Mason Taylor-Wells ’27 supports patient recovery through internship at MultiCare’s Tacoma General Hospital
Biology major and pre-med student Mason Taylor-Wells ’27 spent his summer helping patients take their first steps after major medical events. “ I’ve had patients cry tears of joy because they’re able to stand (with some help) again. I can’t think of a better way…
Rainier Adaptive Sports advocates for access and equity, finding partnership with PLU
One of professor Charlie Katica ’s favorite memories is walking into a gym buzzing with energy — 20 kids in sport chairs practicing basketball, surrounded by more than 100 parents, coaches, and volunteers. “These athletes are a part of my family, and I am part…
After experiencing PLU’s “Community of Care” first-hand, PJ Morales ’25 strives to reciprocate that care to local high school students.
PJ Morales ‘25 comes from a small town on Maui named Lahaina. Although she loves her island, PJ realized that the “small island life” wasn’t for her and began to look for colleges in the continental United States. When her admissions counselor, fellow Filipino Brandon…
Zari Warden’s ’25 PLU journey leads to an interdisciplinary tapestry of creativity and advocacy
Zari Warden ’25 arrived at PLU as a vocal performance major ready to pursue a career in music. However, her journey quickly took a transformative turn, one that would redefine not only her academic path but also her sense of identity and purpose. “I came…
Olivia Tate: Interdisciplinary scholar, advocate, and future nurse scientist
When Olivia Tate ’25 tells people she’s triple majoring in nursing , religion , and Native American and Indigenous studies — with a Peace Corps prep minor — the usual response is one of confusion and curiosity. But for Olivia, those reactions confirm that she’s…
2025 grad Lydia Downs wins prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Thailand
Lydia Downs ’25, a Master of Arts in Education student at Pacific Lutheran University, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award to serve as an English teaching assistant in Thailand during the 2025–2026 academic year. Lydia, who previously earned her undergraduate degrees in global…
Stories Matter: Lydia Downs ’25 helps students connect, reflect, and grow
At the heart of Lydia Downs’ ’25 PLU journey is a simple but potent belief: stories matter. Lydia knows that stories shape who we are and who we might become. “Literature lets us step into lives different from our own,” Lydia says. “It helps build…
PLU alumni join King Harald V in Oslo to celebrate 200 years of Norwegian-American history
PLU alums recently gathered in Oslo, Norway, for a historic celebration marking 200 years of Norwegian immigration to North America. For the Lute community, this gathering was a unique opportunity to reconnect and foster a profound sense of shared identity and belonging among alums spanning…
Exploring the PLU Archives
South Sound Magazine interviewed Pacific Lutheran University’s archivist and special collections librarian, Lauren Loftis, and digital preservation specialist, Josh Smith, about PLU’s history and their favorite “historical nuggets.”
PLU’s choral ensembles head to Europe for their 2025 international tour
PLU’s choral ensembles head to Europe for their 2025 international tour since 2019! From May 25th to June 7th, 71 students from Choir of the West , University Chorale , University Singers, and Knights Chorus will travel to Switzerland and Italy to perform songs of…
Student-athlete Ashley Akamine ’25 makes data part of the game
For Ashley Akamine ‘25, college was never going to be about choosing one path. “Seeing how two different aspects of my life — athletics and computer science — come together in meaningful ways has been both exciting and rewarding,” says Ashley, who’s finishing up her…