Pacific Lutheran University

Labor board sides with PLU faculty in unionization push

Gabriel Spitzer — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:30:35 +0000

Disclosure: Pacific Lutheran University holds the license for KPLU. The station’s on-air staffers form the university’s only unionized unit.

In a decision with national implications, labor relations officials have ruled that certain faculty at Pacific Lutheran University should be allowed to form a union. This case is a test of some new provisions in labor law, and is being followed by other universities around the country.

Unionization push by PLU faculty could have national implications

Gabriel Spitzer — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:23:33 +0000

Disclosure: Pacific Lutheran University holds the license for KPLU. KPLU’s programming staffers are the university’s only unionized employees.

Pacific Lutheran University is trying to fend off attempts by members of its faculty to unionize, and the outcome could have national implications.

The push is coming from “contingent faculty,” the non-tenure track professors, lecturers and instructors who teach about a third of PLU’s course credits. Those people get paid significantly less than regular faculty, and their employment status is much shakier.

PLU women win College World Series ... in 'feel-good' rebound

Evan Hoover — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:19:45 +0000

Smiles flashed and tears flowed when the mod of yellow jerseys swarmed the pitcher’s circle after the Lutes won it all at the 2012 NCAA Division III Softball Championships.

Pacific Lutheran University names new president

Paula Wissel — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:28:22 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQXJ0v9GxnI

(Video of incoming PLU president Thomas Krise by journalists at PLU's The Mooring Mast student newspaper.)

Pacific Lutheran University has a new president. Thomas W. Krise takes the helm at the private university this June. He replaces Loren Anderson, who’s retiring.

Krise comes to PLU from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., where he’s been the dean of the school of arts and sciences. Krise, an Episcopalian, is the first non-Lutheran to head PLU since it was founded in 1890.

Snow cracks ceiling at PLU swimming pool building

The Associated Press — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:34:10 +0000

PARKLAND, Wash. — The weight of Wednesday's snow on the roof apparently caused cracks to appear in the ceiling of the building that houses the swimming pool at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland.

How 9/11 changed one college student's path to adulthood

Charla Bear — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:30:06 +0000

“There was such a shift from what I thought life was going to be, to what it turned out to be. That’s where things really started for me. It’s where I started growing up, I would say.”

In early September of 2001, Kevin Finch moved from his childhood home in Puyallup, Wash., to the dorms at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) to start his freshman year in college. His plan was to finish in 4 years with a degree in something related to health care, an idea that began to unravel on just his second day of class.

Pacific Lutheran University President Loren Anderson to retire

Paula Wissel — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:06:07 +0000

One of the longest serving college presidents in western Washington is stepping down. The President of Pacific Lutheran University plans to retire effective a year from now, June 1, 2012.

Loren Anderson made the announcement Tuesday afternoon to faculty and staff at the south Tacoma campus. Anderson has led Pacific Lutheran University for the past 20 years. (The university holds the broadcast license for KPLU-FM.)

PLU President Loren Anderson announces plan to retire

KPLU — Tue, 31 May 2011 22:34:53 +0000

Loren and MaryAnn Anderson have announced their intent to leave Pacific Lutheran University in the spring of 2012, at the end of the academic year.

“The time is right for the university,” Loren Anderson, 65, said. “It’s a perfect time for new leadership as another era of progress and development is about to open for PLU.”

Relive the 2010 KPLU Christmas Jam concert

Justin Steyer — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:25:31 +0000

The 14th-Annual KPLU Christmas Jam, our much-anticipated annual free holiday concert and live broadcast, was held on the Pacific Lutheran University campus on December 9, 2010.

This year we featured acclaimed jazz vocalist Gail Pettis, as well as the PLU Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Robert Miller. They performed classic holiday favorites from "This Christmas" to "Baby It's Cold Outside," and closed the program with an audience sing-along of "White Christmas."

Electrical fire temporarily closes PLU building

Gary Davis — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:26:42 +0000

Update - Thursday, Nov. 18th, 4:30 pm

This update from PLU Communications:

The Pierce County Fire Marshal has ruled that yesterday's small fire in the Morken Center was accidental. It was caused by a faultycontroller in a heating and air conditioning unit.

An electrical fire has closed down a Pacific Lutheran University building for the remainder of the day.