Notable Alumni of Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), nestled in Parkland, Washington, boasts a rich history and a commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals. The university's location in the beautiful Puget Sound region, combined with its dedication to both liberal arts and professional programs, creates a unique environment for students to thrive. A testament to PLU's success lies in the accomplishments of its notable alumni, who have made significant contributions across diverse fields. This article explores the achievements of some of the university's most prominent graduates.
Arts, Music, and Entertainment
PLU has a strong tradition in the arts, particularly in music, theatre, and dance. The School of Music, Theatre & Dance offers various awards to talented incoming students, providing them with opportunities to hone their skills alongside accomplished faculty. Music Artistic Achievement Awards and endowed scholarships can reach up to $7,500 per year and are renewable for up to three years. These awards are available in specific areas such as strings, voice, and brass, and are highly competitive, requiring auditions.
Several alumni have achieved recognition in the performing arts:
- Angela Meade ('01): A celebrated soprano, Meade is the recipient of the 2012 Beverly Sills Artist Award from the Metropolitan Opera and the 2011 Richard Tucker Award.
- Crystal Aikin ('97): A gospel singer-songwriter, Aikin rose to prominence as the winner of the first season of Sunday Best. Her debut album was released in 2009 through Verity Records.
- Michael Peterson ('80): A country music artist, Peterson achieved success in 1997 with his self-titled debut album, which spawned five Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, including the Number One hit "From Here to Eternity".
- Kirsten Helland ('10): Helland has garnered critical acclaim for her stage performances, including her portrayal of Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at The 5th Avenue Theatre. She has also held roles in various other productions at renowned theaters.
- Justin Huertas ('09): Huertas, an accomplished cellist and playwright, has toured nationally with Spring Awakening and performed with Seattle Repertory Theatre and ArtsWest. He is currently under commission at Seattle Repertory Theatre.
- Aaron Finley ('09): Finley has built a career in professional theaters across the Puget Sound, showcasing his talents as an actor and singer.
- Louis Hobson ('00): Hobson has starred in several Broadway productions, including Leap of Faith, Bonnie & Clyde, The People in the Picture, and Next to Normal. He has also been involved in numerous productions at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre and served as the Artistic Director of Balagan Theatre.
- Danforth Comins ('97): Comins has been a performer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for several years and has also worked with other prominent theater companies.
- Connor Trinneer ('91): Trinneer is a film, stage, and television actor, known for his roles as Charles "Trip" Tucker III on Star Trek: Enterprise and Michael on Stargate Atlantis.
Politics and Public Service
PLU has produced several alumni who have made significant contributions to the field of politics and public service:
- Sean Parnell: Served as the tenth governor of Alaska from 2009 to 2014.
- Rick Larsen: Has served as the United States Representative for Washington's 2nd congressional district since 2001.
- Lois Capps: Served as the U.S. Representative for California's 24th congressional district from 1998 to 2017.
- Jack Metcalf: Served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001, representing the 2nd district of Washington State.
- Teresa Miller: Is the president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Health Foundation and a member of the Kansas Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice.
Athletics
PLU's athletic program, a member of NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference, has fostered talented athletes who have achieved success in their respective sports:
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- Megan Jendrick: A former competition swimmer and world record-holder, Jendrick won two gold medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Military Service and Intelligence
PLU alumni have also served their country with distinction in the military:
- Michael D. Maples: A Lieutenant General, Maples served as the 16th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and commanded the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JFCC-ISR) for the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
Other Notable Fields
PLU graduates have also excelled in various other fields, demonstrating the breadth of the university's impact:
- Marissa Meyer: A novelist, Meyer is best known for her Lunar Chronicles series, which includes her debut novel, Cinder.
- Elyse Umemoto: A dance team manager and former Miss Washington, Umemoto finished third place at Miss America 2008 and competed on the reality competition show Survivor.
- Lisa Cole: Is an American women's soccer coach and former player, who is currently a technical advisor for the Zambia women's national football team.
- Jon Wefald: Was an American educator and served as the twelfth president of Kansas State University.
- Craig Fouhy: Is a sports broadcaster and former football player and coach, currently serving as the sports director and sports anchor for KNXV-TV in Phoenix, Arizona.
- M. Norton Wise: Is an American historian of science and an emeritus professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
- Whitney Keyes: An American speaker, writer, and television host, Keyes has served as an advisor to the U.S. State Department on issues related to social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and women in leadership.
- Haven: Is the director of bands at Meeker Middle School in Tacoma and is a semifinalist for the 2015 Grammy Music Education Award.
- Munro Cullum (’81): Has helped design concussion testing programs for teams in the NFL and NHL for more than a decade.
- Jen Cohen (’94): Serves as the University of Washington athletic director.
- Samuel Torvend (’73): Has a long legacy of excellent work and deep dedication to PLU, having served in a multitude of ways including Professor and Endowed Chair for Lutheran Studies, Professor of Religion, Director of Vocational Reflection, Director of the Wild Hope Center for Vocation, and Partner Chaplain for Campus Ministry.
- Nai-Nai Watts (’19): Created a display using archival information to create a seven-panel display of the events and experiences of Black students throughout PLU’s history starting in 1960.
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