU to UW School of Medicine
Meet Isaiah Banken, a ’21 graduate who set his sights on a career in medicine. With a B.S. in biology and a minor in mathematics from PLU, Isaiah began exploring diverse medical opportunities near his hometown of Wenatchee, WA. From being a compassionate force in…
Computer Science major lands job at Netflix
During his senior year, computer science major Adrian Ronquillo ’22 filled out 203 job applications. Despite already having a job offer from a tech company he was interning with, he wanted to see what other opportunities were available to him. One of those applications included…
PLU alum returns to Namibia to research infections and teach marimba
Biology major Elizabeth Larios ’21 was awarded a Fullbright scholarship for her work in Namibia. When she was in fourth grade, Larios wanted to be a neurosurgeon. That’s when her class took a field trip to a science museum and Larios saw an exhibit about…
Communications major lands job helping to create an equitable education
Kate Hall ’17 remembers the job interview that landed her in a communications role at ESD 113. It was memorable — but not necessarily in a good way. “I was so nervous,” she remembers. “My internet died during the Zoom interview.” She was prepared to…
Alum combines passion for art and community with Tacoma Creates
Clarissa Gines was one of the first students to graduate with PLU’s art history undergraduate degree in 2012. It wasn’t easy—she had a child during her senior year, and juggled parenthood with schoolwork and an internship at a Seattle-based art gallery. She then worked as…
PLU alum takes leadership role as Tacoma’s chief equity officer
As far back as middle school, others noticed Lisa Woods’ quiet strength and power of observation. “My demeanor is to listen, hear people and see people,” she says. “I’ve developed that over time, but I’ve always been the listener in the room and not necessarily…
Sarah Saavedra ’22 shares her experience as a first-gen college student
Sarah Saavedra ’22 is a social work major with a minor in psychology and a certificate in Peace Corps Prep. The Auburn resident is the first in her family to go to college. She credits her many scholarships for navigating college as a first-year student.…
Makaela Whalen ’23 pursues newly launched pre-law minor
Makaela Whalen ’23 has a passion for the environment and animals. Her desire to find a meaningful vocation that feeds those passions resulted in her pursuing a degree in either environmental or animal law. “As long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to…
The Head in the Game: Q&A with PLU Coach Goes Inside the Mind of an Athlete
Zach Willis ’19 earned a BA in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness promotion and minored in sport and exercise psychology while playing on the football team at Pacific Lutheran University. Last year he returned to the university to serve as the football…
Lutes Participate in Alumni Job Shadow Program
Pacific Lutheran University’s Lute Job Shadow Program is an opportunity for current students to connect with alumni working in their chosen careers. The Alumni and Student Connections Office do a great job of connecting students to alums who are working in the field they are…
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