Annica Stiles ’25 explores Iceland’s wilderness and culture
Embarking on a journey to study in Reykjavik, Iceland, during the summer is a unique and life-changing experience that offers an extraordinary blend of academic enrichment and natural wonder. Imagine being immersed in a land of fire and ice, where the midnight sun never sets,…
Born and raised in the Philippines, Maria Surla ’23 is now a PLU grad and a nurse at MultiCare Good Samaritan Emergency in Parkland
Maria Surla has traveled a long and rewarding road. The 39-year-old recently graduated with PLU’s Class of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. “The difficult experiences I’ve had made me who I am now,” Surla says. Born and raised in the Philippines, Surla…
Lute Powered: PLU alumni provide leadership, care and expertise at Sound Physicians
Sound Physicians is a national, multi-specialty medical group that strives to improve quality and reduce the cost of healthcare for patients in every community it serves. It partners with more than 400 hospitals and is the practice of choice for over 4,000 physicians, advanced practice providers, CRNAs,…
Anni Lange ’00 uses skills learned at PLU as VP of marketing and communications for Sound Physicians
Anni Lange ’00 is vice president of marketing and communications for Sound Physicians , a national medical group headquartered in Tacoma. Lange oversees all aspects of marketing and communications including brand management, marketing operations, sales and recruitment marketing and internal and external communications. Lange majored…
Michael Burris ’09 leads a dynamic team as regional president of Sound Physicians
Michael Burris ’09 worked at the intersection of business and healthcare since before even graduating from PLU with a business major and economics minor . While in his third year at PLU, he began an internship with MultiCare Health Systems, working as the CFO’s “right-hand…
Tiffany Wong ‘23 discusses transferring to PLU, her experience as an RA, and her plans to become a Certified Nurse Anesthesiologist
PLU senior Tiffany Wong was drawn to study nursing after spending 10 years caring for her grandmother — a special woman who taught her about empathy and compassion. “My heart broke when she passed away this fall semester. There were numerous stories that she told…
Grayson Nottage ‘23 prepares to become a teacher who excites students about science
Grayson Nottage ’23 has wanted to become a middle school science teacher ever since she was a middle school science student. She admired many of her own science teachers, and aspires to become the sort of educator that inspires and excites students about science. Next…
Dr. Erik Arnits ’11 relies on his medical training – and sense of humor – as an ER doctor in Central Washington
At PLU, Dr. Erik Arnits ’11 studied biology and chemistry as a double major. At first, he thought chemistry or dentistry was his future—but a medical mission trip the summer before his senior year to Costa Rica and Panama changed everything. He kept a journal…
Lute Powered: PLU alumni help lead Chief Leschi programs dedicated to student support and success
Operated by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Chief Leschi Schools enrolls 670 students in preschool through high school. Visual representations of Northwest Native culture and art are present throughout the school, and the curriculum is infused with the tribe’s cultural heritage. Chief Leschi is one…
PLU MBA alum Nancy Nelson discusses her work directing career and technical education at Chief Leschi Schools
Nancy Nelson’s path to a career in education was a nontraditional one. So it’s no surprise that her journey led her to a special kind of school. Since fall 2020, Nelson has served as director of career and technical education (CTE) at Chief Leschi Schools,…
PLU alumna Jenifer Leavens ’18 leads elementary education at Chief Leschi Schools
Jenifer Leavens was an experienced educator when she decided it was time to pursue a master’s degree in education. A transplant from California, she wasn’t sure which Puget Sound area university had the best program. So she asked some of her colleagues. “Hands down, people…
Building Community: A PLU Special Education Major Discovers the Beauty of Returning to His Childhood School District
Gavin Knapp ’23 reflects on Fife Public Schools with a new lens, now student teaching with one of his former educators. Gavin Knapp discovered his vocation for special education in an unusual way – volunteering with unified sports in high school. Although his former high…