scene - winter 2012

Inside: > ’The World Needs More PLU,’ 10 > Homecoming Photos, 28 > Honor Roll of Donors, 40

Real-World

Ment oRsMaking all the difference in the job hunt PAGE 14

calendar

NOVEMBER

October 10 – November 7The Physicality of the Present:Ann Johnston Schuster, John McCuistonUniversity Gallery

November 1, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.Bachelor of Science in Nursing InformationSessions Ramstad 202: Nursing ContinuingEducation Classroom

November 3, 3 – 4:30 p.m.Artist Series: Vanessa Sielert, GuestSaxophonist Lagerquist Concert Hall

November 3, 7 – 7:30 p.m.Oksana Ezhokina Piano RecitalLagerquist Concert Hall

November 4, 1 – 4 p.m.Habitat Restoration Work PartyFred L. Tobiason Outdoor Learning Center

November 4, 3 – 4:30 p.m.Mary Baker Russell Music ScholarsLagerquist Concert Hall

November 8, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.Social Media for Your Nursing Tool BoxRamstad 202: Nursing Continuing EducationClassroom

November 8, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.The Northern Lights and the SunScandinavian Cultural Center

November 8, 6 – 7:30 p.m.Master of Science in Finance Information SessionMorken Center 103: Public Events Room

November 9, 2 – 3 p.m.Psychology Colloquium: Dr. Werner SchaieXavier 201: Philip A. Nordquist Lecture Hall

November 10, 12 – 2 p.m.Author Event: Megan BosticGarfield Book Company Community Room

November 12, 6 – 7:30 p.m.Law School Application Process: BrianMiller from WillametteXavier 250

Busy student volunteers on move-in day take a moment’s pause to pose for a picture. More than 600first-year students took part in orientation festivities this September.

continued on inside back cover

November 12, 8 – 9:30 p.m.University Jazz EnsembleAnderson University Center

November 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.MBA Information SessionMorken Center 103: Public Events Room

November 13, 7 – 8:30 p.m.Got Privilege?Regency Room, Anderson University Center

November 13, 8 – 9:30 p.m.University Symphony OrchestraLagerquist Concert Hall

November 14 – December 12Juried Student ExhibitionUniversity Gallery

November 14, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.John McEvoy: Flight Testing the Boeing 707Garfield Book Company Community Room

November 14, 3 – 5 p.m.Sustainability Tracking & Rating SystemAnderson University Center, Room 201

November 15, 7 – 10 p.m.Holocaust Program Lecture and FilmGuest speaker: Peter AltmannScandinavian Cultural Center

November 15, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Piano EnsembleLagerquist Concert Hall

November 16, 12 – 5 p.m.Student Philanthropy Committee:Professional Development ConferenceAnderson University Center, Room 133

November 16, 7 – 8 p.m.PLUtonic/HERmonic Fall Show #1Lagerquist Concert Hall

November 16, 9 – 10 p.m.PLUtonic/HERmonic Fall Show #2Lagerquist Concert Hall

November 17, 3 – 4:30 p.m.Solvvinden Flute EnsembleLagerquist Concert Hall

November 18, 3 – 5:30 p.m.University Wind EnsembleLagerquist Concert Hall

Pacific Lutheran University Scene Winter 2012 Volume 43 Issue 2inside

The PLU men’s soccer team takes its first practice on the new synthetic-turf sports field. See page 22

4 Here & Now

8 Life of the Mind

10 ‘The World Needs More PLU’The text of PLU President Thomas W. Krise’s inaugural address

COVER STORY:

14 Real-World Mentors

22 Fields of DreamsChanges to the athletic facilities mean big things for all PLU students

26 Alumni News & EventsAlumni Board and Parents Council

28 Homecoming Photos

32 Alumni Profiles

34 Alumni Class Notes

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Greg Brewis

EDITOR

Steve Hansen

MANAGING EDITOR

Barbara Clements

WRITERS

Chris AlbertKatie Scaff ’13

PHOTOGRAPHER

John Froschauer

ART DIRECTOR

Simon Sung

ONLINE MANAGER

Toby Beal

CLASS NOTES

Adrianne Jamieson ‘09

EDITORIAL OFFICES

Neeb CenterBuilding #[email protected]/scene

PLU OFFICERS

Thomas W. KrisePresident

Steven P. StarkovichProvost and Dean ofGraduate Studies

Laura F. MajovskiVice President, Student Life andDean of Students

Karl StumoVice President,Admission andEnrollment Services

Steve OlsonVice President,Development andUniversity Relations

Sheri J. TonnVice President, Finance and Operations

OFFICE OF ALUMNI AND CONSTITUENTRELATIONSLauralee Hagen ‘75, ‘78Executive Director

Jessica Pagel ‘08Assistant Director

Michelle Story ‘09Outreach Events andVolunteer Manager

Kim Kennedy TuckerAssistant to the Director

G. Lee Kluth ‘69Director,Congregation Relations

Nesvig Alumni CenterTacoma, WA 98447-0003253-535-7415800-ALUM-PLUwww.plualumni.org

Volume 42, Issue 2Scene (SSN 0886-3369) is published three times ayear by Pacific LutheranUniversity, S. 121st andPark Ave., Tacoma, WA.,98447-0003. Postage paidat Tacoma, WA, and addi-tional mailing offices.Address service request-ed. Postmaster: Sendchanges to DevelopmentOperations, Office ofDevelopment, PLU,Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003,[email protected]. © 2012 by PacificLutheran University

ADDRESS CHANGES Please direct any address changes to [email protected] or 800-ALUM-PLU

ON THE COVERBryce Manso ’10 with col-leagues Tisha Graham ’09and Julie Williams ’09 atthe Fred HutchinsonCancer Research Centerin Seattle, Wash. Mansoand Williams run efficacystudies on HIV vaccinetrials, while Grahamworks in a nearby lab andfocuses on HerpesSimplex virus, West Nilevirus, HIV and Flu.

Photo by John Froschauer

Scene

PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 3

40 Honor Roll of Donors

61 University Gallery

64 One-on-One

Scene is printed on 10 percent post-con-

sumer recycled paper usingsoy-based sustainable inks.The paper was manufactured at a Forest StewardshipCouncil-certified plant.

Tyson Bendzak ’10 was asked totake his unicycle with him whenNike sent him to London to blogabout the Summer Olympics.

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4 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > HERE & NOW

T he beginning of PLU’s 123rd yearmarked a time of change and acelebration of a rich history of

pursuing lives of service and thoughtfulinquiry. The Presidential Inaugurationand Convocation on Sept. 4 included awelcome for the class of 2016 and theinduction of PLU’s 13th president,Thomas W. Krise.

“We become Lutes together today,”Krise told the students at OlsonAuditorium.

To celebrate the occasion, 640 first-

year students, 50 clergy, 200 facultyand 40 delegates from other highereducation institutions gathered withstaff, administrators, regents andguests. Presiding Bishop of the ELCA,Rev. Mark S. Hanson, gave Krise thecharge of affirming his commitment tothe pursuit of academic excellence andthe shepherding of higher education inthe Lutheran tradition.

“Ceremonies like today are how weact out what we cannot say,” Krise said.

It is the tradition of a Lutheran edu-

cation and a history of three millennia ofliberal arts education that bring facultyand students to PLU – where academicfreedom, rigor and reason are the pur-suit and standard, he said.

“Colleges need to remain places whereyou can ask troubling questions, pushthe boundaries and seek knowledgewherever that might be,” Krise said.

—Chris AlbertTo read the full text of President Thomas W.Krise’s inaugural address, “The world needsmore PLU,” see page 10.

Inauguration and Convocation welcome new students, and new president

PLU President Thomas W. Krise

HERE & NOW > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 5

Common ReadingProgram comes full circlewith author visit

After reading the novel “Into theBeautiful North” as part of theCommon Reading Program this

summer, students, staff, and faculty hadthe opportunity to meet the book’sauthor, Luis Alberto Urrea, who visitedcampus Thursday, Sept. 13.

Urrea visited professor Jason Skipper’sclass in the afternoon before taking thestage at a presidential inaugura-tion event in Lagerquist ConcertHall to talk about the unusualupbringing that helped inspirehis novel.

Urrea was born to anAmerican mother and Mexicanfather in Tijuana, but moved tothe U.S. after contracting tuber-culosis, which ended up decimating his hometown. It wasn’t until years later– after becoming the first in his family togo to college and losing his father – thatUrrea was inspired to return to his oldneighborhood to do mission work.

Working with a man by the name ofPastor Von and connecting with peoplefrom his old neighborhood gave him anew perspective on humanity, which is acommon theme in many of his books.“Into the Beautiful North” tackles someof the issues plaguing Mexico, but it’salso very lighthearted – which wasUrrea’s intent.

“I sat down to write a book that wouldmake me laugh,” Urrea said. “Humor is avirus that affects everyone in humanity.It’s hard to not like someone and notwelcome someone if you’ve shared alaugh with them.”

Education major Megan Zink ’15 cer-tainly shared a few laughs. “He’s reallyfunny,” she said after the lecture. “It wasinteresting to see the history behind thebook.”

Like other incoming students, Zinkwas asked to read the book as part of theCommon Reading Program. This year,the program tried something new – ask-ing all members of the PLU communityto read the book so everyone could have

something in common with the incom-ing class of 2016.

Zink said the program helped easesome of the awkwardness of meetingnew people.

“I liked reading a book with everyonebecause it gave us something to talkabout.”

—Katie Scaff ’13

Opportunity Boardbrings job-seekers andemployers together

Career Connections – the keyfacilitator among essentialcareer planning services avail-

able to PLU students and alumni – cel-ebrated its first anniversary this pastsummer by launching an essentialonline tool – the Career ConnectionsOpportunity Board.

Executive Director Bobbi Hughes ’00said the new Career ConnectionsOpportunity Board will be the centrallocation for all job search and intern-ship opportunities across campus.

“Opportunity” is the operative word,because Hughes says the site will eventu-ally include volunteer opportunities aswell. “We really see it as a centralizedresource to develop professional skillsand experience,” she said.

The online resource will be the mainlocation for all on-campus jobs, statework-study jobs, internships and, ofcourse, full-time career placement.

And it won’t be just for students.Alumni are encouraged to use theseresources, especially those who havegraduated in the past few years.

The site is also great for employers.Hughes said that, in the past, if corpo-rate recruiters had multiple offerings topost – say, an internship and a full-timeposition – they would often have to goto separate locations to post theannouncement. Now, both students andemployers can all go to the same place.

“I think students will find the CareerConnections Opportunities Board aninvaluable resource in their job searchand overall professional development,”

“I sat down to write abook that wouldmake me laugh.”

—Luis Alberto Urrea

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Author Luis Alberto Urrea speaks to the campus community in Lagerquist Concert Hall.

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6 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > HERE & NOW

said Hughes. “It will enhance their con-nections with employers, and in this jobmarket your connections are your mostimportant asset.”

—Steve Hansen

To find the Career Connections OpportunityBoard, as well as other opportunities avail-able from Career Connections, visitwww.plu.edu/career-connections.

PLU’s joyous Christmasconcerts celebrate ‘AChild is Born’

What has become a magnificentholiday tradition will take onadded significance this

December when the Choir of the West,University Chorale and members of theUniversity Symphony Orchestra per-form the world premiere of “Unto Us,” composed by PLU Professor of MusicDavid Deacon-Joyner.

As in recent years, PLU’s most giftedstudent musicians will perform atSeattle’s Benaroya Concert Hall, hometo the Seattle Symphony, on Monday,Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., and at Portland’sArlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, home ofthe Oregon Symphony, on Tuesday,Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.

There will also be three performancesin PLU’s Lagerquist Concert Hall in theMary Baker Russell Music Center: Dec. 1and 7 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.

As is tradition with PLU Christmasconcerts, University Pastor NancyConnor will provide readings to illumi-nate the musical offerings, and theaudience will participate with the choirsduring familiar Christmas carols. Thisconcert will provide an evening of beau-

ty, reflection, and pageantry, sure tobring a joyous beginning to theChristmas season.

Tickets for the Seattle, Portland andTacoma concerts are all on sale now. Tofind out how to purchase tickets, andfor more information, visitwww.plu.edu/christmas.

—Steve Hansen

Phase II of Karen HillePhillips Center for the Performing Arts continues

T his fall, students returned tocampus to see constructioncrews hard at work on the sec-

ond phase of the Karen Hille PhillipsCenter for the Performing Arts. Thecenter renovation includes a 630-seatperformance space, to be known asEastvold Auditorium. It also features anart gallery in the main lobby, a second-floor lobby, an elevator, and the restora-tion of Ness Family chapel, formerlyTower Chapel.

There will be three performances in PLU’sLagerquist Concert Hall in theMary Baker Russell MusicCenter: Dec. 1 and 7 at 8p.m., and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.

As of November, much of the workunder way has been structural. Thepouring of footings and walls in thebasement area has taken place, as wellas framing, underground plumbing and structural steel in the attic and first floor.

The first phase of the project has beencomplete for a year – with a full slate of productions taking place in its newstudio theater space.

The Karen Hille Phillips Center forthe Performing Arts renovations are ontrack to be completed by the beginningof the 2013-14 academic year.

PLU’s student-musicians perform at last year’s Christmas concert in Benaroya Hall, Seattle.

Artist rendering of the remodeled Eastvold Auditorium

A C C O L A D E S

is one of 19 members appointed bythe governor on a board of 23, fourof which are legislators.

Laura Majovski, vice presidentfor student life and dean of stu-dents, was named the recipient ofthe 2012-2013 Scott GoodnightAward in Region V of the NationalAssociation of Student PersonnelAdministrators. The award recog-nizes a senior student-affairs officerwho exemplifies a sustained profes-sional service in student affairs.

Maria Chavez-Pringle, associateprofessor of politi-cal science, deliv-ered in Septemberthe address“Diversity and

Social Capital: the Need to IncreaseDiversity in Governance and in ourProfessions,” to the HinckleyInstitute of Politics at the Universityof Utah.

Laura McCloud,assistant professorof sociology, wasfeatured in an arti-cle in the August20, 2012 issue of“Inside Higher

Ed,” which focused on student debt,gender and class. McCloud, alongwith Rachel E. Dwyer and RandyHodson of Ohio State University,examined the debt levels at whichmale and female students becomemore likely to drop out of collegethan to finish their degrees.

ElizabethBrusco, professorof anthropology,will speak at theSecond AnnualPeter BergerLecture in the

Comparative Study of Religion atBoston University. The lecture, setto take place Nov. 8, is titled“Barred from the Pulpit, Absentfrom the Stage, and Missing in theAnalysis: Why We Must KeepWomen in the Foreground inUnderstanding GlobalPentecostalism.”

Jason Skipper, associate profes-sor of English, has been notifiedthat his debut novel, “Hustle,” wasselected by the PEN Center USA asone of three finalists for the 2012literary award for fiction.

DouglasOakman, profes-sor of NewTestament, haspublished the“The PoliticalAims of Jesus:

Peasant Politics in HerodianGalilee” (Fortress Press). The bookrevives the eighteenth-century the-sis of Hermann Samuel Reimarus,that Jesus’ material political aimswere redirected by his posthumousfollowers toward otherworldly sal-vation.

Cameron Bennett, dean of theschool of arts and communication,was appointed to the WashingtonState Arts Commission byGovernor Chris Gregoire. Bennett

HERE & NOW > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 7

PLU joins Nobel PeacePrize Forum as a full sponsor

Pacific Lutheran University isjoining the Nobel Peace PrizeForum as a full sponsor – the

Norwegian Nobel Institute’s onlysuch program or academic affiliationoutside of Norway. Begun in 1988 bya consortium of private Lutheran col-leges founded by Norwegian-Americans, PLU joins Augsburg,Augustana, Concordia, Luther and St.Olaf.

“We pride ourselves on global edu-cation and I think this is one way forus to practice globally within theUnited States,” said ClaudiaBerguson, associate professor ofNorwegian and Scandinavian Studiesat PLU.

The annual three-day event thattakes place in Minneapolis, is intend-ed to inspire students and other citi-zens to become active participants inpeacemaking efforts around theworld. The multidisciplinary focus of

the forum is emphasized through desig-nating specific days to address peace-making in relation to science andhealth, business and global studies. In

addition, two students from each of thesix consortium schools are awarded aseven-week academic experience inNorway. —Chris Albert S

The Reinhold Neibuhr Professor Emeritus ofSocial Ethics at Union Theological Seminary inNew York, Larry Rasmussen, gives the keynoteaddress during the 2012 Lutheran StudiesConference. (Photo by Jesse Major ’14)

“Ours is not the same planet

our ancestors knew and loved.

And it will not be (the same) in

the lifetime of all the people

sitting here.”

—Larry Rasmussen

8 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > LIFE OF THE MIND

In today’s global economy, the earthis seen as a commodity, said socialethicist Larry Rasmussen. To sustain

the earth, including human life, a shiftmust occur to an ecological economy,where humans are not just stewards ofnature, but view themselves instead as apart of nature and the ecological sys-tem.

Before a full-house in theScandinavian Cultural Center,Rasmussen presented the keynoteaddress for the 2012 Lutheran StudiesConference – “Lutheran Perspectives onPolitical Life: What has God to do withCaesar?” He was the Reinhold NeibuhrProfessor of Social Ethics at UnionTheological Seminary in New Yorkfrom 1986 to 2004.

The second annual conference, heldSept. 20, was made possible by ananonymous donor who funded anendowed Chair in Lutheran Studies,which is currently held by ProfessorSamuel Torvend ’73.

This year’s event had additional sig-nificance, as it was part of the inaugu-ration festivities welcoming to PLUPresident Thomas W. Krise. He was inthe audience during the conference,along with his wife, Patricia Krise.

Several other PLU professors also pre-sented at the conference. Professor ofNew Testament Doug Oakman openedthe day with “Two Kingdoms, OneTable: Jesus in Political Perspective.”Associate Professor of ConstructiveTheology Marit Trelstad, lectured on“Luther and Lutheran Theology: AForce of Political, Social Rebellion.”

life of the mindLutheran Studies Conference considers perspectives on political life

Seth Dowland, assistant professor ofAmerican church history, also tookpart, discussing “From Civil Rights tothe Christian Right: King, Neuhaus,and Christian Political Action.”

During the keynote address,Rasmussen gave an impassioneddefense why environmental issuesshould be the political issue of the day.

“Ours is not the same planet ourancestors knew and loved,” he said. “Andit will not be (the same) in the lifetime ofall the people sitting here.”

Next to Rasmussen were three emptychairs to signify the unrepresented andthe underrepresented of earth – areminder that all segments of life haveto have a say in this world to survive.

The chairs represented the naturalworld, the poor, and future generationsof humans and other species.

Rasmussen now lives in New Mexico.On a wall in his home there is a poemby Wendell Berry that reminds him ofnot only what is at stake, but theresponsibility of all life to cherish life.

“To cherish what remains of the earthand to foster its renewal is our onlylegitimate hope of survival,” he said,quoting Berry. The writing, Rasmussennoted, is literally “on the wall” for thehuman race.

As much of a task as it is for humansto view themselves as part of life ratherthan commanders of life, the concept ofdominating the natural world is a rela-tively new view, he noted. It’s only beenin the last century, during the industri-al age, that humans started to view theearth as a commodity, Rasmussen said.

As such, “nature is rendered more, notless, vulnerable,” he said.

And earth is becoming less tolerant ofthese abuses, Rasmussen added.

“We have a design problem,” he said ofhow our species functions with theworld. We are now facing not only anenvironmental crisis, but a “civilizationcrisis,” he said.

Destruction is not a sustainable way oflife, he said.

Religion has and can play a big role inhow the species views itself within thecontext of the natural world. To sustainand re-vitalize, there must be a religiousand a moral transition for the care of ahealthy earth, Rasmussen said. God andthe ecosphere must be viewed as a whole.

It is the identity of the cross that callspeople to care and nurture the most vul-nerable, he said. Now, it is creation itselfthat is most vulnerable. The science ofthis crisis is no less valuable, in that itguides actions and explains what is hap-pening around us, he said.

“Science is indispensable because it cantell what is happening,” Rasmussen said.“Religion is in any case no substitute forscience, yet few people will die for a piechart.”

He said that PLU is a place where thoseconcepts can thrive and spread through-out the world because it is a place wherevocation is not just a word, but a way oflife. It is more than a moral obligation tocare for the earth, it is imperative forhuman well-being, and the survival ofthe many voices that are represented byempty chairs.

—Chris Albert

LIFE OF THE MIND > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 9

S

BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I’d like to have a word with the brand new freshmenand transfer students. You are, after all, my class. We all become Lutes togethertoday.

I have proof that being a new college president is just like being a new student.First, I’m pretty nervous. And excited.

Second, what did your mom say to you when you said goodbye last Friday?Yesterday my mom said, “Don’t worry Tom. You’ve worked hard to get here, now it’sup to you to make the best of it. You can do it.” Whether you’re 18, 20-something,or 50-something, mom is mom, and she’s right about a lot of things. I think eventhe dads will admit that!

For all of us, though, being nervous about a new school year will soon give way tothe excitement of meeting new people and doing new things.

We may get homesick for family, friends and familiar ways of doing things. But then, PLU becomes your family and your familiar place. Soon it will all be

about the hard work and great fun of living the PLU experience. One day you wakeup and you really feel it: “I’m a Lute.” I think that day came for me this morning!And, looking at you now, I know that feeling lasts a lifetime.

And so our celebration today is two-fold. We celebrate the beginning of a new erafor PLU as we open its 123th year. And we celebrate a new year and the beginning oflife at PLU for you, our new students.

A teacher of mine liked to remark that ceremonies such as this one today are theway we act out what we cannot say.

She was right about that. Many of the elements of our ceremony of installationtoday stretch back to our founding in 1890. They are things we have not said butthey are things that have symbolic meaning – using historic ceremony to pledge ourcollective support for the institution and its mission in a new period of its distin-guished history.

My thanks go to everyone here for being part of this special day and for caringabout this institution and the precious people who make it what it is.

I’d like to extend special thanks to my predecessors who join me today on thestage. We are honored to have Loren Anderson with us. His long and distinguishedpresidency bequeathed a robust and spirited institution.

Eugene Wiegman is here as well. He had a transformational term as president andhas continued to be a model citizen and leader in our community over the years since.

I offer my thanks also to the members of the PLU Corporation, the Board ofRegents, the Presiding Bishop, and all on the platform. Thanks too to the faculty,professional staff, and students who have made this day possible.

We are honored by the presence of many community leaders and other distinguishedcitizens of Parkland, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington state, and well beyond.

Our festival day is made more festive and colorful by the presence of presidentsand presidents’ delegates who bring greetings in person from dozens of universitiesacross the country. I join the entire PLU community in thanking the delegates notonly for their presence, but also for demonstrating, visually, that the higher educa-tion community really is a community, and that we all prosper together.

I am also personally grateful for the presence of so many friends and relatives,many of whom have traveled from far away. They include my mother, Beth Krise,from South Carolina, my sister, Pat Kane, from Maryland, my wife Patty’s family –the Loves and the Bateses from Indiana, friends and high school classmates fromthe Virgin Islands, and friends and colleagues from places Patty and I have lived andloved over the years.

I’m so pleased to have all these friends and supporters here today as we reflect onour university’s mission, values and vision; a reflection on our great, collectiveaccomplishments to date; and a reflection on the responsibility we share to ensure apromising future for all humankind.

Dare I say, “The World Needs More PLU.”

“TheWorldNeeds MorePLU”PRESIDENT THOMAS W. KRISE

The following is the inauguraladdress delivered by PLU PresidentThomas W. Krise during theInauguration and ConvocationCelebration at Pacific LutheranUniversity, September 4, 2012.

10 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > FEATURES

A Foundation in Lutheran Values and the Liberal ArtsWhen Pacific Lutheran University was founded on December 11, 1890 – just one

short year after the admission of Washington to statehood – our founding presi-dent, Bjug Harstad, wrote that he and his fellow founders aimed to raise “en foer-shte Rangs Skole” – a university of the first rank.

Harstad and his fellow Norwegian pioneer founders envisioned an institutionthat drew upon three millennia of liberal arts tradition. It is a tradition thatstretches back to the prophetic quest for social justice, to the ancient Greek tradi-tion of philosophical inquiry, to rabbinic argumentation, to the Christian monasticschools, and to the Islamic advances in the sciences.

Our founders also drew on centuries of Lutheran higher education tradition. Thepresence of representatives from many Lutheran colleges and universities heretoday is proof of the soundness and longevity of that well-established tradition.

Our founders also looked to the superb American system of higher education –with its firm commitment to academic freedom, its rigorous questioning of allreceived opinions, and its belief in the primacy of reason. All of these – academicfreedom, rigor and reason – are rooted in the great reform and revolution sparkedby Martin Luther’s protest.

Of course, the Reformation was as much about education and intellectual rigoras it was about religion. With his fellow reformer, Philip Melanchthon, Lutherestablished the German pattern of secondary and tertiary education upon whichthe American system was modeled in the later nineteenth century. ProfessorLuther’s reform of both faith and education came about as a result of his askingtroubling questions, for which he got into trouble.

Luther and Melanchthon have shown us that colleges and universities are, andmust remain, places to ask troubling questions, to debate, to make society uncom-fortable, to seek knowledge wherever it might lead. The protection and promotionof academic freedom – the freedom to question, to teach, to learn, to publish andto broadcast – is a sacred trust.

The Scandinavian pioneers in the Pacific Northwest founded not only universitiesand schools, but also hospitals, libraries, and mutual benefit associations to carryout Luther’s call for the care of all aspects of the human condition. This traditionof caring for others, for ensuring their education, and for fostering leaders commit-ted to service to others finds itself well represented in PLU’s mission statement: Weseek to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership, and care– for other people, for their communities, and for the earth. At PLU today, our dis-tinctive expression of American higher education includes a superb liberal arts cur-riculum – with its stellar faculty and students in the sciences and social sciences, inthe humanities, in music (so well represented here today), and in the fine and per-forming arts. It also includes a suite of select graduate and professional programsthat all seek to build our students’ capacity to serve the world – nursing, marriageand family therapy, finance, education, creative writing, and business.

So, you see, the world needs more PLU.

Lives of Service and CareAs a community and as individuals, PLU people care about the development and

success of our students and of each other. We have high expectations for achieve-ment – reaching back to the university of the first rank envisioned by our founders– and manifested in the ways Lutes are able to achieve even beyond their initialambitions. This achievement comes from the way our faculty engage as teachersand mentors.

People learn best from people they care about. To meet the challenges of the world’sproblems, we need more people spurred onto excellence by people they care about.

The world needs more PLU.Our care for others and for the earth prompts our commitment not only to vocation

but also to issues of diversity, justice and sustainability. This month marks the 50th

As a community andas individuals, PLUpeople care aboutthe development andsuccess of our stu-dents and of eachother. We have highexpectations forachievement – reach-ing back to the uni-versity of the firstrank envisioned byour founders – andmanifested in theways Lutes are ableto achieve evenbeyond their initialambitions.

FEATURES > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 11


anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring,” which is credited withsparking the environmental movement in which PLU has been such a dedicated player.

As much as Carson’s call to environmental action warned of danger, she also inspiredus to care for the beauty of the earth, not merely its utility, when she noted that: “Thosewho contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure aslong as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature– the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

To meet the environmental challenges we all face, we need more places to modelsustainable practices, to study and to try out new ways of living responsibly andbeing faithful stewards of God’s creation.

In this way, too, the world needs more PLU.

A Global UniversityFor PLU, care for the earth and its people is intertwined in our robust commit-

ment to international education – underscored by our firm partnerships with ourGateway Countries of Trinidad and Tobago, Norway, Namibia, Mexico, and China.These partnerships, coupled with our happy location in a major port city in thePacific Northwest, in a key spot on the Pacific Rim – help make international educa-tion at PLU so distinctive.

Robust engagement with the world means much more than mere touring. Studyand preparation before studying abroad, together with reflection and analysis after-ward, are characteristic of the way PLU approaches international education. And wealso highly value the rich diversity of nationalities and cultures we attract to PLUfrom across our own country and from others – and we embrace and celebrate thecultures and ethnicities in our own Puget Sound region.

I’ve heard eloquent testimonials from students about how much they have learnedabout the world from their international classmates. So, you see, global engagement atPLU means much more than studying abroad. PLU has inspired countless alumni towork and travel and engage with people around the globe in positive and uplifting ways.

Not only does PLU cherish our diverse world – the world needs more PLU.

Wild HopeThe reflections we have shared and the ceremonies we have witnessed on this com-

bined inauguration and convocation day have given all of you – but especially our newstudents – a glimpse into our institutional history; our mission, our purpose and ourvalues; our more recent accomplishments and some of our aspirations for the future.

But in the end, PLU is all about you, our students. PLU’s strong commitment is tohelp you realize your Wild Hope – your vocation, your calling, your purpose in life.

PLU’s Wild Hope Center for Vocation takes inspiration for its name from MaryOliver’s question in her poem The Summer’s Day: “Tell me, what is it you plan to dowith your one wild and precious life?” she asks.

We at PLU start the process of helping you discover your Wild Hope right at thestart. You have already been engaged in a lively and stimulating orientation programfor the past several days. You have already begun asking yourselves what we call theBig Enough Questions: “What skills do I have?” “How can I best matter to other peo-ple?” “What legacy do I want to leave behind?”

Our professional staff and faculty members have been prodding you to take fulladvantage of the smorgasbord of opportunities we offer at PLU. We do so with thegoal of helping you figure out what you’re good at and how you might use your abil-ities to make a difference in the world. I know I’ve learned a lot about my own WildHope, and have found it here at PLU. In fact, PLU is full of people for whom the lifeof the mind and the teaching of students like you is their Wild Hope – and we all canhelp you find yours.

We will present you with opportunities to meet and hear about the many distin-guished Lutes who’ve made a difference in the world – many of whom are here inthis hall with us today.

They know whatyou are sureto discover: collegeeducation makes itmore possible tolead a well-lived life,a life of purpose andmeaning, a life ofachievement andsatisfaction.


Imagine yourself following in the footsteps of the Honorable Joyce Anne Barr,Class of 1976, who was just appointed United States Assistant Secretary of State forAdministration, capping a distinguished Foreign Service career that included serv-ing as U.S. Ambassador to Namibia.

Your fellow Lutes include Brian Bannon, Class of 1997, who was recently appoint-ed head of the country’s second largest library system, the Chicago Public Library.

Or prepare yourself to literally change the world just like William Foege, M.D.,Class of 1956, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom this May fordevising the global strategy for the eradication of smallpox when he served asDirector of the Centers for Disease Control.

And among your own near contemporaries, four members of the Class of 2012showed great promise for the future by winning Fulbright Scholarships, bringing to91 the number of Fulbrights won by Lutes. These awards went to Mycal Ford, whowill be going to Taiwan; Carolyn Hylander, who is going to Colombia; GretchenNagel, who is going to Germany; and Caitlin Walton, who is going to Malaysia.

The more we know about PLU and our Lutes, the more we know that the worldneeds more PLU.

The world needs more of the kind of people we attract to PLU – people who feelcalled to serve other people, to meet and overcome the world’s challenges – peoplewho “care.”

You’ve come to a serious university that is serious about your success. We depend onyou to be the best you can be so you and we can help solve the world’s problems.

You are embarking on this educational adventure in a period in which many of themost influential institutions don’t last very long. Industries and technologies arechanging rapidly. Companies and corporations come and go. Several of the biggest andmost influential companies of today didn’t exist when most of you new students wereborn. In fact, we are all living through a period of revolutionary change every bit asimportant as the industrial revolution of the 19th century, the scientific revolution ofthe 17th century, and the literacy revolution of the 16th century.

Today you’re joining an institution approaching its quasquicentennial (our 125thanniversary); we’re part of a nearly thousand-year-old tradition of higher education.PLU bears an important responsibility for establishing standards of excellence andpreserving the memory of achievement.

It is because we will prepare you to measure up to these standards that the worldneeds more PLU.

Institutions like PLU not only help create the future – by teaching you to be cre-ators of new knowledge – but we also preserve, conserve, memorialize, and celebrateculture and achievement.

Many of the buildings and halls and classrooms you’ll be living and learning inbear the names of those who have made a difference in the world, and who wantedto give you the chance to make a difference. They know what you are sure to discov-er: college education makes it more possible to lead a well-lived life, a life of purposeand meaning, a life of achievement and satisfaction.

That life of achievement and satisfaction may seem a ways off for you at themoment. But, as you learned in orientation, that nervousness you (and I) feel is edu-cation working inside us. This whole community is here to help you succeed and tobecome someone who discovers your vocation and lives a life caring about others,your communities and the earth.

The world needs more PLU – it needs you and what you can bring to the world.To preside over as great an enterprise as Pacific Lutheran University is a humbling

honor. This ceremony today symbolizes our heritage and formally opens a newepoch. This robe and this seal feel very heavy to me, and they remind me of theweight of responsibility that they symbolize.

I promise I won’t forget. I pledge my constant care and concern for the university’speople, for its tradition, for its excellence, for its ambition and for its future, becausethe world needs more PLU.

“TheWorldNeeds MorePLU”

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PHot os BYJohnFroschauer


Real-World

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For decades, Pacific Lutheran University has built a reputation for sending talented,proficient students into the workplace.Their success is proof that challengingacademics – hours spent in the classroom

and laboratory, the practice room and concert hall, theplaying field and court – all while working closely withprofessors, will indeed produce results. By the time PLUstudents receive a diploma, they are fully equipped forsuccess in the world.

A PLU education, however, does not stop at graduation.The education continues, as graduates plug into anetwork of people who share a common bond – thosewho know what it means to be a Lute.

These are five profiles of recent PLU graduates whohave taken their degree, entered the workplace, andmade a connection with a fellow Lute. There, they havefound colleagues, mentors, friends – all who share a unique understanding of the value of the PLU experience.

ReAD MoRe >


If there is one disciplinewhere finding a job isheavily weighted on “whoyou know,” it’s the arts,even more so with opera.

As Sorayah Surkatty reflects on hernew career in the realm of bigvoices and classical music, she iswell aware of that fact. The vocalperformance graduate counts herconnections with her voice coachand PLU music lecturer Holly Boaz,and Jim Brown, associate professorof music, with securing her con-nections with the Vashon Opera onVashon Island, Wash.

Surkatty recalls Boaz initially rec-ommending her for a part inHansel and Gretel with the operacompany. She played Gretel. ThenBrown hired her this fall to work ona stage production of “Cosi fantutte” by Mozart.

She clearly relishes the chance, toboth sing and help with the produc-tions of the relatively new company.

“People really appreciate doingbusiness with people they like, andthat’s all the more true for the artsworld,” Surkatty said. “In opera, alot of the castings begin with

recommendations. That’s eventual-ly how you land the big gigs.”

That, and a passion for your craft.Surkatty was born in the UnitedStates, and then traveled back withher family to Indonesia when shewas only a few weeks old. Her fami-ly returned to the Yakima, Wash.,area when she was 14 – in the mid-dle of the winter. Not only was theweather a shock to the high schoolfreshman, but the culture was ashock as well. She was more accli-mated to a laid back atmosphereand tropical climates.

“I was really lost when I came here. But then I found my friends,

my home in the choir,” she said.

As for opera, Surkatty was hookedwhen a traveling opera productioncame to her high school “and justblew me away. Before that, Ithought it was all fat lady with thehorns, but there’s such a magnifi-cent beauty to an operatic voice.”

And when it came time to choose acollege?

“For me, there was no otherchoice,” she laughed. “It was PLUor bust.” Part of her focus on PLUstemmed from the reputation of itsmusic department, as well as theconnections and reputations of theprofessors. It’s those connectionswith the local arts scene that hasserved many graduates well.

“In this job market, or really any jobmarket, it never hurts,” Brown saidof the topic of recommendationsand “who you know.” But he’d liketo make one clarification.

“I don’t think really any of us ‘getthese people jobs,’” he said. “Wegive them opportunities. It’s theremarkable talent and intellect ofour graduates that get them jobs.”B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S

Profile

Sorayah Surkatty ’10 MAJORVocal performance

EMPLOYERVashon Opera

PLU CONNECTIONAssociate Professor of Music, JimBrown, and PLU Music Lecturer,Holly Boaz

‘We give them opportunities. It’s theremarkable talent and intellect of ourgraduates that get them jobs’

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sometimes the connec-tion occurs in the jobsearch, but other times,that key link with a fel-low Lute may occur

after a career is launched. That wascertainly the case with MauraGannon.

During Gannon’s School ofEducation graduation ceremonytwo years ago, she remembershearing Erin Jones speak about herexperiences in the field and whatinspired her. She encouraged thenew graduates to go out into theworld and make a difference. Twoyears later, their paths crossedagain, much to Gannon’s delight.

Gannon was entering her third yearas a third-grade teacher at MirrorLake Elementary School in FederalWay and Jones was in her first yearas the director of equity andachievement for the district. Jones’job entailed traveling throughoutthe district teaching workshops,including at Mirror Lake.

“We connected right away,” Jonessaid.

She was asked to do some inten-sive work on team building with afew teachers, including Gannon.Before the school year started,Jones asked Gannon if she couldbe her mentor.

“That would be incredible,” Gannonrecalled saying. “It’s funny becausein the world of education she’s abig deal, and I felt like ‘wow’ ErinJones knows my name.”

And as a mentor, Jones is bringingmore to Mirror Lake than just help-ing a single teacher, Gannon noted.

“I don’t think she realizes she’s notjust affecting me and my 25 kids,but she’s impacting our wholeschool,” Gannon said.

Jones was excited because so muchof her philosophy as an administra-tor is to stay connected to the class-room. She told Gannon’s class at thebeginning of the year that she hadbasically adopted all of them. As oneof PLU’s first Act Six Scholars, Jonesreflected that, in a sense, she’s con-tinuing the first experience she hadat PLU: becoming part of somethingbigger and part of a community. InGannon, Jones sees someone who isdoing what PLU instilled in her.

“I think what excites me aboutMaura and why I’m eager to men-

tor her, is that before weeven talked about mentor-ing she was already askingfor help and doing more tolearn more,” Jones said.“For someone that iseager to learn, I will makethe time. She’s alreadydoing great things.”

The pair is just implement-ing the skills they wereboth taught at PLU,Gannon said.

“So much of what welearned in the educationdepartment really sets usapart from others,”

Gannon said. “I’m practicing what Ilearned and I feel like I came intoteaching with 20 more sets of skillsthan other new teachers.”

C H R I S A L B E R T

‘so much of what we learned in the education department really sets us apartfrom others’

Profile

Maura Gannon ’10 MAJOREducation

EMPLOYERFederal Way School District

PLU CONNECTIONErin Jones ’01, Director of Equityand Achievement at the FederalWay School District

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‘Lutes always seem to be a few stepsahead of the others’

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Profile

Bryce Manso ’10MAJORBiology

EMPLOYERFred Hutchinson CancerResearch Center

PLU CONNECTIONEveryone! His boss, his profs, hiscolleagues

F ive weeks afterBryce Manso gradu-ated with his biologydegree from PLU, hegot his first job as a

lab technician at Seattle’s FredHutchinson Cancer ResearchCenter. He remembers his inter-view well. Before Manso couldeven shake his hand, his interview-er enthusiastically said to him: “GoLutes!"

The interviewer would be Manso’sfuture boss. And while his bossdidn't attend PLU, his wife did. Infact, the two had the same swimcoach 15 years apart.

In the two years he has been work-ing at The Hutch, Manso hasworked in four different areas ofthe lab, and he’s already been pro-moted. He is currently responsiblefor efficacy studies on the HIVvaccine trials conducted in theresearch and development depart-ment. He credits his professors inthe PLU biology department, par-ticularly Mary Ellard-Ivey and AnnAuman, for being able to move sofluidly – and quickly – up the ranks.

“My profs had a very similar view:No matter what we were studying,they would always bring it back tothe bigger picture,” Manso said.“They would put everything wewere learning in context, quite lit-erally saying, ‘here’s how this willlook in the workplace.’”

That ability to take scientific con-cepts and quickly implement them

in the workplace has served himwell.

It has served other PLU graduateswell, too. Manso says he is in oneof the larger labs at the researchcenter and, by his unofficial count,PLU has a higher representation inhis lab than any other university,except perhaps the much largerUniversity of Washington.

The large number of Lutes builds acertain camaraderie in the lab –Julie Williams ’09 and TishaGraham ’09 will also attest to that.In the years he’s been at TheHutch, Manso has noticed that,among the new employees thatjoin his lab, it is the PLU studentswho seem to be significantly moreself-reliant than graduates fromother schools. “Lutes always seemto be a few steps ahead of others,”he said.

He chalks that up to the prepara-tion he and his colleagues receivedat PLU.

“The professors always preparedus for how things would be in the‘real world,’” Manso said. “Theykept saying you’ll use [these skills]for the next 50 years of your life.

“And so far,” he added, “they wereexactly right.”

S T E V E H A N S E N

PLU graduates havethe skills. now, a central place to make a connection

Bobbi Hughes, Executive Directorof Career Connections, would likeall Lutes who are looking for ajob, or have a position to offer, tocheck out the Career Connectionswebsite at www.plu.edu/career-connections.

Of special interest for bothemployers and alumni is the newlycreated Career ConnectionsOpportunities Board. For stu-dents, the online resource will bea centralized location for all on-campus jobs, as well as statework-study jobs and internships.For PLU students and alumni, itwill be a resource for full-timecareer placement. Alumni areencouraged to get involved,especially those who havegraduated in the past two years.

“Many alumni think that oncethey’ve graduated, that’s it,”Hughes said. “And the fact is, theycan use our services for free forup to two years after graduation.We help with the job searches,resume reviews and we can talkwith them by phone or by Skype.”

And if an alumnus knows of a jobwithin their organization, Hughesencourages them to send it toCareer Connections [email protected].

The site is also great for employ-ers, she said. In the past, if a com-pany had multiple offerings topost – say, an internship and afull-time position – they wouldoften have to go to separate loca-tions to post the announcement.Now, both students and employ-ers can all go to the same place.Hughes estimated that over 800employers have put jobs on thesite, and currently there are 230active jobs in the system.

B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S


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20 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > FEATURE

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As part of her senioryear capstone proj-ect, Jessica McGiffordwas required to takean internship.

Through a recommendation fromthe PLU Women’s Center, shewound up at Pierce County’sCrystal Judson Family JusticeCenter, working with individualsand families affected by domesticviolence. There, she met AbiMcLane, the victim services super-visor, and also a PLU grad.

McGifford and McLane were neveron campus at the same time, buttheir experiences are remarkablysimilar. Both were sociology andwomen’s and gender studies dou-ble-majors. Both built lasting rela-tionships with their professors andPLU staff-members who, now thatMcGifford and McLane are in theworking world, have turned intoprofessional relationships.

And, most certainly, both devel-oped real-world tools throughmentoring and training programsat places like the Women’s Center.For graduates like McGifford andMcLane who aspire for a career inadvocacy, there is no better way toprepare.

“The interns who go through thePLU sexual assault peer educationteam training program are pre-pared weeks in advance (comparedto other schools),” McLane said.“That has to do with the mentoringand the faculty at PLU. The profes-sional identity of PLU studentscomes out a lot sooner.”

McLane would know. In addition tobeing the victim services supervi-sor for the Family Justice Center,she runs its countywide internshipprogram, too.

When McGifford reflects on hersenior internship at the FamilyJustice Center, she recalls howexplicit McLane was with her. “Abimade it clear to me,” she said. “Shegave me a list and said ‘here are allof the things you will be able to doafter your four-month internship.’And she was exactly right.”

McLane added: “On that list iseverything we would want anentry-level advocate to be able todo. When they leave here, we knowthey can say ‘I have the skills.’”

McGifford did have the skills – itwas evident just one month aftershe graduated in May. When aposition opened at Our Sister’sHouse, a non-profit agency thatprovides domestic violence servic-es to families and youth, which is acommunity partner of the FamilyJustice Center, McLane suggestedMcGifford apply. She was sched-uled first-thing Monday morning.By the end of the interview,

McGifford was told, “here’s somepaperwork you need to fill out. It’sfor your new job.”

McLane said that type of connec-tion is not unique. After all, she toowas able to take the skills shegained at PLU, combine them withan internship brokered by her men-tors at the Women’s Center, andturn it into a job.

“Our Sister’s House has a long his-tory of hiring people from PLU,”McLane said.

She was hardly the first. In fact,PLU has been placing students inthe social work field for decades.

S T E V E H A N S E N

Profile

Jessica McGifford ’12MAJORSociology and Women’s andGender Studies

EMPLOYEROur Sister’s House

PLU CONNECTIONAbi McLane ’08, victim servicessupervisor at Crystal JudsonFamily Justice Center

‘t he professional identityof PLU students comes outa lot sooner’

‘I just opened the door and he walkedthrough it, fully prepared’

Victor Bull and hisadmissions advisorMelannie DeniseCunningham were ina verbal bean bag

toss as they relaxed on a warm daythis fall just off of Red Square.

“I give all the credit to her,” Bullsaid, as he talked about first find-ing an internship, and then a job, atState Farm.

“I just opened the door and hewalked through it, fully prepared,”said Cunningham, PLU’s director ofmulticultural recruitment.

The conversation goes on like thisfor some time, but in the end, theyboth agree that the strong connec-tions that PLU has with its localbusiness community was key inboth getting Bull his first internshipand getting his career launched. Herecently moved back to the SanFrancisco Bay area for anotherState Farm job.

Looking back, Bull laughed as herecalled that he wasn’t even con-sidering PLU when he visited theSeattle-Tacoma area on his collegetours. He knew he wanted to getout of California, and he knew hewanted a smallish college. He knewhe wanted to play basketball, butsince “I wasn’t basketball draftmaterial” he wanted a college thatwould give him a good educationand have strong connections to thebusiness community.

But still, Bull said his mom’s jawdropped when he told her of hisdecision to go to PLU.

“She’d thought I’d never want to goto a Lutheran college,” he laughed.

Almost from the moment hestepped on campus, a series ofmentors took Bull under their col-lective wings. Basketball CoachSteve Dickerson immediately intro-duced Bull to Cunningham, whointroduced him to key upper class-

ing in a very rigorous process thatled to him being hired for a sum-mer internship during his sopho-more year at the DuPont, Wash.,firm. He was offered a job in theclaims department upon his gradu-ation with a business degree.

“He did the work,” Cunningham cutin, unwilling to have Bull hand herall the credit. “He was prepared. Heshowed up ready for the interviewand ready for the challenge.”

B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S

FEATURE > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 21

Profile

Victor Bull ’11 MAJORBusiness with a marketingemphasis

EMPLOYERState Farm Insurance

PLU CONNECTIONMelannie Denise Cunningham ’12,PLU Director of MulticulturalRecruitment

men. When Bull inquired about aninternship, Cunningham knew howto connect the dots.

She first reached out to anacquaintance working at StateFarm, who is a recruiter for theirintern program. It all led to Bullapplying, interviewing and compet-

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Changes to PLU’s athletic facilities will improvenot only the student-athlete experience, but theexperience of all students

By STEVE HANSEN

Fields of Dreams


IN MANY WAYS, the season opening 4-2 victory over Trinity LutheranCollege was like so many women’s soccer matches on PLU’s lower campus.

It was a beautiful blue-sky summer daywith gray-and-white striations of Mt.Rainier glistening in the distance, andthe evergreen firs looming just south ofthe soccer field.

And the grass was green. Really green.Artificial-green green.

For the women’s soccer players whowere the first athletes to officially com-pete on the synthetic-surface sportsfield, that color couldn't have beenmore beautiful.

The lighted multi-purpose field, onwhich the men’s and women’s soccerteams will play their home matches, isjust one part of a long list of athleticfacility renovations that have beenmade during the past few years.

Some changes – like the artificial turffield and a new natural turf field thatwill be in play soon or the new grand-stand installed at the baseball field lastyear – are obvious. Others may not beimmediately apparent to the casual eye,like the construction of an all-weathertrack (which allowed the university thehonor of hosting the 2012 NorthwestConference Championships last May),the rebuilt roof over the swimming pool,

or the revamped locker rooms in bothOlson and the swimming pool.

Either way, it is clear that much is hap-pening on PLU’s lower campus. All told,several million dollars worth of improve-ments have already taken place here inthe past two years. There is more tocome with the end goal to not onlyimprove the student-athlete experience,but also improve the experience of allstudents, as part of PLU’s educationalgoal of “educating the whole student.”

At the groundbreaking ceremony forthe multipurpose field last May,Director of Athletics Laurie Turner said

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The new synthetic-turf field is now the homefor the men’s and women’s soccer teams


Fields of Dreams

the new field would “level the playingfield,” in regards to raising where PLUathletic facilities rank in the NorthwestConference.

That is not only a metaphor. Speakingwith Erica Boyle, a senior midfielder onthe women’s soccer team, the “levelplaying field” is a literal descriptor, too.

“It is awesome,” she said. “It is so niceto have that consistency, to know thatwith every touch of the ball, it willbehave the same way – that your passisn’t going to hit some random hole.”

That’s what comes with having only onesoccer field, used both for practice andcompetition – plus an occasional foot-ball practice. Boyle, a Lakewood, Colo.,native, notes that in previous years, thesoccer field was suffering from overuse,even by the middle of the season. Tocombat that, all three teams wouldsometimes practice off-campus to lessenthe damage, often at irregular times.The lighted synthetic turf field, in addi-tion to the old soccer field, allows all theteams the chance to practice on campus,at more regular intervals.

That’s good for practice. That’s alsogood for the real reason they’re here –coursework.

According to Boyle, there seems to beanother benefit. She also guides toursfor prospective students for the Officeof Admission. She said that when shewould take students to lower campus,she was not exactly ashamed of thefacilities, but she knew they were noth-ing to boast about. That, she said, haschanged. She notices that prospectivestudents, athletes or not, have an inter-est in the continued development andupgrades to the athletic facilities.

“People like to see that progress is hap-pening,” she said.

That progress was formally celebratedon October 12 at the dedication cere-mony of the new field. Many membersof the PLU community were in atten-dance to celebrate the results of the$3.5 million effort, funded by gifts

from more than 400 donors and atleast 20 former and current regents –including a generous $1 million giftfrom PLU Regent Donald Wilson ’74and his wife, Kim ’76.

The hope is that the enthusiasm andsupport at the dedication ceremonywill carry over to the new projects stillscheduled for lower campus.

For instance, PLU is in the final leg ofinstalling artificial infield turf on thebaseball field, and is raising money forthe installation of lights. The improve-ments will not only make the fieldmore durable during the wet springseason, but it will make PLU eligible forconsideration as a NCAA Division IIIregional tournament site.

PLU is also in the midst of fundraisingfor planned improvement to the soft-ball field, home to the current NCAADivision III champions, and for contin-ued renovations to the swimming pool,which is nearly 50 years old.

Further in the distance are plans for a rebuilt football field and stadium

complex, also on lower campus.

The swimming pool and track are greatexamples of facility improvements thatdon’t simply benefit PLU’s Division IIIstudent-athletes. It was a point Turnermade last year when the refurbished

Workers lay down the lines on the synthetic-turf field

Erica Boyle intercepts a pass against Trinity Lutheran

ALUMNI NEWS & EVENTS> PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 25

track was dedicated. Updating thetrack provides not only a better sitefor hosting the NWC champi-onships, but a better facility for useby the entire PLU student body andlocal community. “The track is auniversity facility that serves manyconstituents,” Turner said.

Even though the new soccer fieldwas open only to PLU’s athletesthis fall, come spring, when fieldspace isn’t at a premium, it is likelyto serve many more constituents.

For instance, club sports, such asUltimate Frisbee and lacrosse thatplay in the spring, will also have theopportunity to utilize the field.There are even red and blue lacrosselines built into the synthetic turf.

“What it means,” said Craig McCord ’83,the director of club sports at PLU, “is thatthe lacrosse team and the UltimateFrisbee teams will actually be able to havehome games, playing in front of theirfriends and fans on campus.”

In recent years, PLU’s lacrosse andUltimate Frisbee teams have had to rent

For PLU intramural sports, all are wel-come. Unless there isn’t enough fieldspace to accommodate everyone – a prob-lem that sometimes Keim encounters.

Take intramural softball, for example.Over the years, Keim has been forced tolimit the number of teams that couldsign up for softball – given space consid-erations and the amount of availabledaylight after class, and he could only fit12 teams a season. There was muchmore demand on campus for that. Now,Keim says he can have one league onFoss Field, and another league on thenew fields. He also sees a scenario wherehe might have enough field space tolaunch a spring soccer league – some-thing he’s never been able to do before.

“The thing with intramurals, we couldonly get so big,” he said. “This willallow us to meet the demand, andallows us to expand what we can offerto the students.”

Reporting by Chris Albert, BarbaraClements and Nick Dawson contributed tothis story.

“This will allow us tomeet the demand, andallows us to expandwhat we can offer to thestudents.”—Jud Keim

field space from, say, Pierce CountyParks if they wanted to play a homegame. With access to these new campusfields, not only will these club athletesbe able to play where they learn andpractice, but the money they raise tosupport their club teams can be usedfor travel and equipment.

Jud Keim ’86, director of intramuralprograms at PLU, sees a whole newworld of opportunity open to students.Every year, more than 400 students playintramural sports, ranging from tradi-tional sports like softball, flag footballand soccer, to more playful ones likedodgeball. In all, there are more than30 sports opportunities a year, gearedtoward all students – those who live-and-breath sports to those who’ve neverplayed before, but want to try.

After rebuilding the roof, workers complete annual maintenance on the pool


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alumni news

The PLU Alumni Board consists of 17 PLU alumnielected by the Alumni Association to representtheir interests to the university. The board meetstwice a year on campus and conducts much of itsbusiness at that time. The Alumni Board providesongoing input into the many programs and servic-es administered by the Alumni and ConstituentRelations staff.

L aurie Soine, Vice President of the Alumni Board, had theopportunity to welcome President Thomas W. Krise andMrs. Patricia Krise at the Presidential Inauguration and

Convocation. Her poignant remarks also served as a reminder of the passion for and dedication to the larger PLU community:

“I am honored to be here this morning representing thealumni of Pacific Lutheran University – today you offi-cially become part of this extraordinary community. Acommunity that will teach you, a community that willencourage you, a community that will challenge you tobe the masterfully created persons so needed in today’s

world! Dr. Krise, Patty, and the incoming first year class – on behalf of thealumni of Pacific Lutheran University, I welcome you to this distinguishedcommunity. A community that extends far beyond the campus inParkland. We, the larger PLU community, wish for you in the months andyears ahead experiences that will inspire and nourish your minds, experi-ences that will inspire and nourish your bodies, and experiences that willinspire and nourish your spirits.” –LAURIE SOINE ’87

ALUMNI BOARDPam (Weeks ’72) RussellPresidentSan Diego, CALaurie Soine ’87Vice PresidentSeattle, WADavid Chun ’84Kaneohe, HICarl Field ’08Seattle, WABrandon Fix ’96Tacoma, WATom Gilmer ’58Lakewood, WADale Haarr ’89Billings, MTJessica Holden ’07Anchorage, AKDavid Johnson ’74Regent RepresentativeMt. Vernon, WAIsaiah Johnson ’96Auburn, WAJim Kittilsby ’60Tacoma, WAJudy Perry ’63Kiawah Island, SCJan (Swanson ’70) PraxelSpokane, WAKelly Ryan ’10Chevy Chase, MDAnnette (Foege ’61) Stixrud Wilsonville, ORStephanie (Merle ’97) Tomlinson Nampa, IDLeAnne (Jones ’02) WilesSeattle, WA

Want to get involved? www.plu.edu/alumni/Get-Involved/Alumni-Board

MEMBERS

26 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > ALUMNI NEWS & EVENTS

Top row: Kelly Ryan, Dale Haarr, David Chun Middle Row: Stephanie Tomlinson, Jan Praxel, Jessica

Holden, Laurie Soine Bottom Row: Annette Stixrud, Jim Kittilsby, Pam Russell, Carl Field

ALUMNI NEWS & EVENTS > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 27

Want to get involved? www.plu.edu/parents/Get-Involved

Bob ’79 and Cheri (Lust ’79) AdamsPortland, ORChristine AndersonSaint Louis Park, MNMo and Tina FahnestockSaint Paul, MNDiane (Nieman ’80) GunstoneSequim, WAMichelle (Denning ’85) HellwigBigfork, MTMarvin ’80 and Kay (Landerholm ’81)LansverkBozeman, MTJames and Christy LineweaverTacoma, WAPete ’78 and Joan (Nelson ’77) MattichCo-ChairsOlympia, WABen ’78 and Ellen (Govig ’86) McCrackenTacoma, WALonnie and LaTanya McKinneyTacoma, WAPatrick and Debra ReisenthelPleasanton, CAEvan (Adelson ’77) and Mark SorensenVeradale, WAPaul and Debi (Consear ’83) StrombergHappy Valley, ORLynette WhiteTacoma, WABill and Rebecca YoungBoise, IDJamey Young ’83 and Joy Harding-Young ’87Juneau, AK

MEMBERS

PARENTS COUNCIL

On behalf of the PLU Parents Council, we would like to sendgreetings to the whole PLU community. The Parents Council,sponsored by the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, is comprised of parents of fulltime undergraduate students whoseobjective is to generate and maintain the goodwill and support of student families and help to inform other parents about aspects of the university.

It seems like only yesterday we were helping our son, Steven carryall of his belongings up five flights of stairs into Tingelstad Hall,with the help of the Lute football team. Now that Steven is asenior, and as we wrap up our almost four years as PLU parents,we reflect upon what we have appreciated the most about theuniversity. PLU is truly a welcoming community, dedicated tohelping students find their life passion and where they are calledto serve in the world. PLU is a special place and we are honoredto serve as the co-chairs of the Parents Council.–PETE ’78 AND JOAN (NELSON ’77) MATTICH

Pete and Joan’s son, Steven Mattich ’13 (far left),has worked in the Office of Alumni and ConstituentRelations as a student intern since his first year atPLU. Joining him here at Homecoming 2012 are afew fellow student interns showing off their PLUhall pride. (From back, left to right) Mattich,Amanda Williams ’16, Andrew Buttz ’15; (Front) stu-dent supervisor Adrianne (Cryer ’09) Jamieson,Lauren Peterson ’14 and Cole Chernushin ’15.

alumni news & eventscontinued


Each fall we welcome new students to ourcampus. The Office of Alumni andConstituent Relations extends a specialwelcome to our “Legacy Lutes” – those students whose parent(s) also attendedand/or graduated from PLU. We recognizethis extra special commitment to their almamater and are thrilled to have their sonsand daughters carry on their legacy. Pleasenote that only parents who attended PLUare listed below.

Camille Adams Robert Adams ’79 and Cheri (Lust ’79) Adams

Amy ArandElizabeth (Sundell ’79) Arand

Kathryn AyresRobert Ayres ’69 and Carol (Mathews ’73) Ayres

Emily BaierThomas Baier ’85 and Julie (Smith ’91) Baier

Adam Batinich Cheryl Goldberg ’81

Alison BehrendsHeidi (Hahn ’84) Behrends

Madelyn Bernard Barbara (Hilken ’85) Bernard

Mikayla Borg Jamin Borg ’86 and Karen (Shaw ’86) Borg

Madeleine Brekke Tina Olson ‘90

David BuchholzBrian Buchholz ’91 and Janet (Hart ’84) Buchholz

Anna BullockGeoff Bullock ’87 and Ruth (Christianson ’85) Bullock

Kevin BurchJohn Burch ’72 and Barbara (Wahlstrom ’75) Burch

Camille CarlsonEric Carlson ’81 and Kari (Hanson ’82) Carlson

Amy CharlstonPaul Charlston ’77 and Leigh (Kullberg ’80) Charlston

BrandonLee CierleyFrances Cierley ‘88

Marissa Dizon Daniel Dizon ‘94

Jennifer DyerBecky (Bowers ’83) Dyer

Michaela Edgers Deann (Jay ’82) Edgers

Anna EideLynne (Hansen ’84) Eide

Alexis EngmanTimothy Engman ’89 and Lisa (Linterman ’90)Engman

Leah GibbonCindy (Brennan ’77) Gibbon

Andrew Gunstone Reed Gunstone ’77 and Diane (Nieman ’80)Gunstone

Hannah HansenJane Hanson ’93

Gaelan HartliepGlenine Collins ‘07

Scott Hefty Peter Hefty ’88 and Vicki (Miller ’85) Hefty

Justin HollandSheryl Bennett-Holland ‘86

Quinn HuelsbeckKarin Huelsbeck ’99

Torsten Ingvaldsen Trond Ingvaldsen ’87 and Catherine Rhoades-Ingvaldsen ‘85

Jessika IversonMichael Iverson ‘94

Caitlin KarrPetra (Rowe ’82) Karr

Michael KrenningDavid Krenning ‘85

Alek LaraMariano Lara ‘05

Lauren Larson Richard Larson ‘89

Kevin LesterRobert Lester, III ‘80

Paul LesterRobert Lester, III ‘80

William LockertJames Lockert ‘76

Stephanie MartinChristina (Doelman ’83) Martin

Lucas MartinsonDavid Martinson ‘80

Zachary MartinsonDavid Martinson ‘80

Bryce MillerMark Miller ’88; Connie (Eliason ’88) Miller

Sevryn ModahlDennis Modahl ‘82

Erica Moen Daniel Moen ‘88

Andrew Morris Karen Morris ‘05

Jerard MowerSteven Mower ‘70

Patrick NancePatricia Nance ’98

Lian PaulyTammy (Rogers) Pauly ‘82

Jordanne Perry John Perry ’91 and Betsy (Deuitch ’90) Perry

Cierra PettitDouglas Galloway ‘89

Sam Shepard Tracie (Reynolds ’89) Shepard

Thomas SimpkinsDoreen Beard-Simpkins ‘11

Jillian StanphillJohn Stanphill ‘93

John StruzenbergTeri (Torgeson ’80) Bottoms

Madison ThackaraCoy (Wilson ’79) Howar

Erika TobinBeth (Williams ’84) Tobin

Grant WalkerRobin (Blanchard ’86) Walker

William WatersWilliam Waters ’01 and Gail Waters ‘95

Katie WentzelAudrey (Vilstrup ’81) Wentzel

Amanda WilliamsCarl (Butch) Williams ’80 and Susan (Roalkvam ’80) Williams

Nicole WirthAngela Foster ‘07

Alyssa WolfeJohn Wolfe ’87 and Deborah (Osborn ’87) Wolfe

Alan Young James Young ’83 and Joy Harding-Young ‘87

Hanna ZielkeBen Zielke ’83 and Elizabeth (Birkelo ’82) Zielke

LEGACY LUTES


Pencil Us In

UPCOMING EVENTSNovember 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Family Weekend 2012

November 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parent Council Meeting

December 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Class Representative Day at PLU

December 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PLU GOLD pre-concert event at Benaroya Hall, Seattle

December 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PLU GOLD pre-concert event at Arlene Schnitzer Hall, Portland, Ore.

December 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PLU GOLD pre-concert event, PLU campus

December 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Winter Commencement, PLU

January 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PLU Alumni Basketball Night at PLU

January 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tacoma Night at PLU, Basketball vs. UPS

PLU will be “On the Road” this winter.

Go to www.plualumni.org to see if we will be in your neighborhood!

For more information: www.plualumni.org or call 800-ALUM-PLU.

Awards are given each year to alumni,friends and students for outstandingachievements and years of service.Nominations must include supportingletters and be returned to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relationsby Jan. 14, 2013. Here are the categories:

Distinguished Alumnus/na AwardThrough years of dedication and service,this alumnus/na has achieved profession-al or vocational distinction.YOUR NOMINEE

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Outstanding Recent Alumnus/na AwardAwarded to an alumnus/na, within 15years of graduation, who has excelled in aspecial area of life.YOUR NOMINEE

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Heritage AwardAwarded to an alumnus/na for years of distinguished service to the university.YOUR NOMINEE

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Special Recognition AwardAwarded to an alumnus/na or friend ofthe university who has uniquely servedthe university. YOUR NOMINEE

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Alumni Service AwardAwarded to an alumnus/na who hasdemonstrated outstanding volunteerleadership and/or service to their com-munity.YOUR NOMINEE

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Brian C. Olson Student Leadership AwardAwarded to a senior student who hasdemonstrated potential for a lifelongcommitment to the university and thealumni association.YOUR NOMINEE

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Send holiday cheer to your PLU community!

Are you anxious to reconnect withclassmates? Why not send thema little holiday cheer this season?

The PLU Alumni Online Directorymakes it easy to search for those team-

Join the

Click!mates, roommates, classmates andfriends with whom you’ve lost a connec-tion over time. Once you’ve found them,remind them of the great times you hadtogether at PLU by adding them to yourholiday mailing list.

While you’re at it, don’t forget toupdate your own information throughthe directory so others can add you totheir holiday lists.

If you haven’t already done so, takeadvantage of this free resource today. To register with the PLU Alumni OnlineDirectory go to www.plualumni.org; ittakes just a couple of minutes to signup!

SAVE THE DATEPLU Rowing: Celebrating 50 YearsApril 12, 2013

ALUMNIRecognition AwardNominations

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32 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > ALUMNI PROFILES

Goal-setting, and a unicycle, gets Tyson Bendzak to London Olympics

alumni profiles

Apassion for teaching, an interestin Nike and, oh, a unicycle. Whoknew this eclectic combo would

translate into an airline ticket to Londonthis summer for Tyson Bendzak ’10?

“This was such a big surprise,” saidBendzak, 25, who works as a teacher inNike’s early childhood education pro-gram for its employees in Beaverton, Ore.“I had never been out of the U.S. before.”

This fall, Bendzak was recounting histwo-week adventure in London duringthe 2012 Olympics in August, coveringvarious athletes and events for Nike viaan employee blog. Bendzak spent muchof his time in London at the NikeHospitality Building, interviewing Nike-sponsored athletes, and reporting onthe impact of Nike at the Olympics.

During his reporting stints, Bendzakinterviewed Cullen Jones, who swamwith Michael Phelps on the silver-medal-winning 4x100-meter U.S. freestyle relayteam, and also Reese Hoffa, a U.S. shot

putter who took home the bronzemedal. Bendzak also had some momentsthat still stick in his memory, such aswatching the United Kingdoms’s MoFarah win the 10,000-meter race. Thecrowd was so loud “it was like the spaceshuttle blasting off,” he said.

This entire adventure started lastspring, when Bendzak entered a contestopen to Nike’s 38,000 employees.Through essays and video applications,Nike chose three employees – one beingBendzak – to cover the games over itsthree-week run.

At first, Bendzak wasn’t going to fillout the application, but then decidedhe might as well go for it.

“I wasn’t sure I had time to do itthen,” said the physical educationmajor. “But then I didn’t want to lookback and regret it.”

It took several weeks to put togetherthe video and written applications –Bendzak did the video shoot on his uni-

cycle – and then he submitted it inJune. A month later, he found out he’dbeen picked as one of the three employ-ees going to London. And they wantedhim to take his unicycle along for someof the shots. Turned out to be a goodmove by Nike. While exploring sites onhis unicycle, Bendzak was actuallyfilmed as part of a story by the interna-tional press.

“I was down at Westminster Abbywhen a gentleman from a Toronto newsstation came up and wanted to inter-view me,” Bendzak laughed. “They didthree different takes, and later that day,I was on the Web.”

And everywhere he went, Brits werewhipping out their cell phones for a pic-ture of that strange Yank on a unicycle.Even now, months later, Bendzak stillcan’t quite believe this all happened.

For the Alaskan native, working atNike has been a dream come true –much less being sent to the Olympics

Tyson Bendzak ’10 was asked totake his unicycle with him whenNike sent him to London to blogabout the Summer Olympics.

on behalf of the sports giant. WhenBendzak was a student at PLU, first in

Pflueger and then in SouthHall, he’d scribbled a goal on apiece of paper which statedsimply “Somehow, someway,someday, I am going to workfor Nike.” He then framed itand pinned it above his desk.

Bendzak was first fascinatedwith Michael Jordan, and thenwith Nike and the developmentof basketball shoes. He’d stilllike to design/develop shoes forNike someday. One of the rea-sons he picked PLU wasbecause of its marketing andbusiness program, as well as itsfocus on helping students findtheir vocation and passion. Helater switched from business tophysical education and focusedon teaching, but still had alaser-like interest in Nike.

He told everyone he knew hewanted to work for the compa-ny, and applied for several jobsat the corporation after gradua-tion. Colleen Hacker, professorof movement studies and well-

ness education at PLU, encouragedBendzak to write down his goals, butalso to go on information interviewseven if no job was available.

This persistence and goal-setting paidoff when Bendzak finally landed a job atthe child development center in 2011.

“I would just say pursue your pas-sion,” Bendzak said of students tryingto figure out what they want to do, andhow to go about landing a job aftergraduation. Be willing to volunteer andshow interest, even if a job isn’t imme-diately available in a field, he added.Bendzak flew down from Alaska to takea tour of the early childhood center atNike with its director, even though nojob was immediately available.

“It was a chance to get past the paper-work and get to a real person,” he said.“The director told me later that she looksfor that, steps that show commitment.”

That, and always keep your hobbies –like unicycle riding – up to date.

–Barbara Clements

Inspired by the history of the West,Russell Rowland ’81, has made acareer exploring what it means to be

a Westerner.Rowland partnered with longtime

friend Lynn Stegner to produce a newanthology that delves into the evolutionof the Western identity.

“It was an issuethat I was reallyexcited toexplore,” saidRowland. “I wasreally surprisedhow many well-known writerswere willing tocontribute.”

Rowland received a bachelor of musiceducation from PLU, and was a mem-ber of Choir of the West. He went on toearn a master’s degree in creative writ-ing at Boston University, where his lifetook a new direction.

While in graduate school, Rowlandwrote his first novel, “In Open Spaces,”historical fiction about his home stateof Montana. He published the novel 11years later, in 2002, and then a secondnovel, “The Watershed Years,” in 2007.

“I became interested in the history ofthe West,” said Rowland. “It inspiredme to put together the anthology.”

The anthology, titled “West of 98:Living and Writing the New AmericanWest,” explores how writers see the

West changing – both the landscape,and the people who live and work here.

“It tries to consider what it means tobe a Westerner now, as we are movingforward into the 21st century,” said co-editor Lynn Stegner, who is the daugh-ter-in-law of the great Western novelistWallace Stegner. “It is also a book abouthow landscape imprints individuals.”

What began as a much smaller collec-tion of 12 essays during the past 200years, grew into a compilation of 66poems and essays.

“It quickly mutated to be a definingcore of voices that could talk in a waythat could really define what it meantto be a Westerner,” said Stegner.

Since graduating from PLU, Rowlandlived in 12 different states across thecountry. Most recently, he lived inCalifornia for about 14 years, untilmoving back to his home state ofMontana, where he teaches creativewriting at Montana State University inBillings.

“He’s a wonderfully loyal friend andextremely supportive,” Stegner said.“He’s really devoted to Western litera-ture.”

—JuliAnne Rose ’13

ALUMNI PROFILES > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 33

Montana native returns to his roots with anthology on the West

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(ARVO) as executive director in 1990. Shespent the remainder of her career atARVO until her retirement in January2012. Her influence on ARVO and the eyeand vision research community was profound. Joanne also served on theboard of Prevent Blindness America from2003 until her retirement. She was a former board member of the Kings ParkLibrary in Burke, Va., and past presidentof the Washington, D.C., chapter of theAmerican Liver Foundation. She was preceded in death by her husband, Col.Lane Angle. Joanne is survived by hersister; two daughters; and eight belovedgrandchildren.

1964 Class Representative – Jon and Jean(Riggers) Malmin

1965 Class Representative – Dave Wytko

Christine (Anderson) Marken died May18. Literature was one of her loves andshe taught in the Shoreline (Wash.)School District. Christine’s zest for life,strength, and witty sense of humortouched many. Leaving behind her hus-band, children and grandchildren,Christine will be dearly missed.

1966 Class Representative – Frank Johnson

Christopher Howell wrote “Gaze,” histenth volume of poems, which was published recently by Milkweed Editions (Minneapolis). A two-time win-ner of the Washington State BookAward, since 1996 he has taught in thegraduate creative writing program atEastern Washington University inCheney, Wash.

1967 Class Representative – Craig Bjorklund

Angela(Nicholson)Magruder justfinished a largeart show, ofwhich many ofthe paintings canbe seen at

www.westpoint.org/class/usma1964/angieinkshow1/. Angie was fortunate to sell quite a few pieces of art. She wasasked years ago to do original, colorizedversions of various West Point Academyclass crests. She has done 30 crestsover the years, and they have been wellreceived. Angie gifted each one to each West Point Academy class for their use.

1968Class Representative – James andGeorgia (Stirn) Girvan

1969 Class Representative - Vacant

34 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > ALUMNI CLASS NOTES

alumni class notesClass Representatives positions avail-able: 1969 and 1980

1936 Class Representative – Volly (Norby)Grande

1940 Class Representative – Luella (Toso)Johnson

1945 Class Representative – AnnabelleBirkestol

1948 Class Representative – Norene (Skilbred)Gulhaugen

1950Class Representative – DickWeathermon

Beth (Gottwald) Peterson was awardedher 30-year volunteer pin in June at theFrench Hospital Medical Center in SanLuis Obispo, Calif. She has a passion forserving others in several areas of thehospital.

1951Golden Club Class RepresentativeCommittee

Herman S. Olson died May 26. Hermanwas the first in his family to graduatefrom college. After graduation from PLC,he enrolled at Western WashingtonCollege in 1951 for a second bachelor’sdegree in education. That year Herm methis future wife, Anita. They married twoyears later. Herm was drafted into theU.S. Army, where he became a corporaland served in Korea. Herm spent hisentire career in public education with theEverett School District. Herm was widelyrespected for his leadership and organi-zational abilities, and was elected by hispeers to serve as first president of theEverett Educational Association. Heretired in 1982. Herm thoroughly enjoyedfamily get-togethers and annualreunions. He was an avid golfer andmen’s club member of Legion MemorialGolf Course, and Happy Trails Resort golfcourse in Surprise, Ariz., where he wasclub champion. Herm is survived by hiswife, Anita; four children; eight grand-children; his brother; and numerousnephews and nieces.

1953 Class Representatives – Carol (Schuler)Karwoski and Naomi (Roe) Nothstein

1954 Golden Club Class RepresentativeCommittee

Marilyn (French) Ulleland died May 27.Marilyn met and married her husband,Duane Ulleland ’52 while attending PLC.

Warren Willis is president of theCalifornia School Project, a non-profitorganization he established in LosAngeles to mentor Christian students,teachers, parents, churches and organi-zations. CSP trains university students ascampus mentors, and equips high schoolstudents for ministry.

William “Bill” C. Sears died July 4. Hewas married to Barbara Sears and cele-brated their 31st anniversary in April. Billworked for 35 years at Chapel of theChimes in Oakland, Calif., as the groundsgardener. He spent weeks decorating theChapel of Chimes large display Christmastree. He loved to discuss religious historyand art with all who would engage himand was an avid arm-chair traveler. Heworshiped at Saint Peters Lutheranchurch in San Leandro. He spent hisrelaxation time in Calistoga, Coloma, FortRoss, Northern Baja, and cruises toAlaska and Mexico. He loved to embel-lish stories and kept you captivated withhis tales. Although Bill and Barbara didnot have children together, they haveextended family and many friends thatshared trips and holidays together. Bill issurvived by his sister, Ruth; nephew andniece with their spouses; five grandnieces and nephews; and a step son.

1962 Class Representative – Leo Eliason andDixie (Likkel) Matthias

1963 Class Representative – Merlyn and Joan(Maier) Overland

Sandra Kay (Johnson) Neely died Oct.24, 2011. After graduation from PLU,Sandra went to work for KenworthTrucking as a secretary in Seattle. Uponher return to Montana, she worked forEagle Trading in Bozeman. For the last 17years, she worked as a bookkeeper for2J’s Fresh Market. Sandra enjoyed goingto craft shows, taking road trips andspending time with her family. She alsoloved the San Francisco 49ers andReese’s Peanut Butter Cups. She is sur-vived by her daughter, Michelle; and twosiblings.

Deanna (Dirks) Boe left PLU in 1963, andsince then has lived in nine states andeight countries. An educator, the majorityof her teaching was with the Departmentof Defense Dependent Schools. Sheadopted two daughters while living inVietnam, gave birth to one in Iran, andgave birth to her the last daughter inOhio. Deanna married her high schoolsweetheart in 1994. The couple lives intheir hometown in Iowa, but recentlypurchased a home in the Atlanta area tobe closer to grandchildren. Besides herfour daughters, Deanna has three step-children and 13 grandchildren.

Joanne G. (Lapp) Angle died March 8.Joanne joined the Association forResearch in Vision and Ophthalmology

Marilyn taught 2nd grade while Duanefinished his last year at Luther Seminaryin St. Paul, Minn. Marilyn then began a40-year career as a parish pastor’s wife,doubling up for 20 years caring for twochildren at home. Marilyn became thefirst published author in the family asScope, a church women’s magazine,published her story about the impact ofMt. St. Helen’s ash on church and par-sonage life in Ritzville, Wash. Afterretirement she provided much lovingcare to her mother who lived to the ageof 106. Some of the most enjoyable timesin retirement were visiting her daughterand family. Marilyn is survived by herhusband, Duane; children Craig, Cheryl(Ulleland ’83) Lucky and PLU son-in-lawCol. (Ret.) Stephen Lucky ’84; four grand-daughters, a great-grandson; and sisterCarol (French ’62) Buchanan.

1955 Class Representative – Phyllis (Grahn)Pejsa

1956 Class Representatives– Ginny (Grahn)Haugen and Clarene (Osterli) Johnson

1957 Class Representative – Ed Larson

1958 Class Representative – Don Cornell

1959 Golden Club Class RepresentativeCommittee

Robert E. Wheatley died Oct. 14, 2011.Robert is survived by his wife, Carollyn;children Robin Belson, Todd and TrentWheatley; six grandchildren; and brotherPhil Borders.

1960 Class Representative – Marilu (Miller)Person

Robert Lee Hodge died May 20. Hissinging career began at the age of 1,singing at garden parties, and performingat the age of 3 at the ice cream parlor. Alongtime member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A.(Barbershop Harmony Society), Bob wasa member of the quartet “The MostHappy Fellows.” They were namedInternational Barbershop QuartetChampions of 1977. This was a highlightof a long and rewarding vocal career.Bob is survived by wife Cam, and theirchildren. Bob touched the lives of allwho knew him. He sang and performedwith many quartets and choirs, includingChoir of The West, Seattle Sound, EasyStreet, Americas Most Wanted, TacomaTotemaires, Sweet Adelines and KitsapChordsmen.

1961 Class Representative – Ron Lerch

1970 Class Representative – Bill Allen

1971Class Representative – Paul Johnson

Halvar Olstead is a certifiedwater/wastewater operator for the townof Opheim, Mont. He taught traffic safetyeducation classes this summer in threeMontana school districts. Halvar and hiswife, Alvina (Hauf ’73) Olstead, went onan Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 36thwedding anniversary in June.

Shirley Thompson celebrated her 90thbirthday on May 26 with her daughters,Rebecca Thompson ’75 and Pam Lewis,and several friends. She received numer-ous birthday cards from friends and rela-tives and a special card from the WhiteHouse, signed by President and Mrs.Obama. It was a thrill for Shirley to haveeveryone focused on her special day!She would like to thank all who sentcards and phoned with good wishes.

Dennis Bryant was awarded theHonorary Alumnus Award from CaliforniaLutheran University in Thousand Oaks,Calif. Dennis has worked at CLU for morethan 30 years, withstood five CLU presi-dents, and employed somewhere in theneighborhood of 1,000 students through-out his career. He is currently the CLUdirector of events.

Pamela Lee Townsend died July 24. Sheis survived by her mother, LeonaPeterson; 3 children; and six grandchil-dren.

1972 Class Representative – Molly Stuen

1973 Class Representative – Sandy (Dimler)Privett and Karen (Wraalstad) Robbins

Daniel Dubé died May 3. He graduatedfrom PLU with a B.A. in percussion musicand theory. While at PLU, and followinggraduation, he performed with fellowmusicians who became lifelong friends.After graduation he taught drumming andwas a studio session player. Dan was anactive member of the People’s Churchmusic program. During the early years atthe church he met his wife Dawn L.(Henning) Dubé, the love of his life. Danworked at Tacoma Screw Products for 17years until his cancer forced him intopremature retirement. During Dan’s 14-year battle with Adenoid CysticCarcinoma (ACC) he became a majorplayer in support groups, the AdenoidCystic Carcinoma OrganizationInternational (ACCOI), and attended andpresented at gatherings in the U.S.,Canada and Switzerland. In 2009 Danbecame President of ACCOI, followingthe passing of the organization’s originalfounder. Dan is survived by his wife of 38years, Dawn, and his two sons, Anthonyand Troy. He is also survived by six sib-lings; 11 nieces and nephews; andnumerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

1974 Class Representative – David E. Johnson

David E. Johnson, after four years ofretirement and volunteer work aplenty,has returned to the world of work as thenew sponsorship coordinator for theSkagit Valley Tulip Festival in MountVernon, Wash. Come in April for the 30thFestival!

Mark Q. Rowland retired in July. For the18 years prior, he was senior pastor atGrace Lutheran Church in Ridgecrest,Calif.

1975 Class Representative – Lauralee Hagen

Rebecca Thompson is a first soprano in two performing choirs: Cantare ConVivo, an audition-only choir based inOakland, Calif., and the Harlen MillerChorale based in Angwin, Calif. She alsosings with the Napa Valley LutheranChurch choir on Sunday mornings.Recently, she signed a contract withTravis Air Force Base to administer neu-ropsychological testing for their servicemen and women returning from the warzone. In her spare time, she works onbonsai trees, which provides therapeuticrichness to her life, and she teaches ten-nis at Napa Valley College. On May 26she joined family and friends to celebratethe 90th birthday of her mother, ShirleyThompson ’71 at Panorama City in Lacey, Wash.

Anne Marie Mehlum, PLU’s first Fulbrightrecipient, was recently appointed byGovernor John Kitzhaber to the newOregon Growth Board. Anne Marie is thechief executive of Summit Bank inEugene, Ore. She is a past president ofthe Oregon Bankers Association andserves on the 15-member FDIC AdvisoryCommittee on Community Banking, repre-senting some 6,000 community banks inthe United States.

1976 Class Representative – Gary Powell

1977 Class Representatives – Leigh Erie andJoan (Nelson) Mattich

James A. Knutsen died May 18. In 1967,James proudly joined the Tacoma PoliceDepartment. Jim set the record for themost felony arrests in one year (137),received 13 commendations for outstand-ing arrests, and the Medal of Merit forwrestling a gun away from a man whowas about to shoot his partner. He wasalso a graduate of the National FBIAcademy and the United States SecretService Dignitary Protection School. Atthe time of his passing, he was retired asTacoma assistant chief of police. Jimwas an avid golfer, and taught the game to his granddaughters, whom headored. He was generous, caring, andintelligent. His parents John and AnnKnutsen; sister Patricia Jones; and brother-in-law Dan Jones preceded him in death. Jim is survived by his wife Jeanine; 2 children; 4 granddaugh-ters; 3 siblings; and eight nieces andnephews.

1978 Class Representative – Pete Mattich

Roger Schuck died April 29. During col-lege, he joined the U.S. Navy Reserveand was commissioned in 1963. While aweapons officer of U.S.S. DuPont duringhis second tour of Vietnam in 1967, hereceived the Navy Commendation Medalwith “V” for valor. It was through theNavy he met ensign Laura Lee Wilkersonin 1965. They married in 1966 and hadthree children. Leaving the Navy in 1968,Roger worked for Boeing. Taking a posi-tion at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, herose to branch head for non-nuclear testengineering and he earned an MBA fromPLU. He retired in 1993. Following LauraLee’s retirement, they moved to Coloradoto be closer to family. He is survived byhis wife of 46 years, Laura Lee; brother,Robert Schuck; children, Laura, EricSchuck ’93 and Jon Schuck ’96; PLUdaughter-in-laws, Cally Turner ’92 andStacey (Thompson ’96) Schuck; andmany nieces, nephews, and belovedextended family.

1979 Class Representatives – Dave andTeresa (Hausken) Sharkey

1980 Class Representative – Vacant

Gary Mitchell was named to theUniversity of the Pacific Board ofRegents.

1981Class Representative – Dean and Susan(Lee) Phillips.

Dianna (Johnston) Koneman was select-ed as the director of nursing/allied healthfor the nursing and allied health pro-grams at New Mexico State University,Carlsbad, N.M.

Gayle (Ensor) Warner is the proud momof two children, Jayleen Hille and ShaneHille. Jaylee lives and works in SouthKorea teaching English in a Christianhigh school. She is also the executivemanager of Camarata Music Companywhich performs classical concerts aswell as musicals. Shane is married toKate and is a corporal in the U.S. Armybased in Fort Hood, Texas.

1982 Class Representative – Paul Collard

1983 Class Representative – Dave Olson

Peter Brunner is president and owner ofFull Sail Graphics and Marketing, alarge-format digital printing and graphicdesign company in Huntington Beach,Calif.

1984 Class Representative – MarkChristofferson

Kim Nesselquist, as an important leaderin the Norwegian community, wasappointed to Knight, First Class to theRoyal Norwegian Order of Merit, anaward that recognizes foreign nationalsand Norwegian nationals living abroadfor their work in promoting Norwegian-

American interests. Kim is a major giftsofficer in the Office of Development atPLU.

1985 Class Representatives – Janet (Olden)Regge and Carolyn (Plocharsky) Stelling

Liz Miller is happily working in the LosAltos School District in a special dayclass, working with kids with learningand emotional disabilities. In April of2000, Liz brought home her daughter,Kate, who she adopted from Guatemala.Kate is almost 13 years old now, so Liz ison the go constantly with her!

1986 Class Representative – David Carlson

1987 Class Representatives – John Carr andLisa Ottoson

Cheri Keller and husband, Eric Mandt ’86have lived in Olympia, Wash., for 15years, and have two beautiful daughters,Maria, 14, and Katie, 12. They have greatjobs and a great life. They are also in arock-and-roll band called “Whoa Dizzy”that plays around Olympia and Tacoma.They have three CDs of great originalmusic, most of which were written byEric. Check them out at www.whoad-izzy.com.

Darren Hamby recently accepted theposition of senior vice president forhuman resources and corporate servicesat Federal Home Loan Bank in Seattle,Wash.

1988 Class Representative – Brenda Ray Scott

Alexander Seidel was awarded a masterof arts in counseling psychology and amaster of arts in Christian studies fromThe Seattle School of Theology andPsychology.

1989 Class Representative – Brendan Rorem

Mary (Walker) DeMuth’s 14th tradition-ally published book, “Everything,” wasreleased October 16. It is published byThomas Nelson Publishers, a division ofHarper Collins. Mary will be speakingthis next calendar year in California,Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, Haiti,Canada and South Africa. Find out moreat http://www.marydemuth.com.

AmyJo Mattheis Holmquist’s book,“Religion Made Me Fat,” is now avail-able in paperback. AmyJo will speak atTEDx San Joaquin 2012. Her talk is enti-tled “Why Religion Made Me Fat” andwill argue for letting go of the Doctrine ofOriginal Sin.

1990Class Representative - Erik Benson andMark Kurtz

Christa (Ogren) Chambers was appointedsenior vice president and chief financialofficer at Kemper Development,Bellevue. In her role, Christa will oversee

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 35

financial operations for the company’sholdings, including Bellevue Square,Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square.

1991Class Representative – Jim Morrell

1992 Class Representative – Rebecca Benson

Rebecca Benson is a senior financialanalyst for PetroCard, Inc. She worksdirectly with the CFO “bridging” theaccounting department and the financedepartment. Also, she obtained her CPAlicense in 2011.

Borge Steinsvikmarried ReginaArslanova onApril 12. Reginaworks as an envi-ronmental engi-neer for a majoroil company.

1993 Class Representative – Barbara (Murphy)Hesner

Greg Wilson was named Clover ParkAdministrator of the Year 2012.

1994 Class Representatives – Dan Lysne andCatherine (Overland) Hauck

1995 Class Representative – Janet (Huss)Nelson

1996 Class Representatives – Steve andKimberly (Nadon) Leifsen.

1997 Class Representatives – Andy andStephanie (Merle) Tomlinson

1998 Class Representative – Shannon(Herlocker) Stewart

Michelle (Sayler) Query and husbandPatrick Query ’99 live in Cornwall, NewYork. Michelle is an occupational thera-pist, and Patrick is associate professorof English at the U.S. Military Academyat West Point. They have a daughter,Fiala, 4, and a son, Joaquin, 1.

Tim Barker received the 2012 YoungProfessionals Award. He is currently thedirector of Parks and Recreation for theCity of Lewiston, Idaho.

Sarah Graham was hired as assistantprofessor of choral music at KaskaskiaCollege in Centralia, Ill.

1999 Class Representative – Julie Johnston

Jennifer(Severns) HuangreceivedNational BoardCertifiedTeacher (NBCT)status in librarymedia in 2011. In

2012, she began a blog called savethe-bodies.com, which addresses real-lifeexperiences with cancer. Jennifer wasdiagnosed with stage-4 colon cancer in2005.

MaureenFrancisco will be the upcomingco-president forAscend, a non-profit organization that nurtures

today’s and tomorrow’s Pan-Asian-American leaders. She is also the recipient of the Pinoy Reporter TagumpayAward for “Excellence in Entertainment.”The award recognizes Filipino-Americans who live in Washington state who have gone above and beyond serving their community, and being a role model in their respective fields. On Jan. 19, Maureen’sfirst book, “It Takes Moxie: Off the Boat, or Out of School, to Making it Your Way in America” will be released.Her story shows how to overcome adversity, take pride in who you are, and pursue life goals with a proper mix of ambition, savvy, reason and humility.

John Russell Burch Sr. died April 28.John graduated from St. Martin’s Collegefor his undergraduate degree andreceived his master’s degree at PLU.John had a distinguished military career,serving for 25 years in Special Forces

and Green Berets, retiring with the rankof Captain USAR and First Sergeant U.S. Army. He was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star. He also has a PurpleHeart for wounds received in combat. In addition to his mother, he is survivedby his wife, Betsy; son and daughter, and their mother, Idalia Murgas Burch; and three step sons. John’sgrandchildren and step-grandchildrenbrought great joy to his life.

Brian Norman has published a new book, “Dead Women Talking: Figures ofInjustice in American Literature,” nowout from the Johns Hopkins UniversityPress.

2000 Class Representative – Ashley Orr

Suzanne(Sampson)Hopkins com-pleted a seven-month deploy-ment with theU.S. Navy on theU.S.S. John C.

Stennis from July 2011 to Feb. 2012. Shethen married Max Hopkins in March inSan Diego, Calif. In April 2012, Suzannewas promoted to lieutenant commander.

2001 Class Representative – Michael Maussand Brianne (McQuaig) Vertrees


Tara Shadduck ’91 and Steve Wangen ’90, on the occasion of their 20th weddinganniversary, held a party in Seattle, with many Lutes in attendance. Left to right: AmyDrackert ’90, Russell Rice ’91, Steve Wangen ’90, Tara Shadduck ’91, Thomas Mercer’91, Sarah (Jeans ’90) Agsten , Scott Foss ’91, and Jeanette (Ruud ’92) Kuo. Also inattendance, but not pictured, was Jim Boulter ’92 and Kara Quello ’92.

Friends from the class of ’64 gathered at Black Butte Ranchin June to celebrate seven decades. From left: Mary Jane(Geldaker) Isensee, Ann (Soine) Crabtree, Linda (Zimmer)Betz, Ruth (Danielson) Nielsen, Carole (Haaland)Fredrickson, Patty (Larson) Norris, Kathy (Zell) Trumbull,Jerri (Robarge) Reid, and Ginger (Langford) Shive.

Classmates (L to R) Greta(Hookenson ’57) Roseberg,Nathalie (Ho ’57) Hee, and Betty(Soine ’57) McLellan gatheredtogether.

Picture Perfect

Would you like to share your pictures with your fellow alumni?Send pictures to us by e-mail at [email protected], or by mail to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, Pacific Lutheran University, 12180 Park Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98447. Please feel free to call us at 800-ALUM-PLU if you have any questions.

Gay (Thompson ’75) Mitchell, Jennifer Hall Buchholtz ’73 and Carol (Littlejohn)Johnson ’71, ’73 celebrate their annual reunion, this time at Mt. Hood, Ore. Theycall it their “Girls’ Weekend.”

1951Herman S. Olson died May 26

1954Marilyn (French) Ulleland died May 27

1959Robert E. Wheatley died Oct. 14

1960Robert Lee Hodge died on May 20

1961William “Bill” C. Sears died July 4

1963Joanne G. (Lapp) Angle died March 8

Sandra Kay (Johnson) Neelydied Oct. 24.

1965Christine (Anderson) Marken died May 18

1971Pamela Lee Townsend died July 24

1973Daniel Dubé died May 3

1977James A. Knutsen died May 18

1978Roger Schuck died April 29

1999John Russell Burch Sr. died April 28

Friends and Family

Dagny (Ordahl) Vaswig died May 7.Dagny was active in the Daughters ofNorway, the PLU Scandinavian CulturalCenter, Mu Phi Epsilon Music Sorority,and Emmanuel and Central Lutheranchurches. She was an avid photogra-pher. Through her photos, she created

In Memoriamlasting memories for family, friendsand community organizations. Dagnywas a major soloist in theTacoma/Seattle area, performingboth classical and musical theaterrepertoire. Dagny and sisters,Florence and Evangeline, founded theNordic Trio in the ’80s, spreadingtheir Norwegian heritage throughstories, costume and song (many inNorwegian) throughout this area andin the midwest. She was preceded indeath by her husband, VernonVaswig; daughter Pauline and sonDonald. She is survived by herdaughter-in-law, grandchildren, twosisters, and several nieces andnephews.

Dr. Vernon Stintzi (Colonel, U.S. AirForce, retired) died July 24. After hisgraduation from Coe College in 1936,he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps andbecame a pilot. While in the Air Forceduring World War II, he served inJapan, and fought in North Africaand Europe. During his lengthycareer with the Air Force, Stintzi wasthe commander of Sondrestrom AirBase in Greenland, and served ascommander and later wing com-mander at McChord Air Force Basein Tacoma, Wash. He retired from theAir Force in 1963. His flight logs are inthe Smithsonian. After retiring fromthe military, he returned to universityand earned a master’s degree inbusiness administration at theUniversity of Arizona. While studyingfor his doctorate, he began workingas a professor of business at PLUfrom 1964 to 1976. He retired fromPLU in 1976 and worked for LutheranBrotherhood in Minneapolis, until hedecided to farm full-time with his son,Mark, in northwestern Ontario. Hefarmed full-time until he was in hisearly 90s. He is preceded in death byhis wife, Maria. The couple had threechildren who all survive, as do sever-al grandchildren and great-grandchil-dren. He is also survived by his sister,three nieces and two nephews.

Katrina(Richardson)Keller marriedJeremy Keller onMay 5 inMarietta, Okla.Katrina graduat-

ed in Dec. 2011 from Washington StateUniversity with a master’s degree innursing. She accepted an ARNP positionwith Family Home Care and Hospice pro-viding primary care to vulnerable adults.

Tamara SchmidtHille receivedher master’sdegree in mar-riage and familytherapy. She isliving in Tucson,Ariz., with her

husband, Sean, and her 22-month-oldson, Aiden. Tamara has been working as a high school guidance counselorsince 2005.

Shawn Jennisonhas spent thelast 12-plus yearsworking in mar-keting and com-munications,most recently forClover Park

Technical College as the director of col-lege relations. In 2000, Jennison beganhis career as public affairs/marketingcoordinator, producer and writer forKSTW Television. He is involved in theSouth Sound Chapter of the PublicRelations Society of America (PRSA), theNational Council for Marketing andPublic Relations (NCMPR), and is a vol-unteer member of the marketing advisingteam for the United Way of PierceCounty.

2002 Class Representatives – Nicholas Gorneand Brian Riehs

Wendy (Cook) Heibel is a critical careregistered nurse for the White HouseMedical Office.

2003 Class Representative – Elisabeth (Pynn)Himmelman

Kelly Fitzgeraldmarried GeorgeHobson on May27 at TolovanaPark in CannonBeach, Ore. Theyenjoyed a specialand scenic time

with few friends and family on the beachat Haystack Rock. They spent their hon-eymoon traveling the Oregon coast toCrescent City, Calif., and through the red-woods. George is a karaoke host inFederal Way, Wash. The couple enjoyssinging karaoke, walking their dogs, play-ing games, and traveling. Alumna, JennyLynn Adams ’02 attended their weddingreception in Auburn, Wash. on June 5.Kelly is now a step-mom to Brad, Melissaand Laura, as well as step-grandmotherto Rune. She is a RN at the Ambulatory

Care Center at St. Joseph MedicalCenter in Tacoma. She has worked theresince 2001, and has worked forFranciscan for more than eight years.

2004 Class Representative – Tammy LynnSchaps

Claire Zovko taught a course titled TheOlympic Games & the Law in London,England, last summer to American lawstudents studying abroad during theOlympic Games.

Ryan Neary married Hannah Wild onJune 30 at Willie Green’s Organic Farm inMonroe, Wash. Lutes in attendance atthe wedding were Phil O’Sullivan,Hannah Williams, Matt Coughlin, Anna(Bartholomew ’03) Coughlin, Ben MonteCalvo ’07, Amanda Anuraga ’07, StevenDonovan ’06, Shannon Schrecengost ’09,Erin Burgess, and Sean Bendickson.

Clyner Antalan graduated fromUniversity of Hawaii John A. BurnsSchool of Medicine in May 2012. He isnow a resident physician for HawaiiResidency Programs in Obstetrics andGynecology at Kapiolani Medical Centerfor Women and Children in Honolulu.

Shella Biallas started a new job as aForeign Service officer with the U.S.Department of State in May 2012. Herfirst assignment will be as an econom-ic/environment officer in Oslo, Norway,starting in March 2013.

Nova Schauss, after living and workingin La Paz, Bolivia, for one year as aschool counselor at the AmericanCooperative School, began in July aposition as the student success special-ist in the College of Engineering atOregon State University in Corvalis.

Elizabeth Hood, after graduation, lived inManhattan and Los Angeles working inpublic relations, but the call to youth min-istry was something she could no longerdeny. She began her ministry as a youthdirector in southern California, whereshe served for four years. She is nowhappily settled in Palo Alto, Calif., whereshe serves as the director of children,youth and family ministry at GraceLutheran Church. Elizabeth recentlyreturned from the ELCA National YouthGathering in New Orleans with a groupof 23. In recent years, Elizabeth joined upwith a classmate, Nova Schauss, to par-ticipate in the three-day, 60-mile SusanG. Komen Walk for Breast Cancer. Sheloves living in the Bay Area and is excit-ed for new adventures in years to come.

Captain Lance Brender has successfullycompleted a 15-month command ofBlackfoot Troop, 4th Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry. He goes on to take com-mand of HHC, 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment.

2005Class Representative – Micheal Steele

2006 Class Representative – Jenna(Steffenson) Serr

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 37

Holly Hughes isthe co-author ofthe book, “ThePen and The Bell:Mindful Writingin a Busy World,”which was pub-lished by Skinner

House Books in May. For more informa-tion, visit www.penandbell.com. Hollyalso recently won the Excellence inEducation Award for 2012.

Chelsea Blegen graduated from DesMoines (Iowa) University College ofMedicine on May 26. She will be com-pleting her residency training in obstet-rics and gynecology at Mercy HealthPartners in Muskegon, Mich.

Emily (O’Leary) Barker received a promotion to program associate at the

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) in January. Emily hasworked for IATP, located in Minneapolis, since Sept. 2008. She lives in St. Louis Park, Minn., with her husband, Joel.

Daniel E. Mooney has joined the firm, Hawley Troxell, as a litigation associate in its Boise, Idaho, office.Mooney was a summer associate forHawley Troxell in 2010, and served as a judicial clerk for Justice Jim Jones at the Idaho Supreme Court following his graduation from law school in 2011. Additionally, he received the 2010-11 University of Idaho Alumni Association’s Award for Excellence, and the 2009 Idaho Trial Lawyers Association’s Excellence in Legal Research and Writing Award.


Jennifer Himemarried AllanLaurberg on June 30 inCopenhagen,Denmark. Lutes in attendance atthe wedding

were Elizabeth (Jaspers ’05) Fox, DavidFox, Shandra Crosby, Brie (Chamberlain’05) Renner, Marina Wegge and JanChristiansen.

2007 Class Representative – John McClimansand Kaarin Praxel

Kayla Pendrak is a recruiting coordinatorfor REI in Sumner, Wash.

2008 Class Representative – Christy OlsenField and Courtney Stringer

ThomasPedersen andHanne Helliesenwere married on Oct. 8, 2011.The couple metat PLU in 2005 in a class for

international students and began datingrather quickly. They had a great timein Washington and at PLU, and look

back at their time in the United Stateswith excitement. They got married inDrøbak, Norway, and live in Oslo,Norway.

Angela(Grossklaus)and ColeRichards ’10were married onJuly 1 in Denver,Colo. Over 20Lutes were in

attendance including Ben Malnor ’10,who officiated.

Emily (Dooley)and Kyle Faheywere married onJuly 23 inBellevue, Wash.Over 30 Luteswere in atten-dance. The bride

was given away by her father, EricDooley ’83. Emily Hockert was the maidof honor and Serena Giese was a brides-maid. Kaj Martin ’99 served as one of theofficiants. In addition, Jason ’09 andHannah (Hutchins ’11) Comerford did thewedding photography.

2009 Class Representative – Maren(Anderson) Johnson and Amy Spieker

2010 Class Representative – Nick Caraballoand Jillian Foss

Alice Stewart recently completed hercommitment with Teach for America andgraduated with a master’s degree in ele-mentary education. Through those expe-riences, she was instilled with a passionto go out and continue to work toward

closing the educational achievement gap between the “haves” and “havenots” in this country. Alice recently moved to New Jersey to be part ofthe founding staff of THRIVE Academy,

part of the TEAM Charter Schools: a KIPP Region. In fall, THRIVE opened with their founding class of kindergarteners. Alice believes that PLU prepared her to be an advocate for those who have none, and to work with others toward the goal of ending education inequality in the city of Newark.

2011Class Representative- Caroline Olsen,Adam Story and Lynsey Tveit

Yelena (Rudenko) Sy married Jay Israel Sy ’09 in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Nov. 11, 2011.

Carre (Avary) Potis married Frank Potisin Tacoma on Aug. 3.

2012Class Representative – Kelvin Adamsand Caitlyn Jackson

Gretchen(Burkhart)Monday marriedRobert (Michael)Monday in FortLewis, Wash., onJuly 14. Gretchengraduated from

PLU School of Nursing and is now serv-ing in the Army Nurse Corps. Michaeldeployed in November to Afghanistan.

Helen (Lee) Jensen married TravisJensen in Snoqualmie Falls, Wash. onJuly 7.

Stacey Hagensen was awarded the 2012Honda Sports Award Division III Playerof the Year, after pitching PLU softballteam to the national title. Her selectionby the Collegiate Women Sports Awardsprogram recognizes her as the topDivision III female athlete.

Future Lutes1999

Suzy (Hooper)Levy and husband,Anthony,announced thebirth of theirdaughter, Lydia Frances,

on Feb. 1.

2000Camille(Mesmer) Vanciland husband,Matt Vancil ’01,announced thebirth of their son, Wesley, on March 3.

Wesley was born one month premature, but is doing really well – no complications!

What’snewwith you?

NAME (LAST, FIRST, MAIDEN) PLU CLASS YEAR(S)

SPOUSE SPOUSE’S PLU CLASS YEAR(S) IF APPLICABLE

STREET ADDRESS IS THIS A NEW ADDRESS? YES ❑ NO ❑

CITY STATE ZIP

PHONE NUMBER E-MAIL/WEBSITE POST ON THE ALUMNI E-MAIL DIRECTORY YES ❑ NO ❑

Job Information

JOB TITLE EMPLOYER

WORK ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP

WORK PHONE WORK EMAIL

Marriage (no engagements, please)

SPOUSE’S NAME (FIRST, MIDDLE, MAIDEN, LAST)

DATE/PLACE OF MARRIAGE

SPOUSE’S OCCUPATION

Birth

CHILD’S NAME (FIRST, MIDDLE, LAST) BIRTHDATE (M/D/Y) GENDER MALE ❑ FEMALE ❑

SIBLINGS/AGES

Promotions/Awards

NAME

TITLE OF POSITION/COMPANY/AWARD/ DATE ASSUMED

> MAIL TO: Office of Alumni and Constituent Relations, PLU, Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003; FAX: 253-535-8555; E-MAIL: [email protected]; Internet: www.plualumni.org. Please limit to 100 words.

> Please fill out as much information below as possible, including city of residence and work. Feel free to use another piece of paper, but please limit your submission to 100 words. Photos are welcome, but only one photo will be used, and on a space available basis. Notes will be edited for content. Photos must be prints or high quality jpegs. Please, no reproductions or copies from other publications.Deadline for the next issue of Scene is January 13, 2013.

Sarabeth(Schwartz) Buttsand husband,Steve, welcomeddaughter, AudreyBeth, into theworld on May 14.Audrey joins

Travis (7), Jayna (5) and Evan (3).

Andy Loe andErin (Feutz ’04)Loe, along with their sonRiley, welcomedAddison Lauren Loe onDec 8.

2005Elizabeth Jacobson-Secor and husband,William, announced the birth of theirdaughter, Yvaine, on Sept. 30, 2011.

2007Nicole(Petrzelka)Simon and hus-band, Jared,announced thebirth of their son,Cooper, on May23.

Matthew Minor welcomed the birth of his daughter, Alice Juliet, on July 1.

2001Heather (Trolia)Mueller and hus-band, Russ, wel-comed the birthof their daughter,Jayne, on April25. Jayne joinsbig brother,

Max (4).

Kimberly(Chichester)Brown and hus-band, StuartBrown, werethrilled toannounce thearrival of William

Howard Brown on Oct. 8, 2011.

Shawn Jennisonand wife, Jodi,welcomed thenewest additionto their family,Jillian FaithJennison, bornFeb. 15. Austin (6)

and Riley (4) are proud big brothers.

Karl Satrum andwife, Mackenzie,welcomed son,Brock JaseSatrum, on Aug.8, 2011. Broke

was 6 lbs. and 13 oz. He is a happy andhealthy baby boy. Karl and Mackenzieare proud first-time parents and aredoing well in the Denver, Colo., area.

Jennifer (Haitt)Jackson andhusband, AaronJackson, wel-comed the birthof their daughter,Evelyn, on June12. Evelyn joins

big sister, Natalie (3).

Nikky(Hammond) andBrianBerkenhoff ’98welcomed thebirth of theirson, EmmettBrian, on June

28. Emmett joins sisters, Sophia (7) andMadelyn (5).

2002Janice (Kueffler)Wiggins andhusband, NathanWiggins ’01,announced thebirth of theirdaughter, Avery,on May 15. Avery

joins big brothers, Lucas (5), and Bradley (3).

Sara (Poole)Holland andhusband, Brad,announced thebirth of theirdaughter, Abigail Jane, on April 24.

Kayle (Kolari)Lovejoy and husband, David,announced thebirth of theirdaughter, Amelia Claire, on March 3.

DeAnna(Borchardt)and Eric Steigercelebrated thebirth of their firstson, FrederickOwen, on July 27.

LeAnne (Jones)Wiles and husband,Kristian Wiles,welcomed theirdaughter, JadeElizabeth Wiles,on Aug. 11.

2003Kristina(Courtnage)Bowman andhusband,BrandonBowman ’02,welcomed thearrival of their

daughter, Mikayla, on Feb. 2.

CLASS NOTES > PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 39

Ho l id ay SHo ppin gS

Our Future Begins TodayFor the last 26 years, Rieke Science Center has served as the home for science education at PacificLutheran University. Our alums can be found in top research institutions and laboratories, and incutting edge health professions, serving as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists all over theglobe and in the classrooms as well.

But the excellence of our facilities and equipment no longer match the excellence of our students.Outdated lab space, classrooms and equipment are hindering the intellectual growth of the scienceprogram and, ultimately, our students.

Join us in making an investment in our students, our faculty, and ultimately in the impact ourgraduates will have on the Puget Sound area, on the nation and the world. Your gift to helpmodernize Rieke Science Center will give PLU students the tools and skills to navigate a rapidlyevolving, complex and information-rich scientific environment.

Make a gift today!Rieke Science Center Project

www.plu.edu/rieke

62 PLU SCENE WINTER 2012 > ONE-ON-ONE

“I view teaching much like I viewjournalism, it’s still an educationprocess. Here, you give students agood start and help them find theirway.” —Robert Marshall Wells

one-on-onecontinued from back page

journalism experience whatsoever. Wells received polite passes from

most of the editors, until one, TNTCity Editor Gary Jasinek, sat downand gave Wells the cold hard facts ofjournalism: He was probably goingto face long hours and make half ofwhat he was making at AT&T. Maybeless.

But Wells was resolute. “I remem-ber wanting to feel involved in some-thing, something larger than myself.”

The interview concluded, and Wellswas walking out of the door of theTNT, and into the fall sunshine, fig-uring “oh well, back to PR” when heheard someone hail him. Jasinek toldWells that an internship would beavailable that next summer. Pay waslousy, but would he be interested?Wells snapped at the chance to fol-low his passion, and a journalist wasborn.

Since then, Wells worked for theTNT, Congressional Quarterly andthe Seattle Times. He arrived at PLUin the fall of 2003, as a fill-in for

now-retired communications profes-sor Cliff Rowe. Wells found himselfdelaying, and delaying, his return tothe Times.

Finally he admitted to himself, hejust didn’t want to leave PLU.

“There’s something about this place,it gets into your blood,” Wells mused,now going on 10 years at PLU. In thattime, Wells has fed his passion byshaping future journalists, creatingthe award-winning MediaLab, andcontributing to efforts to create amedia studies center at PLU.

The MediaLab idea was born in2004. The best and brightest mediastudents in journalism, video, photog-raphy, public relations and other disci-plines have since scored over a dozenawards as well as one Emmy.MediaLab students have traveled intoareas ravaged by tornados and oilspills, gone up the Alaskan Highwayin search of unsung war heroes, andlooked into weighty topics such as immigration, the changingAmerican family and attitudes

towards Islam in the United States.“I view teaching much like I view

journalism,” Wells said. “It’s still aneducation process. And here, you givestudents a good start, and help themfind their way. I think of the profes-sors who encouraged me, and gave mea kick in the butt when I needed it.”

Wells would like to return the favor.And he has found it here – a place thatis small enough so he knows each andevery student, and large enough “sowe can do some pretty remarkablethings.”

His job at PLU is more to encouragestudents, rather than tell them whatto do. And his advice for recent gradu-ates, not only facing a tough job mar-ket, but an industry in turmoil? Takechances, albeit calculated ones. (He’snot sure about flying across the coun-try based on a classified ad). Be flexi-ble, and learn how to think. Finally,learn to write well and tell a goodstory.

“That will lead to everything else.”—Barbara Clements

S

December 5 – 9, 7:30 p.m.Theater: Buried ChildStudio Theatre, KHP Center for thePerforming Arts

December 5, 8 – 9:30 p.m.String KaleidoscopeLagerquist Concert Hall

December 6, 12 – 1 p.m.KPLU Jazz Jam: University Jazz Ensembleand Pearl DjangoLagerquist Concert Hall

December 6, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.Bachelor of Science in Nursing Information SessionsRamstad 202: Nursing Continuing EducationClassroom

December 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Christmas Carol Trivia with Paul Schultz,founder of the Northwest Repertory SingersGarfield Book Company Community Room

December 8, 10 a.m. – 4p.m.2012 December CommencementOlson Gymnasium

December 12, 7:30 – 10 p.m.Santka LuciaLagerquist Concert Hall, ScandinavianCultural Center

December 13, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.Christmas Luncheon, Olson Gymnasium

December 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.Master of Science in Finance InformationSessionMorken Center 103: Public Events Room

December 15, 6 – 8 p.m.Nordic Christmas FestScandinavian Cultural Center

December 15, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Choral Union ConcertLagerquist Concert Hall

JANUARY

January 4 – 5NW High School Honor BandMary Baker Russell Music Center

January 5, 5 – 6 p.m.NW High School Honor Band Concert #1Lagerquist Concert Hall

continued from inside front cover

DECEMBER 1, 8:00 P.M.A PLU Christmas: A Child is BornLagerquist Concert Hall, PLU

DECEMBER 2, 3 P.M.A PLU Christmas: A Child is BornLagerquist Concert Hall, PLU

DECEMBER 3, 7:30 P.M.A PLU Christmas: A Child is BornBenaroya Concert Hall, Seattle

DECEMBER 4, 7:30 P.M.A PLU Christmas: A Child is BornArlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland

DECEMBER 7, 8 P.M.A PLU Christmas: A Child is BornLagerquist Concert Hall, PLU

A CHILD IS BORNA PLU CHRISTMAS

CALENDAR > PLU WINTER 2012 63

calendarNovember 18, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Guitar Ensemble: Elizabeth C.D. BrownLagerquist Concert Hall

November 20, 6 – 8 p.m.State Farm MBA Speaker Series: Patricia KriseRieke 103: Leraas Lecture Hall

November 25, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Harp Ensemble Christmas ConcertMary Baker Russell Music Center, Room 306

November 28, 8 – 9:30 p.m.University Concert BandLagerquist Concert Hall

November 29, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Choral Series: Sounds of ChristmasLagerquist Concert Hall

DECEMBER

Through December 12Juried Student ExhibitionUniversity Gallery

December 4, 6 – 7:30 p.m.MBA Information SessionMorken Center 103: Public Events Room

January 5, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.NW High School Honor Band Concert #2Lagerquist Concert Hall

January 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.Silicon Valley Chamber Music FestivalBenefit ConcertLagerquist Concert Hall

January 20, 3 – 4:30 p.m.Carolyn Hoover Piano RecitalLagerquist Concert Hall

FEBRUARY

February 5, 7 – 8 p.m.Author Event: PLU Alum Marissa MeyerGarfield Book Company Community Room

February 6, 5 – 7 p.m.Opening Reception: David Keyes, DennisCoxUniversity Gallery

February 6, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Showcase Concert: PLU Choral andInstrumental ensemblesLagerquist Concert Hall

February 7 – March 6A Retrospective Exhibit: Emeriti professorsDavid Keyes, Dennis CoxUniversity Gallery

February 10, 1 – 4 p.m.Habitat Restoration Work PartyFred L. Tobiason Outdoor Learning Center

February 12, 10:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.Dr. Douglas Oakman on the KJV BibleGarfield Book Company Community Room

February 12, 8 – 9:30 p.m.Guest Orchestra: Central Washington UniversityLagerquist Concert Hall

February 19, 10:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.Washington Territory judges appointed by LincolnGarfield Book Company Community Room

March 1, 7 – 8 p.m.PLUtonic/HERmonic Spring Show #1Lagerquist Concert Hall

March 1, 9 – 10 p.m.PLUtonic/HERmonic Springs Show #2Lagerquist Concert Hall S

Pacific Lutheran University12180 Park Avenue SouthTacoma, WA 98447-0003

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PLU Scene Address change: If this copy of Scene is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address atyour home, please notify the Office of Alumni and Constituent Relationswith his or her new mailing address. You can reach us by phone at 253-535-7415 or 1-800-ALUM-PLU. You can also fax us at 253-535-8555or e-mail [email protected] with the new information. Thanks!

continued on page 62

R obert Marshall Wells was look-ing out the window of his cor-ner office at AT&T, where he

was working as a public relations spe-cialist, looking beyond the rolling hillsand D.C.-area cityscape, not really see-ing anything. Wells was pondering hisfuture.

He had already racked up an impres-sive set of credentials, with a bachelor’sof general studies from AmericanUniversity in Washington, D.C., and was

then completing a master’s of commu-nication, also from American. For near-ly 10 years, he’d worked in banking,marketing, and finally public relations.

“I didn’t like it, I certainly didn’t hateit,” Wells, associate professor of com-munication, mused recently during abreak from sabbatical work on a certifi-cate in documentary studies at DukeUniversity.

“But I came home at the end of eachday and asked, ‘What have I really

accomplished today?’” That questionbegan to gnaw at Wells.

His entire career track changed in1989, when a journalism professor inhis master’s program pointed out aposting for a job fair at The NewsTribune in Tacoma – wherever that was.On a whim, Wells booked a flight outto the Northwest and showed up at thejob fair, with hope, a resume and no

Robert Marshall Wells, associate professor of communication, believes education is a lot like journalism: Give students a strong foundation, and they will find their way.

one-on-oneEducation and Journalism: Hard work, and worth the effort

scene - winter 2012

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