2021 Homecoming & Family Week Event Schedule
Welcome to the 2021 Homecoming & Family Week Schedule of Events! You can find all our in-person and virtual events below. If you can’t make it to campus, whip up a batch of famous PLU scones at home!
The registration for most of the events are on one form. If the event has a separate registration, it will be directly under the event. Not all events require registration. If any in-person event is cancelled, registrants will be refunded in full.
Tuesday, Sept. 28
Rock the Vote (In-person)
Get jazzed about voting and civic engagement by joining the Lute Vote team on National Voter Registration Day in Red Square. There will be live music, inspiring speakers, games, and local organizations to provide voter education and help get Lutes registered to vote.
4 – 7 p.m. – Red Square
Athletic Lute Zone (Virtual)
Lute Zone (Virtual)
Join us for this athletic session with the new Athletic Director, Mike Snyder! Mike will moderate a panel of coaches as they share what excites them about their teams this year. Coaches Kevin Aoki (volleyball), Traci Barrett (softball), Brant McAdams (football), and Chad Murray (men’s basketball) will be on the panel.
6 – 7 p.m. PT
Trivia Night (Virtual)
Trivia Night!
Get your team together and compete virtually against Lutes from all over the globe in our virtual Trivia Night! We’ve brought in a professional trivia company to deliver their time tested virtual trivia experience for a night of guaranteed fun! Compete for glory, knowledge, and of course, prizes!
7 – 8:30 p.m. PT
Food Drive
MESA-Giving Food Drive
MESA works to support underrepresented students achieving and contributing their full potential in mathematics, engineering and science. Tacoma/South Puget Sounds MESA invites you to participate in our food drive from September 7th – November 18th to support our MESA families in need. Please bring canned food to the registration table in the AUC or to the donation box in front of the MESA office (Morken 159).
Wednesday, Sept. 29
Coffee Hour & Chapel (In-person)
Community Coffee Hour and Chapel Moment
Come to Red Square/Tent for FREE coffee/tea (sponsored by Student Activity Resource Fee), thoughtful conversation, and a brief Chapel moment (10:40-10:50am) centered around our theme of Connect. Campus Ministry/Chapel Break info.
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. – Red Square
Paint & Party! (Virtual)
Come together through a virtual paint night to explore your creative sides. This will be hosted live by a fun instructor, with step-by-step painting guidance provided. You will socialize, laugh, “show and tell,” and finish with a fine piece of personal expression! No art experience is necessary. Just bring yourself, a great attitude, and an appetite for a new experience!” Supplies will be mailed to all participants. The Paint & Party is now closed. $35 each.
5:30 – 7 p.m. PT
Global Education @ PLU (Virtual)
Global Education @ PLU
Learn about study away and other globally focused opportunities available to students and the resources available to enhance their PLU education and prepare them for success in their pursuit of post-graduate opportunities.
7 – 8 p.m. PT
Thursday, Sept. 30
Pursuing a Meaningful Life (Virtual)
More than my sweet little bliss:
Pursuing a meaningful life in the midst of a pandemic
Explore PLU’s distinctive understanding of vocation and how that view gives meaning and purpose to the lives of students and alumni. Dr. Samuel Torvend (PLU ’73, and Director of External Relations in the Center for Vocation) invites participants to have a drink in hand for Happy Hour. This engaging presentation will have plenty of time for conversation and questions. 5 – 6 p.m. PT
Presidential Town Hall (Virtual)
Presidential Town Hall
President Allan Belton and Provost Joanna Gregson will discuss returning to campus, PLU’s commitment to caring for our community, and other updates. Register early and submit a question on the registration form for Allan or Joanna to answer!
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PT
Friday, Oct. 1
Friday Prayers (In-person)
Friday Prayers
This Chapel time is a partnership between PLU and Trinity Lutheran Church and is a gathering of people from a variety of faiths and spiritualities. Come to Red Square/Tent to engage various individual prayer opportunities including our labyrinth and praying for the world, as well as praying with others. We’ll gather from 10:40-10:50am for spoken and sung community prayer centered around world events and interfaith holidays. Campus Ministry/Chapel Break info
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. – Red Square
Athletic Hall of Fame Lunch (In-person)
Athletic Hall of Fame Lunch
The athletic department will induct five individuals and two varsity crews into the Hall of Fame.
Registration Required | $20
Reception 11 a.m. Program and Lunch 11:30 a.m.
Chris Knutzen Hall in the Anderson University Center
(In-person & Virtual)
The Effects of China’s High-Speed Rail on Inter-Industry & Geographic Wage Dispersion (In-person & livestreamed)
Dr. Eric Stuen, PLU Alumni and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Idaho, will present his paper which discusses China’s high-speed rail system. Professor Stuen’s research focuses include immigration, knowledge spillovers, regional economic development, & wine markets. Space is limited. Register early! 2 – 3 p.m. PT – Nordquist Lecture Hall – Xavier Hall, 201
Trauma-Focused Treatment for College Students (Virtual)
Dr. Tiffany Artime, Associate Professor of Psychology and licensed clinical psychologist, shares her recent research focused on improving trauma-focused treatment for college students. Using a unique research design that engaged stakeholders from PLU and the University of Washington in a collaboration to review, adapt, and plan implementation of an evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for college students.
3 – 4 p.m. PT
Class of 1970 & 1971 50th Reunion (In-person)
Class of 1970 & 1971
Lutes in the Class of 1970 and 1971 are invited to a celebration marking 50+ years since graduating from PLU! Join your classmates and remember your college days!
Begins at 5 p.m. – Scandinavian Cultural Center, Anderson University Center
Make ’em Laugh (In-person)
Make ’em Laugh: a musical revue
A hilarious evening of comedic songs performed by PLU’s brightest talents!
Director: Jeff Clapp and Caylin Morrison
Music Director: Zachary Kellogg
Choreographer: Sarah Seder
7:30 p.m. – Eastvold Auditorium
Saturday, Oct. 2
Lute Family Brunch (In-person)
Lute Family Brunch
Current PLU students and their families are invited to a breakfast on campus! President Allan Belton, Provost Dr. Joanna Gregson, and Vice President for Student Life Dr. Joanna Royce-Davis will share updates. Register early to submit a question for them to answer! $10 per person (Don’t forget to get a ticket for your PLU student!) Space is limited – registration early.
10 – 11 a.m. – Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
Football Game (In-person)
PLU vs. George Fox
(in-person & livestreamed)
Wear your black and gold and cheer on the Lutes as they take on George Fox! Ticket prices vary.
1:00 p.m. – Sparks Stadium
601 7th Ave, Puyallup
PLU on Tap (In-person)
PLU on Tap
Join us in person as we continue the PLU on Tap tradition with Lute producers of beer, wine and cider. Appetizers will be served. Space is limited – register early!
7 – 9 p.m. – Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
Make ’em Laugh (In-person)
Make ’em Laugh: a musical revue
A hilarious evening of comedic songs performed by PLU’s brightest talents!
Director: Jeff Clapp and Caylin Morrison
Music Director: Zachary Kellogg
Choreographer: Sarah Seder
7:30 p.m. – Eastvold Auditorium
Sunday, Oct. 3
Sunday worship (In-person)
Sunday Worship at Trinity Lutheran
The Lute community is invited to join Trinity Lutheran for their Sunday Worship.
Masks are required.
12115 Park Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444
10 – 11 a.m.
Golden Club Reception (In-person)
Golden Club Reception (In-person)
Class of 1971 and earlier
Free – registration required.
UCong (In-person)
University Congregation
The student worshiping community at PLU, gathers each Sunday evening in the Ness Family Chapel for worship, study, community, stories, and communion, followed by a shared meal in the PLU Commons. University Congregation Info
5 – 6 p.m. – Ness Family Chapel and the Commons
The health and safety of our campus community remains our utmost priority. As a result, new guidelines have been approved for all Homecoming-related events that include external guests (those without a PLU ID):
- All guests must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination (original vaccination card, photo on phone or a paper copy are all acceptable) or proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the start time prior to entry into each event. Those younger than 12 are excluded from this requirement.
- Mask wearing is required indoors for all attendees throughout the entire event, except when actively eating or drinking. Masks will be required outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
PLU community members (those with a PLU ID) are exempt from showing additional proof of vaccination status since these have already been submitted and reviewed.