Kaylee's Favorite Quote

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Deuteronomy 31:6

This Bible verse was the first Bible verse I was ever introduced to by my friends at church. It quickly became my life’s motto. I am often taken out of my comfort zone, and it’s a great reminder to trust God and be courageous in all I do whether it be for church, school, friends or family.

Meet Kaylee

One of 3,067 PLU students supported by donors like you!

Kaylee Bauer Fast Facts

  • Hometown: Puyallup and Snohomish, WA
  • Class Year: 2018
  • Majors: English and Hispanic Studies
  • Scholarship Received: PLU Women’s Club Scholarship and Faculty Scholarship
  • Favorite Spots on Campus: In a hammock behind Ordal, hanging out in the Diversity Center or at Campus Ministry
  • Extracurricular Activities: English Honor Society and Creative Writing Club
  • Current Job: Supervisor in the Tutoring Center at Pierce College
  • Free-time Activities: Hammocking and cooking for small groups at her off-campus house

What PLU Has Been for Me

Honestly, PLU wasn’t even on my radar, but my best friend was going to a Lute OverKnight — that’s when high schoolers stay in the dorms and tour the school — and she insisted I go with her.

That visit changed everything for me. Well… that and the scholarship offer I received from PLU. During Lute OverKnight, I stayed in Harstad Hall and saw what a strong community it was. I sat in on a Renaissance Lit class. I was so impressed with my campus tour guide. It was amazing.

Once I arrived as an enrolled student, I realized the sense of community I saw as a visitor was a reality. My first year, I lived in Ordal and hung out with friends all the time, playing spoons, walking en masse to dinner together. I got close with the professors in my department, who were all so easy to talk with, and with faculty from other areas. The close relationship between faculty and students feels like something you couldn’t get anywhere else.

That’s not to say it’s always been easy. I came to PLU as a transfer student, and it was a big change — one of the loneliest times in my life to start. I remember a distinct time when I was feeling especially lonely walking back to my dorm from the gym. I passed Lagerquist and could hear the band practicing and the HERmonics vocal group. I decided to just lay down in the outdoor amphitheater beside the building and listen. It was a real turning point for me when I recognized how blessed I was to be at PLU. Where else could I have an experience like that? I felt really blessed and like I really turned a corner in that moment.

This year, I’m living off-campus and have started two small groups, a Christian small group and a small group for writers. It’s another great chance to connect and get to know people over big family-style dinners. If I hadn’t received scholarship support, I wouldn’t be able to do that because I’d probably have to be working in the evenings too. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here.

It’s really been fun to be part of a full-circle experience at PLU. Last year, when I was living in Ordal, I hosted  a couple of freshmen for Lute OverKnight and shared my experience with them. And guess what? They came to PLU! At the start of this school year, I went to visit their dorm rooms. It’s been so rewarding to feel like I can be a mentor to them as they become part of the Lute family.

What's Next?

Once I graduate in the fall of 2018, I want to travel and teach. I’m currently looking into opportunities with the PeaceCorps and at teaching English to speakers of other languages. Eventually, I’ll probably want to get my masters in teaching.

No matter what comes next after PLU, I’m so glad to know that I have classmates and professors that I’ll want to stay in touch with for the rest of my life!

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