Tamara Williams and Joel Zylstra — who lead the Wang Center and the Center for Community Engagement and Service, respectively — discuss the environmental impacts of study away and how PLU onsets its carbon footprint, as well as other issues related to global education and community service.

The fourth episode of PLU's DCHAT podcast features a discussion with Matt Smith, Associate Professor of Biology, Undergraduate Research Program Director and dean of the PLU Division of Natural Sciences.

PLEASE NOTE: The Rachel Carson Science, Technology & Society Annual Lecture is on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in PLU's Scandinavian Cultural Center.

At this time last year, Martha Spieker '16 was halfway through her senior year and serving as president of the Associated Students of Pacific Lutheran University (ASPLU). Now, she works in Washington D.C. on "The Hill," as the Press Assistant and Legislative Correspondent in the office of Rep. Derek Kilmer.

The third episode of Pacific Lutheran University’s DCHAT podcast features a discussion with Kevin O'Brien, Dean of the PLU Division of Humanities.

A discussion about white privilege among host and PLU alumnus Jonathan Adams '16, Associate Professor of Sociology Teresa Ciabattari and Dean of Humanities and Associate Professor of Religion Kevin O'Brien.

Learn more at www.plu.edu/listen

The second episode of Pacific Lutheran University’s DCHAT podcast features a discussion with Chung-Shing Lee, dean of the PLU School of Business.

The inaugural episode of Pacific Lutheran University’s DCHAT podcast features a discussion with Terry Bergeson, the interim dean of the PLU School of Education and Kinesiology.

DCHAT is a new interview-based podcast featuring PLU academic deans and highlighted by questions submitted by PLU alumni. Fall 2016 DCHAT episodes will also include interviews with Chung-Shing Lee, Dean of the School of Business, and Kevin O'Brien, Dean of the Division of Humanities.

Special thanks to the following alumni for submitting questions for this episode: Willie Painter ‘06, Anneliese Gabrielle Kellogg ‘11, Lauren Frerichs ‘11, Shea Eakes ‘10, DJ Crisostomo ‘99, BrandonLee Cierley ‘16, Laurie A. Reddy ‘14. Katie Choate ‘10.

Conversation Highlights:

1:00- How teaching swimming at a summer camp in Cape Cod led to Bergeson’s passion for education.

3:20- How a dean can have a direct effect on students while working primarily with staff and faculty.

6:35- How Bergeson has set about to learn the institutional systems at PLU and in the School of Education and Kinesiology.

9:30- Getting up speed on the Department of Kinesiology and the opportunities and challenges facing the program.

12:50- Why Bergeson decided to serve at PLU after a long and illustrious career in K-12 education.

19:00- How to identify student teaching opportunities that are a strong fit for specific students.

25:20- Preparing education students to become certified in the subjects they hope to teach.

31:10- What students need from the PLU Department of Education to be effective teachers in diverse communities and why Bergeson aims to diversify the education faculty.

35:45- Why Kinesiology is such a unique and exciting field of study.

Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded on September 13, 2016.

While visiting campus to cheer on her son, Alex, and the PLU football team, CrossFit champion Cheryl Brost ’92 reunited with her former coach and mentor Colleen Hacker to discuss smoothie ingredients, PLU women’s soccer memories, health and wellness philosophies, and much more.

GUEST BIOGRAPHIES

Cheryl Brost is currently ranked number one in the world and is reigning champion of the Reebok CrossFit Games in the 45- to 49-year-old women’s division of professional crossfit.

Cheryl’s career as a student athlete at PLU from 1989 to 1992 is among the most decorated in school history. As a member of the PLU women’s soccer team, Cheryl earned all-American honors, was named the Adidas NAIA player of the year, was a two-time all-American scholar athlete and a two-time national champion. She also played point guard on the PLU women’s basketball team and has been inducted into the PLU athletics hall of fame.

Colleen Hacker, Ph.D., is a professor of kinesiology at PLU and an international authority in sports psychology. She served as the head coach of the PLU women’s soccer team from 1980 to 1995, leading the team to three national championships and earning more than a dozen regional and national awards for coach of the year.

Colleen served as an assistant coach and sports psychology consultant on the women's U.S. national soccer team from 1995 to 2007. She's currently the mental skills coach of the U.S. women's national hockey team and works with a variety of other professional, international and Olympic athletes.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

-Health and fitness related warm-up questions: beach vs. mountains, park vs. gym and choice smoothie ingredients: 1:40

-Memories of each other and the PLU women’s soccer program in the 90s: 4:10

-How emotional adversity and stress can affect the capacity of individuals’ minds and bodies to perform at their peak levels: 10:05

-How Cheryl discovered and fell in love with CrossFit: 15:50

-Colleen explains that “variety and joy” are key to a sustainable lifestyle of health and fitness: 18:55

-How to determine the ideal mentality and energy level with which to approach a high-pressure challenge: 24:45

Follow on Twitter:

Cheryl: www.twitter.com/cbrost321go

Colleen: www.twitter.com/drcolleenhacker

Pacific Lutheran University: www.twitter.com/plunews

PLU professors Samuel Torvent and Beth Griech-Polelle discuss Martin Luther's anti-semitism, Lutheran Higher Education and PLU’s upcoming Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education. Dr. Torvent serves as a Professor of Religion and is the Endowed Chair in Lutheran Studies at PLU. Dr. Griech-Polelle is an Associate Professor of History and the Kurtis R. Mayer Chair in Holocaust Studies.

Conversation Subjects

The legacy of Martin Luther's anti-semitism. (:50)

Addressing Luther’s anti-semitism in class. (4:50)

How the reformation relevant is now. (16:20)

The reformation represented in Lutheran Higher Education. (18:25)

PLU's commitment to Holocaust studies. (26:15)

Women in the Holocaust. (32:15)

PLU faculty members discuss Pokémon, the presidential election, parenting and the meaning of "civility."

The eighth episode of "Open to Interpretation" features a discussion of the word "civility" among host and Communication and Theatre Department Chair Amy Young, Assistant Professor of Politics and Government Kaitlyn Sill and Marriage and Family Therapy Department Chair David Ward.

Conversation Highlights

1:30: Kaitlyn's summer binging of the Pokémon television show.

6:30: Defining "civility" – unwritten rules, context and respect.

9:20: What we can learn about civility and anonymity from internet comment sections.

15:10: The negative effects of the cautiousness-in-the-name-of-civility mentality of career politicians.

20:20: "At low levels of conflicts relations don't strive – because there is too much civility."

25:30: Discussion of Malcolm Gladwell's assertion that groups over 150 people will start to socially degrade.

30:00: How young children communicate prior to being taught civility, inclusivity and decorum. "That's how kids are, they don't know the rules."

32:30: Civility in college classrooms. Is there too much "assumed politeness" and "self-policing."

38:00: "At some points when somebody is feeling marginalized it may just be because they are in the fringe margins..."

Produced by PLU's Division of Marketing and Communications in partnership with Lute Air Student Radio (LASR), “Open to Interpretation” is a podcast devoted to exploring the meanings and implications of words commonly used in the news, on social media and on college campuses. Previous OTI topics include "Climate," "Gender," "Violence" and "Advocacy." Episodes of OTI are released once per month. If you have feedback, comments or ideas for episodes, please email producer Zach Powers at [email protected].