The Night Shift: Late-night summer research at Keck Observatory
Upstairs, they work beneath the observatory dome. Downstairs, they analyze data, troubleshoot problems, and build the kind of camaraderie that only comes from chasing answers together late into the night. This summer’s research projects tackle two big questions: What can the structure of spiral galaxies…
Smarter submarines: How generative AI is rewriting the rules of marine exploration
Scientists are building artificial intelligence that gives these underwater explorers the autonomy to navigate the planet’s most unpredictable and dangerous currents entirely on their own. At the forefront of this digital frontier is PLU Associate Professor of Computer Science Jeff Caley, students Ember McEwen ’27,…
Calvin Fisk ’26 is rethinking how cities meet the environment
Calvin Fisk ’26 doesn’t talk about the environment as something separate from daily life. For him, it’s embedded in the systems people build, and it’s often overlooked. An earth science major with a minor in environmental studies , Fisk has spent his time at PLU…
PLU launches new Master of Science in Cybersecurity program
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) has officially launched its Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCY), a rigorous graduate program designed to meet growing demand for skilled digital defenders. The need for cybersecurity professionals is rising rapidly as organizations and businesses across every sector work to protect…
“I see parts of me in them”: Ashawnaleigh Bicoy on teaching and connection
Ashawnaleigh Bicoy’s home island of Molokaʻi is tiny. “Like, 32 miles long and 4,000 residents. No street lights, no fast food, only family-owned businesses,” she says. In many ways, Molokai is where the seeds of her vocation were planted, beginning with inspirational teachers and a…
PLU alum Jerilynn Harris ’08 earns statewide music education award
For Jerilynn Harris ’08, music is a vehicle for a lot of things, like empowerment, play, challenge, and reflection. As a teacher, they make space for all sides of music in their classroom. “I’d say we’ve got a pretty good balance between laughing and locking…
The how and why: Vincent Le’s applied physics path at PLU
Senior Vincent Le ’26 sums up applied physics in a nutshell: “You can think of it as the study of how objects physically interact in the universe. Things physically happen for a reason, my major studies the how and why.” After completing his contract as…
“I feel like a completely different person”: Meghan Buchanan ’26 looks back on her time at PLU
Meghan Buchanan ’26 didn’t always see herself as a math person. “I actually haven’t always liked math. In fact, I hated it until high school. The stereotypes you hear about a kid in tears while their dad is trying to help them with math homework?…
Making support easier to find: Adrian Restrepo’s ’26 capstone creates campus-wide impact
Before it became a campus-wide project, the idea was simple: make it easier for students to find support when they need it. For communications major Adrian Restrepo ’26, that idea turned into a senior capstone project to support PLU’s Wellbeing Services and Resources (WSR) –…
How future physical therapist Haley Goto ’26 keeps herself and others moving forward
Before talking about achievements or next steps, Haley Goto ’26 foregrounds the people who made her journey possible. “I am most thankful for my parents who have never stopped supporting me and are always there on call,” Haley says. “To my friends, teammates, coaches, and…
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…