Mind & Heart Newsletter: April 2013

An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor

Moving toward adversity or the unknown is rarely our first reaction. Many of us watched in horror when, during the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, University of Louisville guard Kevin Ware broke his leg in one of the worst sports injuries anyone has ever seen. Ware, a star player for the Cardinals, attempted to block an opponent's shot, came down awkwardly, and suffered a compound fracture of his lower leg. The whole world watched as Ware writhed in pain in front of the Louisville bench, his disfigured limb immediately signaling to all that he was in real trouble. My first reaction was to recoil in fear and revulsion from the replay – I covered my eyes. The replay also showed everyone on Louisville's bench moving away from their injured teammate – the sight of such a horrific injury was too much for them, and they headed for the exits. Everyone, that is, except Luke Hancock. Hancock, one of Louisville's team captains, was the only player who immediately went to Ware's side – it was remarkable to watch as Hancock's first instinct was to jump off the bench and run toward his broken teammate, despite the gruesome scene. As was reported after the game, Hancock whispered words of comfort and encouragement in his fallen comrade's ears. He prayed for his teammate right there as others were so visibly upset they had to keep their distance. Hancock told Ware, "The Lord does everything for a reason, and He will get us through this." Wow. That's real leadership – and heartfelt compassion. Leaders have an uncanny knack for leaning into problems or difficult situations, rather than turning away. When it would be easier to run from the unknown, or to avoid circumstances that would cause others to head for the hills, leaders find opportunities to face facts and to be courageous. This university president was reminded by a college junior what it means to be a courageous leader, and I'm grateful. Thanks to Luke Hancock, and prayers for Kevin Ware. Go Cards!

Academics

Join us as we welcome the dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and prolific early-childhood education scholar Kathleen McCartney to the President's Leadership Forum. The forum, at the Spokane Convention Center April 24 from 4-6 p.m., will focus on McCartney's address, "Investing in Education Reforms that Work." A panel discussion will follow, featuring Superintendent of Spokane Public Schools Shelley Redinger, President and CEO of Thrive by Five Nina Auerbach, Washington State Student Achievement Council Member Jay Reich, and . . . me! Admission is free, and you can register at www.whitworth.edu/leadershipforum.

Our Athletic Training Quiz Bowl team won first place among 10 programs at the District 10 Northwest Athletic Trainer's Association annual meeting and clinical symposium. This marks our second straight Quiz Bowl win. Congratulations to our team, which will go on to compete at the National Athletic Trainers Association meeting this June. Congratulations also to Vicki Reardon, '14, who was awarded the highly competitive $1,500 Naseby Rhinehart Scholarship at the District 10 meeting.

Jonathan Moo (Theology) recently delivered a plenary lecture, "The Biblical Basis for Creation Care," at The Lausanne Global Consultation on Creation Care and the Gospel. The meeting brought together participants from 23 countries to address the issues of creation care and the role of the church alongside interlinked issues of justice, poverty and reconciliation.

Gordon Wilson (Art) supervised the painting of a 17' x 40' mural based on Harold Balazs' design for the current Modern Architecture exhibit at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Gordon's work has been included in five group exhibits and one solo exhibit (Tinman Gallery) over the past six months, and will be included in the Art Spirit Gallery exhibit 13 Artists April 12-May 4 in Coeur d'Alene.

Five history majors recently had papers accepted by Phi Alpha Theta, the history honorary society, and will travel to the regional conference in Portland with Arlin Migliazzo and Dale Soden (History). Arlin and Dale are also presenting papers that weekend, at the American Society of Church History conference. In addition, history faculty member Rafaela Acevedo-Field won a study grant for this summer at the Huntington Library, in San Marino, Calif.

The Arts

The Whitworth University Jazz Ensemble was named an outstanding band at Chicago's Elmhurst Jazz Festival. The group was part of the opening act for the Saturday-night concert that featured the world-famous Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra. Panelists Byron Stripling, Dennis Mackrel and Bobby Floyd, all jazz greats, wrote that they were "truly inspired" by the ensemble's work and called the group's appearance "a festival highlight."

Jared Hall, '08, earned first-place honors in the jazz soloist division at the National Trumpet Competition. Jared, who studied with Whitworth Jazz Ensemble Director Dan Keberle, is earning his doctorate from the Henry Mancini Institute at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.

Broadway Unbound is coming up May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3. This is a real draw each spring: Audiences love seeing the innovative, high-quality work being done in the classrooms of the Whitworth Theatre and Dance Department.

Student Life

March began with the weekend BELIEF program, which brings at-risk high-school students to campus to encourage them to adopt the goal of attending college. National Eating Disorders Week was also on the agenda, and, again, students initiated programs and panels throughout the week to address this difficult issue. Missions Week came next, sponsored by the Global Servants for Christ club. Students talked with missions organizations at the mission fair, and speakers and panels filled the week. Finally, students, faculty and staff organized conversations around the theatre department's production of The Laramie Project. More than 700 students attended the show and the talk-back sessions and panels that followed, all dealing with the issue of how to address bias and hatred. Student organizers have done a fabulous job of highlighting these important topics within the community. Julie and I attended the production and one of the talk-back sessions, and it was truly inspiring.

Alumni & Parents

Final Exam Survival Kits are available for order until noon on April 22. Surprise your favorite Whitworth student with one of two great options, which will be ready for their pick-up just before finals week, in May. To order, visit www.whitworth.edu/alumni/forms/birthday.

The Class of 2013 is preparing to celebrate Commencement Weekend, May 17-19. Congratulations to our almost-graduates and to their families, all of whom will be celebrating soon! For information, visit www.whitworth.edu/commencement. Whitworth sends our students off as well as we welcome them during Orientation. You don't want to miss any of these events, I promise.

Commencement Weekend reunions for the classes of '53, '63 and '73 are just around the corner. Alums who graduated in 1973 and earlier are invited to join us on campus May 17-19. We will also honor our 2013 Alumni Award winners at the Saturday-evening banquet. You may still register for this weekend of celebration, but please hurry! Visit www.whitworth.edu/reunions or contact the alumni office at 509.777.3799 or alumni@whitworth.edu.

Admissions & Financial Aid

May 1 is the deadline to submit an enrollment deposit and hold a spot in the Class of 2017. We're not sure how many late deposits we'll be able to accept, so interested students should be sure to get theirs in by the deadline. The $350 deposit can be paid online at www.whitworth.edu/enrollmentdeposit. Still on the fence? Spring is a great time to make a campus visit. Sign up for a "Why Whitworth?" event or schedule an individual visit online at www.whitworth.edu/visit. Questions? Contact us at admissions@whitworth.edu or 800.533.4668.

Incoming freshmen who are confirmed after May 1 should expect a mid-May phone call from the admissions office to schedule a class-registration appointment. These phone appointments with faculty advisors will take place in late May and early June and will walk students through the registration process. A guide will be sent to each student to prepare her/him for the call.

Now is a great time for transfer students to apply for fall. Go to www.whitworth.edu/apply and click on the "Whitworth transfer application" button. Every year we enroll more than 100 transfer students – ranging from those who have completed a semester of college to those who already have their associate's degrees – and we're thankful for the many ways these students enrich our community. Transfer Counselor Brian Parker is available to answer questions and offer advice at bparker@whitworth.edu or 509.777.4768.

Resources

On April 1 (no fooling!), we celebrated Tuition Freedom Day, the symbolic point in the school year after which tuition no longer covers the cost of a Whitworth education. Members of our Student Philanthropy Council shared the message that their Whitworth experience is underwritten by people like you. One of the most important things we communicate to our students is the fact that without the support of alumni, parents and friends of the university, tuition costs would soar, and opportunities they've enjoyed might not exist. They – and we – are extremely grateful. As our seniors graduate next month, they know how important it is for them to support their alma mater.

Costa Rica

Director Lindy Scott writes that "President Beck Taylor, Interim Provost Barb Sanders and other key administrators recently visited the CRC, where they were able to talk to professors and students, visit internship sites and enjoy a meal with host families. They returned to Spokane with new ideas of how students and faculty can incorporate the Costa Rica experience into their overall Whitworth experience…. From April 20-28, our students and faculty will visit Cuba. We'll meet a variety of people including Christian leaders, artists and musicians, teachers, and Havana's city planner. Patrick Van Inwegen, Fernando Montero and I will lead students in an exploration of the political, economic, social and artistic realities of Cuba today." Pura vida, Señor Lindy!

Campus Ministry

Mark your calendar now for the Whitworth Institute of Ministry, July 8-12. "For Such a Time as This: Ancient Christian Wisdom for Postmodern Times," will focus on the changing landscape of ministry in troubled times of rapid change. Carolyn Gordon, James K.A. Smith, Jerry Sittser, Karen Petersen-Finch, and Jim Edwards, '67, will help us renew the rhythms, practices and disciplines of the church in helping Christians remain faithful to Christ and each other. Visit www.whitworth.edu/wim for more information.

Sports

After leading Whitworth to a second straight 26-4 season, Pirate Men's Basketball Head Coach Matt Logie was a finalist for the Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year award. Men's basketball reached the Div. III Sweet 16 for the fifth time, and Pirate fans enjoyed three NCAA playoff games at home, where the team thrilled fans with three terrific efforts.

Women's basketball won the NWC tournament to reach the NCAA Div. III playoffs. The Pirates traveled all the way across the continent to take on Emory University in Atlanta.

Track & field is on pace to do well at our conference championships and send several athletes to nationals. Kerry Wright, '16, broke the women's school record in the javelin with a throw of more than 149 feet, and Carter Comito, '13, leads all of Div. III in the discus.

Men's golf finished third at the prestigious West Cup against many of the best teams from the region. Oliver Rudnicki, '16, was the top individual finisher. The Pirates lead the NWC heading into the Spring Classic and the NWC tournament.

Women's golf traveled to Hawaii to take on Hawaii Pacific and Willamette, finishing second. Emily Guthrie, '13, was the medalist; she will lead the Pirates into the NWC Spring Classic and the NWC tournament this month.

Men's tennis split a pair of matches on a trip to California and is currently 5-11 heading into the final three weeks of the season. Drew Brigham, '16, leads the Bucs with six singles victories.

Women's tennis went 1-2 on its trip to SoCal, defeating Caltech but falling to nationally ranked MIT and Westmont. Megan Wingfield, '13, leads the Pirates with eight singles victories. The Bucs are 6-7.

Softball has gone 12-4 since a 6-10 start; the team went 3-3 during its trip to Florida to take on tough Div. III competition. Jamie Brunner, '13, was recently selected NWC Player of the Week; she leads the team in nearly every offensive category. Whitworth can finish as high as third place in the NWC standings heading into the conference tournament.

Baseball is struggling with key injuries. The Bucs are currently looking to break a six-game losing streak that has dropped their record to 9-14-1. However, Tyler Pfeffer, '14, is putting together another All America-type season, and he ranks among NWC leaders in batting average and RBIs.

Closing Thoughts

Our two high schoolers, Zach and Lauren, were in Central America on mission trips, so six-year-old Chloe got some special attention from Mom and Dad during Easter. On Good Friday, Julie and I were talking with Chloe about Christ's death and resurrection, teaching her the "He is risen; He is risen, indeed!" responsive liturgy. I explained carefully, using my sweet little-people voice, why Jesus died on the cross, and what it means that Christ defeated death. Chloe cocked her head and thought for a moment. After a few seconds, she said, "That's hard to believe." No truer words have ever been spoken. The disciple Thomas got a bad rap, I think. I'm pretty sure I would have been looking for evidence, too. But Jesus' gracious response to Thomas's questioning leads me to believe that we can embrace our doubts and share them with God. He's not afraid of our questioning, nor should we be. Jesus is risen, and that means he's big enough to take on our doubts and fears. I pray that the remaining days in April will be full of hope and promise for you.