1ASK A LUTE

How the FAFSA can help you finance your first-choice university

Page 34

When a course outside the classroom changes how

you see the worldPage 16

C H A L L E N G E S U P P O R T S U C C E S S

I never thought I’d perform before

12 million people

Page 14

I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO

MED SCHOOL{ THEN I DISCOVERED IT

WAS MY PASSION. }

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qP A G E 8

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Upcoming

Datesfor First-year StudentsDecember 15APPLICATION REVIEW DATECompleted applications will receive a decision within four weeks

January 1Start the FAFSA

January 15APPLICATION REVIEW DATECompleted applications will receive a decision within four weeks

January 17Application and FAFSA Workshop

January 31Submit Completed FAFSA

February 10Music Scholarship Application Deadline

February 12ACT Test Date

February 15APPLICATION REVIEW DATE Completed applications will receive a decision within four weeks

February 19Backyard BBQ

February 25-27Music Scholarship Audition Weekend

March 12SAT Test Date

March 15APPLICATION REVIEW DATE Completed applications will receive a decision within four weeks

March 25-26Passport Weekend

To find these and other events, visit www.choose.plu.edu.

>>> www.choose.plu.edu

COVER PHOTO: Andrew Reyna ’11. Photo by John Froschauer

15Regents’ and President’s Scholarship DeadlinePostmark required on all freshman application and scholarship materials for those students applying for the Regents‘ and President's Scholarship

I never thought I‘d sing my brains outon ‘America‘s Got Talent‘Page 14 PLUtonics

04 Hello There

05 FAQS

06 Direct from Campus

14 Something I Never Thought I’d Do

20 One-on-One

26 Lute Pride

28 Great Northwest

30 Your New Home

32 Visit

34 Financial Aid

35 Apply

I always wanted to go to med school

08

My tribal journey16One student’s experience in Neah Bay, and how courses outside the classroom changed how he sees the world

What is social justice and why should you care?

22

Meet four diversity advocates, and discover their passion for engaging the big issues of the day

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Two top med-school candidates find their experience at PLU takes them to places they never imagined

Staff Executive EditorGreg Brewis

EditorSteve Hansen

WritersBarbara Clements Chris Albert Kari Plog ’11 Theodore Charles ’12

Art DirectorSimon Sung

PhotographerJohn Froschauer

Vice President for Admission and Enrollment ServicesKarl Stumo

Director of Admission

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2U is published three times a year by Pacific Lutheran University, S. 121st and Park Ave., Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003.

Postage paid at Tacoma, WA, and ad-ditional mailing offices. Address service requested. Postmaster: Send changes to PLU Office of Admission, Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003, admission@plu.edu. © 2010 by Pacific Lutheran University

PRINTED USING:Eco-friendly Inks – vegetable based and certified as Ultra Low in Volatile Or-ganic Compounds. Sustainable Papers COVER – 50% Recycled paper, 25% Post Consumer Waste (PCW). TEXT – 100% Recycled paper, 50% PCW. REPLY CARD - 80% PCW.

Printed at a Forest Stewardship Council-certified plant.

For more detailed information visit www.choose.plu.edu

PLUONLINE

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE >> SPRING ’11n Do the math! (Why a PLU education is a better value than you might think)

n How one PLU graduate became Hollywood’s digital effects go-to guy

n Think you know Tacoma? Think again. We visit some of the city’s most interesting neighborhoods

and much, much more...

REALSTORIES

HELLO THERE

Greetings from Pacific Lutheran University

WE ARE EXCITED that you have opened the Winter Issue of U magazine. By now, you are well on your way to selecting a great college or university to further your educational career. We look forward to reviewing your ap-plication and hope that you continue to consider PLU.

As the New Year rolls around, you are probably starting to think about

paying for college. January is FAFSA month, which makes this a great time to apply for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be submitted starting January 1, at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is used by PLU to construct a comprehensive financial aid package for each of our students. We know that affordability of a college education can be a deciding factor for many students, so we encourage students with questions about their financial aid package to call their PLU admission counselor for assistance.

As admission counselors, we work closely with the campus visit program and understand the importance of finding the right college fit. What better way to experience campus life than to visit PLU for yourself? PLU has so much to offer, and that is why we have so many options when guests come to campus. Of course, you can take one of our informative campus tours, or sit down and visit individually with your admission counselor. But did you know that you can also sit in on a class, meet with a professor, eat in the dining hall and stay overnight in a residence hall? These opportunities are available in order to make your college decision process just a little bit easier. We hope that you will enjoy a visit to campus soon and experience what your life as a Lute could be like.

Take care!

JENNA SERR AND ALEX ELIADMISSION COUNSELORS

U

Jennifer Olsen Krengel

Admission Communication CoordinatorPhil Betz ’04

Online ManagerToby Beal

4 HELLO THERE

What are classes like?

Sitting in a class at PLU feels similar to being in a close gathering of friends talking in depth about a certain sub-ject. In many of my classes, we circled our desks along with our professor to create a unified feeling during discus-sion. At PLU, I value the close connec-tion I get not only with my professors – they learned my name within a few days – but also with my classmates. In a class of 16 people, I am able to get to know everyone personally which makes it easier to ask questions and engage in class discussions.

I don’t know what to major in, is that a problem?

Not at all. I also remain mostly undecided on what I want my major to be, largely because I have so many interests. At PLU, I am encouraged to pursue my interests (like in my current graphic design and women’s and gen-der studies courses), and that makes me confident that I will eventually figure it all out. I know that so many people and programs at PLU are here to support me in my search for what my passions are in life and how I can use them. That is a very comforting feeling whenever I feel stressed about not having it figured out yet.

What are the Residence Halls like?

I chose a private school because I strongly desired a close-knit commu-nity where it felt like a second home. Each residence hall at PLU does an excellent job of creating a family that exists within the larger PLU com-munity. Every hall plans events for ev-eryone else on campus. For example,

when I go to the Ordal Beach Party where there is a band, food, and jumping castles, or to the awesome Halloween party on Pflueger Pfright Night, I can meet people not only from my hall but from others, as well. I particularly love being able to walk down a hallway and feel comfortable stopping at any open door just to say hello. When everyone is so inviting and fun to be around, it truly makes each hall feel like a home away from home.

What sorts of clubs can I join?

Lots. Sometimes I wish I could have more time in the day because there are honestly so many clubs I wish I could join. I went to the Involvement Fair and literally signed up to receive information on 18 different clubs. Around 70 clubs exist at PLU, but any student can also create a new club if he/she wants something more – my friend just started an aerobics group.

PLU GUEST EXPERT

Bethany Petek ’13

MAJOR

HOMETOWN

Spokane, Wash.

INTERESTSResident assistant, member of the Dance Team, scrapbooking, reading, trying new food at local restaurants, concerts in Seattle

FAQS

5FAQS

REALSTORIES ANSWERSADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Your questions answered by real PLU students

FEATUREDWhat is J-Term?

Not every university has a January Term because some people prefer the year to be evenly split into semesters or quarters. During J-Term, each student only focuses on one or two classes, or up to five credits. I view J-Term as a refreshing change of pace because I can work intensely on one subject for the month and then be finished with it. Last J-Term, I took a science class, but also was able to take ballroom dance twice a week. It was great to have a schedule like that just to experience something differ-ent. Lots of other students use J-Term to study away without having to be gone a whole semester.

What do students do for fun on campus?

I absolutely love the student life at PLU, and had a great first year because of all the activities I at-tended. Having a smaller community allows for awesome collaboration. I love going to the themed dances in the Cave like the Halloween costume dance and the ’80s-themed dance. I also enjoyed Foss Games in May (they had a huge Slip ’n’ Slide) and seeing the numerous bands that performed in the UC. I have fun with friends decorating cookies, playing with in-tramural sports teams, and throwing our own themed dinner parties with our residence hall wing. I’ve also been known to go to the Old Main Market for a late-night ice cream run. U

Undecided, leaning toward communication

Have your questions about PLU answered by the experts – real students. Send your questions to askalute@plu.edu.

GOT A QUESTION?

6 DIRECT FROM CAMPUS6

DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

6 DIRECT FROM CAMPUS6

DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

For sports fans, it is already easy to get fired-up about PLU athletics – after all, as the winner of the Northwest Conference All-Sports trophy 15 of the last 25 years, there’s a lot to cheer about. Now, there’s something else to get fans cheering: a Knight.

We’re still the Lutes. But the university has unleashed a new mascot that goes back to the 1970s and ’80s, when PLU’s teams were also known as the Knights.

Student members of the Athlete Advisory Committee helped select the mascot. They knew we would always be Lutes, but, uh, it is hard to dress like one. Hence, the Knight will be on the sidelines pumping-up fans who come to see PLU’s 20 NCAA D-III intercollegiate men’s and women’s varsity sports. (PLU’s club sports, too.)

For PLU’s athletic opponents: don’t worry, the Knight is harmless. It’s the PLU athletes who are going to give you trouble.

PLU’s internships lead ‘Parade’Before the school year, Parade – the national magazine in the Sunday paper – asked top high school counselors across the nation to recommend outstanding universities that fly under the radar.

Others might have been surprised that PLU received props for its great internship opportu-nities – but we’re not. For years, PLU has been a leader when it comes to making sure students are prepared for life beyond the classroom.

The magazine noted that “PLU prides itself on cooperative learning opportunities … such as an internship, independent study project, service/work project and clinical rotation.”

We do take pride in that. So do the thousands of PLU graduates who have found success in the workplace once they’ve left campus.

See the Parade article here: www.choose.plu.edu/paradelist

KNIGHT?A

Yes. Butwe’re still Lutes

7DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

U

7DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

Booooring! We prefer Don RyanDonald Ryan ’79, faculty fellow in humanities and PLU’s own Indiana Jones, has been getting great re-views for his new book, “Beneath the Sands of Egypt: Adventures of an Unconventional Archaeologist.” The book, published by HarperCollins, reflects on Ryan’s adventures in Egypt, where his team discovered the mummy of the famous female pharaoh Hatshepsut, who ruled from around 1502 to 1482 B.C.

That was a groundbreaking discovery, and since then, PLU’s resident archaeologist and Egyptologist has returned several times to Egypt to continue the PLU Valley of the Kings Project. He teaches classes, too – a pretty great resource to have on campus. And when he’s gone, digging around in the sand? Well, you’ll always have his book.

Saving $$ on textbooks at PLU bookstorePLU’s campus bookstore, Garfield Book Company, has introduced several changes to ensure students (and parents!) save money on textbooks.

GBC’s site, www.Luteworld.plu.edu has a new feature where students can find their textbooks for each class, and compare how much that book will cost, used or new, at the bookstore, as well as on other online merchants. GBC is also offering other ways for students to save money – a new textbook rental program, as well as a book-buying loyalty program that will enable students to save 15 percent on purchases.

No matter which method students choose – the savings are sure to add up. (Which always comes in handy when you are craving that Friday-night pizza!)

MediaLab continues its great runIt started with an Emmy award, three years ago, when PLU’s MediaLab premiered its first documentary. The praise keeps coming. MediaLab – a student-run media organization that focuses on videography, photography, print journalism and public relations – released its latest documentary, “Oil Literacy,” October 30 at the Microsoft Auditorium at the Seattle Central Public Library. The students’ May 2010 documentary, “New American Fam-ily: Defining Commitment in a Changing Society,” was selected for inclusion in the 2010 Tacoma Film Festival and the Gig Harbor Film Festival. Since its inception, MediaLab has produced six award-winning documentaries.

Indiana Jones?

Garfield Book Company is also offering other ways for students to save money – a new textbook rental program, as well as a book-buying loyalty program that will enable students to save 15 percent on purchases.

“ “

U

PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO

MED SCHOOLTWO TOP MED-SCHOOL CANDIDATES

DISCOVER THEIR EXPERIENCE AT PLU TAKESTHEM TO PLACES THEY NEVER IMAGINED.

(AND THAT’S A GOOD THING!)

{ I always knew I had the skills to be a doctor. Then I discovered it was my PASSION. }

8 PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

BY CHRIS ALBERT | PHOTOS BY JOHN FROSCHAUER

I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO

MED SCHOOLTWO TOP MED-SCHOOL CANDIDATES

DISCOVER THEIR EXPERIENCE AT PLU TAKESTHEM TO PLACES THEY NEVER IMAGINED.

(AND THAT’S A GOOD THING!)

q

q

{ I always wanted to go to med school. Then I found something I love even MORE. }

9PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

10 PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

Andrew Reyna ’11 Hometown: Salem, Ore. Major: Biology

As a high school senior in Salem, Ore., Andrew Reyna wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do.

He liked science. He was good at it. He asked how could he best use his gifts and talents in this world.

Medical doctor came to mind.

“The more I thought about it,” he said, “the more it made sense.”

Reyna came to PLU because he knew of its reputation for sending students to medical school. On that score, PLU delivered – the classes were rigorous, and the opportunity to work in the lab with his professors was essential. But that was only part of the equation. Here, he found a passion.

“In the most basic sense it comes down to the Wild Hope project,” Reyna said. He speaks of PLU’s unique program that encourages students to discover what they are truly passionate about.

“[Being a doctor] is how I feel I can best use my talents and gifts. It’s what I’m passionate about – serving people,” he said. “I personally believe I have what it takes to be a doctor and wouldn’t want to stop short of it.

“You only have ‘one wild and precious life,’ so I’m determined to make the most of it.”

In the summer 2008, Reyna seized an opportunity to serve people – and to discover what kind of doctor he aspires to be. As part of a PLU study-away program, he traveled to Trinidad and Tobago to work in an AIDS clinic with Dr. Raymond Noel.

“There was a different level of appreciation from the people being treated in the states,” Reyna said. “It was really profound to experience.”

The happiness on the faces of the people Dr. Noel cared for was life-changing. It was as if no one had ever taken the time to truly care for them, Reyna said.

{ You only have ‘one wild and precious life,’ so I’m determined to make the most of it }

ANDREW CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

11PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

Lauren Thiele ’11 Hometown: Snohomish, Wash. Major: Biology, with chemistry and music minors

PLU senior Lauren Thiele has always wanted to make positive change in the world. It’s why, for as long as she could remember, she wanted to go to medi-

cal school. It’s also why she came to PLU.

“A lot of it is the social justice aspect of medicine,” she said. “I wanted to be one of those people that could do good in the world.”

Thiele knew PLU had an impressive program that prepares students like her for medical school. Over the years, she took advantage of all the opportunities avail-able to her by engaging in whatever she could do to become the most desirable medical school candidate.

“I did a lot in the medical field,” Thiele said. “I did a lot of things to put myself on that path.”

She did well in her physics, chemistry and biology classes. She volunteered in a lo-cal emergency room for 100 hours. She studied away in South Africa. She crushed the MCAT.

Next up? Medical school applications.

But sometimes plans change.

For Thiele, the intrigue of medicine has been figuring out the puzzle of disease. Through an analytical chemistry course, she learned she has an analytical mind – perfect for puzzle solving. “I enjoyed working in the lab and creating my own experiments,” she said.

At the same time, she took her final International Honors Program course, which broached the subject of social justice in a way she never considered before.

She asked herself an essential question: How do normal people apply social justice to their everyday lives and jobs?

She had prepared thoroughly to become a medical doctor. Even though her pas-sion wasn’t gone, something was changing.

Thiele participated in a summer undergraduate research project with Mary Ellard-Ivey, associate professor of biology.

LAUREN CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

{ I wanted to be one of those people that could do good in the world }

I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO

MED SCHOOLq

q

“That was really eye-opening because I got to see firsthand how much of a difference one person can have,” he said. “He didn’t just provide care, he cared for them.”

It’s the kind of doctor Reyna hopes to be. “I really want to have the ability to have a broad impact on people’s lives,” Reyna said.

It was then Andrew Reyna decided he’d like to work as a rural doctor in an underprivileged part of the world.

“It’s just a life goal,” Reyna said, “to go out and engage the world some-where.”

Right now, he’s applying to medical schools. He has the grades and has strong MCAT scores.

“My PLU classes helped prepare me to perform very well on that test,” he said.

One thing Reyna has really appreciated at PLU is the connection he’s made with a very supportive faculty.

“The classes were challenging,” he said. “But I’ve been able to walk into professors’ offices almost anytime to ask questions and for advice.”

It’s not all about class work though, Reyna said. His study away experience in an AIDS clinic certainly taught him that.

Job shadow, get clinical experience and volunteer, he said. It’s not about just providing care, but caring for people.

For our first-ever issue of U magazine, we followed PLU senior Guy Jensen for an entire year as he prepared to apply for med school. Now in his third year at the University of Washington School of Medicine, we decided to check-in with him.

Jensen, who worked summers as a volunteer EMT when he wasn’t work-ing on his parent’s farm in rural Idaho, wanted to be a doctor because, as he said at the time, “dropping people off at the hospital and that being the end of my contact with them just wasn’t fulfilling. I wanted to know how they did.”

That desire to ‘see how his patients did’ remains strong. Now in his clinical rotations, he’s training to become a trauma surgeon. He likes the fast-paced nature of the specialty, and the opportunity to think on his feet. “We do a lot of fixing of people,” he said.

When he thinks back on his time at PLU, he feels he was well prepared for med school. “Es-pecially that first year,” he said. “It really helped that I had already seen a lot of the material in my classes at PLU.”

— S T E V E H A N S E N

12 PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

{ It’s not about just providing care, but caring for people }

What’s Guy up to now?

U

ANDREW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Andrew stands with Dr. Raymond Noel in front of Noel’s AIDS clinic in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

They worked to create better plant development in third-world countries. She never thought about working with plants, but a seed had been planted.

“I loved doing what I was doing,” she said. “I loved the research and I loved being there.”

Soon thereafter, Thiele was sitting in front of her computer filling out medi-cal school applications. She couldn’t get past one question: Why do you want to go to medical school?

She couldn’t answer it.

“Then it hit me,” Thiele said. “I don’t want to go to medical school.”

She stood up from her computer and went out to the living area where her roommates were sitting and calmly said: “I’m not going to medical school.”

The revelation was calming. For so long, Thiele was certain she wanted to be a medical doctor. But she had discovered her passion was in the lab, solving puzzles. Now she is applying for different graduate schools in pursuit of a Ph.D. in biology.

“I don’t need to be a medical doctor to do social justice work,” she said.

Thiele was nervous to tell her parents and her professors – she had been on the path to medical school for so long. But their reaction was one in the same.

“My parents said, ‘Oh Lauren, that’s not a surprise’” Thiele said.

“It was a complete relief. Every-one could see it in my face. I think the smile didn’t leave my face for days.”

Her professors had always told her that they wanted Thiele to find her pas-sion, she said. It’s a journey – it always is. She didn’t want to administer the drugs that would help people in the world. She wanted to be the person who figured out how to make them.

“I was confident that I wanted to go to medical school,” she said. “I was interested in medicine and disease and I still am, but I found a different route to that interest.

“I’ve been really happy about my decision to come to PLU for that very reason,” she said.

13PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

{ I don’t need to be a medical doctor to do social justice work }

U

I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO

MED SCHOOLq

qLAUREN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Lauren and her schoolmates before they enter the Molecular and Cell Biology Building at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

14 SOMETHING I NEVER THOUGHT I'D DO

SOMETHING I NEVER THOUGHT I'D DO

ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN SINGING as long as John Mar-zano has surely has fantasized about performing in front of a gynormous audience.

Then, last summer, Marzano ‘13 and nine other close friends did exactly that.

“I would have never, ever thought I’d be on the stage of America’s Got Talent singing in front of 12 million people,” said Marzano, a vocal performance major. “I’ve been singing since I was a little kid, so it was a thrill of a lifetime to be up there and having all those people watching me.”

It all started last year, when the a cappella group “PLU-tonic” auditioned for the entertainment reality show

America’s Got Talent. But they couldn’t move on. It had nothing to do with their performance – finals were coming up (for school, not the competition) and the times con-flicted. After all, they said at the time, we’re students first.

Then, over the summer, they found out about the You-Tube.com America’s Got Talent video competition. They entered and received enough votes to place in the top 12.

“Before we knew it, we were down in Los Angeles jump-ing right into rehearsals,” Marzano said. “It was really nerve-racking to think that, in two weeks, we’d have cameras in our faces with America judging us.”

“It was pretty amazing,” said Daniel Gilbertson ’12, a biology major. “It’s exactly what you’d expect it to be.

I never thought I’d sing in front of 12 million people

PLUTONIC

U

SOMETHING I NEVER THOUGHT I'D DO 15

U

Performing in front of that many people is exactly what we’re looking for as a group.”

For the live show, the group performed a rendition of the song, “Low,” by Flo Rida, receiving positive remarks from the judges. But PLUtonic was the second-to-last act eliminated, bringing their journey to an end.

Phillip Serino ’11, another PLUtonic member studying music composition, said the experience was a great bond-ing opportunity.

“For me, it wasn’t about AGT so much,” Serino said. “I had more joy building relationships with the group and with people backstage.”

The members of PLUtonic may have finished their national journey, but another is just beginning. PLUtonic is continuing work on an album, and they have been collaborating with one of the top a cappella producers on the West Coast.

Reflecting on the experience, Marzano said PLUtonic now has a lot to be proud of, even though they didn’t make it through eliminations.

“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “This is only the beginning for PLUtonic.”

— K A R I P L O G ’ 1 1

America’s got talentI never thought I’d sing in front of 12 million people

U

16 ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

My

17ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

TRIBAL JOURNEYMyOne student’s experience at the Tribal Gathering in Neah Bay, and how courses outside the classroom changed how he sees the world

Photos and story by Theodore Charles ’12

Every morning in Neah Bay, Wash., the cold fog would sweep through our camp and shake us from our sleep as we trundled across the grounds of the Makah Cultural and Resource

Center for the showers.

It was my second time at Neah Bay. I had been here once before, part of a J-Term course, “Makah Culture Past and Present.” My experience from that time was why I returned this past summer. Along with several other PLU students and Professor of Anthropology David Huelsbeck, we came to volunteer at Tribal Journeys, one of the larg-est Native American celebrations on the West Coast of the United States.

My first experience at Neah Bay taught me the warmth of the Makah people – I never had been welcomed so warmly by people I had just met. I returned to Neah Bay to not only continue to learn about the Makah, but to expose myself to the traditions of the many Northwest tribal nations attending the celebration.

On the day of arrival, almost 10,000 people crowded onto the beach to watch 86 canoes from as far away as Alaska address the Makah Tribal Council, requesting to come

ashore. Quileute, Quinault, Tlingit, Swinomish, Cowichan, Warm Springs, and Lummi are only a few of the tribes to attend.

For 11 days, we were essentially the ‘go to’ people for anything that needed to be done. We were assigned as volunteers for elder hospitality, an incredibly honorable task of handling the needs of important tribesmen.

On an average day we volunteered for four to 10 hours – assisting elders, making sandwiches, driving people in golf carts, transporting salmon, directing traffic and hauling canoes from the water. In our off time we chatted with elders, went hiking, joined drum circles and ate fry bread. No matter what we did, we learned a great deal about native culture – and a little about our own traditions.

My first experience at Neah Bay taught me the warmth of the Makah people - I never had been welcomed so warmly by people I had just met.

TRIBAL JOURNEYMy

18 ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

I come from an extensive Scandinavian family that hosts a Smorgasbord around Christmas and garlands its trees with Swedish and Norwegian flags. My time with the Makah taught me to look at my own culture in a way that is not simply seasonal.

I think of the Makah who participated for six hours in dances that have never been performed before and may never be again. These songs and dances are not only an incredible form of expression, but the right to perform them are the most valued property a family can have.

I was captivated by that dance. Not simply the beauty of the performance, but the value in that gesture. It left me with a desire to “live my heritage” more thoroughly. To me, appreciating who I am through the understanding that my heritage impacts the actions I make on a daily basis.

To have been a part of Tribal Journeys was an experience that I never, in my wildest dreams, considered a possibility. This fantastic experience broadened my gaze from a simple love of the discipline of anthropology, to a passion for the subject.

The two courses mentioned in Ted Charles essay seek to provide an opportunity for students to experience a different culture: To learn anthropology by doing anthropology. This summer, as part of the Tribal Journeys celebration, the focus was on Northwest Native American culture. The J-Term course specifi-cally focuses on Makah culture. The goal is to help students learn to recognize cultural values that are different from their own, and learn to recognize when they are acting/reacting on the assumption that their values are “right.” These anthropological learning objectives are congruent with PLU’s Wild Hope Project, in that they give students the chance to discover the kind of “big enough questions” that will continue to have an impact in the student’s life beyond the classroom, today and in the future.

Both courses involve on-campus in-class prepara-tion, and then 12 days in Neah Bay, Wash. The courses are a collaboration between PLU and the Makah Cultural and Research Center (MCRC). PLU students learn about Makah and Native American culture from Native Americans. The Makah are eager to share their culture and are

Learning anthropology by doing anthropology

very talented cross-cultural educators. Why is this collaboration so effective? I began working with the tribe during graduate school in 1977. We know and trust each other. I’ve been bringing PLU students to Neah Bay since 1995. Year in and year out the students are eager to learn, respectful and honest – even if they don’t always agree with every Makah value. The students have earned the trust of the Makah people who work with us. The trust makes possible an openness and sharing more characteristic of the multi-year relationship than a 12-day experience.

The trust relationship is reinforced by service ac-tivities. We “help out.” It might be something as simple as stacking firewood for an elder, creating an opportunity to get to know each other as individu-als. It might be helping serve dinner at a potlatch or helping with elder hospitality at Tribal Journeys, creating an opportunity not just to observe, but to participate.

Participating in another culture is truly a life- changing experience.

BY DAVID R. HUELSBECK, PROFESSOR OF ANTHROPOLOGY

U

ACADEMIC DISTINCTION 19

20 ONE-ON-ONE

ONE-ON-ONE

LOOKING BACK, SVEND RONNING ’89, can’t remember when music wasn’t a part of his life.

His mother was a piano teacher; his grandfather played the violin. In fact, he still occasionally uses a bow that his grandfather bought from a Sears and Roebuck catalogue in the 1920s.

“Actually, it still works pretty well,” Ronning laughed.

Ronning, who plays violin, came to PLU as a music major in 1985. While at PLU, he managed to join a string quartet, and during the summer snagged some gigs at one of the main lodges in Yellowstone National Park.

“For four hours every night, we were the entertainment,” said Ronning, who is an associate professor of music, and chair of the string division at PLU.

At the lodge, they had a captive audience. And some of the members of that audience were vacationing musicians from nationally renowned orchestras.

“One guy was from the New York Philharmonic and had played cham-ber music with Albert Einstein at

Princeton,” Ronning remembered. “We were intimidated and inspired at the same time to have the con-certmaster of the National Symphony give us a lesson in the Lake Yellow-stone Hotel lobby,” he laughed.

Graduating from PLU in 1989, Ron-ning won a fellowship to Yale and earned his masters and a doctorate at the university. Ronning loved the university setting, but struck out to New York City to work as a free-lancer, where he worked Broadway shows, recording studios and brushed shoulders with famous musicians such as violinist Itzhak Perlman.

“But I found I didn’t like it very much,” Ronning said of his life in the Big Apple – “you were just a cog in a big machine.”

Ronning turned back to university life, where he landed on the faculty at the University of Virginia, which carried with it the job of Concertmas-ter (lead violinist) of the Charlottes-ville Symphony. In 1999, he joined the PLU faculty, where he has continued to develop his performing career – he became the concertmaster of the Tacoma Symphony in 2000 and has

FACULTY PROFILE

MusicSvend Ronning >>> Associate Professor of Music

‘Think faster, work harder, feel more deeply’

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been the artistic director of the Sec-ond City Chamber Series in Tacoma since 2007. His schedule keeps him busy with 30 to 50 concerts a year, while still teaching full time.

Ronning’s joy is being around the students and teaching them. “Music is one of the best things you can do for your mind, body and soul,” he said. “No matter what major you take.”

Yes, if you want to be a full-time musician, you have to be tough and good to make it in the professional world, he said. But even if that’s not your final goal, Ronning encourages all students with an interest in music to pursue it at PLU.

“When you build music skills, you build skills for life,” he said. “It teaches you to think faster, work harder, and to feel more deeply. And PLU is a great place to study music, whether you pursue it professionally or just pursue it passionately.”

Ronning feels blessed he’s been able to do both.

— B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S

Love music?Receive up to $12,000 in music scholarshipschoose.plu.edu/music

21ONE-ON-ONE

Music

LIFE ON CAMPUS

Chelsea Putnam ’12Hometown: East Wenatchee, Wash.Major: Fine artsWhen Chelsea Putnam thinks back to high school and her exposure to diversity issues, one word comes to mind: sheltered. “I had no background or experience,” she recalled. “I just knew I wanted to make a difference.”

All that changed when she came to PLU.

Putnam was introduced to the Rieke Scholarship program, which is awarded to students who are committed to raising awareness about issues related to diversity, mul-ticulturalism and social justice. It was then that Putnam realized her passion.

“Being a Rieke Scholar absolutely opened my eyes to a world much larger than myself,” she said. For her, that meant becoming familiar with cultures and traditions that she never saw back home.

As a diversity advocate, Putnam’s job is to oversee the 40-plus Rieke scholars on campus, and help them find ways to grow, just as she has.

The “D Center,” as it is known, is a great place to hang out. It is also a great place to tackle big issues – like power, privilege, equity and inclusiveness.

It can be both. In fact, that’s the whole point. The D Center, in the words of Director Angie Hambrick, is “what you need it to be. It’s always that safe, inclusive and welcoming community.”

Hambrick’s role at PLU serves to support students who are learning about identity, culture and equity. And that includes social justice issues – defined as a series of actions that promote betterment of the world and society.

As part of that, the D Center has four students who serve as diversity advocates, students who take leadership roles on campus supporting and coordinating programs for social justice. “Advocates take leadership of social justice to the next level,” said Carrie Hylander, one of the four diversity advocates.

Let’s meet the four PLU diversity advocates for the year.

CHELSEA

COM MUNITY

22 LIFE ON CAMPUS

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 the time.

22 LIFE ON CAMPUS22 LIFE ON CAMPUS

Carrie Hylander ’12Hometown: Seattle, Wash.Major: Hispanic studies and global studiesWhen Carrie Hylander wrote about diversity issues in her entrance essay to PLU, her admissions counselor told her that she would be the perfect candidate for the Rieke Scholarship.

Given that connection, it makes sense that Hylander works with the program “Word Up,” which focuses on inner-group dialogues about social justice and equity, with emphasis on first-year students.

“We learn about the language we use and the impact that language has on other people,” she said. “We focus on who we are and how that effects what we’re saying.”

Hylander said talking about these issues is important at PLU because it enriches the learning experiences students have in the classroom. “College is more than just taking class and completing a major,” she said. “It’s about learn-ing who we are and our place in the world.”

Hylander said the Diversity Center helps her apply what she learns inside the classroom, outside in the real world. The focus, she said, is on action.

“There are so many opportunities at PLU to think about all of these different aspects of our lives and really think critically of how to better ourselves and our society,” Hylander said.

“Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk,” she added.

“My goal is to help them learn the importance of social justice in a smaller community because it’s the first step to promoting social justice on a larger scale,” she said.

Putnam said many students choose not to get involved because of the associations with the word “diversity.” Part of her job as a diversity advocate is to remind people that everyone is diverse – it includes everything from culture, sexual orientation, religion, and even economic factors.

“Diversity doesn’t mean you have to look different,” she said. “What we are trying to do is gather people who are diverse in much more complex ways than appearance.”

23ONE-ON-ONE

CARRIE

LAN GUAGE

24 LIFE ON CAMPUS24 LIFE ON CAMPUS

Maurice Eckstein ’11Hometown: San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago Major: CommunicationMaurice Eckstein is a first-generation college student. The senior, from Trinidad and Tobago, learned about social justice indirectly after coming to PLU.

“I didn’t really know a lot about social justice before I got here,” he said. “When I came here I was forced to become aware of it.”

Eckstein said that he felt thrust into the realm of studying social justice when he realized he could identify with the African-American community because of his appearance. Back home, in his very culturally diverse Caribbean nation, his appearance didn’t cause him to stand out. Here, that wasn’t always the case. It allowed him to look at issues in ways he might have never considered before.

For instance, Eckstein has been wrestling with concept of privilege – the idea that some people have advantages in life that others do not. The most obvious example might be access to a university education.

“College was not an automatic thing for me,” he said.

It isn’t for a lot of people. And by simply looking at his – and other’s – opportunities through that lens has been important to how he sees the world.

“It’s absolutely necessary to pay attention to this aspect of understanding issues,” Eckstein said. “I’m trying to ensure [what students] bring to the world is genuine.”

Eckstein helps students from around the world acclimate to the PLU community, and he is always thinking of new ways to advocate for them. He plays a primary role in organizing multicultural night and “Global Get-Down,“ where students can showcase a piece of their culture and learn about other cultures.

MAURICE

GLO BAL

25LIFE ON CAMPUS 25LIFE ON CAMPUS

Angela Pierce ’12Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.Major: Social workAngela Pierce is the daughter of a Filipino mother and a Caucasian father. She never saw herself as white.

At some point, however, Pierce realized other people did see her as white. She noticed when she saw people treat-ing her different than they did her mother. It was then she knew she would be an advocate for social justice – even if, as she said, “I didn’t know the language [of social justice] yet.”

PLU helped her figure that out.

As a diversity advocate, Pierce plays a primary role in coordinating the Students of Color Retreat, which is in its seventh year at PLU. It is a chance for students to come together and talk about their experiences with identity development. As a student who struggled with some of the same issues, Pierce wanted to make sure there was a safe place for students to discuss such issues.

Pierce is happy to help students find that comfortable place, and PLU’s Diversity Center offers the chance to do just that. Pierce said it is the perfect place to come and learn about yourself – and others.

“Come and hang out, and you will find something to get involved in,” she said. “Just show up.”

For Pierce, there is no wrong way to get involved.

“Social justice to me is speaking up for those who are left unheard – and helping others find their place,” she said. “You can get involved just by speaking up in class.”

Care about social justice issues?Since 1988, each year more than 40 PLU students receive Rieke scholarships of $2,500 per year, which are awarded to students who are committed to raising awareness about issues related to diversity, multiculturalism and social justice. To find out more, visit http://www.plu.edu/dcenter/Rieke-Scholars/home.php

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ANGELA

DIVER SITY

26 LUTE PRIDE

LUTE PRIDE

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 from the finish line.

Compared to the hurdles that Bollen crossed one year earlier as a member of the United States Marine Corps in Iraq, those 10 hurdles seemed like a walk in the park.

But more on Iraq later.

Bollen, running only the third 400-meter hurdles race in his life, sur-prised most everyone by winning the conference title with a time of 56.13. In doing so, he lowered his personal best by more than two seconds. It was only Bollen’s third time running the event, including the first time when he tripped over a hurdle, got back up, and established a conference meet–qualifying time.

The hurdles title capped an outstand-ing meet for Bollen, who placed fifth in the 400-meter dash in addition to running the second leg on both of PLU’s relay teams. Two weeks earlier, Bollen finished fifth in the conference decathlon championship meet.

At first, track and field didn’t come easily for Bollen, who grew up in Grayland, Wash., a small community located on the central Washington coast. In the eighth grade he finished last in a 400-meters race. He took that as a personal challenge. By the time

he was a senior, he shaved 30 seconds off of his time and ended up placing fourth in the state.

PLU track and field, and cross country head coach Heather Kreier saw him while he was an athlete at tiny Ocosta High School. “When I saw him as a recruit, he was this highly positive and talented kid – and he could back it up.”

It was a quality that Kreier valued. When he got to PLU, Bollen’s athletic career was ready to take off.

And that’s when the military called.

Bollen had enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2005 when he was 17-years-old. A year later – one month after his high school graduation – he went to boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, gradu-ated meritoriously, and was promoted to private first class for earning a perfect score on his Marine Corps physical fitness test. After attending combat training and occupation spe-cialty school, he checked in with his reserve unit at Fort Lewis in December 2006.

In the fall of 2007, Bollen’s first semes-ter at PLU, his unit received activation orders for deployment to Iraq. He took that “ready-to-go” attitude into Iraq’s Al Anbar province, where his unit conducted security missions from April through October 2008. The unit was then deactivated and Bollen returned stateside. He re-enrolled at PLU and resumed classes in January 2009, but remains involved in the

Marine Corps Reserves as a corporal.

Bollen came back ready for his first full season as a member of the PLU track and field team. His natural leadership abilities had been refined by his seven months in Iraq.

“I know that being a Marine has done a great deal for me in terms of making me a better leader and athlete,” Bollen said. “Everyone has the capacity to be a great leader, but inspiring others only comes as a result of individual effort. Simple things like a positive attitude, good work ethic, accountability, and confidence can prove to others and to me that success is always possible through initiative.”

Bollen may or may not choose a career in the Marine Corps. His current focus is to earn a degree in history by May 2012, two months before his six-year contract with the Marines expires.

“When I joined the Marine Corps I only wanted to return the service that others had provided for me,” Bollen said. “I had always planned on going to college and pursuing all the things that made me happy, but I didn't want to do those things until I had proved to myself that I had earned the right to do so.

“I believed that there was no better way to earn that happiness than to serve my country and family in a time of conflict, and I stand by that belief to this day.”

— N I C K D A W S O N

BARRETT BOLLEN ’12

TRACKFrom PLU, to Iraq, and back

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27LUTE PRIDE

TRACK

28 GREAT NORTHWEST

GREAT NORTHWEST

On the RoadBest Foot ForwardWHEN FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS came to campus for orienta-tion weekend this past September, organizers made sure that, on that first Saturday, those students were promptly sent off campus.

It was part of PLU’s On the Road program, which takes place each year to help first-year students become familiar with the region that will become their home.

Some explored the lava caves at Mt. St. Helens. Others learned salsa dancing at Abbey Ballroom. Some visited Tacoma’s art and glass museums. And some pulled weeds.

More than 390 students took part in the On the Road, at 23 different locations. Four of those trips were designed to help students find a place where they could volunteer their time and energy – all in that great Lutheran tradi-tion of service.

“We’ve noticed that the outdoor rec trips and the service trips are always the first ones to fill up,” said Melanie Deane ’12, ASPLU programs coordinator and student organizer of On the Road. “So this year, we wanted to make sure there were more opportunities for students.”

One of those trips was to Tenino, Wash., where about a dozen students rolled up their sleeves and got muddy at Left Foot Organics, a non-profit farm which aims to promote self-sufficiency, inclusion and independence for people with developmental disabilities and rural youth.

“Their hearts seem to be in the right place when it comes to helping others and providing healthy food for the community,” Anna Payton, a first-year student from Puyal-lup, Wash., said. “It was a little hard work to help out a wonderful cause.”

29GREAT NORTHWEST

On the RoadAROUND THE SOUND

Climb amountain

SEATTLEThe city of Seattle, the unofficial capital of the Pacific Rim, is 45 minutes north of PLU. It is everything you might expect from a great cosmopolitan city – home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, incredible hole-in-the-wall ethnic eats, and great concert and sporting venues.

Visit thecity

Cody Cano, a first-year student planning to major in biol-ogy, said he chose the trip last minute, but enjoyed the experience with the new friends he made.

“We all met today and we are working toward one com-mon goal,” Cano said.

That goal might be called “community.” And that is some-thing that first-year student Johanna Muller, who comes from Denair, Calif., definitely stands behind.

“I live on a farm in California and I love volunteering and helping other people,” Muller said. “This seemed like a good fit to start off the year.”

— K A R I P L O G ’ 1 1

P H O T O S B Y M E G A N R A N D I C H ‘ 1 2

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MT. RAINIERMerely 90 minutes from campus, Mt. Rainier has long been a destination for PLU students. As early as 1896 – three years before it became a national park – students and faculty would orga-nize excursions to take in its beautiful vistas.

YOUR NEW HOME30

YOUR NEW HOME

“This has been a great place for me; it’s been like one big family. It’s incredibly diverse here.” —Emily Schoenheit

31YOUR NEW HOME

WHEN EMILY SCHOENHEIT’S parents heard she was bound for Tingelstad Hall, they had their reservations. Back in the day, it had a reputation as being a bit, um, rambunctious.

Turns out, Schoenheit ’11 chose to live all four years in T-Stad, as the lower-campus hall is affectionately known. And she couldn’t be more happy with her choice. “Fun” and “a big family” are two terms she repeatedly uses to describe her home.

T-Stad is the largest hall on campus, both in size and number of students. In fact, Central Pierce Fire and Rescue units like to practice their climbing skills up the walls, said Schoenheit, a physical education major.

While 360 fellow hall mates may seem like an impossible number to get to know, Schoenheit said it’s more like a big family. Each floor is divided into two wings of 22 individuals, who are watched over by resident assistants such as herself. Schoenheit said she couldn’t have picked a better hall.

“Wherever you live helps you grow as a person,” she said. “This has been a great place for me; it’s been like one big family,” she said of a hall that boasts majors from music, theater, philosophy, and yes, phys ed majors too. “It’s incredibly diverse here.”

As for the fears of her parents, both Lutes from the Class of ’88? Long gone.

—B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S

TINGELSTAD HALL

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T-STADby the numbers

n 364 students at capacity

n 9 floors divided into 4 houses with 4 spiral staircases

n 21 lounges

n8 study rooms

n1 new conference room

n1 pool table, 1 foosball table

n16 resident assistants and 10

residence hall council members

n9 recycle rooms and 728 recycle bins

n34 toilets and 64 showers

n4 kitchens with 4 filtered water stations and 4 composting bins

n3 flights of 126 stairs each, from the first floor to the ninth floor

n2 elevators

n10 washers and 10 dryers

T-Stad shakes off its rowdy reputation. But it’s still a fun place to be.

Photos by Karla Dawn Villanueva and Flannery Spinhirne

Photo of Emily Schoenheit by Chris Tumbusch

32 VISIT

VISITING PLU is one of the most important things you will do during your college search. For that reason, we hope you visit campus to become better acquainted with the special atmosphere at PLU. Hundreds of students visit each year. To schedule your visit go to www.plu.edu/visit.

THINGS TO DO DURING A PLU VISIT. Talk one-on-one with an admission counselor. Ask everything that’s on your mind. Counselors in the Office of Admission are ready to answer your questions about admission, academic programs, financial aid, cost, campus activities, residence halls and much more.

TAKE A TOUR OF CAMPUS. It’s a great introduction to PLU. Tours are guided by students like Rayan who know all the essential information about our uni-versity. Tours are available by appointment Monday through Saturday during the academic year.

VISIT US

Lunch - this time,

inside the U.C.Dinner with friends on the U.C. deck

Major

Interests

Rayan Carter '12

Biology

Fishing, ultimate Frisbee, scuba diving, writing music

Profile

Starting the day

with my morning

varsity swim

team practice

HometownMukilteo,Wash.

VISIT 33

Labwork for my histology (the study of tissues) class

ATTEND A CLASS. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for the academic atmosphere at PLU. You can also request to meet with an athletic coach, music director or professor.

STAY OVERNIGHT. You can stay with a friend on campus, or we can arrange for you to stay with one of our Red Carpet Club student hosts. You will be given meal passes and a guest pass to athletic facilities and campus activities. Available Monday through Thursday during the academic year only.

GIVE US A CALL. Reach us at 253-535-7151 or 800-274-6758 so we can make the necessary arrangements for your visit. You are still welcome to drop by anytime – even if you aren’t able to plan ahead.

FOR A LIST OF PREFERRED HOTELS, directions to and from campus, please visit www.plu.edu/visit.

The ‘Sign-Me‘ fund- raiser for Mary Bridge Children‘s Hospital. (Trust me - it got a lot worse than this!)

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Want to see more?VISIT THE PLU VIRTUAL TOUR

www.choose.plu.edu/virtualtour

PLU Admission on the webhttp://www.plu.edu/admission/first-year/

or download the free QR code reader application at:

http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software/ and take

a camera phone photo of the image on the left.

Studying with some friends

FINANCIAL AID

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FINANCIAL AID

NOW IS THE TIME to begin actively applying for financial aid. This means two things: first, you need to apply for admission to the schools on your shortlist. Second, you need to com-plete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a.k.a. the FAFSA.

When it comes to financial aid, the FAFSA is one of the most important components. Without a FAFSA on file, we are unable to provide you with a comprehensive financial aid package which could include state and federal grants or scholarships, work study, or loan opportunities. Use the informa-tion below to help understand how the FAFSA, and other forms of finan-cial aid, can bring your first-choice school within financial reach.

What is the FAFSA and when is it due?

The FAFSA is used by many schools as a standard to evaluate your eligibil-ity for need-based financial aid. You can complete the FAFSA as early as January 1, 2011, if you are planning on beginning college the following fall. The easiest way to complete the FAFSA is online, at www.fafsa.ed.gov. While you wait for January 1, you can request your PIN, which serves as your electronic signature, at www.pin.ed.gov.

I filled out the FAFSA, now what?

Once your FAFSA results are avail-able, the schools where you have been admitted will put together a comprehensive financial aid offer for you. Most colleges will send you a financial aid package in March or April, giving you time to look at your options and “do the math” before the National Candidate Reply Date on May 1. At PLU, we encourage you to submit the FAFSA by January 31, as we typically start sending our finan-cial aid packages by March 1.

Does PLU offer merit aid?

Yes, PLU offers merit-based financial aid consisting of scholarships that are based upon your academic, leader-ship or artistic talent. Remember, your application for admission is also your application for PLU academic merit scholarships. Because these are merit-based scholarships, you do not need to complete the FAFSA to be considered. However, merit scholar-ships at other schools may require a separate application, so it’s important to find out from each college what their requirements are for merit scholarships. At PLU, our combined merit scholarships range from $5,000 to $17,000 per year.

34 FINANCIAL AID

How much money should I expect to receive?

Because each financial aid package is tailored to a specific student, it is hard to say how much you may qualify for. To help give you an idea, the Office of Financial Aid put together the chart below to show the average PLU gift aid based on a family’s combined income. In general, more than 95 percent of PLU students receive some type of financial aid, and the average financial aid package is $24,167. U

HELPHow the FAFSA can help you finance your first-choice college or university

2010-11 COSTS $29,200 tuition

$8,800 room and meals

$38,000 total

Links & Info www.choose.plu.edu www.plu.edu/financial-aid

n 800-274-6758

n 253-535-7151

FAFSA on the Web, www.fafsa.ed.gov

Average total scholarships and grants from all sources

What’s the average total PLU scholarships and grants for your family’s combined income?

<$20,000 90 $22,914

$20,000 - $39,999 39 $22,553

$40,000 - $59,999 62 $19,874

$60,000 - $79,999 96 $18,036

$80,000 - $99,999 89 $15,948

$100,000 + 241 $13,277

Combined family income for first-year students, Fall 2009

Number of aid recipients

35APPLY

YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING you need to know about applying to PLU online at www.choose.plu.edu. Once you’re there, check out our upcoming events, learn more about financial aid, set up a campus visit, and take our virtual tour.

You can always give us a call at 800-274-6758, and an admission counselor will be happy to answer your ques-tions, or send you information that will be helpful in your college search.

“The best advice for you while you’re comparing colleges and universities is to surf the Web, ask lots of questions, and be sure to visit campus,” said Karl Stumo, vice president of admission and enrollment services.

“After all, universities are as unique as you are, and finding the best one will take time and research. The rewards, however, are life changing.”

Apply OnlineWe want to make the application process easy, which is why we accept the PLU application and the Common Application. Plus, when you apply online we waive your application fee. In addition to your application, you’ll also want to submit:

• Personal essay

• Official high school and/or college transcripts

• Official SAT and/or ACT test scores

• Academic letter of recommendation

Holistic ReviewYour application will be read by your admission counselor who is looking for students who will bring their special talents and abilities to PLU. Test scores and GPA are part of that – admission to PLU is selec-tive and competitive – but we also

EASYApplying to college is easy

take the time to look at the courses you’ve taken, the activities you’ve been involved in, and your essay and recommendations. A personal visit with an admission counselor during a visit to campus can be part of the process, too.

When you get down to it, the application process at PLU is simply about you getting to know us and us getting to know you. We take the time to get to know you as a person, not just a student, and we hope you’ll do the same by getting to know our community.

Reading Dates and DeadlinesWe know that waiting for an admission decision can be nerve-racking, which is why you have several choices. If all your application materials are submitted by the 15th of October, November, December or January, we’ll let you know your admission decision by the 15th of the following month.

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We’ll also let you know if you qualify for an academic merit scholarship. Applications received after February 15th will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Learn MoreCheck out www.choose.plu.edu to learn more about the SAT and ACT, required and recommended prep courses, AP, IB, and Running Start credit, transfer admission, and international admission.

You’re bound to have questions during your college search, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Look us up online, give us a call, and come visit! We believe it’s the best way to get a real feel for life on campus. We think you’ll like what you discover.

APPLY

HELP

<$20,000 90 $22,914

$20,000 - $39,999 39 $22,553

$40,000 - $59,999 62 $19,874

$60,000 - $79,999 96 $18,036

$80,000 - $99,999 89 $15,948

$100,000 + 241 $13,277

ON CAMPUS

In the balanceRachel Wattley-Williams, a first year student from Bellevue, Wash., tries to balance herself on a slackline outside Tingelstad Hall on PLU‘s lower campus.

U, PLU OFFICE OF ADMISSION, Tacoma, Washington, 98447-0003Address change: If you do not wish to receive U, or wish to change your mailing address, please notify PLU Office of Admission. You can reach us by phone at 800-274-6758, by fax at 253-536-5136, or by e-mail at admission@plu.edu. PLU.UMG.1109