Pacific Lutheran University Programs
Academics
PLU offers a full range of liberal arts academic programs – such as psychology, history and the natural sciences – anchored by a college of arts and sciences. The university also provides students the opportunity for professional study in business, communication and arts, education, nursing, social work, and physical education. Each of these programs maintains a strong liberal arts emphasis at its core. Master’s degrees are offered in business, finance, education, marriage and family therapy, nursing, and writing.
Access
PLU has had a longstanding commitment to affordability. In 1972, the university created the Annual Fund - Q Club Scholarships Program, allowing donors to direct support to students who demonstrate both merit and financial need.
To be eligible, recipients must maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average. This year, more than 650 students have received Q Club Scholarships. The average award amount is $4,000.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
PLU Recognized for International Scholarship
Pacific Lutheran University was named as a top producer of U.S. Fulbright students for 2012-13 as a master's institution by The Chronicle of Higher Education. This past year, four PLU students were awarded Fulbright Student Fellowships. That makes 91 PLU student Fulbright recipients since 1975.
Serving the Underserved
In the past ten years alone, PLU has awarded over $1.5 million in Q Club Scholarships to students of color who are first in their families to attend college--meaning neither parent has a college degree.
During the 2012-13 academic year, the university is investing $230,000 in 54 gifted students of color who come from families where neither parent completed college.
Donors to the Annual Fund make PLU possible for students like these--Lutes who never dreamed they could afford to study at a small college. Yet here, students from diverse backgrounds learn with professors who know their names and who encourage them to discover their vocations. (In the words of Frederick Buechner, vocation is “the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”)
PLU needs the support of donors if the university is to continue serving academically gifted students with financial need. And every gift counts. In fact, 2,000 donors last year gave $100 or less, yet added together, their giving totaled $120,000. That support has enabled 30 students from diverse backgrounds to be at PLU this year.