Three pillars: How service, identity, and community shape social work senior Eric Canel ‘26
When asked what brought him back to school after his military career, Eric Canel ’26 remembers having clarity around his next step. “After serving in the Army, I wanted to continue serving in a different way. Returning to school gave me the opportunity to turn…
A Heart for Heritage: Walking Through Ed Larson’s PLU
The PLU known to many generations of Lutes was significantly shaped by Ed Larson ’57. According to Doug Page — the successor to Larson as PLU’s Executive Director of Gift Planning — Larson’s own journey to PLU started with a $1000 scholarship that helped pay…
PLU Receives Teagle Foundation Grant to launch “Transformative Text Scholars” pilot program for Tacoma and Pierce County high school students
PLU faculty have received a grant from the Teagle Foundation to run a Pilot Program in the Summer of 2026, intended for underserved high school students in the Tacoma and Pierce County areas. The pilot program, developed by Adam Arnold (Philosophy/IHON), Carmiña Palerm (Hispanic and…
Empowering Coaches: PLU kinesiology receives $900,000 grant from Names Family Foundation
Pacific Lutheran University’s Department of Kinesiology has been awarded a three-year, $900,000 grant from the Names Family Foundation to expand and strengthen youth sport coach education across Pierce County. The grant will support the development of a dynamic, evidence-based coach education platform designed to meet…
Alumni Phillip Simpson inducted into Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame
PLU Alumni Phillip Simpson was inducted into the Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame following decades of service and student mentorship. After graduating from PLU, Simpson went on to teach for over four decades, nearly three of which were at Kennewick School District.
PLU’s Mentoring Program: Built on connection and care
When students talk about the PLU Mentoring Program , they often describe one thing first: the sense of being seen and guided by someone who is there to champion their growth. Recent mentee Jack Helt ’24 shares, “It was very meaningful to have someone invested…
PLU introduces new Master of Education program with first cohort beginning Summer 2026
Pacific Lutheran University will welcome the first cohort of students into its new Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Summer 2026, offering a flexible pathway for educators and community professionals looking to grow their expertise and expand their impact. Designed with working professionals in mind,…
The many worlds of Ashley Lopez Mora ’26
Some of Ashley’s transformation happened in classrooms. Much of it happened in residence halls, with fellow student leaders and musicians, or while lobbying as a student advocate in Olympia. And an incredible amount happened far beyond campus, in five separate study away programs that stretched…
“I was constantly in awe”: Inside the transformative Oslo study away program at PLU
When Delaney McFarland ’28 thinks back on her semester in Norway, one feeling stands out above the rest. “Norway is an amazing country in many ways…but more beautiful are the people and institutions that protect the strong values embedded in the culture.” For Delaney, a…
Caden Ankrom ’25 designs his path to success
Caden Ankrom ’25 has designed everything from clothes and posters to billboards and train wraps. As a student worker on the Marketing & Communications team at PLU for the last two and a half years, he has created industry-grade designs. Finding a creative home at…
Senior Carmen Kiewert ‘26 goes all-in on business, competition, and connection at PLU
When Carmen Kiewert arrived at PLU as a transfer student, she was searching for a place where she could grow academically, professionally, and personally. She found all three. “I chose PLU for a variety of reasons, and I’m really happy with my decision to transfer,”…