Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: December 1995

An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson

If my life is any indication, the Christmas season has arrived with exhilarating force. In the past nine days I have enjoyed our five Christmas concerts (all magnificently presented by the Whitworth Choir), heard four advent sermons, celebrated Christmas with three residence halls, attended two Christmas parties and decorated one Christmas tree. Fortunately, I have not yet seen a partridge, a fruitcake, or It's a Wonderful Life. Students are really revved up as they anticipate Christmas break and January Term. In the midst of all the pressures they face, last night a couple hundred students gathered for communion and worship. We at Whitworth hope this holiday season finds you able to rise above the frenzy to worship and commune with God. Warm holiday greetings to all of you.

Academics

As I mentioned above, the Christmas concert this year was superb. Directed by Randi Von Ellefson and supported by Pat Stien, Scott Adkins, Michael Young and Katharine Keen Beal, 75 students and 25 instrumentalists masterfully presented the glory of the Incarnation. Among all the accolades received was an especially touching report from one person for whom the 1994 concert inspired an utter reversal of the direction his life was taking; for this man, the 1995 concert was a celebration not only of Christ's birth but of his own rebirth. Thanks to the countless people who contributed to the programs in Seattle and Spokane.

Speaking of music, congratulations to Music Department Chair Dick Evans, who has just been re-elected to the accrediting board of the National Association of Schools of Music. This is an honor for both Dick and Whitworth.

This fall, Forum Coordinator Sue Jackson put together a fascinating program titled Africa Insights. The program included lectures on Zaire and South Africa, the film Guelwaar, an African dinner, and several meetings with the Reverend Sol Jacob, pastor of ministry to the urban poor in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was challenging to hear Sol talk about urban evils in South Africa and then the next week hear Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, talk about how to deal with the horrors found in American urban life.

The Whitworth Forensics Team has been on a tear. In one weekend they took third out of sixteen excellent schools, then turned around and took first in a 13-team tournament the next day. To date, Lisa O'Donnell, Jennifer Reynolds and Rebecca Ricards have all qualified for the National Speech Tournament. Congratulations to Coach Mike Ingram for a high-quality program that involves 20 students in academic competition.

Last month Dr. Barbara Walvoord, from the University of Cincinnati, returned to our campus to help work on the departmental reviews I mentioned in a past issue of Mind and Heart. We have worked with Barbara an a Writing-Across-the-Curriculum program, and she and Linda Hunt, one of our own English professors, have just found that their book on the effectiveness of WAC programs will be published this year by the National Council of Teachers. Whitworth and two other institutions will be featured as case studies in the book.

Admissions & Enrollment

As of November 30, we had received approximately 400 applications for next fall's freshman class. We would like another 1,200 applications by the time we close admissions on March 1; so please spread the word to any high school seniors you know who are looking for a great education of mind and heart.

On December 7, President Bill Clinton released a new budget plan that will balance the budget in seven years, but that maintains student financial aid as a high priority. Most of the current grant and loan programs remain intact, but $3 billion in cuts would come through the reduction of subsidies for lenders, guarantee agencies and secondary markets. Federal and state student aid programs have a profound impact on the affordability of Whitworth College for our students.

Student Life

Right before finals, McMillan, Ballard, and Beyond Halls held their annual Christmas dinner and party with more than 130 residents in attendance. Stanta "the Espresso Man" Claus made an early trip from the North Pole to give every good boy and girl a present from Parents Claus. This was the third Mac/Ballard/Beyond Christmas dinner I have been able to attend, and I think it's safe to say that each year has been better than the next. (Not really -- actually, they've all been great.)

Other residence halls, including BJ, Stewart, the Village and Warren, have also had parties and programs in preparation for the holidays. Upwards of 500 of our students participated in these dorm celebrations that featured visits from the rotund one as well as gifts and other welcome surprises from parents. The prize for the most unusual activity scheduled would have to go to the students of Warren Hall, who invited a masseuse to come in and administer anxiety-reducing massages. Personally, I think studying would do more to reduce tension than having somebody beat on your shoulders, but then I've never had a massage.

Christmas break is a time when many of our international students fan out into the homes of friends, roommates, and host families. This year, weekly meetings and a number of social events have kept the International Club members active in the life of our campus. We are all enriched by the cultural, intellectual, and religious perspectives they bring to campus.

This year's holiday formal was a Masquerade Ball held at the newly restored Davenport Hotel. Dances from the waltz to the jitterbug fit well with the elegant surroundings, and students were artful in faking their way through these classic steps as if they knew what they were doing.

Finances

Our deepest gratitude goes to all of you who have been able to support Whitworth this year. At this point, our budget is on track. Because of the recent rise in the stock market we have seen an increase in the number of people who recognize the tax advantage of donating appreciated stock. In some cases, people have set up trusts with our Foundation that allow them to earn income, receive gift tax credit, avoid capital gains taxes, avoid estate taxes, and ultimately help the college.

We have received several very interesting gifts this fall. A Spokane electronics firm provided our campus with a generous supply of the computer equipment that it designs and manufactures; the Teagle Foundation provided funding that has allowed us to retain the services of an extremely helpful development consultant who is working with us on the preparation for our next fund-raising campaign; another great Spokane company saved us almost $50,000 by contributing its products to our campus network. We received a very valuable gift in the form of the Floyd Daniel photography collection, along with support for its maintenance and expansion; a wonderful alumnus who loves Whitworth College surprised us in November by establishing three new scholarships for students; the Johnston-Hanson Foundation contributed funds for five Eric Johnston Science Scholarships; the Science Auditorium remodel was made possible by grants from the Johnston-Fix Foundation, the Cheney Foundation and a generous alum; and we just received word of a $100,000 gift to establish student internships in a collaborative program with Uptown Opera. Our thanks go out to all the people who made these and other gifts possible.

Some of you remember the enormous grief Whitworth experienced four years ago when one of our most admired professors, Jerry Sittser, was involved in an auto accident in which his wife, mother and daughter were killed. Yesterday, an anonymous donor contributed $10,000 to establish a scholarship in memory of Jerry's wife, Lynda. The Lynda Sittser Scholarship Fund will help students who are planning to minister through music. Lynda was a wonderful musician who brought countless people closer to God through her gifts. Any special gifts to this fund would be deeply appreciated by all of us, especially Jerry and his family.

I just learned from Sam Stroum, one of Washington's most influential citizens, that the foundation bearing his name is contributing $50,000 to Whitworth for student scholarships. Sam treks to Whitworth annually and spends five hours with a select group of our business students. We appreciate Mr. Stroum's interest in our students and his support for Whitworth.

Thanks to those of you who have contributed toward or notified us of your willingness to support a special fund for students who find themselves in difficult, unexpected financial need. We've already been able to help two students. Many of our students are making herculean sacrifices to be able to attend Whitworth, and it's great to be able to help them.

Athletics

Last month I mentioned that this Mind and Heart would report on the football season.The team finished the season with only one victory to its credit, but the players and coaches alike are very optimistic about the future. Starting 10 freshmen, first-year coach John Tully's team was plagued by injuries and misfortune. On the bright side, senior linebacker Jeff Baxter was named first-team All-NCIC; senior linebacker Shay Smith and sophomore defensive back Travis Torco made second team All-Conference; and sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Buxton received All-NCIC honorable mention. Other young players, including freshman Tim Rust, who had three consecutive 100-yard-plus games against excellent defenses, demonstrated exceptional skill and a toughness that Strength Coach Gary Baskett predicts will become even greater after he gets done with them in the weightroom. Coach Tully feels that if we can recruit more players like this year's freshmen, we'll be well on our way to a very strong program.

In his 11th season, Head Men's Basketball Coach Warren Friedrichs has his team off to a great start. The guys are 5-1 with impressive victories over Central Washington University and Lewis and Clark State College. Seniors Nate Dunham, Roman Wickers and Jeff Arkills are playing superbly. Another great addition to the team is junior Nate Williams, who has excelled at point guard.

A brutal pre-season schedule has our women's basketball team anxious to begin play in our conference. Right now the Bucs have only one victory in six attempts, despite excellent play from team leaders Jennifer Tissue and Sherri Northington. Helen Higgs, 1994-95 NCIC Coach of the Year, does a great job, and I'm sure the team will turn things around soon.

Halfway through the season, both the men's and women's swim teams, at 4-1, are in second place in the conference. The women placed second at the PLU Invitational in Tacoma; the men, led by Jerry Rice and Steve Schadt, came in third. Jan Okada of the women's team was Swimmer of the Meet, with victories in the 200 IM, 400 IM, and 200 breaststroke. From Dec. 27 to Jan. 5, both teams will be training in Santa Cruz, Calif., where they'll compete against the UC Santa Cruz team on January 2. Go, Bucs!

Ski Team Coach Jim Nendel tells me that his team is preparing for a good season. I'll be finding out more from him this month, and if we get some snow, we'll have a report on ski team activities in the next Mind and Heart.

Dates to Remember

December 16 - January 7--------------Christmas Break (Whitworth Students)
January 8 ------------------------------Jan Term Classes Begin
February 6-----------------------------Spring Classes Begin
February 9-----------------------------Spring Convocation

Closing Thoughts

Once again we extend to you our warmest holiday greetings. Minds are being opened and hearts are being renewed as our campus celebrates the Incarnation by attempting to make the Word become flesh in the Whitworth Community. Thank you for your support of these efforts.