Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: November 1997

An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson

As we move into November, both the days and the nights feel shorter. Long shadows stretching across the Loop remind us that it's getting dark pretty early these days. But it's not very dark in our residence halls. As students make their final push to the semester's end, the midnight oil burns before students sleep fast during work-shortened nights. You will read below about the gratitude our students hold for all of you who support this college. So on their behalf, I send you warm Thanksgiving greetings. We are all very thankful for you. 

Academics

We just received word that Physics Professor Lois Kieffaber has been awarded a National Science Foundation Grant of $45,000 for her research project, High-Resolution Studies of Gravity Waves and Airglow Continuum. You may recall that Lois has been involved in airglow observations for several years. This grant will allow students to travel to her sabbatical location during Jan Term to provide research assistance.

Master of International Management Director Dan Sanford has also been engaged in an interesting research project, collaborating with four professors from other universities and funded by a grant from the Japan Ministry of Education. The team, led by Tesshu Koshiba, a former Fulbright Scholar at Whitworth, researched the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on the Japanese auto industry. Most of the study has been conducted on-site at five companies located in Mexico and California, and the research team will soon travel to Japan to visit Toyota and Nissan plants there.

Finally, someone has come to the rescue. Math Professor Lyle Cochran has just published "Using Mathematica to Study Orthogonal L-Polynomials" in Communications in the Analytic Theory of Continued Fractions. Those pesky L-polynomials have been driving me crazy. So thanks, Lyle; now maybe I can get some sleep.

Other faculty members who have recently been involved in outside scholarly activities include Music Professor Dick Evans, who spoke at Vashon Island Community Center on humor in music, Library Director Hans Bynagle, who reviewed two books in the most recent American Reference Book Manual, and Assistant Professor of Education Gordon Watanabe, who was a presenter at the National Association of Multicultural Education conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Associate Professor of Theatre Rick Hornor's adaptation of Oedipus the King played to almost 1,500 people over four performances. I found the play to be incredibly intense, even more than I remember it being, and Rick and the cast did a great job. Sophocles would be proud.

It's been a big month for senior Heather Peterson, a vocal performance and theatre major. After a brilliant performance as the title character in Oedipus the King (leave it to director Rick Hornor to cast a woman as Oedipus in this bizarre Greek tragedy), she was selected to participate as a demonstrator in the Dale Moore Vocal Master Class at Boise State University. Dr. Moore was chair of voice at Indiana University for 14 years and is now teaching at the Eastman School of Music, where another Whitworthian, soprano Heather Steckler, '96, is one of his students.

Several of you have expressed interest in the work of Philosophy Professor Steve Meyer. Steve has been working with a group of scholars who are challenging the Darwinian theory of evolution by building a scientific case for evidence of design in life's origins. In the past year, Steve has had two articles in the Wall Street Journal, was a guest on Freedom Speaks on PBS, was interviewed on Hardball with Chris Mathews on CNBC, and just last month appeared on PBS in another show, The Death of Materialism: Scientific Evidence for Design. If you are interested in learning more about this collaborative effort, contact the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington.

The Whitworth Institute and Graduate School of International Management will host its first Title VI-BInternational Business Education Roundtable later this week. President James H. Kim, of Premier Capital International of Seattle, Washington, will discuss Korean markets and how to appeal to Korean consumers.

I just read the first draft of the Mind and Heart, and as I reviewed the notable research activities in this section, I reflected on last night's retirement dinner for Associate Professor of French Pierrette Christianne-Lovrien. Pierrette, a stellar teacher for 34 years, was lauded by colleagues and former students for her teaching, helping, supporting, caring and confidence-building. Research is vital, but the true measure of Whitworth College is found in professors like Pierrette who pour themselves into the lives of their students.

Admissions & Enrollment

We had a big turnout of high school seniors for Great Escape. I'm never too sure how smart it is for us to give high schoolers a completely unvarnished experience in the residence halls, but our current students who attended Great Escape as high school seniors insist that it is extremely helpful to see college as is. It was a good weekend.

Imagine having the chance to say thank you to a person whom you've never met but who has invested significantly in your future. This past Tuesday night, our students had that opportunity. At the fourth annual Whitworth Scholarship Dinner, individuals, families, and organizations that have established scholarships came face to face with the students who have received these awards. Speaking from a donor's perspective, David Martin, '62, told why he has set up scholarships in honor of the many AIDS victims with whom he has caringly shared the end of their earthly lives. And from a student's perspective, senior Greg Green explained that it was only through the generosity of special donors that he was able to attend and continue at Whitworth College. When Greg arrived at Whitworth, he had absolutely no interest in or understanding of the Christian side of our mission. But through the eyes of one of his professors, Greg found the living Christ. Greg's vibrant faith spread to his family and now he plans to spend his life in ministry. Those of you who help provide financial support for our students cannot possibly know the ultimate impact of your support. But to quote Greg, "On behalf of all Whitworth College students, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Student Life

I thought it might be interesting for you to take a glimpse at one week of the student calendar, going from tonight to next Friday night (and not including athletics or other events that don't appear on the calendar) Senior Sale (fourth-year students at bargain prices); Kanikapila; Ethnic Dance Night in Baldwin-Jenkins Hall; "Assassin" (the pacifist version, no doubt) in Warren Hall; Freshman Pre-Hosanna Pigout Extravaganza in Beyond Hall; Professor Debate Night; Cultural Wedding Panel in Warren Hall; Country Dance Lessons in The Village; Jazz and Coffeehouse, Mac Hall; International Game Night, Arend; Campus Center Coffeehouse; Movie Night, BJ; Dance Lesson Extravaganza, The Village; Mac Hall House Party. Whew.

Thanks to all the folks who came to Parents' Weekend. It was great to have you on campus. Don't be surprised if you get a phone call or note from a member of your regional Parents' Council inviting you to be part of a local get-together. Thanks also to our international students' host families who attended Parents' Weekend. We hear the ice cream social was a great success.

Speaking of our international students, on October 29, the International Club had the first Japan Night of the year. Food, decorations, and service were provided by our international students as we featured Japanese cuisine and culture.

Finances

We had an excellent board meeting, capped by the pledge of a huge gift from one of these wonderful people who give selflessly of time, talent and treasure. More later on the gift.

Phase II of the Campus Center is behind schedule, but is still slated to be ready by next fall. Good weather has been a big help, but the steel has been slow in arriving.

We would be very grateful if you'd consider Whitworth as you plan your end-of-the-year giving. We appreciate your generosity, and all the great things you do for this college. Thanks!

Athletics

Coach Andy Sonneland will be taking the women's cross-country team to nationals in Wisconsin to cap off a very successful year. Although the women finished third in the conference meet, their 19th-place national ranking, coupled with the fact that the first- and third-ranked teams in the nation are in our conference, earned them an at-large bid. Congratulations to these great runners, who are also excellent students. Our men's cross-country team didn't fare as well as the women, but next year looks good for the guys, who got excellent seasons from newcomers Peter Metcalf and C.J. Skyberg.

Also headed into postseason play is Sean Bushey's women's soccer team, which finished fourth in the NCIC. The women got off to a slow start, but they've finished the season like gangbusters. They'll have their hands full as they open the playoffs against a Willamette team that boasts a combined 28-2 score over its last four opponents. Scary. The men ended their season with a 2-0 victory at Linfield, where senior Matt Normand finished his career with a shutout and senior Drake Benson closed things out by scoring the final goal of Whitworth's season.

This has been a season of heartbreakers for Whitworth's volleyball team. In two of their last three matches, Whitworth's women were ahead three games to one, but lost in the fifth game. The Bucs finish the season with a pair of matches in Portland, where they'll take on NCIC foe Lewis and Clark, as well as non-conference opponent Concordia.

Our 2-6 football team finishes its season against undefeated Willamette, currently ranked third in the nation. In spite of many fine individual performances, the guys haven't played up to their own standards in the last couple of games. A good game against Willamette would provide a great springboard for next year.

Miscellaneous

If you get this before November 22 and if you live within swingin' distance, you must come hear one of the best college jazz bands in the country, as Dan Keberle leads the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble in performance with jazz great Randy Brecker.

This year our Health Center sponsored a very successful blood drive. And to date, the center has administered 277 flu shots. Rumor has it that the person getting the 300th flu shot will receive a free getaway weekend stay at the Health Center, complete with assorted inoculations and medicines.

Dates to Remember

Closing Thoughts

There's much to be thankful for at Whitworth these days. In so many ways, we feel God's grace. In this season, I'm reminded of the Apostle Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonian church, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you." We hope you'll have a good Thanksgiving season.