Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: October 2007
An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson
It's hard to imagine how we could have enjoyed a better September. Much like the weather, our spirits ran warm and bright. With so many students, the campus felt a little swollen, but the added energy compensates for a few inconveniences. In my line of work, a good September means a lot of bragging opportunities. We tout our smart new students. Our smart new students call home with glowing reports. It's pretty early for anything to have gone too far wrong, so we're pretty generous in handing out our bouquets of self-congratulations. However, when we look closely at the bouquets, we find these pesky "grace weeds" choking out the credit we like to give ourselves. We discover our progress is more about grace than it is about us -- grace in the efforts of our predecessors who built this school's foundation; grace in the generosity of alumni and friends who have provided resources that frame this institution; grace in the enabling sacrifices, love and prayers of the families who uphold our students; and, always, God's amazing grace. One of the paradoxes we teach these students to embrace is that they alone can achieve their dreams, but they can't achieve their dreams alone. Their pursuits should be characterized by hard work and humility. Few success stories lack both great effort and unexplainable grace. This is all to say that we do not take for granted the grace with which you fortify our efforts. You deserve much credit for this fine September.
Academics
As we cover the globe, the globe comes to us. This fall we welcome 29 new international students, from France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Mozambique, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the Ukraine. We also have a number of our students studying abroad, in Australia, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Notably, Anne Briggs, '09, received a Freeman Asia Scholarship and a Gilman Scholarship, totaling $10,000, to study in China. In January, students will study in 13 locations around the world, and in the spring 25 students will travel with the Central America Study Program.
The impact of these international activities endures well beyond graduation. Last month more than 50 current and former students attended the first reunion of our South Africa Study Program. Five groups have traveled since 1994, and the sixth will go in January 2008. Zama Gebede, the retired South African education professor and Presbyterian leader who traveled with the group in 2004 and 2006, joined this reunion. The program was founded by John Yoder (Political Science) and Gordon Jackson (Communication Studies), and the current faculty leadership includes John, Ron Pyle (Communication Studies) and Associate Chaplain Andi Saccoccio.
This month our Speakers & Artists program features two alumni in pivotal national positions, as well as a well-known human-rights activist from Central America. We look forward to hearing from Reverend John Owen, '83, the chaplain of the U.S. Naval Academy; Richard Cizik '73, political director of the National Association of Evangelicals, speaking on climate-change activism; and noted Guatemalan poet, theologian and human-rights activist Julia Esquivel. (Visit www.whitworth.edu/speakers&artists for a complete list of speakers and events.)
September marked the inaugural Faith, Film and Philosophy Conference. Co-hosted by Whitworth's Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning and Gonzaga's Faith & Reason Institute, the conference featured Hollywood producer Ralph Winter (X-Men, several Star Treks, and Fantastic Four), speaking on "The Storytelling Landscape: the Challenges for a Christian in Hollywood" to approximately 350 people in Cowles Auditorium. Professors Thomas Hibbs and Michael Foley gave public lectures at Gonzaga, and a dozen scholars from around the country delivered and discussed papers on various issues related to theology, philosophy and film. It was great having Ralph back on campus. He and Judy used to visit regularly as parents of students Beth, '03, and Ben, '04. Ralph's opening lecture was powerful, engaging and enlightening -- an ideal kickoff for this annual program.
While construction of the Lied Art Center stays on schedule, the art faculty stays busy. Faculty members are showing their works in an exhibit that runs through Oct. 25 in the Fine Arts Gallery. Recent MFA recipient and Whitworth alum Meagan Stirling, '02, curated the exhibit, which features works by associate professors of art Gordon Wilson and Scott Kolbo; professors emeriti Barbara Filo, Pauline Haas and Walter Grosvenor; visiting artist Chris Baskin; and lecturers and adjunct instructors including Stephen Rue, Meagan Stirling, Lance Sinnema, '99, and Bradd Skubinna.
And speaking of the arts, the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dan Keberle, has been chosen to perform at the 2008 Washington Music Educators All-State Conference, in February. They were one of two university jazz groups selected from the state through an anonymous audition process. On a similar note (get it?), the Whitworth Choir, directed by Marc A. Hafso, has been selected to perform at the 2008 Northwest Divisional Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, also in February. The invitation to perform at this prestigious event comes out of a competitive audition before adjudicators at state and divisional levels.
The Theatre Department will present Bertolt Brecht's interpretation of the classical Greek play Antigone on Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium. As the world groans in the midst of military and terrorist actions, questions about patriotism and courage rise to the top of our minds. This classical play, in a modern translation, examines the clash between loyalty to one's country and loyalty to one's beliefs. This will also be the main-stage directorial debut of Theatre Instructor Brooke Kiener, '99. Admission: $7 adults; $5 students & seniors.
Enrollment
In 2008, we'll probably need to enroll a smaller freshman class. For that reason, if you know high-school seniors whose first-choice school is Whitworth, urge them to apply for early action admission. The deadline is Dec. 1.
Student Life
Last week, more than 700 Whitworth students, faculty and staff spent the morning doing volunteer work for 32 Spokane community sites. Assistant Director of Service-Learning Jacob Spaun, '03, says that "Community Building Day is one way to support and encourage the bonds that exist between Whitworth and the broader community." The message to both our students and our community is that we take service seriously. It's just a great way to launch the year.
Intramural volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, a weekend grass volleyball tournament and an all-campus Capture the Flag event have kept students out of breath. Whitworthians have also been entertained by live performances from musicians Joanna Kunin, Horse Feathers (not to be confused with the Marx brothers' movie) and Oppenheimer (not to be confused with the mutual fund). Like many faculty and staff, Bonnie and I entertained student groups. The senior class gathered at our house for ice cream and fellowship (in that order, I suspect). This is a really good senior class. They will lead us well this year.
During the second weekend of the new semester, 185 students had the privilege of hearing from Moses Pulei, '97, Whitworth's new theology instructor, at our annual fall retreat. Moses presented four talks from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians, and spoke from his own life experience about the centrality of relationship with Jesus in the contexts of culture, conflict, community and calling. I remember Moses being a freshman in my freshman year as president. It's great to have him back.
This is Homecoming Week, featuring the theme "Red and Yellow, Black and White."Students will compete to raise money for different charities this week. They will also have daily hall competitions culminating in a formal dinner Friday night and some kind of twisted election of royalty from off campus and from each residence hall. On Saturday, both football and soccer are home for huge contests.
Parents' Weekend is Oct. 19-21. Among the most popular features are the Saturday-morning classes designed especially for parents who want to learn from our talented faculty while their children sleep off the exhaustion of Friday night's efforts to get in their parents' wallets. The classes will be followed by a lunch preceding our winning men's and women's soccer matches. On Friday and Saturday night, our theatre department's production of Antigone will be held in Cowles Auditorium, also the setting of a Sunday-morning worship service where I'll be speaking. All the information is online on the "Parents" page. Hope you'll join us!
Resources
Time is running out: The Pension Protection Act of 2006 enables individuals to donate funds from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) without paying taxes on the withdrawal. If you are older than 70 years, six months, you can make a donation up to $100,000. This opportunity ends Dec. 31. If you want to know more, please contact The Whitworth Foundation by phone at 509.777.4363 or 800.532.4668, or by e-mail at foundation@whitworth.edu. We've been lobbying to make this legislation permanent.
Phonathon has started. We appreciate so much your willingness to talk to our students. I wouldn't blame you for being in a foul mood about calls from other people you don't know. I got one yesterday claiming I had filled out an online form indicating I was interested in receiving a bachelor's degree. Eek. Sixteen of our well-trained student callers will attempt more than 50,000 phone calls between now and April, with the goal of securing $210,000-plus for student scholarships through The Whitworth Fund. Again, thanks in advance to those of you who accept these calls.
Athletics
The Whitworth football team is off to a 3-1 start, bouncing back with three straight wins after a season-opening loss. The senior-dominated defense is led by linebackers Greg Caster and Casey Clifton, while Jay Tully and Ryan Marshall are all over the defensive backfield as well as returning kicks and, in Jay's case, receiving passes (including one game-winner with no time left on the clock). Running backs Chris Ahsing and Adam Anderson have been picking up tough yards, and quarterback Kory Kemp showed his stuff when he led the Pirates down the field in the final minute to a winning touchdown on the last play of the game in a 23-21 win over Wisconsin-Stout.
The Pirate volleyball team is getting into the meat of its Northwest Conference schedule. Whitworth is 7-7 overall and 2-4 in the NWC, having split the first two weekends of conference play. Libero Cassie Moore has already broken school records for aces in a match and digs in a match this season, and she leads the conference in both categories. Middle hitter Sarah Rusch is among the national leaders in kills per game.
The Whitworth soccer teams are both off to excellent starts. The women are 8-0 (the best start in school history, breaking the previous record of 5-0 set by the 1996 and 2003 teams). The Pirates are ranked in the top 10 of both Div. III polls. Forward Greta Thibodeau leads the Northwest Conference in assists so far this season with eight.
The men's soccer team is 7-1-1 overall and has won its last seven in a row, six by shutout. The defensive backfield of Brett Kagawa, Ben Dixon and Ben Rotert has limited opponents' opportunities, and goalie Scott Barnum stops whatever does get through.
The cross-country teams look great. Last weekend we watched Whitworth defeat Gonzaga's men and women at the Bulldogs' own short-course invitational. Jo E. Mayer won the women's race (leading a top-four finish by Pirate runners), and Dusty Caseria headed up the men's effort with a second-place individual finish.
The golf teams have begun fall competition and the men are gunning for their fourth NWC title in a row. Andrew Parrott and Jordan Carter will lead the effort, which began with a round of 303 in a season-opening win over Whitman. The Pirates also fired a round of 298 in the annual Spokane Cup against Gonzaga and CC of Spokane. The Whitworth women's squad, now up to six members, looks ready to challenge for the top of the conference after shooting a season-opening score of 349 at the Spokane Cup. Alicia Bratlien led the way.
Alumni
Join alumni, parents and friends for dessert prior to the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble concert on Saturday, Nov. 10. (See a description of this event in the Miscellaneous section, below.) Dessert begins at 6:45 p.m., and the cost is $15 (including dessert and concert tickets). Online registration is available.
Miscellaneous
Multi-Grammy-winning trumpeter, jazz and feature-film composer Terence Blanchard will perform in concert with the Whitworth University Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Whitworth Music Office and through TicketsWest.com. Blanchard is one of the biggest names in jazz to come to Whitworth yet!
Closing Thoughts
I find so many great values in today's students. If our generation can leave them a decent world to work with, they'll know what to do with it. One of my favorite characteristics of our current students relates to their attitude toward our planet. They see environmental stewardship as more of a practical issue than a political one. With the students as our partners, we have initiated many sustainability measures. To see 15 intitiatives, as well as our philosophy of how we care for God's creation, check out this website: www.whitworth.edu/sustainability. My only bad experience with sustainability came when I decided that, other than licking my shirt collars, I would enjoy eating most anything made out of starch. Well, what's true of potatoes is not necessarily true of the starch-based disposable utensils we've been using on campus this fall. (I guarantee you that I'm not the only knucklehead who's tried to munch on that stuff, although I am the only knucklehead to admit it to 22,000 people.) We take care of the world out of moral duty to our children and out of respect for its creator. When I was a kid I learned an important Bible verse: "You are worthy, oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you have created all things and for your pleasure they are and were created." Those of us who work at Whitworth are committed to pleasing Christ the creator. We believe that happens when we serve our students by protecting the world he prepared for them. Thanks so much for your role in that service.
