Photo Gallery
Alumni of the Benson Summer Research program gather to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the fellowship with Dr. Dale E. Benson and Dr. Michael Halvorson (October 2025). Professor Halvorson also delivered the 18th Benson Lecture, entitled “Einstein’s Blackboard: Struggles with Communication in the History of Innovation.”
History Department Faculty Mike Halvorson, Beth Griech-Polelle, Gina Hames, and Rebekah Mergenthal (2024-2025)
During Summer 2024, History major Katherine Gunter (right) received a Benson Research Fellowship with Professor Rebekah Mergenthal to study business and Pacific Northwest History. Her project was entitled “You Must Attend The ‘No On 9’ Ballot Measure Business Breakfast: Alliances between Queer Activists and Portland Businesses in the Defeat of Oregon Ballot Measure 9.”
The History department’s Kurt Mayer Chair Beth Griech-Polelle speaks with students and community members about the “tough questions” raised by the Holocaust (PLU campus, 2022)
The Spring 2022 History capstone class (Hist 499) with Professor Halvorson.
History students and faculty celebrate the end of the 2018-2019 academic year.
Sven Beckert of Harvard University delivers the 2019 Dale E. Benson Lecture to History students and the PLU community.
Happy History majors celebrate completing their Spring 2018 capstone presentations to enthusiastic audiences. From left to right, front row, Kayla Abler, Alicia Sprague, Siobhan Flanagan, and Rachel Watkins; back row, Molly Munsterman, Michael Diambri, Kate Wiley.
In April, 2018, senior History majors Alex Lund (left) and Michael Diambri (right) presented their Benson Student/Faculty Summer Research projects at the Northern California Regional Phi Alpha Theta conference.
The Fall 2017 History 499 Capstone class (left to right) in Xavier Hall: Rachel Friedland, Courtney Olsen, Victoria Rendt, Damian Alessandro, Owen Brenno, Allie Lacombe, and Teresa Hackler. Photo: Halvorson
In October 2017, PLU alum Brad Tilden (1983) engaged with History, Business, and Philosophy students at the 13th Dale E. Benson lecture in Business and Economic History. Over 400 students and community members gathered for the event, and a panel of faculty experts joined Tilden to discuss the impact of the airline industry on human societies, the economy, and the environment.
A selection of History majors and faculty enjoy the sun after the annual History party, May 19, 2017. Congratulations, graduates! Photo: Halvorson
Spring 2017 History of Technology class in front of Xavier Hall
Professor Gina Hames leads a group of History students to Bolivia. The History department typically offers a study-abroad trip each J-term.
PLU History majors and friends hike Mt. Rainier’s Wonderland Trail, Sept. 2016.
A happy selection of senior History majors in Xavier Hall, May 2016–
Professor Halvorson plays Martin Luther as President Krise takes a selfie. 499th Anniversary of the Reformation, October 31, 2016, Anderson University Center. Students were asked “What would you reform today?”
A group of celebrating History graduates with faculty, May 2015. Show off your diploma!
History faculty at 2016 Graduation. Wayne Carp and Neal Sobania’s last before retirement.
Faculty at Graduation 2015 – Bob Ericksen’s last before retiring,
