‘Be the Spark’ ignites, unites PLU community
‘Be the Spark’ ignites, unites PLU community By Barbara Clements In a decades-old video shown in the UC this week, Archbishop Desmond Tutu – the keynote speaker at the May 13 “Be the Spark” event – listened carefully as speaker after speaker came before him, telling of beatings…
Governor Parnell ’84 to be spring commencement speaker
Governor Parnell ’84 to be spring commencement speaker By Chris Albert Alaska Governor Sean Parnell ’84 will be the keynote speaker for the 2011 Spring Commencement on May 29 in the Tacoma Dome. Parnell is Alaska’s 10th governor. He was elected lieutenant governor in November…
Coming Full Circle: Embracing the past to learn about the future
Embracing the past to learn about the future To understand the future there is a need to understand the past. Angie Hambrick, director of the Pacific Lutheran University Diversity Center, said too many people have forgotten the past.“We’re so wrapped up in our present,” she…
PLU’s MediaLab takes on ‘compassion fatigue’
PLU’s MediaLab takes on ‘compassion fatigue’ Compassion fatigue is a condition people have never heard of, and MediaLab is striving to make people aware through its next documentary project. “We thought it was an interesting topic that isn’t talked about and everyone should know about…
20 years working toward peace
Working toward peace for 20 years By Chris Albert For 20 years, PLU Regent Tom Eric Vraalsen worked toward peace in Sudan. Earlier this month, the former ambassador of Norway saw part of that work come to fruition with a vote by the south Sudanese…
Crime of My Very Existence
Holocaust scholar investigates Nazi campaign to “criminalize” Jews By Barbara Clements Michael Berkowitz first came to Professor Robert Ericksen’s attention about 10 years ago, when he first spotted the aspiring Holocaust scholar at the Ohio State University. Since then, Ericksen – PLU’s Kurt Mayer Chair…
From PLU, to Iraq, and Back
From PLU, to Iraq, and Back By Nick Dawson When Barrett Bollen ’12 settled into the starting blocks for the 400-meter hurdles finals at the 2010 Northwest Conference Track and Field Championships in Spokane last April, 10 hurdles measuring 36 inches in height separated him…
Alum challenges ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
19-year Air Force vet challenges ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ By Steve Hansen When Major Margaret Witt graduated with a nursing degree from PLU in 1986, she began a highly successful career as a flight nurse with the U.S. Air Force. She served in the Persian…
Why does Maurice Eckstein care about social justice?
Why does Maurice Eckstein care about social justice? “I didn’t really know a lot about social justice before I got here,” said Maurice Eckstein. “When I came here I was forced to become aware of it.” By Kari Plog ’11 Maurice Eckstein ’11 is a…
Why does Carrie Hylander care about social justice?
Why does Carrie Hylander care about social justice? “College is more than just taking class and completing a major,” said Carrie Hylander. “It’s about learning who we are and our place in the world.” By Kari Plog ’11 When Carrie Hylander wrote about diversity issues…
What is ‘social justice’? Why should you care?
What is ‘social justice’? And why should you care? By Kari Plog ’11 In the first floor of PLU’s University Center, students fill the overstuffed couches – some studying, some texting their friends, some just hanging out. It’s what happens at the Diversity Center all…
Why does Angela Pierce care about social justice?
Why does Angela Pierce care about social justice? “Social justice to me is speaking up for those who are left unheard,” said Angela Pierce, “and helping others find their place.” By Kari Plog ’11 Angela Pierce is the daughter of a Filipino mother and a…