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What will you do with your one wild and precious life?

December 1, 2009

What will you do with your one wild and precious life?

PLU is a little different from most universities. You can see it everyday on campus – in the classroom, in the residence halls, on the athletic fields. PLU students have a uniquely broad idea of what it means to be successful. A lot of that has to do with our Lutheran heritage. Students are asked to wrestle with issues of value throughout their studies so that they develop the skills and sensibilities to be successful human beings, living lives in service to others. For us, success means developing both a deep understanding of your possible role in the world and the tools necessary to benefit the world around you.

For instance, that’s what these nine 2009 graduates did – upon graduation, they signed-up with Americorps to work in the schools, community centers and churches of Tacoma. Their common goal? To build community and make Tacoma a better place. “We all have a calling to serve the communities surrounding us,” said Tyler Crabe. They are not the only ones. On the following pages, meet other PLU graduates who believe that tackling the day’s issues, big and small is what university life is all about. They have asked themselves the question posed by poet Mary Oliver: “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”

How about you?

Aspire – Isaiah Johnson ’96

“I want students to be able to…”

Volunteer – Guy Jensen ’08

“Dropping people off at the hospital…”

Listen – Joyce Barr ’76

“I keep my mind open…”

Outreach – Matt Kennedy ’07

“I left the country feeling…”

Human Rights – Ingrid Ford ’97

“I don’t care where you live…”

Freedoms – Jennifer Henrichsen ’07

“When I’m in a press conference at the U.N….”

Affect – Dr. Bill Foege ’57

“Give quality work throughout your lives…”

Care – Eric Pfaff ’09

“PLU grads are really needed…”