Mind & Heart Newsletter: May 2017

An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor

I'm finishing my seventh year as Whitworth's president. What an incredible privilege and journey! That means this is my 70th Mind & Heart newsletter. I can think of no better way to acknowledge this milestone than to sing the praises of the woman whose tremendous skill and dedication have been the backbone of this publication – and of so many other projects at Whitworth – since President Emeritus Bill Robinson began this monthly newsletter, in 1993. Terry Mitchell's incredible skill and devotion in compiling and editing the content in Mind & Heart have helped Bill and me to communicate effectively with all of you, and, more important, to express eloquently the pillars of Whitworth's mission. Simply put, Terry – who will retire this month, after 34 years at Whitworth – edits almost everything I write, and in doing so, she helps me to communicate more effectively and persuasively what's in my heart. I will be eternally grateful, as will Bill, who wrote, "Terry not only helped me with Mind & Heart, she edited 99 percent of all the public messages I wrote. She had to do it, because as far as I know, she was the only person at Whitworth who shared my twisted sense of humor and grammar fetish. In fact, when I asked her to review a rewrite on Leading People from the Middle, she did a much better job than the first publisher had done. My biggest compliments came when people suspected her of being the real writer of Mind & Heart. While she never did the actual writing, she always made me a better writer. For that and more, I pay deep, affectionate tribute to a dear friend with whom I released 169 issues of Mind & Heart and never split an infinitive!" Terry, on behalf of Bill and me, thank you for all you've meant to us, and to the Whitworth family. God bless you!

Academics

At Giveapalooza, a one-day event hosted by Beyond the Pines, Whitworth's student-run public-relations agency, students spent the day working on PR projects including logo redesigns, transferring a website to a new platform, and creating social-media strategies. Whitworth's Dornsife Center for Community Engagement donated $100 to United Way for every project completed.

Mike Ingram (Communication Studies) published "In Defense of Topic Disclosure" in the spring 2017 issue of Journal of the International Public Debate Association, and "How Do We Respond to and Create Opportunities for Constructive, Passionate Dialogue in the Classroom?" in the March 2017 issue of Ethica.

Forensics took third in the yearlong standings of the International Public Debate Association (from among more than 135 schools). James Eccles, '17, was the second-ranked debate speaker from more than 420 students who competed in IPDA this season, and the team won more than 325 individual and 16 team awards.

Marc A. Robinson (History) was elected to the board of directors of the Association of Washington Historians, a group that includes historians from two- and four-year higher education institutions throughout the state.

Students in John Larkin's physics course Near Space Research launched their experiments with a weather balloon on May 4.

The theology department is adding two new master's programs: The M.A. in Christian ministry prepares students for a range of ministries centered on traditional, church community or chaplaincy; the M.A. in mission & culture prepares church planters, leaders in nonprofit organizations, and pastors called to serve specifically at the boundary line between church and world. More information about these programs is available online at www.whitworth.edu/gradtheology.

The Arts

Ben Brody (Music) led an effort that resulted in a new e-collection of 46 hymns, titled Singing Welcome: Hymns and Songs of Hospitality to Refugees and Immigrants. The publication is available for free download at www.thehymnsociety.org.

Student Life

April and May are months of creative activities and events at Whitworth! Elections came first: Congratulations to newly elected ASWU President Jeff Debray, Executive Vice President Dylan Reyes, and Financial Vice President Shaun Fisher, all '18. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion sponsored a Top Chef competition, ASWU sponsored the Second-Chance Prom, and traditional events such as the Duvall Drive-In and Warren Peace rounded out the month. Earth Week events included efforts by Sustainability Coordinator Whit Jester, '17, and the Kipos Gardening Club, which now boasts chickens, bees and honey! And the Hawai'ian Club hosted its fabulous annual lu'au and dance show, during which yours truly shook his hips. We wrapped up the semester with Pirate Idol, the final show of the Unplugged talent show series (hosted by Cool Whip), and Springfest, which featured food trucks, a spikeball tournament, and a performance by Johnnyswim.

Financial Aid

Returning students who have filed the FAFSA will begin to receive their financial aid awards electronically in early June.Students can confirm our receipt of their 2017-18 FAFSA and any missing documents by checking Pirate Port under "My Access: Missing and Received Documents." Academic scholarships are automatically renewed as long as the student is making satisfactory academic progress.

The deadline for completion of the billing information form for fall term is late June. If you have not signed up for a 12-month payment plan, there are 10-and 9-month payment plans available. Questions? Call a member of our great student accounting services staff at 800.535.4668.

Alumni & Parents

Spokane-area Whitworthians, join us June 18 for a casual event on Green Bluff. We'll be at Big Barn Brewing Co. & Bodacious Berries for a gathering featuring live music, great food, fresh berries and brews. For more information and to register, visit connect.whitworth.edu.

Families of incoming students, Summer Sendoffs are coming! Whitworth will host casual gatherings throughout the West this summer for members the Class of 2021 and their families. Check www.whitworth.edu/summersendoffs for information and to see if there will be a sendoff in your region, and watch your email for updates. Questions? Contact us at parents@whitworth.eduor 509.777.3772.

Whitworth will be in San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, and other venues this summer. Alumni and parents will gather for baseball games and beach days across the country. Check connect.whitworth.edu for an event in your area.

The Alumni Discovery Project is back for its fifth year. Alums, if you're invited to join one of our 18 student ambassadors for a conversation this summer, we hope you'll accept. For more information, visit www.whitworth.edu/alumni/discovery.

Have you marked your calendar for Homecoming 2017? Come celebrate Oct. 6-8! Alumni from the classes of 1957 and earlier, as well as from 1967, '77, '87, '97, 2007 and '12, we hope you'll join us for your milestone reunions. All alums who have participated in Young Life are also invited to participate in special reunion events throughout the weekend. If you'd like to help plan your class events, contact alumni@whitworth.edu today. Registration opens in July.

Admissions

Incoming first-year and transfer students, expect a call from an admissions counselor by the end of May to set up phone appointments with faculty advisors to register for fall classes. Go to www.whitworth.edu/admittedstudents and click on "Plan Your Classes" for a great registration guide. You'll love connecting with our professors.

Student accounts will be sending out information on June 12 about completing the enrollment billing form. Please let us know by June 30 how you plan to pay next year's bill. Questions? Call us at 509.777.4319.

Incoming freshmen must have a final transcript from their high school sent to the Whitworth Admissions Office. This allows us to disburse federal financial aid to eligible students.

We'll send out information about residence-hall assignments and roommates by July 15. If you submitted your deposit to enroll for fall and you haven't submitted your housing preference form, it's time. Go to www.whitworth.edu/housingpreference. Questions? Contact housing@whitworth.edu.

The Campaign for Whitworth

Your support is significant and always meaningful. Give to Whitworth's scholarship fund today at www.whitworth.edu/give, and help change a student's life forever.

There are many ways to give, and we've added a new one. If you choose to include Whitworth in your estate plans and notify us, a matching gift will be made in your honor today! Visit www.whitworth.edu/legacychallenge for all of the details.

Whitworth Serves

Kate Gosling, '88, spends more than 100 hours a year volunteering with Colorado's Children's Hope Chest, "...spending relational time with Russian orphans in activities such as crafts, games, sports, field trips, English lessons, [and] meals. I serve because it brings me great joy to be with these wonderful kids and to have the privilege and opportunity to let them know how valued they are. I also serve because it keeps me and my family connected to my children's birth country." Visit www.whitworth.edu/whitworthserves and share your story of service.

Sports

Softball completed its most successful season ever with a record of 37-11. The Pirates won the Northwest Conference tournament for the first time and went 2-2 at the NCAA softball regional, earning their first-ever NCAA tournament victories. Head Coach Cristal Brown is NWC Coach of the Year; Madi Perez, '17, who set team records for wins, complete games and shutouts, is NWC Pitcher of the Year; and Kinsey McNaught, '20, is NWC Freshman of the Year.

Baseball finished with a record of 24-17. The Pirates swept visiting Pacific (Ore.) in the final week of the season to claim a spot in the NWC tournament. Matthew Nelson, '17, was named First Team All-NWC, and Joel Condreay received Academic All-District recognition.

Track & field is sending several athletes to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Andrew Bloom, '17, defending NCAA Division III champion in the men's javelin, returns to the meet. Kayla Leland, '18, who has already earned cross country and indoor track & field All-America honors in 2016-17, qualified in three events. Whitworth's men and women finished second at the 2017 NWC Track & Field Championships, held in Whitworth's Pine Bowl.

Men's golf pulled off a stunning victory at the 2017 NWC tournament. That win moved them from seventh place all the way up to third in the final conference standings. Sam Stiles, '20, tied for first before losing medalist honors in a playoff. He was named First Team All-NWC and the NWC Freshman of the Year.

Women's golf finished fourth at the NWC tournament and took fourth place overall in the league standings. Maggie Peters, '20, led the Pirates with an 11th-place finish and earned Second-Team All-Conference recognition.

Men's tennis finished 6-11 overall and 6-6 in the NWC, finishing fifth and just missing the 2017 NWC tournament.

Women's tennis went 7-11 overall and 5-7 in the NWC for fifth place. Bella Hoyos, '17, was named First Team All-NWC for the second straight season.

Finally, Whitworth claimed its record-setting 10th straight McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports Trophy for excellence in the Northwest Conference. This is the 11th time overall that Whitworth has won the trophy. Way to go, Pirates!

Closing Thoughts

I'm writing this final update of the academic year as I prepare for a joyous celebration of the Class of 2017 during Commencement Weekend. I'll have the privilege of shaking approximately 750 hands as graduates receive their Whitworth diplomas this weekend. Each new alum is a gift from God, and I wish them Christ's blessings as they begin exciting new life chapters. We will miss them, but their positive impact on our campus will be felt for years to come. They will be Whitworthians for life. Go, Bucs!