Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: January 2004

An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson

Happy new year! It's 7 a.m. Jan. 1. Can you believe it's 2004? I can remember in the spring of 1959 doubting whether I'd even see 1960. Back then, each night after "Now I lay me down to sleep, ..." I would wrap up my prayer with a plea for God to hold back the Russians and postpone the Rapture until I had one good season of Little League under my belt. Now if I pray about my belt it's in the morning and I'm asking God to show me where I left it (and my shoes, and my pants, and anything else that's losable). Last night, Bonnie asked me if I had reflected on 2003, or if I ever reflected on my life or, for that matter, on anything. I tried to treat her inquiry as a rhetorical question, but she wanted an answer. So I reflected on whether I reflect. "Not too much," I replied. She told me I better get reflecting, so I did some this morning. After counting some blessings and regrets, I thought about the Israelites singing as they ascended the hills into Jerusalem, "He who watches over Israel slumbers not nor sleeps." And I pictured the prophet Isaiah declaring God's faithfulness from generation to generation. I cannot look back on Whitworth without seeing the tracks of that faithfulness. The history of this college is the history of modest men and women being faithful to a faithful God. Most colleges founded by mainline churches have secularized, believing their theological foundations to be at odds with intellectual objectivity. Many of them have become wonderful schools making vital contributions. But Whitworth has taken a less populated path. It has remained faithful to the proposition that explorations into the mysteries of nature are enlightened rather than compromised by exploring the mysteries of nature's Architect. So that's what we do. Thanks be to a faithful God and to so many of you for providing a great place to explore the mysteries.

Academics

Jerry Sittser (Religion) has a new book out. I've just begun reading When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer, and it looks great. It tackles what feels like the flipside of "God's faithfulness" that I just wrote about. In the book's prologue, Jerry asks why God doesn't always seem to hear our prayers. He says, "We often turn to God at our most vulnerable moments, when all seems lost unless God steps in. Why does God remain distant, silent, and hard when we call on him? If God doesn't respond when we need him most, then why pray at all?" Good questions. I can think of no one better suited to deal honestly and eloquently with them than Jerry.

Professor Emeritus Howard Stien (Biology) has reflected on his 35 years at Whitworth and his life as a teacher in a set of 27 essays titled The Improbable Professor. Associate Dean Gordon Jackson (Academic Affairs) reports that "This anthology is quintessential 'Stien,' as he was known by his students: It's witty, perceptive, acerbic, funny, and blunt. His insights make for a delightful -- but not always comfortable -- read for those of us in academe, as he dissects topics ranging from the role of deans, and how faculty can learn to manage them, to a thoughtful piece on the state of his discipline." The collection sounds like a great addition to the children's books Howard has written.

Julia Stronks (Political Studies), who graduated from Dordt College in 1982, recently received that school's 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award. The award will be presented in February at a banquet in Julia's honor on the Dordt campus, in Sioux Center, Iowa. Dordt's alumni director describes Julia as a role model for how students can live out their faith in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. Out of this integrated life, Julia has led Whitworth students to involvement in public policy, social action, politics and community development. While in Iowa, Julia also will give a series of lectures and will speak in chapel and in several classes. I just ran into Dordt's president, who says that folks at the college are looking forward to this occasion.

We have a new faculty member joining us at midyear. Andrea Donahoe, '00 (Psychology), will serve as a visiting professor for two-and-a-half years while Jim Waller fills his term as our recently appointed Lindaman Chair. Andrea is wrapping up a doctoral program at University of North Carolina and comes to us with uncommon praise from her professors. We're not surprised. Not only is she a rocket professionally, but she's a wonderful human being and a special friend of the Robinsons. Jen Pifer, '92, is another of our alumni who'll bring our students a great classroom experience. A producer at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Jen will teach a Jan Term course titled Media and Politics.

Our School of Global Commerce and Management has been quite global lately. In late October, Mary Alberts, director of the Master of International Management Program, met in Beijing with several executives of the China National Petroleum Co., building upon Whitworth's role in that company's five-year training strategy. While in China, Mary saw alumni Liu Di, Li Zhi Ming, and Xu Hong, who reminisced with her about Whitworth. "They loved this place," she says. Mary also conducted a weeklong executive-training program in Chengdu through the Pacific Institute for Business Management, an educational program of the Christian-based English Language Institute/China. She concluded her trip in Chongqing, teaching at the Chongqing Petroleum College while on the other side of that vast city, Kyle Usrey, dean of the SGCM, taught global business strategy to executives of China Post & Telecom University. We are finding some wonderful opportunities for partnerships in China that will benefit our graduate students particularly.

Enrollment

Here's some important information from our Financial Aid Office for parents and students. In late January we will be mailing Federal Form 1098-T to verify full- and part-time enrollment. This form is used to support Hope or Lifetime Learning tax-credits eligibility. Please consult your tax advisor or go to the IRS website, www.irs.gov, for more information on available educational tax credits. January begins the application cycle for most special-application scholarships. Announcements are posted on Financial Aid's bulletin board in McEachran Hall, in the various department offices around campus for those scholarships designated for a special major, and on our website. Students are welcome to browse these areas for scholarship information. For a free web-based scholarship search, students can also go to www.fastweb.com. The 2004-05 renewal FAFSA applications have been sent out from the Department of Education to continuing undergraduate students. Families can submit the renewal application either electronically (preferred) or on paper. To apply electronically, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our priority deadline for students wanting financial aid for summer is March 1. For all other continuing students renewing their federal or need-based financial aid for 2004-05, the deadline is May 1.

Memo to grandparents: When you open your wallet to show us how precious your grandchild looks, you might want to pull out a few bucks for our Prepaid Tuition Program. We participate in the Independent 529 Plan, and certificates are on the move. Data from the first quarter of the plan's operations reveal that 92 percent of buyers are parents (c'mon, grandparents!), the average current age of the future student is 9 years old, and the account sizes vary greatly. Roughly 40 percent of participants are making regular automatic contributions ($25 minimum) through payroll or monthly deductions. For more information, go to www.independent529plan.org.

Student Life

Activity levels on campus change dramatically as we go from Christmas parties and cramming for finals to utter desolation, all in the space of a couple of days. On the first night of finals, Bonnie and I hosted a study break. It was huge fun. We had over 100 students roam through the house. For almost 90 minutes, they wouldn't let Bonnie up from the piano bench as they sang one carol after another. As the time drew to a close, a few Christmas freaks (who happened to have the same holiday CD) silently conspired to keep the ball rolling. As Bonnie would end the singing with a final cadence and jump up from the bench, they'd sit her back down by launching into the next verse or the next song. Students were also dazzled by our tree, which they described as "obese." That'll happen when you cut off a tree's top third and bottom third so that you can stuff it into your living room. It will be fun to have the students back. Jan Term activities will include the annual Star Search for the most talented Whitworthian, who will receive $250 cash. A movie series, basketball games followed by ice-cream socials, and a coffeehouse will also entertain our Whitworth-bound students this January.

Resources

Thanks to all of you who made year-end gifts. Your support is crucial to us. And special thanks to all of the young alumni who joined the President's Club. When I'm done writing this, I'll be signing l40 letters to recent grads who are reciprocating the support that many of you gave to them during their years here. How great is it that while most of these young adults are paying off educational loans, they're also putting their alma mater within financial reach for students following in their footsteps? We have a graduated-giving program that places young alums in the President's Club while they're getting on their feet financially. It's very cool.

Over at Weyerhaeuser Hall, December saw a continuation of roofing, interior wall framing and the installation of pipes and ductwork. Window installation was delayed but should begin early this month, so we still feel confident in an August occupancy. The offices and classrooms are really beginning to take shape, thanks to 30 or so busy workers from numerous trades. We are thankful that, as we near the halfway point, there have been no accidents or injuries on the project.

Athletics

Whitworth's women's basketball team is off to an excellent 6-1 start. Included in that win total are victories over NCAA Division I Utah Valley State and a California sweep of Caltech and Pomona-Pitzer. All- American forward Tiffany Speer is off to an outstanding start, averaging 22.3 PPG. She has already been named the Northwest Conference Player of the Week three times this season (out of a possible five!). Fellow forward Sarah Shogren adds 17.7 points and is one of the top rebounders in the conference at 10.4 per contest. The point-guard duo of Dani Bielec and Wenchi Liu had produced 56 assists and 39 steals in seven games. Late note: Whitworth just moved to 8-1, winning the Ramada Inn Classic by beating U.C. Santa Cruz and Gustavus Adolphus (ranked #11 nationally). Sarah Shogren went nuts; her 42 points and 32 rebounds won her the tournament MVP award.

Whitworth's men are in California after a successful Hawaii trip. The Pirates went 2-0 at the Whitworth Hawaiian Classic to improve to 4-1 this season. Senior All-American forward Bryan Depew and senior guard Scott Bierlink were both named to the all-tournament team. Depew is averaging 19.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season, while Bierlink adds 14.4 points and 5.2 assists per contest. Whitworth will play three Div. III games in California this week before playing at NCAA Division I Utah on Jan. 7. The Salt Lake City media had some fun at the Utes' expense when we almost upset Coach Majerus and his boys two years ago, so they could be a little testy this time.

Good news for the soccer teams: Sophomore Todd Sabrowski, junior Jody Rucinski and freshman Jael Hagerott were all named to the NSCA/Addidas 2003 Far West Region Team. Sabrowski and Rucinski were second-team choices, while Hagerott was named to the third team.

Also, five Pirates earned NSCAA Scholar-Athlete all-region honors. Kurt Kagawa, J.R. Remington and Brad Suhm were named to the second team, while Ashli Anderson and Piper Moore were selected to the third team. The scholar-athlete teams are selected from all NCAA divisions and from the NAIA.

Alumni

Join Professor of English Pamela Corpron Parker, '81, and alumni, parents and friendsfrom August 6-8, for a Whitworth weekend in Ashland, Ore. See three plays at the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival, enjoy wonderful meals and share in group discussion. More information is available on the alumni website or by contacting Tad Wisenor, director of alumni and parent relations, at (509) 777-4401 or twisenor@whitworth.edu.

I hope you can come to the between-game receptions when our basketball teams visit UPS, Jan. 17, in Tacoma; and Lewis & Clark, Feb. 7, in Portland.

More than 10 different events are on the calendar for Heritage Week 2004, Feb. 3-14.See the complete schedule at www.whitworth.edu/alumni/heritageweek.htm.

Alumni Family Weekend will be here before you know it. See the complete schedule for June 18-20 at www.whitworth.edu/alumni/familyweekend2004.htm. Registration materials will be available within the month, so plan now to attend this wonderful celebration featuring eight different class reunions and the all-era choir reunion.

Miscellaneous

In December I spent a very informative day listening to the Whitworth faculty and staff as they provided their best ideas for the next chapter of Whitworth College. Now we would love to hear from you. We are in the middle of an intensive year of discussion and analysis that will end up in the next five-year strategic plan for the college. If you have ideas or suggestions on how to strengthen the college, please e-mail them to Dale Soden, special assistant to the president for strategic planning. He can be reached at dsoden@whitworth.edu. We'd really like for you to add your best thinking to the ways in which you already make Whitworth a better place.

Closing Thoughts

Well, it's time for me to rot in front of the TV while I watch big boys bang into each other. I seldom indulge myself this way. Aside from the fact that I get worn down by the sheer repetition of game after game, I don't need Bonnie asking me if I think the TV is listening when I'm yelling at it. So I imagine I'll last as long as it takes me to write 140 thank-yous. I hope 2004 turns out to be a year with less tragedy in the world. One of my abiding leadership challenges is understanding the moral obligations and complexities created by life being better than ever at Whitworth and worse than ever for much of the world. I know that we all need 2004 to be a year of Christ's redemption and peace. Again, happy new year, and thank you for your friendship.