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…
Karen Marquez ’22 aspires to help her community through her studies
Karen Marquez ‘22 is a senior social work major with minors in Hispanic studies and criminal justice. Marquez is a heritage speaker of Spanish, and has a deep love for languages, culture, and diversity. She hopes to use her degree and the skills she is…
Musician turned math major is excited to teach in his community
Kevin Canady-Pete ’22 has a history with the Pacific Lutheran University campus. He grew up down the street, just a couple of miles from the university. The Franklin Pierce High School graduate came to PLU intending to pursue a music education major. While he enjoyed…
Nick Etzell ‘23 helps peers find their calling
Nick Etzell ‘23 is a double major in psychology and environmental studies at Pacific Lutheran University, with minors in philosophy, business, and innovation studies. In his time at PLU, he has been involved with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation as both a vocation intern…
Education major gives back to Parkland community
When Kaila Harris ’24 received her PLU acceptance letter, it was a special moment for her and her family. Upon its arrival, Harris read the letter, which included the contents of her financial aid package, aloud to her parents. “When I finished, my dad stood…
Meet some Rieke Scholars
PLU Rieke Scholars talk about what it’s like to advocate for diversity, social justice, and sustainability in their communities. Keep reading to learn more about the program and how you can become a Rieke Scholar.
How the PLU community is addressing mental health
Walk across campus and you can see the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic everywhere. Masks on faces, signs reminding you to wash your hands, restrictions on classrooms and more. But the pandemic hasn’t just caused physical changes, but also unexpected mental challenges. And that is…
Hear from ASPLU Leadership
ASPLU President Cece Chan ’23 and Vice President Naomi Atnafu ’23 share their experience of being the first women of color to lead PLU’s Associated Students of Pacific Lutheran University.
Global Studies major pursues medical school to support health equity
While at PLU, Margaret Chell ’18 decided to join the Peace Corps after a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer visited her global development class. She was excited about the idea of putting her global studies major to work to help others. In March of 2020, she…
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