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About Bjug Day

This year marks the eighth annual Bjug Day of Giving, inspired by PLU’s bearded founder, the Rev. Bjug Harstad. Gifts of any size can be made to any area of PLU and, thanks to a generous group of Loyal Lutes, will be matched with a gift to student scholarships.

Bjug Day Goals

Last year, PLU raised $1,062,783 through 1,807 amazing donors. Our first Bjug Day EVER which raised over $1 million!

This year we’ve set a goal of 2,021+ donors. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Your support as a SociaLute will help us get there!

The matching pool for student scholarships this year is expected to be $400,000 and will be released in stages throughout Bjug Day to maintain momentum. The goal is to raise at least $400,000 in additional donations so we can leverage the full match — but of course, we want to do even more! With your help, we’ll go well beyond!

Who is Bjug — and how do I say that?

Bjug is pronounced “B-yooG” (not “b-Jug”)
Bjug Day is named after PLU’s intrepid bearded founder, the Rev. Bjug Harstad, who went to the Yukon in 1898 in the hopes of bringing back gold to help the university.
As we all are, Bjug was a complex person of intersectional identities (an immigrant, from a working-class family, a settler). Bjug Day celebrates and takes inspiration from the commitment our founder showed to PLU and PLU students — a commitment we can all show today.
You are encouraged to make Bjug Day your own: What does commitment to PLU mean to you today? What do you love most about PLU?

What's with the beards?

The optional digital and paper beards you’ll receive are modeled on Bjug’s.
The beards are just one fun way to be part of Bjug Day and wearing one is entirely optional.
If you like, you can wear the Bjug beard as-is or customize it to make it your own.

Questions? Reach out to Teddy Wingo, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, at twingo@plu.edu or 253-535-7447.