Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: April 2006
An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson
I'm at the end of my longest trip of the year, with only the Denver-Spokane leg left. I'm anxious to get back. This afternoon we'll host two groups of 65 high-school seniors in our home. On Wednesday, we'll hear the second of two lectures on homosexuality; we scheduled two Presbyterian scholars a week apart to present their diametrically opposed perspectives. On the day after the second lecture we'll hear from an expert on the science and ethics of stem-cell research. We just duck every time we talk publicly about controversial topics. But we're a college, and even if these conversations are lose/lose deals for the administration, they're a win for our students; and for them we'll lose gladly. Where better than at a Christian college, and when better than when they're with us, should young people study issues that have divided so many people? As in all matters, our goal is to reflect both the grace and truth of Christ, although too often we pursue truth and leave grace behind. But we'll keep trying, and we'll keep improving. I am utterly convinced that what unites us in Christ has greater power than what divides us in our understanding of how to follow him. It is on the platform of that hope and our duty to put students first that we will keep taking on the difficult issues. Thanks for supporting us, particularly when you think we're crazy or misguided.
Academics
The Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference exposes the sponge metaphor as no longer adequate to describe our most voracious learners. Barracuda would describe more accurately some of our student-researchers. This weekend, the conference (formerly the Undergraduate Research Conference) will include the work of both our undergraduate and graduate students, along with a group of students from Gonzaga University. They will present findings of their original research projects, and Matt Bumpus, Ph.D. (Whitworth Class of '90), assistant professor of human development at Washington State University, will provide the keynote address.
We have a great class of first-year faculty who are already contributing to our mission. Here is a sample of their recent scholarship:
Philip Baldwin (Music), "Teaching Musicality to Orchestra Students," a lecture presentation, Arkansas Music Educators Association Conference; Alan Mikkelson, '00, (Communication Studies), "Communication in the Adult Sibling Relationship," an article in Widening the Family Circle: New Research on Family Communication, K. Floyd & M. T. Morman, eds. (Sage, 2006); and Karla Morgan (SGCM), "The Neuroeconomics of Distrust: Sex Differences in Behavior and Physiology," an article in American Economic Review, May 2005.
Along those same lines, we salute two more new Ph.D. recipients in communication studies. Heather Crandall defended her dissertation, "Poor Television: Narratives of the Working Poor in Prime-Time Television Crime Drama," at Washington State University. Two weeks later, Alan Mikkelson defended his dissertation, "Differential Solicitude of Social Support in Different Types of Adult Sibling Relationships," at Arizona State University.
Lisa Sardinia, Ph.D., J.D., from our Class of '79, will launch the new Science & Society Lecture Series. She will address "The Stem-Cell Debate: Science, Ethics and Public Policy" on April 6 at 7 p.m. in the Eric Johnston Science Center Auditorium. Lisa teaches for the department of biology and the college of optometry at Pacific University. Trustee Laurel Coleman, M.D., one of the visionaries of the series, says, "Our hope in creating the Science & Society Series is that the lectures will raise the profile of the sciences and increase the public's interest in and knowledge of current issues confronting our society."
The Whitworth Choir, professional soloists, and a chamber orchestra comprising Whitworth students and professional musicians will perform Handel's Messiah in concert on Palm Sunday, April 9, at Spokane's Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. It will be a spectacular performance!
On April 17, composer and music instructor Donivan Johnson will explore the life and legacy of world-renowned musicologist/archivist and Spokane resident Hans Moldenhauer. Moldenhauer (1906-87) was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1938. After serving in the U.S. Army, he settled in Spokane and was the first student to attend Whitworth under the G.I. Bill. He earned a B.A. in music in 1945 and was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree by Whitworth in 1986. The lecture, "Excelsior!" will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Whitworth Music Building Recital Hall. Under Donivan's leadership the tiny Selkirk School District (tucked in the northeasternmost part of Washington) was voted one of the top 100 music communities in America.
The Whitworth College Jazz Ensemble 1 finished second at the 2006 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. This is the second consecutive year they've come in second, following a first-place finish in 2004. Dan Keberle (Music) says that he was especially proud of this year's performance because the band is primarily made up of freshmen and sophomores. Whitworth finished ahead of bands from Brigham Young, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Boston College, Gonzaga, Willamette, and Whitman. Also, congratulations to sophomore saxophonist Matt Walsh, who won first place in the baritone-sax competition and performed on stage at the Thursday-night jazz concert.
Enrollment
Our feel-good event of the year is the annual scholarship dinner, which brings together givers and receivers. On March 5, students met their scholarship providers in a warm time of gratitude. Although most of our students could not attend Whitworth without friends and alumni stepping up to provide support, a note from Jim and Jane Poindexter (who came all the way from North Carolina to help us honor David Martin, '62, by setting up an endowed scholarship in his name) made it clear that the "givers" receive as much as they provide. Thanks to all of you who put Whitworth within reach for our students.
The financial-aid office has sent out awards to all NEW freshmen and transfer students who applied by the priority deadline of March 1. If you know a student who is planning to start at Whitworth this fall and has filed a FAFSA, but has not yet heard from us, please have her or him give the financial-aid office a call at 800.533.4668. This year the office will send out renewal award notifications for 2006-07 to current students via e-mail in May and June. The priority deadline for filing the FAFSA for need-based financial aid is May 1.
Student Life
Cowles Auditorium was just wild as 30+ acts participated in Associated Students of Whitworth College's annual Pirate Idol. A packed house roared as singers, dancers, drummers and bands displayed their varied talents. Also, more than $3,000 was raised for M.S. research through projects that culminated at the event in six head-shavings (a term carrying a rather barbaric ring no matter how you look at it). I could have had my skull cleared in under 15 seconds with a nail clipper, but I've named and assigned coverage to each of my dozen or so remaining hairs and I didn't want to hurt their feelings. March also brought to campus Shihan, a famed slam poet. Shihan was accompanied by Whitworth students Sha'Nay McQuirter, Tiffany Beatty and Carla Rose, who also displayed their spoken-word skills.
April is always a great month at Whitworth. Extra daylight and warm weather boost our spirits, and the Hawaiian Club Lu'au launches the month with elegance and joy. This year's celebration, Na Pu'uwai o Hawai'i ("The Heart of Hawai'i"), featured music and dancing from each island and a menu that included kalua pig, shoyu chicken, lomilomi salmon and other delicacies. April also brings us Mac Hall in Concert, Springfest, ASWC elections, Spokane Chiefs hockey, and intramural softball and ultimate Frisbee.
Resources
The scholarship dinner I mentioned above reminds us of how blessed we are to have such generous and loyal supporters. With that in mind, I'm hoping some of you can help make this year's lag in The Whitworth Fund (unrestricted giving) vanish by June 30. Because we give a good bit of unfunded financial aid (not generated by endowment), we really count on the $1.3 million in Whitworth Fund dollars. Nationally, the healthiest annual-giving programs boast a high percentage of alumni who give (even small gifts) and a high percentage of "regular" contributors (defined as those who give every year). So your gifts, big and small, support our students while enhancing our national reputation. If you wish, you can give online at www.whitworth.edu/give. Thanks for considering a gift in this fiscal year.
We've been meeting with our science faculty to identify our most pressing equipment needs. Next year we'll be applying to the Kresge Foundation for lab equipment that will be needed when we expand our space. Our prospects of being awarded this major grant will rely significantly on the support of our science alumni. We'll contact many you this fall with more information. Thanks.
We're grateful to so many of our seniors who have pledged to support The Senior Fund. Each gift will be divided into two parts. Half of the money serves as the students' first gift to The Whitworth Fund, and the other half goes to support Whitworth's Street Kids Project, helping youth in downtown Spokane. On one night of calling, 40 percent of the seniors contacted were pleased to give. Hopefully, this will lay the foundation for their lifelong support of their alma mater. Also, we're inviting seniors' parents to make a gift to this fund in honor of their graduates. Thanks to all of you who help!
Athletics
Samantha Kephart dominated Division III butterfly swimming at the 2006 NCAA championships, winning national titles in both the 100- and 200-yard distances. She won the 100 in 55.45, the second-fastest time in history, and went on to set a new national record in the 200, winning in 2:00.15. Sam's time qualifies her to compete at this summer's U.S.S. Nationals, and a conversion of her time to a 50-meter time would qualify her for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. Sam is one of many superb student-athletes in Steve Schadt's swim program...but she's a particularly fast one.
Whitworth's baseball and softball teams are in the thick of NWC pennant chases. The baseball team is 8-4 and currently in fourth place. But the Bucs have already played the top three teams in the standings, so they could make up ground in their remaining games. Nick Froman leads the team in batting average (.392) and home runs (4). Brandon Zimmerman is 6-2 on the mound, and last Sunday I got to see Greg Hare throw a complete game shutout, which isn't easy in the metal-bat era.
In softball, the Pirates are 9-3 in the NWC and one game behind Linfield in the standings. Whitworth will play the Wildcats the final weekend of the season. Jo Sonnett is having another outstanding season, leading the conference in wins (10) and strikeouts (110 in 91 innings). Kristin Hanson is NWC Hitter of the Week after going 8 for 12 and driving in 12 runs in four games last weekend.
Whitworth's track and field teams are aiming for high finishes at the NWC championships. The men are led by Brandon Howell, in the 800, and Derrick Dewindt, in the discus and hammer throw. Both have marks that will challenge for NWC titles and national qualifying. Kristi Dickey has already qualified for the NCAA championships in the 10,000 meters and should add another mark in the 5,000. Sarah Marken is one of the conference's best heptathletes; she scored in eight different events at the NWC championships last season.
Women's tennis is quickly developing into a topflight NWC program. Led by freshmen Jamie Kneese and Linh Aven at the top of the singles ladder, the Pirates are in the hunt for a seeding as high as No. 2 for the upcoming NWC tournament. Meanwhile, senior Sandy Fujitani is undefeated (9-0) in singles play this season, primarily playing at No. 5 or 6.
Men's tennis has battled the injury bug all year long, but still has put itself into position for a top-five finish at the NWC tournament in April. The Pirates will head into the tournament as either the fourth or fifth seed. Michael Carlson has the best singles record (7-5) this season, while Ed Anegon and Ben Works are 8-2 in No. 1 doubles.
The men's golf team remains undefeated against NWC opponents this season. The Pirates are in such a strong position after winning the NWC fall and spring classics that they don't even need to win the NWC tournament to grab the conference title. Jordan Carter has been the individual champion in both of the classics and has guaranteed himself a spot on the All-NWC team. Meanwhile, the Pirate women now have four competitors and have teed it up twice this spring. Kelli Parker finished fifth individually at the spring classic, the highest finish in two seasons for a Whitworth woman at a conference-wide event.
Alumni
Alumni reunions have boomed in recent years. Brochures have been mailed to alumni who'll have reunions this year, but don't let the lack of an invitation stop you from attending. Everyone is invited to Alumni Family Weekend June 16-18. Please call 509.777.3799 or e-mail bwakefield@whitworth.edu for a copy of the brochure, or get all of the details and register online at www.whitworth.edu/familyweekend.
Brochures have been mailed and registrations are coming in for Core 650 events in Sacramento and Lafayette on April 29 and 30. Alumni and Parent Relations Director Tad Wisenor, '89, will host afternoons of conversation about theatre and art featuring professors Diana Trotter and Scott Kolbo. More information is on the website, or contact the alumni office.
I think all of us "lower 48" folks should consider going to Juneau on June 24, and Anchorage June 25. Not only will summer solstice provide well over 20 hours of light, but Tad Wisenor and Jim Edwards (Theology) will host alumni, parents and friends for a lecture and dessert. More details will follow soon.
Miscellaneous
Whitworth invites you to its 31st annual Institute of Ministry July 10-14. Please mark your calendar for this year's institute, which will focus on the theme Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic World. Institute activities feature a daily Bible hour, workshops, and an effective-preaching academy. Institute speakers include Iain Torrance (Princeton Theological Seminary), Leanne Van Dyk (Western Theological Seminary), Mark Labberton (First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Calif.), and Whitworth's own F. Dale Bruner (professor emeritus of theology), James Edwards, Jerry Sittser (both Theology), Ron Pyle (Communication Studies), and yours truly. Register online at www.whitworth.edu/wim or by phone at 509.777.4345. (To receive the early registration discount, please register before May 1.)
Closing Thoughts
In my ongoing quest to spice this thing up, I just asked Bonnie if she could remember anything funny that happened in the last month. She mentioned how I couldn't remember where I parked our car at the Spokane Arena a few weeks ago. I don't remember not remembering that. Eek. But it did remind me that Easter empowers us to live fully in the moment -- our past crucified, our future won. I hope the vitality of spring and the hope of the risen, conquering son bring you optimism and joy in this month of April.
