
PLU announces plans for virtual spring commencement 2021
Pacific Lutheran University is making plans to hold two virtual commencement ceremonies in late May: one for the Class of 2021 and one for the Class of 2020. The Class of 2021 ceremony will be held on May 29 at 11:00 a.m., and the Class…

The Room Where It Happens: PLU Nursing Majors Help Community Members Take Their Shot
On a chilly February morning, cars packed the parking lot of the Pacific Lutheran University Olson Fieldhouse. There was no basketball game or volleyball match enticing the visitors, but rather a historic event that brought visitors in that day. It was the first of many…

Standing with our Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander community members
In light of the shootings in the greater metro Atlanta area earlier this month, we yet again mourn in the wake of an act of senseless violence. The impact on Asian and Asian American women nationwide — in conjunction with the rise in hate crimes…

Andrew Whitney ’12 directs program to pair Tacoma students with local internships
Ten years ago Andrew Whitney ‘12 was preparing for graduation, completing internships, and looking forward to starting a career in the world of business and finance. Now, it’s his job to help place local high school and college students in internships with businesses, nonprofits, and…

Gurjot Kang ‘21 grows her skills and makes an impact as a Tacoma Housing Authority intern
Despite the challenges and uncertainty of life during the pandemic, PLU student Gurjot Kang ’21 is focused on her future after graduation. Kang is interning with the Tacoma Housing Authority to help build her skills and improve the community through this difficult time. Kang —…

PLU announces plans for a full return to campus this fall
Pacific Lutheran University has announced the intention to return to in-person learning for Fall 2021. The news was shared with campus last Friday in an email from President Allan Belton. “Like every action we’ve undertaken as a community during the pandemic, this decision is being…

PLU Athletics returns to action with new COVID-19 testing protocols
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, PLU student-athletes have returned to play. In December, the Northwest Conference Presidents’ Council announced competition could resume as long as federal, state, local and NCAA health directives permitted. Since then, PLU Athletics has initiated a COVID-19 testing strategy designed to…

PLU nursing students help vaccinate nearly 1200 people at on-campus event
On Thursday, February 11, around 1,200 people received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination at a one-day event in Pacific Lutheran University’s Olson Gym and Field House. Co-hosted by the Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department, PLU, MultiCare Health System, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, the…

NYT best-selling author Meg Medina to discuss writing about painful experiences for kids at PLU virtual lecture
Pacific Lutheran University’s eleventh annual Jolita Hylland Benson Education Lecture will be held virtually at 5:30 p.m. on May 5. Meg Medina,, and New York Times best-selling author will deliver this year’s Benson lecture titled “Rough Patch: On Writing About Painful Experiences for Kids“ and…

PLU’s Master of Science in Marketing Analytics program to be offered exclusively online
The Pacific Lutheran University School of Business has announced that its Master of Science in Marketing Analytics (MSMA) program will now be offered exclusively online. The program is designed for graduate students interested in data analytics, creative corporate brand development, and digital and social marketing.…

Global health leader and human rights advocate to visit PLU and discuss the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTIQ+ communities globally
Pacific Lutheran University’s biennial Ambassador Chris Stevens Celebration of Service will be held virtually at 7 p.m. on March 9. Amie Bishop, a global health leader and human rights advocate will deliver the keynote lecture titled “Vulnerabilities Amplified: The Impact of COVID-19 on LGBTIQ+ Communities…

Brian Lander ’89: Career Humanitarian is PLU’s Connection to 2020 Nobel Peace Prize
PLU alumnus Brian Lander ‘89 grew up in Washington State’s Tri-Cities. But in early 2020, Lander was far from his childhood home, as he helped meet urgent needs in Northwest Syria. Turkish troops, Syrian and Russian armies, and opposition forces negotiated and battled over resources…