2021 Student Experience & Resources

Hear a special thank you from PLU students, staff and alumni for your amazing support this Bjug Day. This has been the biggest hearted Bjug Day to date and it would not have been possible without you! Thank you for coming together and giving to what you love! Go Lutes!

You made this the biggest hearted Bjug Day yet! Thank you for coming together and giving to what you love! Stay tuned for more updates to come.

Note: Final numbers may shift a bit as we process gifts postmarked by Oct. 20. 

Calling all Lutes! Right now is your last chance to be a part of Bjug Day!

Make a gift of any size to anything you love before 11:59 pm PDT and you’ll be part of the biggest hearted day of the year for PLU and PLU students!

Will you answer the call and give to what you love?!

Know 353 Lutes who still need to participate? OK, bit of a stretch... know 1 or 2? Now's the time to reach out! We are closing in on 2,021+ and every Lute counts! Call or text the Lutes you know and ask if they have given to what they Love this Bjug Day!

Lutes are giving to what they love all across the country. Let’s see if we can get this map filled in before Bjug Day comes to a close at midnight! 🕛 

Do you know a Lute in Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Vermont or West Virginia? Give them a call and invite them to give to what they love! 💛

The Diversity Center:

PLU's Diversity Center — celebrating its 20th year! — is committed to empowering the PLU community to engage in dialogue, programs and initiatives that promote and enhance equity, agency and action. 

Throughout the year, The Diversity Center sponsors programs and events; community gathering spaces like the DJS Lounge, The CAVE and Community Garden; and workshops and retreats. Your gift to The Diversity Center will support these programs and more.

You can also give directly to these funds: 

• The Good Trouble Fund: The late Rep. John Lewis’s often-used “good trouble” saying inspired this resource for Black and African American students. This fund was spearheaded by a group of PLU faculty who recognized that systemic resource inequities can negatively impact Black students. Awards from the fund begin to address those inequities by helping Black students at PLU cover the hidden costs of college — things like costs of books, study abroad, lab and art supplies, dues for professional associations, student/faculty research, fees for student club activities, and personal computers (or similar devices). Your gift will help Black students more fully participate and better thrive as members of the student community.  
   
• Undocumented Student Fund: The Undocumented Student Fund provides financial support for PLU Undocumented Students seeking resources for legal fees, academic success, and leadership development. In the past, this fund has supported requests including access to course materials, DACA applications, emergency gap fund, lawyer consultations. Your gift will go directly to helping undocumented PLU students. 

Center for Gender Equity:

PLU's Center for Gender Equity (CGE) supports, challenges and empowers students, staff and faculty to combat gender-based oppression and enact positive social change. CGE sponsors a variety of programs and events throughout the year, as well as the Peer Advocacy and Community Education (PACE) student leader programs who provide training and dialogue across campus. Your gift will help support programs, events, PACE and more! 

Counseling, Health & Wellness Services:

PLU Counseling, Health & Wellness Services (CHWS) provides integrated medical, mental health and wellness care to enable optimal student overall well-being.  PLU is investing in training and engaging in shared learning to ensure our capacity to provide responsive mental health and health resources to all of our students through on- and off-campus resources and 24/7 access to mental health resources.

Residential Housing Association:

PLU's Residential Housing Association (RHA) seeks the continual betterment of the university community. A main focus of ours is advocating for and increasing awareness for diversity, justice and sustainability by conducting programs that incorporate these elements and bring forth thoughtful and engaging conversations. RHA aims to unify the campus as a whole and to help the PLU community thrive. Your gift will help us to create the best environment for students and staff to effectively develop and grow.  

Jim (’78) Fredricksen shares why he and his wife Jane Fredricksen are offering a dollar-for-dollar match for gifts to the Internship Fund this Bjug Day:

“My motivation for helping students at PLU probably started when attending PLU. Professors and administrators helped write references and made connections leading to part-time jobs in areas that I was actually interested in pursuing. They cared about and showed an interest in me. I’ve always thought I was lucky to have had their support. 

"After graduation Jane and I, plus our close circle of friends, had a chance to get to know Mr. Bill Crooks, a professor in the School of Business, and his dear wife Bobbe. They took an interest in us, as Lute grads, golfers, friends and were always interested in our careers.  We also saw how they interacted with students, developed a network with the local business community, and spent hours supporting the youth of the greater Tacoma area. What super role models and friends they were!

"After spending time with the PLU’s Business Advisory Board, plus engaging with students as a mentor, it seemed pretty clear that securing meaningful internships prior to graduation continued to be a priority. Unfortunately, not all internships are paid affairs. We came up with a plan to create a fund that could assist a wide range of students as they were beginning internships in areas that they really wanted to explore. This seemed like an immediate need that needed attention. 

"Last spring we were able to help over 20 students who needed a variety of assistance (tech support, transportation assistance, living expenses, etc.). The fun part was enabling the students to select the internship that they wanted, and hope that their experience was altogether more positive. Hopefully the short- and long-term feedback from these students will parallel the positive experience I’ve had in being part of the PLU community through the years.  Go Lutes."  

This Bjug Day we’re asking you and other Lutes around the world to share what you love about PLU. 

Here are just some of the amazing responses we’ve received, so far! Just complete this short survey to share your message — photos and videos welcome! 

“I went to PLU to become a Nurse. The Nursing Program was hard but wonderful! When at college, I worked 12 hours/week in the Computer Center as part of my financial aid package. At that time it was located in the basement of the library. My future husband, Damon Wright worked as a Programmer/Analyst in the Center. We met, fell in love, and were married a year later. We just celebrated our 48th anniversary! I am grateful for PLU’s undergraduate program, and the fact that the Lord brought my husband and I together there. ” — Karen Wright ’76

“I don't have a student experience from which to draw so I am ‘late to the table’ in that regard. However, as arts enthusiasts my husband and I are most impressed with PLU's music, theatre and lecture programs and appreciate them being open to the community and enriching our lives. Thank you!” —Linda Yates, Friend of PLU

“As a non-traditional student that came into PLU, the staff, students, and other members were more than welcoming. I was terrified to go back to school with the fear of being older than my peers and working multiple jobs potentially hindering my success. But everyone at PLU cheered me on, became my peers, and helped me successfully become who I am today.” — Emily Stoen ’19

📣 Share your PLU story or what you love about PLU with us today! 📣

You only have a few DAYS LEFT to get special Bjug Day swag. Just sign up as a SociaLute social media volunteer by Oct. 3.

When you sign up by Oct. 3, you’ll get your own paper PLU heart 💛, Bjug beard 🧔, and special bonus surprise ✨ mailed to you — all in time for Bjug Day on Oct. 19-20. 

After you sign up, all you have to do is stay tuned. We’ll connect you with all the support you need to help make this the best Bjug Day yet — for you and for PLU! 

💛 Sign me up! 💛

PLU's annual Bjug Day of Giving is a joyful 🎉 and big-hearted tradition 💛 named after PLU's bearded founder, the Rev. Bjug Harstad. 🧔

During Bjug Day, people across the world come together to celebrate 👏 and invest 🌱in what they love through PLU. 💛 

We do this because we know that students and alumni with a PLU education are leaders helping to make their communities 🤝 and the earth 🌎 a better place for everyone, including each of us.