Of Mind & Heart Newsletter: Summer 2001

An update from Whitworth University President Bill Robinson

Here's my situation. I'm not on a plane. I'm sitting on the deck at our cabin. Before me a perfectly still river reflects tree-topped mountains as a rising sun provides warmth in the cool, early morning air. As I'm surrounded by the splendor of God's creation, one thing dominates my thoughts: "I wonder how we're doing on the general education curriculum." I need professional help. Actually, before I started fussing, the beauty of the earth did seem to enrich my morning prayers. Among those prayers was intercession on behalf of a wonderful friend in Portland battling the return of a virulent cancer. Please pray for her. Life is at once so good and so hard. I find that its joys and sorrows seem to be intensifying. Maybe I'm getting more emotional as I age, or maybe Bonnie's wonderful sensitivity is rubbing off on me. I heard that she cried at the grand opening of Alton's Tire Center. Well, I hope you are having a renewing summer season. Even when we're working hard, the change of rhythm in the academic calendar refreshes us at Whitworth. If you're getting this newsletter for the first time, you're probably the parent of a new student. I write M&H monthly and send it to alumni, donors, parents of students and others. My objective is to keep you informed; my format is bragging and complaining. I can't help myself. I love this school, and I hope you will, too.

Academics

Let's get right down to the bragging. Last month I mentioned that I would include some of Whitworth's recent honors. Here is a sampling:

Doris Liebert, M.Ed. '75 (School of Education), is this year's recipient of the Washington State Excellence in Teacher Education Award. This award is given yearly to one teacher-educator in the state, and comes with $2,500 to use for professional development over the next year. For many of us, Doris provides a living picture of what Christian service means.
Our own "poet laureate," Laurie Lamon, '79 (English), has once again received national recognition for her work - this time via the prestigious Pushcart Prize. She learned last month that her poem Pain Thinks of the Beautiful Table will be republished as part of this year's Pushcart Anthology comprising the nation's top literary work. The New York Times Book Review describes the anthology, with its selection of short stories, essays, and poetry first published by small presses and magazines nationwide, as "the single best measure of the state of affairs in American literature today."
Ginny Whitehouse (Communication Studies) received a regional award for her fine work with her department's internship program. The Northwest Career Educators and Employers Association gave Ginny its Outstanding Service Award for the quality of the program she oversees and for the inordinate amount of time that she spends with each student in finding appropriate worksites.
Scott Kolbo (Art) recently received the Best of Show in Printmaking award at the Bradley National Print and Drawing Exhibition, in Illinois. The Bradley National, a selective exhibition showcasing some of the best examples of contemporary printmaking and drawing, proved to us all that Scott's shows play in Peoria.
Kent Jones and Susan Mabry (both Computer Science) have each received $13,000 summer research awards for faculty-student research. Kent received a faculty research award from the Carl M. Hansen Foundation, and Susan received the Whitworth College Summer Science Research Award, which is new funding from the college. Susan and Kent will join other science faculty including Susan Bratton (Lindaman Chair), Richard Stevens (Physics), and Frank Caccavo (Biology), who are busy this summer leading externally funded faculty-student research projects.
Jim Waller (Psychology) has learned that his book, Prejudice Across America, is a finalist for a 2001 Outstanding Book Award from the Gustavus Myers Program for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights in North America. The selections will be announced later this summer.
The Whitworth Choir has been selected to perform next March at the Northwestern Division American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) convention in Tacoma. Groups invited to the bi-annual division conventions are selected via anonymous audition tapes. The choir's invitation is one of only six issued in the collegiate division, which comprises the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. Also, the Whitworth Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform at the regional College Band Directors National Association Conference next spring. This conference, of the organization's Northwestern/Western Division Conference, showcases 10 of the outstanding college bands and wind ensembles from throughout the Western U.S. The invitation to perform at CBDNA is the highest honor that the Whitworth Wind Ensemble has received. Congratulations to choir director Bryan Priddy and ensemble director Richard Strauch, and to all of our wonderful student musicians.
On the grants front, Delbert Friesen (Physics), Kent Jones (Computer Science), Finn Pond (Biology) and Karen Stevens (Chemistry) received a total of $50,548 in equipment from the Fluke Corporation, one of our most consistently generous donors. Ken Pecka (Instructional Resources) has been awarded $5,000 from the Independent Colleges of Washington, funded by Verizon, to continue preparing faculty-incorporated technology. And Rick Hornor (Theatre) received $7,000 from Foundation Northwest to support the Performing Arts Camp that he runs in collaboration with Riverside Schools. Foundation Northwest is our local community foundation.

The Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith and Learning is preparing to host on campus a group of scholars from across the country to explore centuries-old questions about human nature and human behavior. The seminar, led by C. Stephen Evans, professor of philosophy at Calvin College, grapples with the question, "How Might Christians Think and Teach About Human Nature?" In addition to Evans, presenters included Jim Waller (Psychology) and Nancey Murphy, professor of Christian philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary. I think all of us would be surprised if we were really aware of the extent to which the way we approach life is influenced by our assumptions about human nature. This is a huge issue that every Whitworth student should examine.

We welcome Kyle Usrey as dean of our recently formed School of Global Commerce and Management. Kyle's expertise in international law, academic background in business and law, experience in the business world, and extensive work-related travel around the world all equip him superbly for this leadership role. A former trial lawyer, he comes to us from Hardin-Simmons University, in Abilene. Kyle will be an important resource not only for Whitworth but for our entire region.

Through the support of the Title VIB Grant, U.S. Department of Education, four of our faculty recently attended the Faculty Development in International Business Conference at the University of South Carolina, considered one of the finest programs in the country. This was the first integrated activity of the School of Global Commerce and Management. Tom Pitzer (M.I.M.), Christie Anderson (Organizational Management), Rob Wilson (Econ/Business), and Jack Gambill (Econ/Business) participated in intensive, specialized workshops on international management, finance, business and marketing.

We've successfully concluded a number of searches for faculty positions. Tenure-track faculty joining us in the fall will be Brent Edstrom (Music), Jim McPherson (Communication Studies), Donna Pierce (Computer Science and Mathematics) and Jake Semeijn (Master of International Management). Other new appointments include O. J. Cotes (Education), Jim Hayford (head men's basketball coach and Kinesiology), Tom Hillman (Chemistry and Physics), Doug Laher (Economics and Business), Julie Rudolph (Modern Languages), Todd Sandberg (athletics trainer and Scotford Fitness Center director), Bendi Benson Schrambach (Modern Languages), Deborah Tully (Education) and Ron Turner (Computer Science and Mathematics).

Gordon Jackson, our associate dean for Academic Affairs, has written a book rooted "in the countless conversations I have had with Whitworth students over nearly two decades." Titled A Compact Guide to Discovering God's Will, the book "is aimed at anyone faced with important decisions, and who wants to make them in a way pleasing to God." The book, published by NavPress, was released this month. I know this book will be very helpful, and if the will of God can be treated with humor, I'm sure Gordon has figured out a way to do it.

Enrollment

I'm thrilled that we exceeded 1,600 applications for this year's freshman class, but I'm saddened by reports of financial stresses blocking the return of some current students. I know how tough this economy is on students and donors. We'll continue to work hard at building the endowment to relieve the pressure, and we admire the sacrifices you make to attend and support Whitworth.

Student Life

The Student Life staff is busy preparing for the arrival of new and returning students this fall. New students and their parents will be informed and entertained (at least once at my expense) during New-Student Orientation, which begins Sept. 1 with the residence halls opening at 10 a.m. Parents can attend a variety of programs with and without their students through lunch on Sunday the 2nd. Returning students arrive on Monday, Sept. 3, and they too will be informed and entertained by eager professors. Students can look forward to the traditional Stewart Lawn Dance on Friday the 7th, the annual volleyball tourney on Saturday afternoon in the Loop, and the performance of the renowned Faces of America in the HUB Saturday the 8th as the first coffeehouse of the year.

Resources

Speaking of your support, we are closing the fiscal year and it looks like we have again balanced our operating budget. Audit work is beginning, and we will be busy with that over the next six to eight weeks. Thanks to all of you who support our mission through gifts and tuition. We are especially grateful for a year-end gift to The Whitworth Foundation from Marketta Buckler, whose generosity will ultimately provide scholarships to deserving students in memory of Buckler family members. And thanks to the Whitworth faculty and staff who steward these funds with the utmost integrity and efficiency.

The campus this summer is every bit as beautiful as the panorama here from my deck.Deep, bright colors give a special definition to the grass, the flower gardens and even the buildings. Our Physical Plant staff approach the grounds as a canvas upon which they team up with God for some amazing artistry. They are also involved with a host of campus projects:

Boppell Hall is on schedule for completion by early October. Brickwork is starting this week.
Cowles Auditorium is undergoing replacement of HVAC systems and electrical service. We'll be back in there for the start of school, and it will be cool and comfortable.
The old Leavitt site has been seeded and has begun to "green up" for this school year. If all goes well with the fund-raising for Weyerhaeuser Hall, we'll start putting a building back on that site next summer.
Beyond Hall repairs are under way; the building will be ready for students again in the fall.
McMillan and South Warren are being spruced up as part of our five-year dorm rotation and they'll be ready this fall, too.
We are working on methods of sub-metering in all of the dorms to get the students involved in electrical conservation. This is a direct result of our energy conservation idea contest.
The Fieldhouse will have a new roof and new bleachers before the start of basketball season.
In the less glamorous category, we are upgrading five elevators on campus, as well as our underground primary electrical and natural gas systems.

Athletics

I'm glad to report that Whitworth's Matt Squires was selected in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was the 560th player taken. Congratulations to Matt, a wonderful athlete and person. It's been about a decade since a Whitworth baseball player got drafted.

Whitworth was well represented among the 5,600+ teams competing in Spokane's Hoopfest, the largest three-on-three basketball tournament in the world. I would say at least 30 teams had Whitworth folks on their rosters. Emboldened by their terror-instilling team name, "The Whitworth Faculty," players "Pound-the-Boards" Pecka (Information Resources), "Pogo-Stick" Pyle (Communication Studies), "Sharp-Shooting" Soden (History and Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith and Learning), and "Rotting-Bones" Robinson (president and objective sports reporter) lost their first game (victims of cheating), then gloriously won their next five (fair play) before falling in the semifinals (more cheating). That event is so much fun, and we actually played pretty well for a group of aging academics.

Alumni

Join alumni, staff, parents and friends on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. as the Spokane Indians take on the Yakima Bears in Northwest League baseball action at Avista Stadium. Reserved box-seat tickets are $6 and are available through the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 777-3732.

Homecoming is September 28-30 this year. Check out the web for all the latest additions to the schedule. It will be a wonderful weekend for all alumni to return to the campus. You can tour Boppell Hall, enjoy Pirates football action, and share a country fair picnic with the entire Whitworth family. I'm looking forward to the 10-year reunion for the Class of 1991, held on Saturday night.

Susan (Emery) Hornor, '70, '93 M.Ed., was recently honored by the Association for Direct Instruction as Outstanding Teacher of the Year during the group's conference in Eugene, Oregon. Susan teaches first grade at Evergreen Elementary in Spokane and has done cutting-edge work in adapting direct-instruction teaching concepts for the mainstream classroom (D.I. has long been used in special-education programs).

More than 130 alumni and spouses enjoyed a wonderful weekend of fellowship (and food) during Reunion Weekend 2001 in June. Thirty-one members of the Class of 1951 were honored at their 50th reunion, and I had a chance to speak to everyone in attendance before and after my Hoopfest follies. These weekends are absolutely great. I hope to see many of you next year.

Closing Thoughts

I feel like I should probably send a blanket apology to any of you whom I have neglected this past year. I could not have imagined all that I would be called upon to do as board chair of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce. But it has been a very rewarding experience, and I have seen many opportunities to bring Whitworth's mind and heart values into difficult situations. My tenure concludes in September, and with renewed focus I will plunge into my 16th year as a college president, and my ninth at this great place. Thanks to all of you for upholding our students through your prayers and support. When the challenges of this work make us cower, we remember your faithfulness. And even more, we remember the words with which God commissioned a reluctant Moses to rescue the captive Israelites: "Certainly, I will be with you."