Mind & Heart Newsletter: April 2017

An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor

Who remembers the Canon Rebel ads starring 1990s tennis bad boy and heartthrob Andre Agassi? They ended with the famous line, "Image is everything!" Most marketing appeals would have us believe that our images (and lives) would be better if only we used the right products and services. And social media accentuates the importance of image – our self-portraits on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram contribute to the contrived identities that we so desperately want the world to believe. Most of us are, undoubtedly, in the image-making business.

During Lent, I've been reading the Psalms – and I've noticed the heartfelt and honest way in which the psalmists bring their whole selves to the verses – joy and happiness, fear and anxiety, sin and depravity, hope and victory, lament and failure. The writers hide no truth from God about what is really going on in their hearts and lives. There's no concern about creating or protecting a false and distorted image. How can they be confident enough to bring their whole selves to these verses?

Psalm 139 gives us a clue. Rather than trying to be an image-maker, the writer seeking to be an image-bearer, carrying the image of one who is intimately known by God, whom God relentlessly pursues, whom God lovingly and uniquely created and whom God will ultimately deliver. And in recognizing these truths, the psalmist bears the image of Christ.

Image is everything. It's not our image, but Christ's image in us, that is our all-in-all. As we approach Holy Week, let's rejoice in knowing that we can bring our whole selves, our true selves, to God through Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection. Image-making is exhausting and ultimately debilitating. Image-bearing reveals our true identities and testifies to God's love for us. I pray that this Easter season is meaningful for you.

Academics

Athletic training students Megan McCart and Tyler Harris, both '17, and David Whitmore, '18, placed third in the Student Quiz Bowl at the Northwest Athletic Trainers Association Annual Meeting.

Whitworth took second place at the National Christian College Forensics Association National Tournament. Sara Muscente, '19, and Rylee Walter, '18, are national champions in junior varsity debate.

A group of our computer science majors recently mentored 60 Spokane-area high school students at a hackathon (a computer science educational program).

Aaron Putzke (Biology) was elected a counselor for the biology division of the Council on Undergraduate Research.

Nathan Moyer (Math & Computer Science) contributed a chapter, "Connecting Mathematics Students to Philosophy," to Using the Philosophy of Mathematics in Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics.

Michael Rempe (Math & Computer Science) presented at the American Mathematical Society regional meeting on a mathematical model of sleep changes induced by shift work.

Scott Bingham and Marika Witt, both '18, were accepted into prestigious summer research experiences for undergraduates (at the Ohio State University and Rochester Institute of Technology, respectively). Both are mathematical economics majors.

Led by Megan Hershey (Political Science) and Grant Casady (Biology), Whitworth students in Tanzania this semester are learning Swahili, conducting biology labs, and studying East African politics, conservation biology, and policy.

Debbie Tully, Stacy Hill, Doreen Keller, and Keith Lambert (School of Education) presented "Achieving the Promise of Independent Liberal Arts Teacher Preparation" at the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education conference.

Lori Johnson and Debbie Tully (School of Education) presented on Collaborative Schools for Innovation and Success at the National Association of Professional Development Schools conference, in Washington, D.C.

Kira Austin (Education) co-authored "Participation of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in extracurricular activities," published in Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 52(1).

The Arts

The Whitworth Wind Symphony will celebrate 20 years under the baton of Richard Strauch with a performance on Friday evening, April 28, at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox in downtown Spokane. Tickets are $7, $5 for seniors, and free for students.

The Bryan Oliver Gallery (Lied Art Center) presents its 2017 Senior Exhibition, featuring works by art and graphic design majors, from April 11 to May 20. (Opening reception: Tuesday, April 11, 5-7 p.m.; closing reception: Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m.-noon.)

Piano students of Whitworth faculty members Ivana Cojbasic and Judith Schoepflin participated in the Spokane Music Teachers Adjudications. Geoff Rich and Peter Underhill, both '18; Devan McAllister, Emily Myhre and Caitlin Thomas, all '19; and Sydney Gates, Jeb McGlinchy and Esther Tsai, all '20, were selected to perform in the collegiate honors recital.

Student Life

March was crazy busy, with diverse offerings for students. The Blind Pilot concert, the Unplugged coffeehouse, Diversity Monologues, the refugee fund-raiser for World Relief, Arend Hall's Spring and Shout dance, the off-campus roller-skating party, and Cash for Trash, a trivia contest, added to March's slate of fun activities. And during Spring Break we sponsored several outdoor rec and service-learning trips.

Financial Aid

We have sent more than 2,300 freshman financial aid award notices for 2017-18 to the incoming Class of 2021. We will continue to send notices weekly. If you are an admitted incoming freshman and haven't received notice of your financial aid award, please contact the financial aid office at 509.777.3215.

We will soon begin sending award notices to current students who have submitted a 2017-18 FAFSA. All students are encouraged to check Pirate Port for information regarding which of your documents have been received and which might still be missing.

Alumni & Parents

Spokane-area alums, join us for Alumni Afterhours at Iron Goat Brewing on April 19! Register today at connect.whitworth.edu.

Parents, to order Spring Exam Survival Kits and Fruit Bags for students, visit connect.whitworth.edu/survivalspring2017before April 26. Questions? Contact parents@whitworth.edu or 509.777.3772.

Whitworthians in Portland, are you more creative than a fifth grader? We've got a great event for you on April 28! Join Forrest Baird (Philosophy) and Kathryn Picanco (School of Education) for an afternoon of conceptual blockbusting and downright fun. More information at connect.whitworth.edu.

If you're in the D.C. Metro area and you love baseball, join Whitworthians on May 23 as the Nationals play the Mariners. Secure your spot at connect.whitworth.edu.

Families of graduating students can pre-order Commencement 2017 DVDs now. Visit connect.whitworth.edu/commencement2017dvd.

Admissions

May 1 is the deadline for prospective Whitworth freshmen to submit an enrollment deposit to hold a spot in the Class of 2021. 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 at www.whitworth.edu/visit for a Bucs Bound admitted-student event or a Why Whitworth Day.

Now is the time for transfer students to apply for fall. Go to www.whitworth.edu/apply and click on the Whitworth Transfer Application button. We're excited about our new Pirate Pathways program, which provides transfer students with a simplified application process, quarterly advising, four-year degree plans for most majors, and guaranteed admission for students with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher. Learn more and sign up at www.whitworth.edu/piratepathways.

High school juniors are invited to our Pirate Preview visit event May 7-8. In addition to providing campus tours, class visits, residence-hall overnights, and the opportunity to meet current students, Pirate Preview explores your academic interests and professional calling. Whitworth does a great job of supporting students on this journey. Sign up at www.whitworth.edu/piratepreview.

The Campaign for Whitworth

A student's life can change in one day. You can make all the difference for Whitworth students by participating in our annual Day of Giving. Make your gift between 9 a.m. on April 25 and 9 a.m. on April 26 and provide life-changing opportunities for students. Watch your inbox for more information.

Whitworth Serves

A Whitworth alumnus supports Denver's homeless population through his work at the St. Francis Center. He also volunteers as a Big Brother, mentoring local youth. He serves "because Jesus served and I want to emulate His life as He enables me to." Join hundreds of alumni and parents who serve, and share your story at www.whitworth.edu/whitworthserves.

Sports

Whitworth's track-and-field student-athletes look great. Kayla Leland and Kayla Brase, both '17, qualified for the NCAA Division III indoor championships, and Leland earned All-America honors in both the 800 meters and the mile run. Andrew Bloom, '17, the defending NCAA Division III champion in the outdoor javelin throw, has the best throw in the nation so far this year. Whitworth will host the NWC championships on April 20-21. We'd love to have your support at the meet!

Softball is battling for an NWC title despite the fact that poor weather has kept the team from playing a single home game so far. Whitworth is 17-5 overall and 8-2 in the NWC. Pitcher/first base Madi Perez, '17, is 10-1 so far this year on the mound. She has also played and hit well during her first-base starts. Michelle Silva, '18, and Shannon Wessel, '18, have four home runs each.

With our sloppy weather limiting home games, baseball is struggling to find its groove in NWC play. The Pirates' overall record is 13-10. With a little help from the weather gods, the Bucs can still qualify for the conference tournament at the end of the year. First baseman Matthew Nelson, '17, leads the NWC with 31 RBIs and eight home runs.

Golf is gearing up for the NWC Spring Classic (April 1-2) and the NWC tournament (April 21-22). Michal Schuster, '17, returned from study abroad last fall in fine form, finishing second in the individual standings in the team's first outing.
Bella Hoyos, '17, is having an outstanding season in women's tennis. As the No. 1 player on the ladder, she has a 6-3 record for the Pirates, who are 3-6 overall and 3-4 in the NWC. Hoyos has also gone 6-3 in doubles, playing with four different partners. She and Jennifer Adams, '18, are 3-0 as the No. 1 pair.

In a season front-loaded with some very difficult opponents, the men's tennis team is 2-8. Jeffrey Vulis, '17, has five individual victories, mostly at No. 4 and No. 5 on the ladder.

Men's basketball made its 11th straight trip to the NCAA Div. III tournament and fell to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) in the first round. Kenny Love and Christian Jurlina, both '17, were named Second Team All-Region by D3hoops.com, and Love was invited to play in the NABC Division III All-Star Game, in Salem, Va.

Eben Schumann, '19, qualified for the NCAA Div. III Swimming and Diving Championships, in Texas. He competed in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyles, as well as in the 100-yard butterfly.

Closing Thoughts

I never tire of watching the seasons come and go in Spokane. After a particularly long winter, spring has sprung! One sign is the beginning of pine-cone-catching season. Two seniors proudly reported their pine-cone successes to me this week. I expect I'll see more activity on The Loop as the days get warmer and more cones begin to fall. Life is never dull at Whitworth!