PLU alumni husband-wife duo doing their part in New York City’s COVID-19 battle
TACOMA, WASH. (April 14, 2020) — In a parking lot outside Stony Brook University Hospital, two tents allow physicians to triage up to 100 patients per day. They discern between the “worried well” and those showing more severe symptoms of cough, fever and low oxygen…
Kari Plog ‘11 on telling the stories of those most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
TACOMA, WASH. (April 7, 2020) — No matter what field or industry you work in, the COVID-19 pandemic has probably dramatically reshaped the way you do your job every day. For Kari Plog ‘11, a digital journalist for local NPR affiliate radio station KNKX, telling…
Jeremy Knapp ‘21 talks interning for a state senator in Olympia, passion for political science and future career
TACOMA, WASH. (March. 16, 2020) — Pacific Lutheran University political science major Jeremy Knapp ‘21 swears he has no desire to run for office, but his resume speaks of someone with great political aspirations nonetheless. The junior turned 21 on March 4, and he already…
Nicole Jordan ’15 discusses her new role at PLU’s Center for Gender Equity
TACOMA, WASH. (March. 10, 2020) — Nicole Jordan ’15 is back on campus, this time using the degree she earned in social work to help educate and lead others in her new position as coordinator for PLU’s Center for Gender Equity. The center began as…
Jared Wright ’14 discusses working on refugee resettlement, impactful internships, and more
TACOMA, WASH. (March. 2, 2020) — Jared Wright ‘14 arrived at PLU eager to engage in community work and excited to study social justice. He didn’t have specific plans and didn’t know what it would all look like, but he can clearly remember the excitement…
PLU nominates physician Donald Mott for Nobel Peace Prize
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 26 , 2020 ) — Pacific Lutheran University President Allan Belton recently submitted a Nobel Peace Prize nomination of Dr. Donald Mott to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Dr. Mott is the founder and leader of the China Network Partners (CPN), a group…
Amy Spieker ’09 on community health advocacy, service and building relationships
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 18, 2020) — If you’ve ever wondered whether leaders are born or made, the answer is both. At least it is when you’re referring to Pacific Lutheran University graduate Amy Spieker ’09. Growing up in a Navy family, Spieker moved her fair…
National recording artist Crystal Aiken ’97 returns to PLU for a Gospel Experience Concert encore
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 14, 2020) —The Gospel Experience Concert is returning to Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Feb. 15., featuring an encore performance by national recording artist and event headliner Crystal Aikin ’97. The renowned gospel singer was born and raised in Tacoma, and graduated…
New J-Term job shadow program connects PLU students and alumni
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 10, 2020)- Pacific Lutheran University’s Office of Alumni and Student Connections recently launched the J-Term Job Shadow Program, aimed at exposing students to professions they are interested in pursuing after graduation. From January 21 to 24, 40 students visited PLU alumni at…
Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree William Foege ‘57 returns to PLU for annual Rachel Carson lecture
TACOMA, WASH. (Feb. 4, 2020) — Pacific Lutheran University is pleased to announce that world health icon and distinguished alumnus Dr. William Foege ‘57 will return to campus to give the annual Rachel Carson Science, Technology & Society Annual Lecture on Feb. 20. Foege, who…
Kristina Walker ’02 on running for office, loving Tacoma, and city council goals
TACOMA, WASH. (Jan. 8, 2020) — At about this time last January, Kristina Walker ’02 got The New York Times’ special insert that featured all 126 women who had been sworn into Congress. It ignited a fire inside of her — it was that thing…
PLU alumnus Kell Duncan creates space for socially conscious Phoenix businesses
TACOMA, WASH. (Jan. 6, 2020) — Basketball drew Kell Duncan ‘11 from Arizona to Pacific Lutheran University. But while he loved his time playing forward and center for the Lutes, he was far less certain about his initial choice of major. “Business school wasn’t a…