A Heart for Heritage: Walking Through Ed Larson’s PLU
The PLU known to many generations of Lutes was significantly shaped by Ed Larson ’57. According to Doug Page — the successor to Larson as PLU’s Executive Director of Gift Planning — Larson’s own journey to PLU started with a $1000 scholarship that helped pay…
PLU Receives Teagle Foundation Grant to launch “Transformative Text Scholars” pilot program for Tacoma and Pierce County high school students
PLU faculty have received a grant from the Teagle Foundation to run a Pilot Program in the Summer of 2026, intended for underserved high school students in the Tacoma and Pierce County areas. The pilot program, developed by Adam Arnold (Philosophy/IHON), Carmiña Palerm (Hispanic and…
Empowering Coaches: PLU kinesiology receives $900,000 grant from Names Family Foundation
Pacific Lutheran University’s Department of Kinesiology has been awarded a three-year, $900,000 grant from the Names Family Foundation to expand and strengthen youth sport coach education across Pierce County. The grant will support the development of a dynamic, evidence-based coach education platform designed to meet…
PLU introduces new Master of Education program with first cohort beginning Summer 2026
Pacific Lutheran University will welcome the first cohort of students into its new Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Summer 2026, offering a flexible pathway for educators and community professionals looking to grow their expertise and expand their impact. Designed with working professionals in mind,…
PLU named a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Scholars
Pacific Lutheran University has been named a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the 2025–2026 academic year — an honor recognizing colleges and universities that consistently cultivate outstanding applicants for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange initiative. “This is…
The Seattle Times editorial board to legislators: Fully fund college tuition aid, whichever schools students choose
The Seattle Times’ editorial board calls for legislators to restore funding to the College Bound Scholarship and the Washington College Grant. “How serious are lawmakers about confronting Washington’s very real affordability crisis? Helping more low-income kids pay for college would be a powerful way to…
Investing in Innovation: PLU launches the Opportunity Fund
The newly launched Opportunity Fund has a clear purpose: to turn PLU’s big ideas into reality through flexible, timely support. The Opportunity Fund is a new fund that allows PLU to quickly invest in innovative programs, expand student support, and respond to emerging needs in…
PLU awarded 2025 NWCCU Beacon Award for Excellence in Student Achievement and Success
PLU’s Retention and Progression Advisory Group (RPAG) was recognized for their “distinctive, measurable, and replicable innovations” toward student achievement and success by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Pacific Lutheran University was honored with the Beacon Award during the annual Northwest Commission on…
WA Legislative Basics: Restoring Washington State Student Aid
We are on a mission to restore funding for the College Bound Scholarship and the Washington College Grant, but we can’t do it alone. If you have ever wondered about how Washington’s legislative process works, this video will bring you up to speed and share…
PLU student research recognized with multiple awards at 2025 Murdock Conference
PLU students earned awards for their undergraduate research at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Conference on Science and Engineering , an annual regional conference that brings together student researchers and faculty mentors from across the Pacific Northwest. Several of the projects were supported through PLU’s…