Scholarships & Organizations

Schiller Endowed Scholarship

The Schiller Endowed Scholarship began in 1979 by John and Aleen Schiller. Professor Schiller served as a sociology faculty member, department chair and dean during his tenure at PLU and was the professor who was instrumental in bringing the social work undergraduate major to PLU. This award is “stackable” meaning that it does not have a negative impact on other financial aid. Eligibility criteria: junior standing, majoring in social work; overall GPA of 3.2; student record of service and community outreach not only tied to course work.

Keller Endowed Scholarship

The Joseph and Guycelle Keller Scholarship was first awarded in 2021 in honor of Joseph and Guycelle Keller, both first generation college students, and the parents of JoDee Keller, a long time social work faculty member. Its purpose is to support an undergraduate social work student with a strong commitment to social justice. Preference will be given to first generation and/or students of color. It may be awarded to a sophomore entering the major or a junior continuing in the major. This award is stackable and is also based on need.

The Kathy Russell Practicum Scholarship Fund

The Kathy Russell Practicum Scholarship Fund is named for Kathleen Zellers Russell, a social work faculty member from 1999 – 2020. The Russell Fund is to provide financial support for undergraduate social work seniors participating in field placements who have financial hardship. Each spring, Student Financial Services will determine the undergraduate rising social work seniors with the most unmet need. Students can be awarded between $500 and $6,000 depending on their level of unmet need. This award will stack on top of existing aid rather than replace it up to the level of each student’s unmet need.

The History of the Kathleen Zellers Russell Scholarship
By Dave Zumeta

“In 1999, my cousin, Dr. Kathleen Zellers Russell, joined the Social Work faculty at Pacific
Lutheran University (PLU). Over the next 21 years, Kathy became a cornerstone of the
program, specializing in community intervention and advocacy for the vulnerable. She was
instrumental in shaping the Social Work Practicum Program, which requires seniors to
complete 400 hours of unpaid internships.

A Climate Tragedy
In the summer of 2021, one year after Kathy’s retirement, an unprecedented heatwave
shattered records across the Pacific Northwest. In Tacoma, temperatures spiked from 75 to 104
degrees in just two days. Kathy—isolated —succumbed to the heat in her home.

As the executor of her 29-year-old will, I was stunned to find myself the primary beneficiary of
her estate. While Kathy had left generous bequests to organizations in Nebraska and North
Carolina, her outdated will left nothing to the Washington community, where she had spent her
final two decades.

Turning Loss into Legacy
After attending a moving memorial service at PLU, I realized the $220,000 I inherited truly
belonged to the community Kathy loved. I wanted to transform a tragedy fueled by climate
change into a permanent force for good.

In November 2022, I established the Kathleen Zellers Russell Scholarship. This fund
addresses a critical barrier for aspiring social workers in Pierce County:

• Target: Seniors with the highest financial need.
• Support: Students are paid the Washington state minimum wage for all 400 hours of
  their mandatory (otherwise unpaid) internships.
• Impact: Recipients are selected automatically by the financial aid office, allowing them
  to focus on service rather than survival.

First Year Scholarships

Each year, PLU awards more than $63 million in PLU-funded scholarships and grants. Our scholarships recognize your academic achievement, talent, leadership, and service, as well as your potential to continue all of those things as a Lute.

Take a look to see the scholarships for which you could be eligible and should apply for!

Social Work Organization

Students in the Social Work Program may become involved in a variety of activities. There is a Social Work Organization, which has sponsored discussions, volunteer activities, service projects, and social events. We have put together Thanksgiving baskets, sponsored holiday parties for children who are homeless, and held a clothing drive for teens in need. All are welcome to participate. For more information, contact a social work faculty member.