PLU Receives $11,000 Grant for Tacoma/South Puget Sound MESA Program
Pacific Lutheran University has been awarded another grant from School’s Out Washington and the Washington State Department of Commerce to be used toward the Tacoma/South Puget Sound MESA program. The $11,000 grant comes from the Washington Youth Development Nonprofit Relief Fund. The MESA program prioritizes…
PLU launches Internship Fund to create equitable opportunities for students
During her senior year at PLU, Chloe Willburn ‘21 wanted to intern with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. As a social work major, Willburn believed that the experience gained from working alongside DCYF would benefit not only her but her future…
Teaching in the Pandemic: How Three Teachers Made the Best of an Unprecedented Time
High school choir and guitar teacher Alonso Brizuela ’14 was in Spokane at a national choral directors conference in mid-March of 2020. Just a day and half days into events, the conference shut down early—due to a mysterious new illness that had arrived in the…
Meet Mike Snyder, PLU’s New Director of Athletics and Recreation
Pacific Lutheran University and President Allan Belton are excited to announce Mike Snyder as the new Director of Athletics and Recreation, following a national search. “I’m thrilled to welcome Mike to the Lute family,” said Belton. “He brings proven experience and an exciting vision for…
Q&A with Biology Major Brandon Nguyen ’21
Brandon Nguyen ’21 was born in Hawaii and moved to Washington with his family when he was a child and has lived in the Pacific Northwest ever since. Nguyen shares how he became interested in biology and why he chose PLU for his studies. 1.…
John Evanishyn ‘21 studied environmental science on campus—and in France and Costa Rica—during his four years at PLU
John Evanishyn ‘21 grew up in Tacoma, exploring Point Defiance Park, Ruston Way waterfront and other urban green spaces. By high school, he had learned enough from his dad to become a skilled forager, someone who knew his capstones from his shaggy ink caps. (Those…
PLU professors and students dive deep into the psychology of the pandemic
As the world was beginning to realize the enormity of COVID-19, two Pacific Lutheran University professors seized the 2020 moment to do significant research into the psychology of the pandemic. PLU Department of Psychology Chair Jon Grahe and his Statistics 232 students conducted a U.S.…
PLU announces plans for virtual spring commencement 2021
Pacific Lutheran University is making plans to hold two virtual commencement ceremonies in late May: one for the Class of 2021 and one for the Class of 2020. The Class of 2021 ceremony will be held on May 29 at 11:00 a.m., and the Class…
The Room Where It Happens: PLU Nursing Majors Help Community Members Take Their Shot
On a chilly February morning, cars packed the parking lot of the Pacific Lutheran University Olson Fieldhouse. There was no basketball game or volleyball match enticing the visitors, but rather a historic event that brought visitors in that day. It was the first of many…
Andrew Whitney ’12 directs program to pair Tacoma students with local internships
Ten years ago Andrew Whitney ‘12 was preparing for graduation, completing internships, and looking forward to starting a career in the world of business and finance. Now, it’s his job to help place local high school and college students in internships with businesses, nonprofits, and…
PLU announces plans for a full return to campus this fall
Pacific Lutheran University has announced the intention to return to in-person learning for Fall 2021. The news was shared with campus last Friday in an email from President Allan Belton. “Like every action we’ve undertaken as a community during the pandemic, this decision is being…
PLU nursing students help vaccinate nearly 1200 people at on-campus event
On Thursday, February 11, around 1,200 people received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at a one-day event in Pacific Lutheran University’s Olson Gym and Field House. Co-hosted by the Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department, PLU, MultiCare Health System, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the…