Mind & Heart Newsletter: March 2018
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
Student activism on college campuses is on the rise. Not since the 1960s have we seen students organizing around various issues and vocalizing their concerns like they are today. On important political, social and religious topics, students on all ends of the ideological spectrum are finding their voices. Whitworth has a strong history and tradition of encouraging students to engage on the issues they think are important. The university has long believed that in order to faithfully live out its mind-and-heart mission, its students should be given the agency and freedom to be civically engaged. Thoughtful and faithful engagement is at the root of a successful American democracy. On issues such as military conflict, abortion, equal rights, immigration, gun control and economic policy, just to name a few, it is vitally important for the life of our university and the health of our academic mission that students on all sides of any particular issue learn how to effectively advocate for positions they hold dear. It is also important that students learn how to question their own assumptions and perspectives, listen carefully to those with whom they might disagree, and make cogent and rational arguments to support their claims. I’m proud of the ways Whitworth’s students live into these important responsibilities, and of the mentorship our faculty and staff provide along the way. We’ve been having many conversations recently about what civil discourse looks like on campus and in the larger culture. We don’t always agree, but I sense a renewed commitment to ensure that, to the extent the larger society doesn’t always reflect healthy discourse around complex issues, Whitworth and its citizens will shine brightly as models for others to follow. For more information, I encourage you to follow my President’s Colloquy on Civil Discourse, which can be found at whitworth.edu/colloquy.
Academics
The Whitworth forensics team finished fourth out of 30 schools in the yearlong standings of the Northwest Forensics Conference. The “Arguing Bucs” also won the Oregon State University tournament in February.
Megan Hershey (Political Science), together with five researchers, has received a $25,000 International Collaboration Grant from the Global Religion Research Initiative, funded by the Templeton Foundation. The grant will support research in Tanzania, Uganda and Ghana for a project titled “Shaping Citizenship: Christian Institutions and Urban Youth in Africa.”
Roberta Wilburn (School of Education) and her husband, James, led a workshop for Black History Month called “Let the Drums Sound: Exploring Our Cultural Roots From Africa to America” on Feb. 3 at Spokane’s Shadle Library.
Wendy Bleecker (School of Education) and her students are researching incarceration and youth trauma, examining social and emotional learning strategies to integrate within juvenile detention programs that may increase youth resilience. Spokane County Juvenile Court and Whitworth will partner to provide training in April for all detention center staff to better understand complex trauma and strategies to increase resiliency in youth.
The Arts
The art department and the university’s Bryan Oliver Gallery are proud to present the work of Chandler O’Leary and Jessica Spring in the Re-Sisters: Books & Broadsides exhibit, which features quotes by historical feminists tied to current political and social issues. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays.
The Whitworth Wind Symphony is going on the road! Catch one of several concerts in the Northwest: North Idaho College on March 21 at 7:30 p.m., Clackamas High School on March 22 at noon, Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor on March 23 at 3 p.m., Urban Grace Church in Tacoma on March 24 at 7 p.m. and March 25 at 10:30 a.m., Edmonds Woodway High School in Edmonds on March 27 at 10 a.m., or Hanford High School in Richland on March 28 at 7 p.m. For more information, contact mhannaford@whitworth.edu.
The theatre department will present its spring production, Argonautika, April 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and April 15 at 2 p.m in Cowles Auditorium. Join Jason and the Argonauts on a swashbuckling adventure through the perilous oceans of mythical Greece. Tickets are available whitworth.edu/theatretickets.
Student Life
Baldwin-Jenkins hosted a new event called Friendship Friendzy. Residents submitted activities and topics that interest them as well as fun facts about themselves. The leadership team then grouped students with others who shared similar interests. This event provided meaningful opportunities to form friendships.
Financial Aid
We are glad to be sending financial aid awards to members of the incoming class. Admissions counselors are calling incoming freshmen who have been sent an award. If you have questions, please call the financial aid office at 509.777.3215 or stop by in McEachran Hall. The office is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Families understandably start comparing financial aid awards this time of year. Three things we encourage them to keep in mind are: Focus on the net price after subtracting all aid from the cost of attendance. Remember that graduating in four years from Whitworth is significantly cheaper than graduating in five or more years from a large public university. And the biggest factor in whether students graduate and launch into successful careers is if they are at their best- fit school. Read more at whitworth.edu/affordablevalue.
Incoming freshman and transfer students who have applied for talent awards will begin receiving notification of those awards soon. Talent awards are bestowed in the areas of art, music, theatre, journalism, forensics and Young Life. For specific deadlines and application processes, please visit whitworth.edu/scholarships.
Alumni & Parents
Are you headed to Arizona for spring training this year? Join me and other Pirates to watch the Mariners play the Cubs or make it a doubleheader by watching the Dodgers play the White Sox on Saturday, March 24. Scott McQuilkin, ’84, vice president for institutional advancement and former athletics director and Pirates baseball coach, will be there, too. Visit connect.whitworth.edufor info and to register.
Our spring President’s Leadership Forum on Tuesday, April 24, will feature Katherine Boo, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. Boo is the author of the New York Times best-selling book Behind the Beautiful Forevers, and is dedicated to telling the stories of the poor and disadvantaged through the written word and imagery. Tickets are $35 per individual and $350 per corporate table (10 seats). Online registration and more information is available at whitworth.edu/leadershipforum.
Families of current students, it's nearly time to order Final Exam Survival Kits. Please look for an email with order information in the next few weeks. Surprise your favorite student with one of two great options, which will be ready for student pickup just before finals week in May.
Admissions
Our March 1 priority application deadline for freshmen has passed, but if you know someone who needs an extension, please encourage them to contact the admissions office at 800.533.4668 or admissions admissions@whitworth.edu. Applicants with incomplete files should submit transcripts, letters of recommendation and test scores as soon as possible. The sooner we have a complete file, the sooner we can send admissions decisions and financial aid awards.
Students admitted to our incoming freshman class are encouraged to sign up for our Bucs Bound event April 8-9. Participants will explore academic and co-curricular programs, meet current and future students, get a jump-start on housing and class registration, and compete in the Pirate Price is Right game to win free housing for a year. Plus, seniors who participate in one of our admissions visit events qualify for a $1,000 scholarship. Space is limited, so sign up soon at whitworth.edu/bucsbound
Now is a great time for transfer students to apply for admission and visit campus while classes are still in session. Our free admissions application is available at whitworth.edu/apply.Transfer counselor Ayaka Dohi is happy to coordinate a transcript evaluation, connect students with faculty in their area of academic interest or review financial aid options: adohi@whitworth.eduor 509.777.4626.
The Campaign for Whitworth
Want to know how you can double your donation? Your employer might match the donations you give to Whitworth through their charitable giving programs. Check our database here, ask your employer for details or email whitworthfund@whitworth.eduso we can find out together.
Thanks for participating in One Pine Day, our 24-hour annual giving event held Feb. 21 and 22. It was a major success, with 681 donors giving $120,890 to fully fund six projects on campus. Special thanks to our challenge gift donors, who provided some extra incentive to first-time donors, current parents, and donors from Connecticut to California in the geography challenge. And, we are excited for the Whitworth Gives Facebook and Instagram pages and the new crowdfunding platform at whitworth.edu/crowdfunding, all of which launched as part of this great day!
Sports
The men’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Division III tournament for the 12th straight season after a dramatic 91-88 win over previously unbeaten Whitman College on Feb. 24 in Walla Walla in the NWC tournament championship game. Kyle Roach, ’19, the 2018 NWC Player of the Year, hit a long 3-pointer as time expired to give Whitworth the win. The second-ranked Pirates (24-3) were to play Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on March 2 in the first round of the national tournament back in Walla Walla.
The women’s basketball team finished the season 10-15 overall and 5-11 in the NWC. Camy Aguinaldo, ’21, was selected as the NWC Freshman of the Year by league coaches. Madison Moffat, ’19, and Grace Douglas, ’18, received honorable mention consideration.
The men’s swimming team won the 2018 Northwest Conference title in dominating fashion, claiming the trophy with a 176-point margin of victory. Patrick Wilber, ’18, set two Northwest Conference records while winning the 100 and 200 backstrokes. Ryan Grady, ’21, earned the NWC Freshman of the Year award after conference titles in the 400 individual medley and the 200 breaststroke. Owen Lempert, ’20, broke his own NWC record while winning the 50 freestyle and also won the 100 breaststroke. The Pirates claimed their 15th NWC crown in the last 17 seasons.
Hannah Galbraith, ’20, led the Whitworth women’s swimming team to a fifth-place finish at the NWC championships after the Pirates finished sixth in the dual meet season. She was the winner of the 200 backstroke and runner-up in the 100 backstroke.
The indoor track & field season is coming to a close and the Pirates have set some school records. Kameha Medallada, ’19, set a school record in the 200 dash during a meet at Seattle Pacific. Kayla Leland, ’18, looks to be headed back to the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships.
The spring sports are off with baseball, softball and tennis all having competed.
Closing Thoughts
I’m writing this on an airplane flying to Los Angeles to meet with a longtime financial donor. My job provides me with the great privilege of visiting with people who love Whitworth and want to be generous in supporting all that we are doing. Frankly, we couldn’t be the Whitworth we are today without the generosity of so many. To that end, I want to thank all of you who participated in Whitworth’s #OnePineDay. So many important projects were supported, and many of you gave your very first financial gift to Whitworth in the process. God bless you, and may God continue to bless this special place we all love. Have a great March!
