Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: September 2004
An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson
Well, it's my morning after, whatever that means. Classes began yesterday. Cowles Auditorium overflowed with students, faculty and staff gathered for Opening Convocation. Faculty robed, students ready, a brass fanfare, prayers and awards all united to signal the advent of another year of mind-and-heart education. In my address I argued for humility as a more promising pathway to truth than the loud arrogance of our culture. It's a tough sell in 2004, but God wants it and it outperforms pride in unlocking our potential. Of course, I used myself as an example of all that is humble and good. Anyway, last Saturday 500+ new students arrived with enough watt-sucking electrical equipment to take care of Brazil. Now, after five days of welcoming students and families, I'm tired of my own voice. So I'll offer you some encouraging words I received by e-mail just before classes began: "...I adore life at Whitworth and I just wanted you to know that. This fall I'll be a junior (and) I cannot tell you how blessed and grateful I am to be here. I honestly don't think there's a single person on this campus who is as grateful for Whitworth as I am.... I pray that you'll continue to be blessed in all areas of your work here, knowing that by the grace of God, Whitworth is a place that can change and shape people in wonderful, undeserved and unexpected ways." Thanks to everyone reading this for your prayers, encouragement, support and friendship. You are full participants in shaping the Whitworth experience.
Academics
Thank you, thank you. If you contributed to Weyerhaeuser Hall, we were singing your praises on opening day. Some of the furniture hadn't arrived, boxes of books still needed unpacking, and not all the artwork was in place, but we lit the candle and it shone brightly. Students and faculty raved. The building's opening celebration is set for Homecoming, Oct. 2. Also, we'll have a great dedication of the building (with Yale professor Nick Wolterstorff) on Oct. 14, to coincide with our board of trustees meeting and to thank the trustees for their support of this project. I want to thank everyone who's been involved in this process. It's been a team effort led by enormously capable people here and supported by the extraordinary generosity of so many of you. I can't wait for all of you to visit this gift.
We were delighted to find Whitworth ranked second among 124 eligible colleges and universities in "best values" (based largely on academic quality and cost) and tied for fifth in "best colleges" in U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges 2005" issue.The second category also includes Gonzaga (fourth), PLU and Seattle U (tied for ninth), and SPU (13th). While we're pleased with these rankings, I continue to believe that mission, faculty, and many other factors are more significant than rankings in a student's choice of a college. We hold an uncompromising commitment to be the best we can be for our students -- but fundamentally we are who we are, and if that places us high on the U.S. News list, that's great.
We have a great group of new faculty this year. For efficiency's sake, I've listed only their names and departments. Included in the list are full-time, part-time, tenure-track and non-tenure-track positions: Angeles Aller (Spanish), Mauro C. Amor (Economics), David Asplin (Music), Kerry Breno (Chemistry), Heather Crandall (Communication Studies), Elizabeth Desnoyers-Colas (Communication Studies), Jolene Fisher (Kinesiology & Athletics), Kim Hernandez (Spanish), Craig Hinnenkamp (Business Management), Jennifer Holsinger (Sociology), Adam Neder (Religion), David Pomante (Kinesiology & Athletics), Claudio Robles (Spanish), Kamesh Sankaran (Physics), and Anne Trefry (Mathematics).
We're pleased that Carol Smucker (Modern Languages) has been awarded a $34,763 Fulbright-Hays grant to support her sabbatical research in Madagascar. She will spend nine months in this island nation off the east coast of Africa studying Francophone island literature and comparing it with Francophone literature of the Caribbean. Congratulations, Carol!
Over the past summer, our faculty and staff members continued to provide leadership in their disciplines.
- Dennis Sterner, dean of our School of Education, has been appointed by Gov. Gary Locke to a second term on the Professional Education Standards Board, which plays an important role in shaping education in Washington. Dennis and Barb Sanders (also of the SOE) recently attended a national conference at which they spoke on A Model for Leadership in Assessment and Accountability.
- Head Men's Basketball Coach Jim Hayford published an article, "Efficient and Effective Offensive Post Play," in the latest issue of American Basketball Quarterly.
- Scott Kolbo (Art) received a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts grant as part of the NEA's Challenge America: Access to the Arts program. Scott's proposal will enable our students to make prints under the supervision of visiting artists; then our business students, with Brad Sago (Business & Economics) at the helm, will market them. The grant will also enable us to host artists for print production, lectures, demonstrations, and public-school presentations.
- Archivist Janet Hauck received a grant from Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to enable her, in collaboration with the SOE, to develop and teach a course for K-12 teachers using a video produced by Whitworth and a local movie company, North by Northwest, on the experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Laurie Lamon, '78 (English), has a poem, "Praise," appearing in the October issue of Atlantic Monthly magazine. This is just the latest in a long string of such publications. Laurie's so gifted!
Inevitably, our students report life-changing experiences when they study in other countries. Maybe it's because our daughter spent last year studying in Buenos Aires that this note sent by Andrew Gebelin (a senior majoring in Spanish and international studies) while he was in Argentina, struck a chord: "Perhaps one thing that Argentines have taught me, above all, is how to live with passion. There is not one flower in this city that goes unappreciated, not one cause that does not demand your best effort, not a conversation that is not brimming with personality, no injustice that does not meet overwhelming demand for change, and no song or dance that doesn't express someone's deepest feelings."
I'm psyched about our fall Main Stage theatre production, A Man for All Seasons. Rick Hornor, '70 (Theatre), is in the process of selecting a cast for the play, which takes place Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. This year we have 13 graduating theatre majors whose senior projects we will soon begin to enjoy. Unfortunately, this many seniors threatens the likelihood that Rick will draft me for the role of Sir Thomas More (which is not to say that I don't appreciate his repeated invitations for me to apply my thespian gifts as a tree).
Enrollment
Large! I'll give you the 10th-day info next month. Actually, I just went (okay, "cut") through the lunch line, and it wasn't bad. I know we have the most students in our history, but we'll wait for final numbers. Please encourage high-school seniors you know who might be interested in Whitworth to apply early, as we plan to admit fewer students next year.
Student Life
Our student leaders for 2004-05 did a fantastic job welcoming students to the college this past weekend to the storybook theme of Once Upon a Time: Sharing the Stories of the Mind and Heart. While I did make my orientation-skit entrance sporting a wizard outfit and riding a motorized two-wheel vehicle, I'm pleased to report that I shamed neither our family name nor my gender, so that's a switch. ASWC events are in full swing with the Stewart lawn dance and the famous off-campus BBQ providing high-level entertainment. We'll introduce Whitworth Bingo Night this year, and intramurals are gearing up for Ultimate Frisbee; Homecoming and Community-Building Day are also in the works. More than 27 clubs are up and running, with another five waiting to be chartered. Whitworth offers countless opportunities for student involvement.
Resources
The annual phonathon begins soon, and our students will be thrilled if you have time to chat with them. I know the telemarketing assault on your serenity torques up all your defenses, but most of the funds raised by our students are used to support student scholarships. So gifts to our Whitworth Fund are vitally important. Thanks so much for supporting our students. The stories of the mind and heart I mentioned above include stories of some students shouldering big debts, big workloads, and razor-thin financial margins.
My buddy Lou Livingston just had a birthday. Generations of Spokane educators have loved Lou and admired the work he did as a school superintendent here. Lou is one of the people who've come to the financial rescue of our students, and he's provided for scholarships in his will; but we don't think we'll see that money for a long time. Lou turned just 104, and his wit, wisdom and vigor suggest there's a lot of tread left on his tires.
If you graduated in or after 1994, we have an opportunity for you. Visit the new Club GOLD website at www.whitworth.edu/clubgold for information about joining this special version of the President's Club, just for recent graduates. We'd love to connect with you in this way.
Athletics
Football opens at the University of Redlands this weekend. Redlands is defending its conference title, and Coach John Tully's Pirates will have a new look on defense with seven new starters, many of them freshmen and sophomores. The offense will be anchored by a superb line providing protection for returning quarterback Joel Clark, who'll be hooking up often with Jared Thomas, Kyle Snell and Kyle Havercroft.
Early returns on volleyball are excellent. The Pirates went undefeated (4-0) at the Whitworth tournament, something even the NWC championship teams of 2001 and 2002 didn't do. Juniors Bekah Hornor and Julie Marsh were named to the all-tournament team. Every starter is back from 2003, and Coach Steve Rupe, '89, has a squad that looks ready to challenge for another conference crown.
Coach Sean Bushey's soccer teams are deep and talented. The women pushed NAIA power Simon Fraser to overtime on the road before falling 2-1 in the season opener. They bounced right back, rolling to a 5-0 win over Rocky Mountain. Defending NWC Offensive Player of the Year sophomore Jael Hagerott picked up where she left off, with a goal and two assists. The men also lost their season opener and also bounced back quickly, by defeating Lawrence University (Wis.) 4-0 and Evergreen State 4-1. With three goals, All-NWC junior Todd Sabrowski has the Bucs' early season lead in scoring.
Cross-country's off to a great start after its season-opening meet in Walla Walla.Coach Toby Schwarz's men won the four-team competition by a point, outdistancing Northwest Nazarene, Lewis-Clark State and Whitman. Junior Doug Blackburn finished third individually to lead the squad. The women finished second in the meet, which included the same four schools. Kristi Dickey led the women's efforts.
Alumni
This year will be one of the best Homecoming celebrations ever, and there's still time to register for the events on October 1-3. From the George F. Whitworth Honors Banquet to the opening celebration for Weyerhaeuser Hall to football and soccer, it will be a weekend to remember as the Class of '94 celebrates its 10-year reunion. Details can be found at www.whitworth.edu/homecoming, or call the college (509.777.3724) for details or to register.
At noon, Oct. 23, join Alumni Director Tad Wisenor, '89, for Whitworth football and halftime refreshments near the visitors' bleachers at Menlo College, in Atherton, Calif.
Join alumni and friends on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 6:45 p.m. for dessert, a chat with director Rick Hornor, and our fall production, A Man for All Seasons. Reservations can be made at www.whitworth.edu/alumnievents. Cost is $10 for a reserved-seat play ticket and dessert.
We hope you'll update your information with the company that's publishing our 2005 alumni directory, whether or not you purchase the directory. Update your info by calling 800.982.1589. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Tad Wisenor at 800.532.4668 or twisenor@whitworth.edu. A password-protected online version of the directory, free to all alumni, will be available soon.
Upcoming alumni events (details at www.whitworth.edu):
- 10/10: Princeton Theological Seminary reception with Bill Robinson
- 11/6: Jazz concert (with pianist Eric Reed) and dessert on campus
- 11/6-7: Core 650 events with Michael Le Roy, '89 (Politics & History), and Keith Wyma (Religion & Philosophy) in Portland and Seattle
- 11/11-12: Peace Like a River author (and Whitworth English Endowed Reader) Leif Enger appears in the Robinson Teaching Theatre of Weyerhaeuser Hall
- 11/14: Whitworth Wind Symphony concert and Dick Evans retirement event
Miscellaneous
I look forward to seeing Whitworth's permanent art collection on display from Sept. 8-Oct. 2 in the art building's Koehler Gallery and in Weyerhaeuser Hall, where, on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., in Room 203, Barbara Filo (Art) will present a lecture highlighting the Whitworth collection. Join us!
Closing Thoughts
I always feel kind of reflective and sappy as I tumble down from the adrenaline rush of starting a new academic year. But this year conjures up a special reflection. My life as a college president began in the same year that most of our new freshmen began life -- 1986. I do not recall thinking back then that the babies born that year would ever become "my" college students. To be honest, some parts of my job get rather old, but as I greeted the '86ers I felt as excited, privileged and optimistic as I did welcoming students 18 years ago. Last night we had 50 students over to the house for a little dessert. After they left I found myself thinking about an e-mail I wrote to a faculty member two weeks ago. School hasn't even started and I've been a wreck all day. However, after 12 hours of solid appointments, I just spoke to the student leaders. And now life is good again. There is no time when I feel more acutely that this is what I was made to do than when I am with Whitworth students. I know this reflects the feelings of all of us who have been called by God to this place, at this time, for these students. Thank you again for your great support.
