Full Circle Moment for Van Hulle & PLU Softball
If you ask Cindy Van Hulle ’76 what’s her favorite sport to coach, don’t be surprised if she replies, “Whatever’s in season.” And why not? Over the years, Van Hulle seemingly has coached just about every sport in every season. Volleyball and cross country in…
A promise worth fighting for
In 2007, Washington State made a promise to low-income students that if they worked hard, graduated high school, and stayed out of trouble, the state would help pay for their college. That promise, cemented in the College Bound Scholarship and Washington College Grant programs, helped…
Into the Grove
Three PLU researchers are finding something extraordinary hidden in the small stands of aspen trees scattered across Tacoma’s parks and college campuses. While most people ignore these quiet groves, the research team sees them as vital hosts to a complex, diverse ecosystem that scientists still…
The Night Shift: Late-night summer research at Keck Observatory
Upstairs, they work beneath the observatory dome. Downstairs, they analyze data, troubleshoot problems, and build the kind of camaraderie that only comes from chasing answers together late into the night. This summer’s research projects tackle two big questions: What can the structure of spiral galaxies…
Smarter submarines: How generative AI is rewriting the rules of marine exploration
Scientists are building artificial intelligence that gives these underwater explorers the autonomy to navigate the planet’s most unpredictable and dangerous currents entirely on their own. At the forefront of this digital frontier is PLU Associate Professor of Computer Science Jeff Caley, students Ember McEwen ’27,…
Cultivating the Future, Together: Introducing HIVE at PLU
In nature, the bee serves as a powerful symbol of diligent, purpose driven action, reminding us that while individual paths are distinct, our shared efforts create undeniable momentum. This spirit of collective impact defines HIVE, PLU’s new initiative designed to unite women in building an…
ResoLute Fall 2026 Opening Note
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the global landscape, but at Pacific Lutheran University, our response is distinct: we don’t simply adopt, we interrogate. Driven by ethical leadership and a mission of care, Lutes are asking what machine learning means for education, vocation, human dignity, and…
A Symphony of Gratitude: Jane Lin’s PLU journey and her commitment to future Lutes
For those who have thoughtfully included Pacific Lutheran University in their estate plans, you understand the profound impact an institution can have on a life’s trajectory. Jane Lin ’92 embodies this spirit of gratitude. Her journey demonstrates the power of a PLU education and the…
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
When Donald “Gene” Strandness ’50 arrived at Pacific Lutheran University in 1946, he was not impressed. As he recalled in his 1980 Distinguished Alumni Award speech, “When I arrived on the campus in 1946, it was largely an institution without facilities. In fact, at first…
Journeying With Others
From the moment Kerry Dolan ’22 arrived at PLU, she knew she wanted to make a difference in the world. What she didn’t expect was how deeply her experiences on campus — from late-night RA conversations to studying away in Mexico — would shape not…
From Storyteller to Caregiver: One Alumna’s Journey to Her True Calling
Mallory Presho-Dunne is living proof that changing one’s career field just requires a little soul searching and a lot of hard work. Graduating from PLU’s Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program in 2020, she works as a nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital,…
In Parkland, a Clinic With PLU Ties Quietly Rewrites the Rules
It looks and feels like a typical neighborhood clinic, but this place is exceptional. One key difference? No one is turned away due to inability to pay. Those without insurance are charged on a sliding-fee scale based on income and family size. For some patients,…