Trait Evidence

Green Traits: Philosophical Seeker

Curious 
Seeking truth through critical thinking and courageous investigation develops confident students and graduates who address the world's most pressing problems.
 
Evidence Examples

• Open-minded pursuit of truth
• Over 60% of students study abroad
• Liberal arts 100+ majors and programs
• Faith-learning integration
• Faculty model intellectual curiosity through their own research and teaching
• Faculty/student research collaboration
• Honors program, including capstone projects, is focused on equipping students to solve problems in the world
• Faculty-student pair wins 2025 Hatfield Prize addressing social issues
• Students invent Boss Moss device to provide access to clean water

Experiential 
Immersive experiences – like faculty-led study abroad programs and service-learning – shape us into well-rounded servant-leaders who make a global difference.
 
Evidence Examples

• Study abroad programs in over 60 countries
• Faculty-led Jan Term study abroad programs
• Ecology & the Bible Jan Term class at Tall Timber
• School of Continuing Studies Wildest Dreams retreat for adult students
• School of Continuing Studies certificate programs: accounting, brewing science & operations, executive leadership, software development and more
• Whitworth Outdoor Rec trips
• Internships in the Spokane region and across the country
• Teaching assistantships
• Research assistantships for undergraduate students
• Dornsife Center for Community Engagement: Community Building Day, West Central partnership, community partners, yard makeovers
• Career Treks in Spokane and Seattle provide students with career insights and networking opportunities
• Annual U.N. climate conference attendance by faculty and students
• Verbrugge Environmental Center
• Whitworth Student Investment Group
• Regional and national clinical experiences for OTD and DPT students
• Music performance tours worldwide
• Swim teams service-learning programs in Thailand – swimming skills and anti-trafficking training

Intelligent 
Our quest for deeper meaning unlocks intellectual, emotional and spiritual insights that guide how we love and serve humanity.
 
Evidence Examples

• Student and alumni testimonies
• Most students are involved in at least one club, leadership role, vocal or instrument ensemble or service organization
• Summer research opportunities at Whitworth and with notable national labs and institutions
• Faculty research/writings published in prestigious arenas
• Prestigious faculty fellowships
• Crystallography Center that's unique to the region  
• High number of scholar-athletes
• Athletics teams' Bible studies and faith growth opportunities throughout the year
• Students receive Critical Language and Boren scholarships
• Women's Leadership Network
• High medical school placement rate for pre-med students

Discerning 
By centering on Christ and handling secondary matters with grace and flexibility, we embrace complexity, meet challenges together, and consider the consequences of our choices. 
 
Evidence Examples

• Equipping students to become good decision-makers instead of rule followers
• Students are encouraged to make their own decisions on contentious topics
• Whitworth President's Leadership Forum
• Welcoming disagreements and courageous conversations
• Working together to host guest speakers with varying viewpoints
• Democracy & Discourse discussions that promote dialogue and understanding

Inquisitive 
With a passion for continuous learning and expanding our intellectual and spiritual understanding, we pursue truth collaboratively and without limits.
 
Evidence Examples

• Residence hall programming and outcomes
• Online programs
• Engineering building
• Recruitment, enrollment and retainment of students
• Intro to Flourishing Life program for all first- and second-year students
• Honors Learning Community, Life Sciences Learning Community
• Whitworth LEARN
• Gifted Education Institutes with national-level speakers
• Leader in Montessori education
• Award-wining forensics program
• Physics professor authors patents for university
• STEM faculty-student research on diseases
• Office of Church Engagement programs and initiatives
• Professors welcome students' challenging questions about faith