1ASK A LUTE

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

Why you’ll be glad you

filled out the

FAFSA on January 1

Page 34

What does PLU’s class of 2015 look like? It looks like you

Page 22

How one student forever

changed the landscape of PLU

Page 16

REALLY

COOLINTERNSHIPSStudent Andrew Whitney knows PLU’s internship program doesn’t just help him apply the knowledge he’s acquired in class, he’s honing the career skills he needs. Page 8

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Upcoming

Dates

>>> www.choose.plu.edu

On the cOver: Andrew Whitney ’12 walks through downtown Tacoma to get to his internship at Bank of New York Mellon.

Photo by John Froschauer

for First-year Students

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

January 1Start the FAFSA

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

January 16Application and FAFSA Workshop, PLU campus

January 17Conditional Nursing Admission Application Deadline

January 28Backyard BBQ, PLU campus

February 1Music Scholarship Application Deadline >> choose.plu.edu/music

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

February 24-26Music Scholarship Audition Weekend

Theater Scholarship Audition Weekend

March 1International Honors Program Application Deadline >> choose.plu.edu/honors

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

EARN UP TO FULL TUITION

Regents’ & President’s

Scholarship deadline is DEC. 15

www.choose.plu.edu/r_and_p

A few reasons why Bernice Monkah ’13 thinks you should visit PLUPage 32

Hinderlie Hall: Where art is at the heartPage 30

04 Hello There

05 FAQS

06 Direct from Campus

14 One-on-One

20 Great Northwest

26 Something I Thought I’d Never Do

28 The Arts

30 Your New Home

32 Visit

34 Financial Aid

35 Apply

Really Cool Internships08

New Roots16Not only did Reed Ojala-Barbour ’11 turn his passion into a degree, but his passion changed the landscape of PLU

Who is the Class of 2015?22This fall, PLU welcomed its largest ever incoming first-year class. They’re smart, passionate and ready to engage the world – just like you

>>> www.choose.plu.edu

TAbLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Meet five students who have taken part in internships while at PLU – and learn why they believe it is a great way to hone the career skills they need

Sign Me!Page 7

Photo by Duong Huynh

,

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

PLUONLINE

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE >> SPRING ’12n Ten great reasons (and maybe a few more) why students say PLU is a great fit for them

n What is it like when everyone on your residence hall floor speaks Norwegian? Or Spanish? Or Mandarin?

n Get to know Tacoma through the eyes of two PLU students – there’s a lot to do here!

and much, much more...

REALSTORIES

HELLO THERE

Greetings from Pacific Lutheran University

U

4 HELLO THERE

Staff Executive EditorGreg Brewis

EditorSteve Hansen

WritersBarbara Clements Chris Albert

Art DirectorSimon Sung

PhotographerJohn Froschauer Ted Charles ’12 Alex Peterson ’12

Vice President for Admission and Enrollment ServicesKarl Stumo

Director of Admission

VolumE 4, ISSuE 2U is published three times a year by Pacific Lutheran University, S. 121st and Park Ave., Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003.

Postage paid at Tacoma, WA, and additional mailing offices. Address service requested. Postmaster: Send changes to PLU Office of Admission, Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003, admission@plu.edu. © 2011 by Pacific Lutheran University

PrIntED uSIng:eco-friendly Inks – vegetable based and certified as Ultra Low in Volatile Organic Compounds. Sustainable Papers COVER 55% Recycled paper, 30% Post Consumer Waste (PCW), TEXT 100% Recycled paper, 50% (PCW), REPLY CARD - 100% PCWPrinted at a Forest Stewardship CouncilTM certified plant.

Jennifer Olsen Krengel

Admission Communication CoordinatorEmily McCann ’06

online managerToby Beal

Welcome to the Winter issue of U magazine. By now you are well into the college search process, and we encourage you to continue researching, visiting and applying to schools you think will fit you best. We hope PLU is still on your list, and we look forward to reviewing your application.

Winter break is a great time to start think-ing about completing the Free Application

for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be submitted beginning January 1 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Completing the FAFSA is important no matter which schools you apply to. At PLU we use the FAFSA to build a comprehensive financial aid package for each student, and if you complete the form by January 31, it is likely your PLU financial aid offer will be in your hands before March 1. We know that affordability is an important factor in your college choice, so we encourage you to contact your PLU admission counselor with any questions you might have about financial aid.

As admission counselors, experience tells us that the best way to know if a school is right for you is to spend time on campus living like a student. When you visit campus, there are many opportunities to experience life as a Lute: take a campus tour, eat lunch with a current student, sit in on a class, meet individually with your admission counselor, chat with a professor about your academic interests, even stay overnight in a residence hall. Visiting schools and seeing how you will fit into a campus community can help make the college decision a little bit easier. We hope you decide to come experience PLU and learn firsthand what makes this an extraordinary place.

Best wishes,

Emily McCann and Rose Gonzales, Admission counselors

,

Do I need to know my major before coming to PLU?

Definitely not! I had no idea what I wanted to major in when I first came to PLU. I declared my economics major at the end of my sophomore year after taking a lot of classes in many different subjects. I eventually decided on economics after taking classes two semesters in a row from a professor who encouraged me every day I had her class.

What are classes like?

I love that you get to choose all your classes! Whether it’s a class for your major, a general university require-ment, or just for fun, you’ll be able to find classes that interest you. Classes are also small. I had an econom-ics class last year with only eight students. One of my favorite things about classes is that many of them are discussion oriented. I like being able to share my opinion and hear what other students have to say.

What is J-term?

J-Term happens during January. It is a four-week term between fall and spring semesters, where you take one class that counts as a semester-long class. J-Term is also a great oppor-tunity to study away. I’m going to Greece for J-Term 2012!

how’s the food?

There is a huge variety. There are the “usuals,” like a burger and fries, or a sandwich, but some of the more “out there” food is really good. A campus-wide favorite is peanut noodles – students often post Facebook statuses

about how amazing they are. No joke.

What sorts of clubs can I join?

PLU has more than 80 clubs, so you can join pretty much any club you want. From biology club to laughter yoga, you’re sure to find something that interests you. And if the club you’re looking for isn’t here, it’s easy to start one yourself.

What do students do for fun on campus?

A lot of students like to hang out with each other in the lounges of the residence halls. Playing ‘Apples to Apples’ is a favorite in my residence hall, as well as watching movies on the big screen TV. Each hall has a Residence Hall Council that usually puts on about one event per month within the hall, and an all-campus event once per year, like Pflueger Pfright Night or Ordal Beach Party. I also love to play intramural volleyball and bake with my friends.

FAQS

5FAQS

ANSWERSADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Your questions answered by real PLU students

FEATURED I’m from out-of-state. What is it like to live in the Pacific north-west?

I’m also an out-of-stater – I’m from Minnesota. The Pacific Northwest definitely has four seasons, but the temperatures are usually pretty mild (at least compared to what I’m used to). The rumors you hear about the rain are probably true (although per-haps a bit exaggerated). It can rain a lot, but if you bring a rain jacket and rain boots you’ll be just fine.

Is it possible to work on campus? Where could I work?

Many students work on campus. A few common places are Dining Ser-vices, the library and the residence halls. Every residence hall has front desk workers to greet students as they come in, which is a great way to meet a lot of people while making money. I know a lot of prospective students are worried about being able to manage a job while going to class, but it is definitely possible – you just have to use your time wisely. My planner is my life!

What is your favorite thing about PLU?

The amazing sense of community. I think everyone really feels like they have a place where they belong. Plus, it is impossible to get through a day without someone opening a door for you! U

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

GOt A QUeStIOn?

REALSTORIES

PLU GUEST EXPERTKaitlyn Berg-Dibley ’13

MAJOr Economics

hOMetOWnMaple Grove, Minn.

IntereStSI love playing intramural volleyball, taking trips to Seattle, and it’s always fun to walk down Garfield Street to Farrelli's Pizza.

6 DIRECT FROM CAMPUS6

DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

6 DIRECT FROM CAMPUS6

DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

PLU’s new big, empty ‘Black Box’Sure, the brand new Studio Theater at the center of campus looks empty. It’s supposed to be that way – it’s a “black box” theater.

It wasn’t empty for long – students have already begun mounting performances in the intimate, state-of-the-art theater space. And, not surprisingly, audiences are filling the seats.

The new Studio Theater is only the first phase of a larger arts center under construction. When complete, theater, dance and other perform-ing arts groups will have a larger main stage in the Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, in addition to the Studio Theater.

According to Jeff Clapp, associate professor of theater, it is facilities like this that will enable PLU to become a premier theater venue in the South Sound. “Because of this space becom-ing stronger, the students will have a lot more opportunity and they’ll have a home,” Clapp added.

On the Saturday before classes start, PLU tells its first-year stu-dents to take a hike. (Well, only some take a hike, like those who

go to Mt. Rainier. Others do things like volunteering at Northwest Harvest, kayaking Puget Sound, and touring the Theo Chocolate factory in Seattle.)

But you get the point. More than 25 groups went “On the Road” this September, a cool part of PLU’s orientation program. It is a great way for students to meet other stu-dents while experiencing an outdoor adventure, serving in the community, or enjoying local arts.

Welcome t o PLU. Now get outta here!

Others do things like

volunteering at north-

west harvest, kayaking

Puget Sound, and touringthe theo chocolate factory

in Seattle.

7DIRECT FROM CAMPUS7DIRECT FROM CAMPUS

10 great years for the Diversity centerLooking back on the early days of PLU’s Diversity Center, Eva Johnson, dean of student development and director of Student Involvement and Leadership, called the programs offered at that time “Diversity 101.”

In other words: Basic stuff.

Ten years later, a lot has changed – just like the students it serves. The “dCenter” serves students by offering pro-grams, retreats, one-on-one mentoring, and partnerships with other offices and departments on campus. Plus, it is a great place to hang out – no matter who you are.

“It’s a vibrant and thriving community,” Johnson said. “It has a mission to serve whoever walks in the door wherever they are at. This place will be welcoming and inclusive to you.”

Once again, PLU students gave up their bodies for a good cause – rais-ing money for Tacoma’s Mary Bridge Hospital. For a donation, people could ink their fellow students, raising more than $1,500 in one day.

Sign Me!

Should we call you ‘professor’ – or ‘governor’?When Alaska governor Sean Parnell ’84 came to the Seattle-Tacoma area to talk about trade opportunities between Washington state and Alaska, he made a quick stop at PLU’s School of Business to sit down with some of the region’s future business leaders.

Parnell spoke to Assistant Professor Kevin Boeh’s financing and entrepreneurship class, urging students to figure out what questions and problems their future employers will face, and then offer solutions to their bosses without being asked.

“It doesn’t take an eBay to fulfill all your dreams,” he said. “But it does take determination, creativity and the willingness to take calculated risks in whatever job or venture one decides to undertake.” U

8 PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

9PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

REALLY

COOLINTERNSHIPS

Annkia Carow is a busy person. She has a full class load of 17 credits, and is the assistant general manager of MediaLab, PLU’s student-run media organization.

But when she locked-down a coveted 40-hour-a-week internship in the public relations department of the Puyallup Fair – the largest fair west of the Mississippi – she couldn’t pass that up.

“I didn’t plan on getting a lot of sleep,” she laughed.

Carow was responsible for the official program at the fair, writing copy and overseeing its layout. She also

organized the “Healthy Fare” pro-gram – working with vendors to put together a menu of healthy options. She also organized “Jock Talk,” a daily newsletter sent to radio stations that promoted specific events.

Only three public relations interns are chosen each year – one of which is often held for a PLU student.

Those kinds of relationships make a real difference. “Rob Wells, my adviser, really knows the people to talk to, so we can get the experience we need as students.”

PLU students have a reputation, too. Employers know they’ll get good work from their interns, which in Carow’s case, gives her much-needed flexibility.

“My boss knows I’m a student first,” Carow said. “So I can work my job around my classes.” That helps when you are as busy as Carow.

“It is a really great experience,” said Carow. “You’re doing hands-on work, and it’s absolutely a great portfolio builder.” >>

Annika Carow ’12

MAJOR: Business with marketing emphasis

INTERNSHIP:

The Puyallup Fair

Learning at PLU means much more than class participation alone. It also means venturing outside the classroom and actively engaging in the world – we believe there’s no better way to prepare yourself for success – no matter where your passion takes you.

MEET FIvE STUdEnTS who have recently taken part in internships while at PLU – and see why they believe it is a great way to build a resume, develop contacts and hone the career skills they need.

B Y S T E V E H A N S E N

10 PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

REALLY

COOLINTERNSHIPS

AAROn HUSHAgEn is a sociology major. He’s also an audiophile.

So, during his senior year when he was taking an audio production class, he found himself thinking that he'd like to learn more about it. It didn’t matter that it didn't have anything to do with his major.

He asked his professor, Bob Holden, if he knew of any opportunities where he could continue to learn about

the subject. Soon, Hushagen found himself meeting with Joey Cohn, the assistant general manager of the national Public Radio affiliate 88.5 KPLU-FM. Soon thereafter, he was interning at the studio.

Hushagen started producing the on-air “comedy drops” – the little breaks between songs – and help-ing with the in-studio sessions when jazz performers would come to the studio.

All in all, it was a great way for him to find a passion for something – even though it was outside his major.

“This is an experience I didn't expect to have,” he said. “And when I started doing it, I thought, ‘yeah, this is exactly what I want to do.’”

Aaron Hushagen ’11

MAJOR: Sociology

INTERNSHIP:

88.5 KPLU-FM

“This is an experience I didn't expect to have, and when I started doing it, I thought, ‘yeah, this is exactly what I want to do.’”

REALLY

COOLINTERNSHIPS

EvERY STUdEnT who participates in PLU’s gate-way study-away program in Oaxaca, Mexico, has to participate in a four-week internship.

Based on the students’ interests, there are many internship options during the semester-long program, including working with healthcare providers or at women’s shelters, working on migrant issues or even student teaching.

In Paris Cochran’s case, she was able to find some-thing that matched perfectly with her two majors

and interest area: She worked with HELPS International, a non-profit that helps indigenous communities install sustainable wood-burning stoves in kitchens. The stoves, which burn fuel more efficiently than traditional stoves, not only mitigate deforestation in the area, but they improve the health of the users by

keeping smoke and particulates out of the kitchen.

Cochran was the first American, and female student, to go into rural Oaxaca with HELPS. That was a big deal. Cochran had to earn the trust and respect of the people she was working with. “I was able to change their opinion about what Americans, and students, are capable of,” she said.

The opportunity Cochran had to talk directly with the women in these communities and see, firsthand, the cultural importance of these wood-burning

Paris Cochran ’13

MAJOR: Environmental Studies and Hispanic Studies

INTERNSHIP:

Internship: HELPS International (Oaxaca, Mexico)

11PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

stoves, was invaluable to her – and not just because it improved her Spanish markedly.

“I learned how important relationships between people and the environment are,” she said. “I learned how to use resources efficiently and I learned that by watching people – these people have used these technologies for hundreds of years.”

That will come in handy when Paris graduates – she plans to return to her native Alaska to work with the indigenous communities on land-rights issues.

“I learned how important relationships between people and the environment are. I learned how to use resources efficiently and I learned that by watching people – these people have used these technologies for hundreds of years.”

OF THE MAnY numbers Andrew Whitney recalls from his finance class, this one stuck out to him: 70.

“I remember my prof telling us that 70 percent of interns get offered a position," Whitney recalls. “He always said ‘numbers like that you just don't get anywhere else.’”

His prof, Assistant Professor of Business Kevin Boeh, would know. Boeh is a former Wall Street investment

banker whose accounts totaled in the billions of dollars.

Like he does for all of his stu-dents, Boeh helped Whitney identify a good match for his skills, and helped him prepare for

the interview. The result? Whitney took a summer internship with Bank of new York Mellon, working 40 hours a week.

After the summer, Whitney was given the opportunity to stay on as long he, and the bank, felt like he was contributing. Whitney plans to stay through gradua-tion – after that, maybe it'll turn into a job.

Andrew Whitney ’12

MAJOR: Business

INTERNSHIP:

Bank of new York Mellon

Whitney sees his internship as a practical application of what he’s learning in business school.

He does a lot of number-crunching and reviews a lot of raw financial data. He also checks financial portfo-lios to make sure they are compliant – for example, if a client doesn’t want a stock portfolio that includes tobacco companies, he makes sure they are out.

Are there things he learned in his business classes that have been backed-up by his time at Bank of new York Mellon? Whitney’s response is simple:

“Everything. Everything has popped up once or twice while I've been here.”

“I remember my prof telling us that 70 percent of interns get offered a position. He always said ‘numbers like that you just don’t get anywhere else.’”

1212 PREPARED FOR THE WORLD

REALLY

COOLINTERNSHIPS

13PREPARED FOR THE WORLD 13

WHEn THE dIRECTOR of cultural anthropological services at Mt. Rainier national Park came to PLU to speak to his anthropology class last fall, Ted Charles had an idea: He loves anthropology and he loves the outdoors. Maybe he could combine the two?

After class, he asked the speaker if there were any summer internships available. There were. So Charles

kept in contact. So did his professor, Bradford Andrews, who had worked with that day’s speaker on other projects.

And by spring, Charles had an intern-ship secured. The following summer

he was working four days a week based out of the park headquarters – the other days he spent hiking in the backcountry.

“This was the ideal situation,” he smiled.

Over the summer, he helped inventory the archaeo-logical sites in the national park, and he worked with other archaeologists as part of the nisqually-to-Par-adise national Historic Landmark Project. In essence, Charles and others were attempting to survey and recover an old government road built in the park in its earliest days.

Charles considered the internship the perfect op-portunity to take those “real anthropological tools” he learned in class and use them in the field.

“It’s something I’d never had the opportunity to use before this internship,” he said.

Ted Charles ’12

MAJOR: Anthropology

INTERNSHIP:

Mt. Rainier national Park

The internship had other benefits, too. For Charles’ senior thesis, he had been planning to write about the Civilian Conservation Corps within the context of the national Park Service. His work over the summer gave him access to numerous resources – and personal contacts! – that he would never had otherwise.

All in all, it was the perfect way to spend a summer. And, in Charles’ view, a perfect way to preview the next steps in his life.

“It was a unique chance to preview my future,” he said.

Over the summer, he helped inventory the archaeological sites in the national park, and he worked with other archaeologists as part of the Nisqually-to- Paradise National Historic Landmark Project.

Career ConnectionsFrom entering first-year and sophomore students who need to choose a major; to sophomores and juniors who need to connect to experiences outside the classroom; to juniors and seniors who need to polish their job search skills including resume writing, interviewing, and networking skills, Career Connections is there to guide them along the way.

Career Connections focuses existing programs on campus around the single goal to guide students through their years here and help them refine their passion and career goals. Career Connections is a new hub of already existing services, including the offices of Career development and Academic Internships, or the opportunities made available through academic departments or the Alumni office.

“One of our major goals is to help students have a seamless transition into the next phase of life," said Bobbi Hughes ’00, director of employer relations at PLU.

“We’re going to be doing, and have been doing, a great job in helping students discover what they are passionate about and what they are really meant to do in this world,” Hughes said.

www.plu.edu/career-connections/

U

14 ONE-ON-ONE

ONE-ON-ONE

The recipe for how Assistant Profes-sor of Chemistry Justin Lytle teaches looks a little like this: Add two-parts enthusiasm and a love of teaching, one-part knowledge of the sciences, and a heaping scoop of passion for the chemistry of food. Then sprinkle in a little dry humor, and mix slowly.

Lytle is not a chef – at least profes-sionally. In fact, at one point in his life, Lytle pursued a path toward becoming a Lutheran pastor before he discovered that teaching chemistry was his true calling. Like the sermons he once envisioned, his lectures reveal an evangelistic zeal for helping others learn chemistry.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Lytle spent three years at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory assembling nanomaterials – materials that are less than one thousandth of the diameter of a human hair – into powerful state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries. Here at PLU, he continues to use nanoma-

terials to store energy in flexible and lightweight paper electrodes.

Lytle’s true calling is sharing his pas-sion for the sciences with students. His teaching philosophy is that chemis-try doesn’t have to be intimidating. It can and should be fun and engaging.

And tasty.

“Chemistry is so scary for a lot of college students,” Lytle said. “I want my students to say ‘I enjoy what I’m learning and I can do anything that I put my mind to.’”

In food, he sees a way for his stu-dents to relate cooking to its most basic level – the chemical makeup of food. Chemistry is, after all, how the building blocks of nature go together to form, well, everything.

Lytle deliberately emphasizes that students know more about chemistry than they think. Like cooks, chemists choose and measure ingredients, modify recipes, adjust cooking times and temperatures, and test the end

FACULTY PROFILE

Chemistrythe right recipe >>> Justin Lytle, assistant professor of chemistry

results. Constructing and deconstruct-ing food is chemistry.

“It is a way to tone down the science and make it accessible.”

This type of instruction doesn’t just happen in the chemistry classrooms of Rieke Science Center. It is also happening in PLU’s dining commons. Four years ago, Lytle started the “Chemistry of Food” series with Erica Fickeisen, lead baker with PLU’s Din-ing and Culinary Services.

Lytle, Fickeisen, and Dining and Culi-nary Services have joined together to create fun, informative sessions – open to the entire campus – that look at the chemistry of different foods, like cheese, chocolate, spices and bread.

Take chocolate, for instance. Lytle and Fickeisen deconstruct chocolate into its many components – one of which is a key ingredient in nail polish remover – and they demonstrate how slight differences in the origin of the cacao beans, or even the processing

15ONE-ON-ONE

Chemistry

U

temperature, change the flavor of the chocolate.

Students aren’t the only ones who learn during these demonstrations. Lytle found he enjoyed chocolate even more after learning about how subtly complex it is.

“It’s so much more rich than I thought,” he said. “One more reason I love chocolate.”

The sessions can be quite a challenge to put on, but Lytle and Fickeisen re-ally enjoy how the enjoyment of food makes chemistry more palatable.

Lytle credits Fickeisen and PLU’s Dining Services with coming up with some delicious foods as culinary examples for the talks. “Erica and Dining Services are my partners in crime,” Lytle said. “It’s a real labor of love. It’s absolutely a lot of work, but when we pull it off, it’s really something special.”

He’s not sure what’s next on the menu, but that’s the fun of it. The recipe is always changing. — C H R I S A L B E R T

Erica Fickeisen, lead baker with PLU’s Dining and Culinary Services, and Justin Lytle, assistant professor of chemistry

16 ACADEMIC DISTINCTION1616

ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

17ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

B Y C H R I S A L B E R T

RootsNew

not only did reed Ojala-Barbour ’11 turn his passion into a degree, but his passion changed the landscape of PLU.

>>

18 ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

STANDING UNDER THE BRANCHES of a Garry oak tree on the hill behind the University Center, Reed Ojala-Barbour ’11 takes stock of the open space in front of him. He’s imagining what it must have been like more than 100 years ago – before the basketball court, sand volleyball court, and the well-manicured lawn bordered by a dry creek bed and residence halls.

He thinks about how the dry creek bed once flourished as Clover Creek, with the surrounding vegetation part of a large prairie. The tree that he stands under today was there back then; it is nearly 400 years old. It is native to the area, one of more than 100 Garry oaks on campus, making PLU a preserve of a species native to Pierce County.

The open space is an indication of what the entire area once was, Ojala-Barbour, an environmental studies major, said of the Clover Creek watershed. “That’s a little piece of evidence that it used to be prairie,” he said.

It’s something he could have learned in a book – and he certainly did – but his experience at PLU extends well beyond the classroom. His experience here led him to work with professors who have long been retired, community groups who offer funding and volunteers, as well as PLU staff who help manage the campus.

Not only did Ojala-Barbour turn this passion into a degree, but his passion changed the landscape of PLU. That passion was celebrated during Earth Week, when about 60 stu-dents, faculty, staff and community joined Ojala-Barbour, PLU President Loren J. Anderson and Professor Emeritus of Chemistry Fred Tobiason to dedicate the Fred L. Tobiason Outdoor Learning Center.

The native space behind the University Center has become a symbol of what one student, with a lot of on-campus support, can do when he follows his passion.

It all started when Ojala-Barbour was looking for a sum-mer job upon returning to campus his sophomore year from Spain. It was suggested he apply for one of PLU’s Sustainability Fellowships. The fellowship had great ap-peal – he’d have a job, and the chance to make a positive impact on the campus of his university.

He dived into researching PLU’s footprint, and he proposed studying the impact of invasive species to native plants on campus. It wasn’t long before he’d learn about the Garry oak and its unique place as a native species of the area.

Even though the university long has embraced sustainable practices, such as setting a goal of being carbon neutral by 2020 or investing in green building and renovation prac-tices, Ojala-Barbour knew there was always more to do.

“I realized PLU wasn’t doing all it could for the native area, but there was a network of people who could,” he said.

But he also learned about many people who have been

RootsNew

”

19ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

active in preserving green spaces in the area. One of those people was Fred L. Tobiason, a former chemistry professor at PLU. Tobiason, back in the 1970s, saved the space behind the UC from becoming a parking lot.

Taking inspiration from Tobiason, Ojala-Barbour targeted that same space. The site had been inaccessible for years, thanks to dense thickets of Himalayan blackberries, an invasive species that negatively affects the Garry oak tree.

He began going to conservation group meetings and learning all he could. It was at a Pierce County Conservation District meeting that he first heard about grants that were available to help promote preservation.

In writing those grant proposals, Ojala-Barbour got sup-port from people on campus including Professor of Biology William Teska and Sustainability Coordinator Chrissy Cooley. They made learning how to write a grant proposal a lot less daunting.

Soon, Ojala-Barbour learned the grants had been awarded to his project.

And through working with the Native Plants Salvage Alli-ance, he was able to secure native seeds and native species for replanting on campus. Plants like snowberry, Oregon grape and beaked hazelnut. All in all, there were 25 plant types for replanting.

The money was there, and he had the seeds. Now he needed people.

With the help of PLU staff, he reached out to a network of people passionate about the Clover Park watershed. Soon, he had more than 100 people involved – from seniors from nearby Washington High School, volunteers from the PLU sustainability club, Girl Scout troops, Boys and Girls Club members, and many more.

There were people ready to get their hands dirty, but they needed a voice to organize them. They needed someone to lead them and focus on making a difference in their environment. Once again, Ojala-Barbour stepped in.

“I just realized it was an opportunity for me to be a leader,” Ojala-Barbour said.

He did lead. And now, the evidence of that stewardship is taking root at PLU, with the Fred Tobiason Outdoor Learn-ing Center and below the Garry oak where Ojala-Barbour first took notice of the prairie at PLU.

“It’s been a lot of time and energy, but it’s also been really rewarding,” Ojala-Barbour said. Someday, he hopes to combine the land management skills he’s learned outside of the classroom, with what he’s learned inside the classroom, and work to better preserve what native land remains.

The Clover Creek watershed is a unique environment, Ojala-Barbour said, just like PLU.

“PLU has a unique climate of getting students involved in the institution.”

Reed Ojala-Barbour’s experience at PLU extends well beyond the classroom. His experience here led him to work with professors who have long been retired, community groups who offer funding and volunteers, as well as PLU staff who help manage the campus.”

” U

20 GREAT NORTHWEST

GREAT NORTHWEST

Sculpins‘no one has ever looked at species in this way’ IT WAS A SLIPPERY BALLET choreographed with rushing water, waders and a cumbersome net.

This summer saw Jacob Egge, assistant professor of biol-ogy at PLU, and two student researchers trying to flush out sculpins hiding beneath rocks in the Green River near Auburn, Wash. The threesome managed to nail down a system where one would kick at the rocks, while the other two would wield the net to trap the small, spiny fish.

At the end of the summer, Egge and his two student-researchers, Brianne Ankenman ’13 and Evan Shields ’13, had visited almost a dozen rivers around Washington to capture and analyze several sculpin subspecies that inhabit the freshwater streams in the state.

Once Egge and his team captured hundreds of sculpins, they took the inch-long striped fish back to the PLU lab and tested their DNA.

“We’re trying to discover the origin of freshwater fishes in the Puget Sound area,” said Egge. About 15,000 years ago, he explained, the entire region was covered by glaciers, when the ice receded, the fish populated the new streams, coming either from the Columbia or Chehalis rivers. Just how the fish migrated from one system to another is still a mystery.

Egge and his student-researchers aim to find out. “No one has ever looked at species in this way before,” he said of the research.

— B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S

To hear and see Egge and his team track-down the elusive sculpins, or to learn about some of the more than 50 student-faculty

research projects that take place at PLU each summer, visit choose.plu.edu/student-research

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21GREAT NORTHWEST

Sculpins‘no one has ever looked at species in this way’

21

AROUND THE SOUND

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

Climb amountain

PUGet SOUnDAn inland extension of the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound stretches more than 100 miles, from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the state capital, Olympia. This enormous body of water is one of the reasons why the region experiences comparatively mild – albeit sometimes rainy – winters.

Ride aferry

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

Visit thecity

LIFE ON CAMPUS22

LIFE ON CAMPUS

23LIFE ON CAMPUS

This fall, PLU welcomed its largest ever incoming first-year class to campus. We thought you’d like to meet them. So here they are – all 731 of them. They’re smart, passionate and ready to engage the world – they’re just like you. >>

24 LIFE ON CAMPUS24

This is easy. Nearly everyone received some kind of financial aid. So, chances are, you will too. For instance, in 2010, the average financial aid offer was $26,000. That makes PLU more affordable than you might think. And given that PLU is known for offering more classes, more majors and more opportunities than most liberal arts colleges – and more personal attention than a large public school – we think PLU is as good as any university, large or small.

AMy LeSSIG > MAJOr: nUrSInG > hOMetOWn: PhOenIx, ArIz.

We’re proud of being Lutheran, but it doesn’t mean you have to be. (Lu-theran, that is.) PLU reaches out to students of all faiths and all backgrounds – the 22 percent that are Lutheran, and the 78 that aren’t. That would be everybody. Including you. Especially you. And that is exactly what Lutheran education is all about – a commitment to academic freedom and a learning atmosphere where all perspectives on faith and reason are expressed openly. That’s the Lutheran tradition.

terreLL hAWkInS > MAJOr: reLIGIOn > hOMetOWn: SPOkAne, WASh.

25LIFE ON CAMPUS 25

It’s true that a large portion of PLU students come from Washington and Oregon. It’s also true that once you come to campus, you’ll find yourself at a globally focused university, where two-thirds of the faculty have international expertise and experience, and nearly 50 percent of all students participate in at least one study-away experience while at PLU. The national average? Three percent.

BryAn GILLeSPIe > MAJOr: PhySIcS > hOMetOWn: PUyALLUP, WASh.

With well over 20 percent students of color, it’s clear that PLU strives to be a community where people of different cultures, intellectual positions and life-goals can reach their full potential – and you can see that in the class of 2015. Such an environment develops respect for differences while fostering caring relationships, cross-cultural understanding, and common educational commitments.HI

MIkI yAMAMOtO > MAJOr: MUSIc eDUcAtIOn > hOMetOWn: hOnOLULU, hI.

SOMETHING I THOUGHT I'D NEVER DO

ALYSSA HENRY ’12 was already doing something different.

The environmental studies major from Kent, Wash., had already spent her spring term in Denmark as a part of a study-away program through PLU’s Wang Center for Global Education. But when someone suggested she apply for an internship where she would ride her bike 800 miles through Massachusetts, she said to herself:

“I have to do this.”

Never mind that Alyssa didn’t own a bike. In fact, she hadn’t really ridden much since her junior-high days.

But after a completed application and visit to the “bikes for sale” section of Craigslist, Henry found herself pedal-

ing across Massachusetts for what she later called the most amazing summer she’s ever had.

The internship was with a nonprofit called New England Climate Summer. Their project was to travel in groups of six or seven, meeting with individuals, community groups or government officials in hopes of finding ways to lessen their dependency on fossil fuels.

Henry’s group would travel 30 to 50 miles a day, sleeping in churches or – when they were lucky – in the homes of well-wishers, where they would sometimes get a warm meal, do laundry or take a shower.

“Showing up in a community and having to rely on the

I never thought I’d spend my summer biking 800 miles across Massachusetts

ALYSSA HENRY ’12

26 SOMETHING I THOUGHT I‘D NEVER DO26

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kindness of the people living in that community – it re-affirmed my faith in humanity,” she said.

More than simply a character-building exercise, Henry found the summer to be a great skill-building exercise, too. She really developed her ability to speak before large groups, and she built her community-organizing skills, too. She was made the new media coordinator for her group, organizing meetings and generating publicity to newspapers, community groups and others. She was even sometimes her group’s resident bike mechanic.

Perhaps most importantly, Henry discovered her passion. She loved being outdoors, on her bike, travelling with

newfound friends talking with others about issues she deeply cares about. And it made her think about the end-less possibilities for her future.

Peace Corps? Environmental work? Community organizing? Henry doesn’t know what’s next. But she does know not to be afraid of the uncertainty.

“This summer inspired me to get busy and not be afraid to fail,” Henry said.

“It was one of those summers I don’t know if I'll ever get again.”

— S T E V E H A N S E N

BikingI never thought I’d spend my summer biking 800 miles across Massachusetts

27SOMETHING I THOUGHT I‘D NEVER DO 27

28 THE ARTS

THE ARTS

THE RECENT SEATTLE OPERA PRODUCTION of “Porgy and Bess” turned into something of a Lute reunion this summer, as five Lutes showed up for rehearsals and, after looking around, realized they were all fellow alums.

Amy Van Mechelen ’08 had just finished up her master’s degree in music at Colorado State when she moved back to the Tacoma area. She auditioned for the chorus of “Porgy and Bess,” and didn’t think she’d get a part. But she did.

Van Mechelen was surprised by how much a part the chorus plays on stage.

“The chorus is on the stage almost all the time and is an integral part of the opera,” she said.

After a taste of this, Van Mechelen knows that singing is what she wants to do with her life. She arrived at PLU as a transfer student. “I went to audition for the music program and the faculty was so warm and inviting…it just felt like home,” she said.

Marlette Buchannan Hall, a vocal studies lecturer at PLU,

said she showed up for the first day of rehearsals this last summer and realized a few of her students were right along side her.

Hall played the role of “Lily” in the opera, which follows the tragic story of Porgy, a disabled black beggar living in the slums of Charleston, South Carolina. The opera, first performed in 1935 with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin, deals with Porgy’s attempts to rescue Bess from the clutches of Crown, her violent and pos-

sessive lover, and Sportin’ Life, the drug dealer.

Hall recalls the rehearsals as grueling. “I don’t think people realize all the work that goes into it,” she said. Having a built-in support group of Lutes helped. Along with Hall and Van Mechelen, there was Novalee Richard, ’09, Stepha-nie Johnson ’11 and leisha McIntyre ’97.

Johnson said that she has received huge support from her fellow Lutes, from Choir of the West members who helped her put together audition videos, and her current voice

Seattle Opera’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ – five Lutes on one stage

V Amy V

Van Mechelen ‘08

Five Lutes found themselves together on the Seattle Opera stage this summer, all part of the production of “Porgy and Bess.” Photo by Elise Bakketun, courtesy of Seattle Opera.

V Marlette V Buchannan Hall

29THE ARTS

instructor (and PLU professor) Barry Johnson, who encour-aged her to audition.

“PLU has given me amazing connections,” she said.

As for advice for other students seeking a career in sing-ing or opera? “Life isn’t a dress rehearsal,” she said. “Do your best work every time. Be accountable. Be flexible. Be able, ready and fierce with your art.”

Like Van Mechelen, McIntyre arrived at PLU as a transfer student. She graduated with an English literature major, and a vo-cal and religion minor. McIntyre’s mother, Nancy McIntyre ’74, also graduated with a degree in education from PLU. After teaching in various places around the country, McIntyre now teaches theater

arts in the Seattle Public School District to middle school and elementary age children.

McIntyre auditioned on a whim. “I figured, why not?,” she laughed. And she was glad she did.

“It was such an awesome experience, working with so

many talented people of color,” she said. “It’s just like being at summer camp. Everyone is there with the same interest, and you’re not the odd duck anymore.”

Before coming to PLU, McIntyre, 36, characterized herself as shy. But the voice lessons and the support here brought her out of her shell. Once she started teaching, she found it difficult to continue to find the cash to pay for voice lessons. But after the “Porgy and Bess” experi-ence, she intends to find the time, and the money to groom her talent.

“I’m going to do whatever I need to do to make this work,” she said. “I’d never had the courage to audition before now, but I’ve awakened this talent, and I’m going to keep going.”

— B A R B A R A C L E M E N T S

Seattle Opera’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ – five Lutes on one stage

V leisha V

McIntyre ‘07 U

YOUR NEW HOME30

YOUR NEW HOME

“It is a healthy and fun community – and it

is so great to be in a community that is so

passionate about something.”

—Tyler Capellaro ’14

31YOUR NEW HOME

EARLIER THIS YEAR, Taylor Capellaro ’14 was walking on the lower level of Hinderlie Hall when he heard music coming from a room – it was some of the most beautiful music he had heard.

He didn’t know the people who lived in the room, but he stuck his head in anyway. There, he saw four first-year students – one was playing a viola, and another was singing and playing a guitar, and the other two were singing harmonies. Capellaro enjoyed the music so much, he came in, sat down, and listened.

“This kind of thing happens all the time,” said Capellaro, a music and theater major from Enumclaw, Wash. “You can always find someone playing a guitar or something around here – everyone is doing their art.”

This isn’t surprising, as Hinderlie Hall is a “community of creative expression” – a designation specifically chosen by those who live there. Students of all majors who have a passion for creativity in any form are members of the Hinderlie com-

munity, from music and arts, to nursing, anthropology, business and biology.

After all, what makes Hinderlie Hall so unique is the people.

“I feel like this is my second home,” Capellaro said. “It is a healthy and fun community – and it is so great to be in a community that is so passionate about something.”

— S T E V E H A N S E N

HINDERLIE HALL

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HINDERLIEby the numbers

n 130 students

n Home to the Hinderlie Community of Creative Expression (HCCE) with 6 faculty partners

n 4 floors, 8 wings. Wings are gender-specific.

n 4 washers and 4 dryers

n 6 Resident Assistants and 6 Residence Hall Council executives, not including wing representatives and the Arts Ambassador

n 3 kitchens with composting bins

n 2 lounges including the main lounge shared with Commuter Connections, 1 Practice/Study Room, 1 Imagination Room

n 1 large balcony overlooking lower campus/Foss field

n Host of annual Hinderlie Toga Party, featuring fantastic music, dancing, and food

n 12' x 14' 8" room size. Rooms feature built-in closets and loftable beds.

Where art is at the heart

Photos by Ted Charles ’12 and Alex Peterson ’12

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

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

TAkE A TOUR OF CAMPUS. It’s a great introduction to PLU. Tours are guided by students like Bernice who know all the essential information about our university. Tours are available by appointment Monday through Saturday dur-ing the academic year.

Beautiful day on Foss Field playing a game of Frisbee

Major

Interests

Bernice Monkah ’13

Mathematical Economics and Political Science

Going to the fitness center, attending Cave dances, climbing at Edgeworks

Profile

A Day in the life of a PLU student

HometownSeaTac, Wash.

32 VISIT

Grabbing some snacks at Tahoma Bakery and catching up with Alexis

VISIT USGetting some great deals at the Garfield Book Company

Want to see more?VISIT THE PLU VIRTUAL TOUR

www.choose.plu.edu/virtualtour

Dinner in the UC with some friends

The weekend always means there are activities on campus, so why not a Toga Party?

Presentation on Ethiopian Art in IHON class

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

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

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

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

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VISIT 33

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

or download the free QR code reader application at:

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

a camera phone photo of the image on the left.

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FINANCIAL AID

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

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

What is the FAFSA and when is it due?

The FAFSA is used by many schools as a standard to evaluate your eligibil-ity for need-based financial aid. You can complete the FAFSA as early as January 1, 2012, if you are planning on beginning college the following fall. The easiest way to complete the FAFSA is online, at www.fafsa.ed.gov. While you wait for January 1, you can request your PIN, which serves as your electronic signature, at www.pin.ed.gov.

I filled out the FAFSA, now what?

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

Does PLU offer merit aid?

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

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

2011-12 cOStS $30,950 tuition

$9,250 room and meals

$40,200 total

34 FINANCIAL AID

how much money should I expect to receive?

Because each financial aid package is tailored to a specific student, it is hard to say how much you may qualify for. To help give you an idea, the Office of Financial Aid put together the chart below to show the average PLU gift aid based on a family’s combined income. In general, more than 97 percent of PLU students receive some type of financial aid, and the average financial aid package is $24,167.

Average total scholarships and grants from all sources

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

<$20,000 69 $23,401

$20,000 - $39,999 38 $23,601

$40,000 - $59,999 73 $20,372

$60,000 - $79,999 88 $19,154

$80,000 - $99,999 72 $16,442

$100,000 + 285 $15,272

Links & Info

www.choose.plu.edu www.plu.edu/financial-aid

n 800-274-6758

n 253-535-7151

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

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number of aid recipients

combined family income for first-year students, Fall 2010

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

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

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

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

holistic reviewYour application will be read by your admission counselor who is looking for students who will bring their special talents and abilities to PLU. Test scores and GPA are part of that – admission to PLU is selec-tive and competitive – but we also take the time to look at the courses you’ve taken, the activities you’ve been involved in, and your essay and recommendations. A personal visit with an admission counselor during a visit to campus can be part of the process, too.

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

EASYApplying to college is easy

We’ll also let you know if you qualify for an academic merit scholarship.

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

35APPLY

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and international admission.

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

PLU accepts the Common Application as well as the PLU application. Apply online and it is free.

If you apply by the 15th of the month, we guarantee you’ll get a response – including if you qualify for academic merit scholarships – within four weeks.

Applications received after February 15 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

www.choose.plu.edu/apply

Apply Online!

APPLY

Help

ON CAMPUS

Sign me up!Zorba, the unofficial mascot of the Biology Club, does some recruiting at PLU’s Involvement Fair. More than 40 clubs and organizations took part in the annual September event that helps students discover new opportunities in college life. All told, there are more than 80 clubs and organizations on campus.

U, PLU OFFIce OF ADMISSIOn, Tacoma, Washington, 98447-0003Address change: If you do not wish to receive U, or wish to change your mailing address, please notify PLU Office of Admission. You can reach us by phone at 800-274-6758, by fax at 253-536-5136, or by e-mail at admission@plu.edu. Plu.umg.0711