After experiencing PLU’s “Community of Care” first-hand, PJ Morales ’25 strives to reciprocate that care to local high school students.
PJ Morales ‘25 comes from a small town on Maui named Lahaina. Although she loves her island, PJ realized that the “small island life” wasn’t for her and began to look for colleges in the continental United States. When her admissions counselor, fellow Filipino Brandon…
Zari Warden’s ’25 PLU journey leads to an interdisciplinary tapestry of creativity and advocacy
Zari Warden ’25 arrived at PLU as a vocal performance major ready to pursue a career in music. However, her journey quickly took a transformative turn, one that would redefine not only her academic path but also her sense of identity and purpose. “I came…
Olivia Tate: Interdisciplinary scholar, advocate, and future nurse scientist
When Olivia Tate ’25 tells people she’s triple majoring in nursing , religion , and Native American and Indigenous studies — with a Peace Corps prep minor — the usual response is one of confusion and curiosity. But for Olivia, those reactions confirm that she’s…
2025 grad Lydia Downs wins prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach in Thailand
Lydia Downs ’25, a Master of Arts in Education student at Pacific Lutheran University, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award to serve as an English teaching assistant in Thailand during the 2025–2026 academic year. Lydia, who previously earned her undergraduate degrees in global…
“Aha moments are pure joy” — Steph Smithingell’s journey to becoming a teacher
For 14 years, Steph Smithingell ’25 ran an in-home childcare and preschool, building a community of curious, active, joyful kids. Now, as a soon-to-be PLU graduate, she’ll bring those experiences to her new career path as an elementary school teacher. Steph is an education major…
Internships, Arts, and Advocacy: Gavin Ripka’s community-based learning experience
With a triple major, multiple internships, three study away trips, and lots of participation in campus life, Gavin Ripka ’25 is soaking up as many experiences as he can at PLU. We caught up with Ripka to learn more about his most recent internship experience…
Collective Action Rooted in Reciprocity
At a summer 2023 banquet launching the Uukumwe Project, Sanet Steenkamp, executive director of Namibia’s Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, advised a group of Namibian and American teachers not to hold back. “The children,” she said, “deserve for us not to hold back.” Steenkamp’s…
Heven Ambachew ’24 combines her passions and experiences to design major in innovation studies
Like many students, Heven Ambachew ’24 wasn’t yet sure of her major when embarking on her PLU journey. Four years later, thanks to PLU’s individualized major pathway, she is the university’s first graduate with a major in innovation studies . Innovation Studies at PLU Courses…
Stuart Gavidia ’24 majored in computer science while interning at Amazon, Cannon, and Pierce County
Stuart Gavidia is a first-generation Latino student who spent most of his life in Lakewood and then Spanaway, about 10 minutes from PLU. He knew he wanted to come here for college so he could remain close to his family. He also knew from an…
From the Court to the Classroom: Sianna Iverson’s continued resilience and drive is taking her from PLU to Duke University
Highly recruited as an outside hitter out of Chiawana High School, Sianna Iverson ‘24, a talented volleyball player, knew she found a home at PLU after a campus visit. “As soon as I visited, I knew it was going to be a great fit for…
Former accountant Sarah Bell Rosenlund prepares for new career in nursing at PLU’s Lynnwood campus
Sarah Bell Rosenlund has always been a people person. She radiates positive energy, and smiles broadly when she talks about her PLU experience. “I realized that my gift is to be a helper to people,” she said. “I love to be in acts of service.…
Criminal justice major Raphi Crenshaw ’24 interned at Tacoma Pro Bono and plans to attend law school
After graduating from Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup, Raphi Crenshaw ’24 enrolled at PLU with plans to major in biology. “I was going to become a dermatologist, but when I started taking the classes, well, I wasn’t a fan of it,” Crenshaw remembers. By…