“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…
Isaiah Banken ’21 earns Torrison Scholarship because of his dedication to medicine and faith
Isaiah Banken ’21 knew he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. Banken, with a B.S. in biology and a minor in mathematics from PLU, explored various medical opportunities near his hometown of Wenatchee, WA, including working at a ski resort, serving in hospice care,…
Lifelong Parkland/Spanaway resident Kirsten Kreis leads Pierce County Navigator Program at PLU
PLU and the Parkland community are familiar to Kirsten Kreis . Her roots run deep in Parkland, from learning to swim in the PLU pool, to completing her high school assignments in the Mortvedt Library, to walking across the stage in Olson Auditorium at her…
An internship with the Portland Pickles solidifies Simon Luedtke’s plans for the future
Simon Luedtke ’24 is a strategic communication major from Newberg, Oregon. His communication studies, combined with his part-time job with PLU Athletics, helped him land a summer internship with the Portland Pickles, a baseball team with an unforgettable name and a legendary Portland brand. Simon…
PLU alumna Shelby Hatton ’17 discusses her PNWU medical school experience (thus far!)
Shelby Hatton (Murdock) ’17 always knew she wanted to become a doctor, but now that she’s in osteopathic medical school she’s still deciding on what kind of doctor. The challenge, she says, is that she’s enjoying every aspect of her studies. That’s no surprise, because…