Endowment helps Lutes pursue science internships
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 6, 2017)- When George and Helen Long reached out to Pacific Lutheran University 10 years ago, all they knew was that they wanted to support the sciences. “George sort of felt like he owed his success and his career to PLU,” said…
Faculty members approach difficult budget cuts in a ‘very PLU way,’ with care and inquiry
TACOMA, WASH. (Sept. 11, 2017)- Kevin O’Brien, dean of the Division of Humanities, acknowledges that programs in his department could be hit hard when Pacific Lutheran University approves final cutbacks in the coming months. Still, he’s as committed as ever to the institution’s mission. On…
Lute reflects on his Japanese-American identity through pilgrimage, community event
TACOMA, WASH. (Aug. 29, 2017)- The names of 7,500 Japanese Americans will soon be displayed at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, just 9 miles from Pacific Lutheran University. The banners bearing the names of those interned at the Puyallup Assembly Center during World War…
Lutes gather at CenturyLink Field to soak up sun and Sounders
TACOMA, WASH. (Aug. 14, 2017)- Even though Leah Foster-Koth is not an alumna yet, she found herself in good company Saturday, sitting with a crowd of former Lutes at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. In fact, she hasn’t even started at Pacific Lutheran University. But the…
Lute lands at Johns Hopkins University for NASA internship
TACOMA, WASH. (Aug. 10, 2016)- When Justin DeMattos ’19 enters his junior year at Pacific Lutheran University in a few weeks, he will be coming off an internship experience that’s out of this world (quite literally). DeMattos, a physics major and computer science minor, traveled…
PLU alumna spreads joy as Spokanasaurus Rex
TACOMA, WASH. (July 20, 2017)- Sarah (Allen) Caprye ’01 is a busy mother of five, with a part-time job as a dinosaur. You might know her by her alter-ego, Spokanasaurus Rex. Yes, you read that right. In addition to parenting her daughters, all younger than…
PLU professor uplifts story of ‘pink victims’ in farewell lecture
TACOMA, WASH. (April 5, 2017)- Professor of Religion and Chair of Lutheran Studies Samuel Torvend, Ph.D., ’73 has spent his life studying religion and politics. “I wrote my senior thesis on religion and politics and I have never strayed from that,” Torvend said. The alumnus…
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…
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…
Q&A: Gabri Joy Kirkendall ’09 discusses her vocational journey that led to success as a hand-lettering artist, author
TACOMA, WASH. (Nov. 8, 2016)- Gabri Joy Kirkendall ’09 studied political science and French languages and literature at Pacific Lutheran University. Now, she’s a published author and artist. Below is an edited discussion about her vocational journey and her experience creating hand-lettering books. Question: How…
Brian Bradshaw ’07 inspires others even after his death; scholarship encourages students to emulate his leadership
TACOMA, WASH. (Nov. 1, 2016)- Lt. Brian Bradshaw was an understated leader who put everyone else first. Ask anyone who knew him. Instead of walking with his head down past the crying stranger in the lobby of a residence hall at Pacific Lutheran University, he…
Lutes come full circle as they return to PLU campus to film pilot for TV series where indie-film sensation ‘The Gamers’ began
TACOMA, WASH. (Oct. 27, 2016)- The scene: a cramped room somewhere in a Pacific Lutheran University residence hall at the beginning of the millennium. The characters: five nerdy dudes, each with a handful of dice and plenty of junk food. This is “The Gamers,” a…