Vice President of Finance & Administration's Message
Dear faculty colleagues,
Greetings from the Whitworth campus, where the hot summer months remain busy for the finance & administration team, with new projects getting underway, regular building and grounds maintenance progressing at a fever pitch, financial audit preparation ramping up, and multiple technology upgrades being implemented. Highlights include:
Construction began on the new PACCAR Engineering Building. Foundation and utility work are underway, with project completion set for January 2026.
Viren presentation space renovation. Following a yearslong delay, the creation of a new presentation and meeting space has started that will provide the enrollment services team a much-needed venue to support campus visit and enrollment activities.
Build-out of a new Cowles Auditorium sound/lighting control booth. Construction is underway and will be ready for fall start on an enclosed sound and lighting control booth at the back of the auditorium, which will support and enhance productions and use of the facility.
Regular facilities maintenance projects underway. Manicured lawns, beautiful hanging baskets, freshly waxed floors, sidewalk and road improvements, tree maintenance, and many other beautification and maintenance activities are underway, readying the campus for fall. If you have a chance, take a stroll around The Loop. Even in the summer heat, it is one of the best places to spend a few minutes of your day.
Software application upgrades, network performance and security enhancements underway, including: Informer, Infosiliem, e-Commerce and Blackboard upgrades; preparation for a yearlong trial of Canvas LMS for graduate and continuing studies programs; selection of a new replacement toolset for institutional advancement (Virtuous); installation of new systems and data security hardware and tools; upgrades to the A/V systems in the HUB; implementation of new, faster/better/bigger data storage systems; and upgrades and expansion of our wireless network. We continue to enhance the performance, security and reliability of our systems environment in support of the many and varied activities, operations and academic programs across campus.
Continued budget analysis, revenue and expense projections, cost savings efforts, and program/operational assessments underway. The new Gray.DI market analysis, including program evaluation and a newly purchased proforma toolset, has been loaded with the latest Whitworth data, and user training has been done to enable a deeper dive into university operations, new program development and assessment, and identification of areas in which we can better align resources and support programs and activities across campus. Data and analysis are being used to identify new revenue opportunities and cost savings initiatives to strengthen our financial condition moving forward. In support of these efforts, the University Council has launched a new Revenue Generation Idea Form available on the Forms and Resources List in Pirate Port. The UC would like to encourage you to check it out and submit your ideas for consideration that can help us implement new revenue-generating programs.
I’m 18 months in on my role as your COO. While we continue to face financial challenges, a changing enrollment landscape and more hard work to come, I continue to be amazed at the commitment to excellence and heroic effort that I see from members of our community across the campus to deliver on the Whitworth promise and mission. It is a pleasure to partner with you. I pray that you are having a wonderful summer of rest, renewal and enjoyment. See you all soon!
Ken Brown