Ahead of our recent commencement ceremonies, Dr. Randy Michaelis shared with me an article by C.S. Lewis, written during a tumultuous time of world conflict, in which Lewis commended students for the pursuit of learning when the world was so unsettled. Our students had options, too, and pandemic circumstances certainly made life, and an education, more challenging than anyone would have expected. There were plenty of noble ways in which our students could have spent their time instead of in classes, doing research and taking exams. Our students persisted despite the headwinds. We are immensely proud of our 600-plus graduates, undergraduate and graduate, who crossed the Pine Bowl stage in mid-May, the result of those educational pursuits during trying times. Their smiles, and the joy expressed by their friends and families, remind me and our faculty and staff what a gift it is to contribute to this transformative Whitworth experience, one that shapes our students in mind, heart and service.

In three years, a new group of Whitworth graduates will cross the stage, ones freshly minted with doctorates in physical therapy and occupational therapy. These two programs will enroll their first cohorts of students this coming fall, educated and trained in the state-of-the-art Dana & David Dornsife Health Sciences Building. We are thrilled to be launching these new programs. I invite you to read more about this and other fantastic developments at Whitworth.

1. In April, Whitworth got a glimpse of what our doctoral students will experience this fall when we dedicated the Dornsife Health Sciences Building, named in honor of philanthropists and humanitarians Dana and David Dornsife, who pledged $10 million in 2020 to support Whitworth's health science programs. Trustees, community members, faculty, staff and students toured the various innovative clinical spaces and labs while enjoying a student string quartet. Faculty members have settled into their new offices, and students in the master of science in athletic training program, who also now call the health sciences building home, were already working in the lab this spring. I am also pleased to share that our doctor of occupational therapy program has been granted candidacy status by the professional accrediting body the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), allowing Whitworth to admit students for the inaugural class.
2. Two new Whitworth graduates will be heading overseas soon to teach English on prestigious Fulbright scholarships. Congratulations to Meghan Kunz '22 (history/social studies and secondary education) and Aaron Slape '22 (English and secondary education)! Kunz will be teaching in Germany, and Slape will be teaching in Taiwan.
3. The forensics team wrapped up another outstanding season. In March, the team won the National Christian College Forensics Association's national tournament for the fifth year in a row. Jericho Simone '22 was the tournament's top overall competitor, and Aidan Hollister '23 placed second. In April, the team took fifth place at the International Public Debate Association's national tournament. In addition, Simone and Chauncella Koulibali '22 were two of 12 students nationwide to be named to the American Forensics Association's All-American Team. Way to go, Arguing Bucs!
4. For the third straight year, Whitworth has been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society's Transfer Honor Roll, an honor related to the support and success of transfer students. We are pleased to offer transfer students a simplified application process, transfer-credit evaluations, transfer-specific visit opportunities, and personalized attention from a transfer admissions counselor. Learn more about our admission process and deadlines at whitworth.edu/transfer.
5. In March, 10 alumni from three states traveled to Spokane to meet with 29 students for a one-day Career Trek. Alumni guests shared about their industries and roles and gave helpful insights to students exploring similar fields. Students had the opportunity to gather in small groups with the guests to seek their expert advice and build meaningful connections.
6. Thanks to generous One Pine Day donors, the Whitworth Counseling Center opened a relaxation center for students. Equipped with a massage chair, cozy nooks, relaxation music, a biofeedback machine, and more, the space is designed to decrease students' stress and anxiety.
7. A full slate of guest speakers and artists visited campus for in-person events this spring, many of whom provided students with diverse perspectives that challenge the status quo. Guests included Danielle Evans, Dominique DuBois Gilliard, Dwayne Hunt, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Natasha T. Miller, Willa C. Richards and Randy Woodley.
8. We continue to expand our offerings and outreach to military and veteran students. In March, the KXLY 4 News Now Extreme Team made wonderful improvements to our Military & Veterans Resource Center. The MAVRC now includes an ADA compliant ramp and additional outdoor amenities. Thank you, Extreme Team! In April, seven of our students – five veterans and two ROTC cadets – got a once-in-a- lifetime chance to accompany war veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and visit the memorials built in their honor. Our students' trips were made possible by One Pine Day 2021 donors. I am delighted to share that our efforts to support military-connected students are being noticed, and Whitworth was named as a 2022-2023 Top-Ten Military Friendly® School by Viqtory Media.
9. The Women's Leadership Network and Whitworth Graduate Studies in Business have partnered to offer a new program called Elevate: Leadership Certificate for Women. This three-course series is designed to develop participants' personal and professional leadership skills and facilitate connections for support and networking. Participants may sign up for just one or two courses and earn separate course badges, or complete all three and earn a certificate badge. Learn more and register at whitworth.edu/elevate.
10. I couldn't be more pleased about the leadership appointments we have announced this spring. Many long-serving Whitworth staff and faculty members have moved into new roles. On the academic side, we have two new deans in John Pell (College of Arts & Sciences) and Brooke Kiener '99 (School of Continuing Studies & graduate admissions). Additionally, Professor of Philosophy Joshue Orozco has been named Whitworth's first associate dean of diversity, equity & inclusion. We have also announced three new directors of key centers and offices: Mindy Smith '98 (Office of Church Engagement), Meredith Devey (Dornsife Center for Community Engagement), and Whitworth newcomer David Henreckson (Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning). Finally, I am grateful to have Stacey Kamm Smith '86 (vice president for institutional advancement), Nancy Hines M.A. '22 (associate vice president, university marketing & communications), and Ariane Mondragón Oglesbee '04 (chief human resources officer) join my cabinet permanently.
11. Whitworth's Polynesian Club hosted its long-awaited 50th anniversary celebration lū'au, which had been postponed since 2020. Sodexo served lū'au food to alumni, family members, other guests and students in the dining hall. After dinner, students performed a variety of songs and dances in the fieldhouse. These performances represented cultures spanning the South Pacific, including Hawai'i, Samoa, Tahiti and New Zealand.
12. The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble played with composer and jazz band leader Maria Schneider at the Fox Theater. The performance with the seven-time Grammy winner marked the 33rd and final Guest Artist Jazz Concert under the helm of retiring Professor of Music Dan Keberle.
13. The Whitworth Office of Church Engagement has received a nearly $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund the Grounded Faith Initiative in partnership with the Parish Collective. This collaboration is focused on connecting church congregations with young adults to launch new neighborhood ministries. Starting this summer, the program will equip churches in five cities around the country to connect with young adults.
14. Whitworth had the honor of presenting Elaine Couture, Providence Health & Services' retired executive vice president and regional chief executive for Washington and Montana, with the university's Distinguished Leader Award. Her leadership provides our students with an inspiring example of serving in healthcare with mind, heart and soul.
15. Whitworth Athletics' winter and spring sports seasons were marked by several highlights. Men's basketball shared the 2022 Northwest Conference crown and won the NWC tournament for the 14th time in school history, earning the team another appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. Men's swimming won its fourth straight NWC championship and 18th in the last 21 years. Ryan Grady '22 was the co-NWC men's swimmer of the meet and went on to finish fourth in the nation in the 200-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Div. III Championships. Amelia Hewson '23 qualified for the NCAA Div. III Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 60-meter hurdles after breaking her own school record. She went on to win the 100 hurdles at the NWC championships, setting a conference record in the event. Both of Whitworth's golf teams finished second in the NWC standings, while the women's tennis team reached the NWC tournament final for the second straight season.
16. Whitworth Athletics welcomes two new head coaches, both former standout Pirate athletes. Kenny Love '17 has been named women's basketball coach after serving as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team since 2017. While playing for the Pirates, Love was the 2015 NWC Player of the Year and a third team All-American. Cameron Bushéy '12 will join us this fall as the women's soccer coach. Bushéy had a stellar career playing for the men's soccer team under his father, Sean Bushéy.

In my blessing and charge to graduates at our baccalaureate service, I highlighted the four key verbs that close our mission statement – equip, honor, follow and serve. Through a Whitworth experience, we can be confident of our graduates' equipping. That was our role. As for how they will lead lives that honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity, we have great confidence they will do that well. Having observed our students and knowing their gifts, talents and passions, you can be confident, too. Would you please consider a gift this month to support the enrollment and retention of bright and talented students who would benefit from a Whitworth experience? Gifts to the Whitworth Scholarship Fund, ones of any size, provide access and close the financial gap for our worthy students. Please visit whitworth.edu/give to make a gift.