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…
“My Indigeneity shapes the way I walk in the world”: Paradise Gladstone’s story
Paradise Gladstone ’25 nearly dropped out to become a mortician. That wasn’t the plan when she started at PLU, but between helping raise her younger siblings, working over 30 hours a week, and juggling 16-credit semesters, the idea of switching paths crossed her mind more…
“Aha moments are pure joy” — Steph Smithingell’s journey to becoming a teacher
For 14 years, Steph Smithingell ’25 ran an in-home childcare and preschool, building a community of curious, active, joyful kids. Now, as a soon-to-be PLU graduate, she’ll bring those experiences to her new career path as an elementary school teacher. Steph is an education major…
LeBron Smith’s game-changing experiences at PLU and beyond
LeBron Smith ’25 has spent his time at PLU making career moves. LeBron’s a big sports fan and hopes to capitalize on that passion with a future in sports administration. Through support from PLU and a lot of hard work, LeBron was invited to participate…