A family with a “Bjug” legacy of giving and service
“Our place in this world is to be of service to other people,” notes Eric Watness, a descendant of PLU’s founder and first President, Rev. Bjug Harstad. Bjug is also the namesake of Bjug Day , PLU’s day of giving, which started in 2013 and…
PLU Welcomes the Class of 2028: Trailblazers
As Pacific Lutheran University welcomes the Class of 2028, the university celebrates not just a new academic year but a new generation of students defined by the spirit of innovation, resilience, and transformation. The Admission staff has dubbed this cohort “Trailblazers” due to their distinctive…
Big Questions, Complex Answers: Lorelei Juntunen ’97 drives public policy across the West Coast
Growing up in a small town in Idaho, Lorelei Juntunen ’97 had not spent much time in cities. But when she moved to Parkland to attend PLU, she suddenly had access not only to local cities like Tacoma and Seattle, but also to cities across…
Spiritual Care: Professor Erik Hammerstrom listens and learns during a sabbatical year spent as a hospital chaplain
Global studies and religion professor Erik Hammerstrom has spent his career researching and teaching about the history of Chinese Buddhism. He’s a quintessential teacher, beloved by students for leading engaging discussions, his imaginative project assignments, and planning field trips to nearby temples. It’s hard to…
All flourishing is mutual
Merriam-Webster defines “flourishing” as marked by vigorous and healthy growth. Sounds lovely! Who doesn’t like vigorous and healthy growth? There is a lot to like in this definition, but I think the way we often think about flourishing misses something essential. Flourishing is a significant…
Modernizing Mental Health
PLU professor and psychology department chair Tiffany Artime and her collaborator from Wellesley College Centers for Women are leading a team of researchers and stakeholders who envision a future where evidence-based trauma treatments are integrated into university counseling services, empowering students to thrive. Artime and…
A Will to Lead: Sue Loiland and Jennie Griek ’02 join PLU’s planned giving team
While not new to PLU, Sue Loiland (parent of a 2012 graduate) and Jennie Griek have recently joined the planned giving team, bringing with them extensive experience in major gifts. Planned giving allows donors to make impactful contributions through their estate plans or financial strategies,…
Three students share how scholarships support them in their pursuit to make the world better than how they found it
During the 2023-2024 academic year, 2,345 students received PLU-funded aid, with the average PLU student receiving $37,036 in scholarships. Through scholarship support, donors are part of a network of care that supports students in pursuing their educational goals, unlocking their full potential, and becoming leaders…
Student-athletes Nasier Ford ’24, La’akea Ane ’24, and Jesse Canda ’24 utilize communication capstone to boost mental health awareness
The PLU capstone project is a meaningful culmination of a student’s academic journey at PLU. It offers students a chance to embrace complexity and ask tough questions. In a display of remembrance and advocacy, Nasier Ford ’24, La’akea Ane ’24, and Jesse Canda ’24 opened…
PLU introduces new data science major to meet growing demand in data-driven economy
PLU officials recently announced the launch of a new data science major, which will commence this fall semester. This strategic addition responds to the escalating interest among undergraduates in coursework dedicated to data science and analytics. The highly collaborative mathematics and computer science departments will…
Elijah Paez ’24 developed passions for environmental justice, mathematics and bird watching during his PLU years
Elijah Paez ’24 is a double major in environmental studies and mathematics . While at PLU, he founded Birders of PLU , served as a Peace Scholar , and studied abroad in Oxford, England, and Oslo, Norway. We recently met with Paez to learn more…
PLU’s Wang Center Symposium to explore “The Matter of Loneliness: Building Connections for Collective Well-Being”
The 11th Biennial Wang Center symposium, “ The Matter of Loneliness: Building Connections for Collective Well-Being ,” will be held at Pacific Lutheran University on March 7-8. Hosted by PLU’s Wang Center for Global and Community-Engaged Education , the two-day conference will bring together academics,…