
Symposium uplifts collaborative student-faculty research
TACOMA, WASH. (April 3, 2017)- Pacific Lutheran University is aiming to increase visibility of student-faculty research across campus with its first Undergraduate Research Symposium on April 8. Previously, an annual reception in May showcased endowed projects. The change in format highlights a broader spectrum of…

PLU alumnus Scott Foss ’91 serves as a top paleontologist for the Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. (March 20, 2017)- When Scott Foss ’91 enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University, he dreamed of becoming a paleontologist and pursuing a career outdoors conducting research. Now, he’s a senior paleontologist at the Department of the Interior. Foss serves as a policy adviser and…

Lutes sing their way through the Southwest on Choir of the West tour
TACOMA, WASH. (March 13, 2017)- Hop on my pink tour bus and let me tell you about the craziest days I experienced this past January — or the days we called the Choir of the West Southwest Tour (for hashtag purposes, #COWthwesternTour). Over 11 days,…

Pageantry and Protests: PLU students experience ‘messiness of democracy’ at President Trump’s inauguration
Washington D.C. (March. 9, 2017)- The small group of Pacific Lutheran University students, standing huddled together in a jam-packed section toward the front of the National Mall, remained silent. Some shook their heads in disbelief. Others wore expressions of shock. Two couldn’t stop tears from…

PLU alumna serves as interim director of Tacoma’s Rainbow Center
TACOMA, WASH. (March 8, 2017)- Laura Brewer ’03 was no stranger to activism when she started volunteering at the Tacoma Rainbow Center in 2000. An active Lute, Brewer engaged in a variety of LGBTQ advocacy work on Pacific Lutheran University’s campus through Harmony, known today…

Arts and technology center would bring new opportunities to Parkland
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 28, 2017)- Community leaders behind the Pierce Center for Arts & Technology (PCAT) have big plans to create a wide variety of new opportunities for both youth and adults in the South Sound region. The recently established nonprofit organization is working toward…

White House competition honors PLU health care efforts
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 28, 2017)- As Michelle Obama congratulated a room full of healthy-campus advocates last month at the White House, one of the three Lutes in attendance couldn’t contain her emotions. “When she stepped in the room, I immediately started crying,” said Tolu Taiwo,…

Coach Dickerson retires after 14 years of support on, off the court
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 24, 2017)- Emotions ran high for senior Brandon Lester in his final basketball game at Pacific Lutheran University. Lester and his teammates fought hard through a lingering double-digit deficit against Linfield College. The Lutes never took the lead that night, and eventually…

PLU professor Maria Chávez sits on panel hosted by Secretary of State
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 24, 2017)- Maria Chavez, PLU associate professor and politics and government department chair, participated in a panel discussion of ‘Politics in Washington State’ on Friday, February 24. Hosted by Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, the panel was held in Olympia on…

PLU Peace Corps program prepares Lutes for service work abroad
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 22, 2017)- Bonnie Nelson ’08 didn’t always plan on joining the Peace Corps. But when she met a returned volunteer in graduate school who helped her learn more about the organization, her plans changed. “It was through conversations with her about her…

Expert panel to discuss the meaning of ‘sanctuary’
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 13, 2017)- On Monday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. in Chris Knutzen Hall PLU will host a panel discussion on the development, politics and practices of sanctuary movements. “In light of President Krise’s letters in support of immigrant students and ongoing conversations…

MBA students get their hands dirty, help brand Skagit Valley
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 8, 2017)- Last semester, master’s students in Pacific Lutheran University’s School of Business got their hands dirty and counted craft breweries, farms and grocery stores as their classroom. The MBA Marketing Management course brought them to the agricultural community of Skagit County,…