Mind & Heart Newsletter: November 2012
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
At last week's chapel service, Mike Sardinia, '87, (Biology) preached on John 1. It was a particularly powerful text for our semester-long series on the creation narrative as told throughout scripture – a continuous story of God's creative and re-creative work in our world. Mike created space to allow those in attendance to hang on every word in John's prologue and to explore the passage's deepest meanings. The series has been a truly inspired set of lessons asking our community to contemplate the trajectory of God's creation past, present and future. The emerging theme for the series has been the interplay between our identities as created and beloved children of God and our resulting purposes as daughters and sons of a living God who is at work in the world. The links between identity and purpose are powerful as we ask our students, and indeed all of the Whitworth community, to think about how God is calling us into a broken but redeemed world.
As we encourage our students to think about vocation, there are key ingredients to the Whitworth experience that make such efforts fruitful. A few that come to mind include a rigorous academic experience, opportunities to hear from others whose experiences might be important in discerning calling, and confrontation with the awesome challenges that many face in this world. It's good for students to see how their gifts and experiences can make a transformative difference. But meaningful relationships are the one ingredient of the Whitworth experience without which we could not explore deeply the intersections of identity and purpose. Whitworth is an intentionally relational campus, and we think that the most profound educational experiences don't occur while a student is reading a textbook or taking an online course. The opportunities for our staff and faculty to pour their lives into our students cannot happen without the relationships that are formed and nurtured in and on classrooms, laboratories, athletics fields, and coffee shops. That's the model we cling to because that's the model Jesus used.
In Eugene Peterson's introduction to John's gospel in The Message, he writes, "For Jesus doesn't impose salvation as a solution; he narrates salvation into being through leisurely conversation, intimate personal relationships, compassionate responses, passionate prayer, and – putting it all together – a sacrificial death." Jesus' model of incarnational ministry is our model for creating important space and experiences for students to discover their identities and purposes. Relationships matter, and each day on the Whitworth campus you'll find the conversations, personal relationships, compassion, prayer and sacrifices that drive our mission to equip graduates to "honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity." As the world continues to push higher education to be more transactional, I humbly ask you to pray that Whitworth continues to be more relational. Because that's how lives are changed, and that's where identity and purpose are discovered.
Academics
New faculty member Corey McKenna (Education) has stepped into his position with energy, and has also been active in scholarship. His recent publication There's an App for That explores the ways in which iPads increase elementary students' engagement and achievement. (By the way, Corey's also an Ironman. Whoa. Is there an app for that?)
The history department is a happening place. Rafaela Acevedo-Field recently completed her Ph.D. in history from U.C. Santa Barbara; visiting professor Tibebe Eshete, from Ethiopia, is teaching African Life and Culture along with African Religions and Core 350; Tony Clark will offer a Skype lecture from China; and the department's Phi Alpha Theta club is actively recruiting new members. History's future is bright (I had to say it).
Several faculty members completed summer fellowships in Christian faith and learning, funded by the Weyerhaeuser Center: Megan Hershey (Political Science), Mike Ingram (Communication Studies), Richard Strauch (Music), and Jason Wollschleger (Sociology) gave a good portion of their summers to research and writing.
More than 60 people are currently enrolled in the Certificate for Lay Ministry Program through the Weyerhaeuser Center. The program helps train, equip and support men and women to serve more effectively in leadership positions in local congregations.
Whitworth's new honors program is under way. Doug Sugano (English) directs the program, which provides participants with experiences and opportunities that enrich our regular curriculum. Current honors courses include Engineering in Society (Markus Ong/Physics), Core 150 discussion group honors sections (Arlin Migliazzo/History), Reading in Action (Casey Andrews/English), and The Crusades from Primary Sources (Corliss Slack/History). More honors courses and experiences will be added each semester until the program is at full strength
Whitworth celebrated new teaching and research opportunities at the Verbrugge Environmental Center with a symposium last month. The center, in the Scotia Valley of Pend Oreille County, is available to faculty and students, thanks to the benevolence and vision of the Verbrugge family. It offers invaluable new avenues for equipping our community to be faithful stewards of creation, which is a foundational commitment in Whitworth's educational principles and in our Whitworth 2021 strategic plan.
The defending national championship forensics team, coached by Mike Ingram (Communication Studies), captured 25 more awards (yep, 25!) at its second tournament of the season. Last weekend at the College of Idaho, the team continued its dominance in debate by closing out the semifinals in the novice division. This marks the second tournament in a row at which Whitworth has had the top four debaters. Way to go!
Martha Gady (Mathematics) and several of her students recently attended the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Women of Color Conference. Students networked with professionals, learned leadership skills and experienced the world of STEM outside academia. They even had a chance meeting with Chair of the Whitworth Board of Trustees Walt Oliver, '67, who was there presenting awards on behalf of General Dynamics.
Erica Salkin (Communication Studies) won the Joseph C. Beckham Dissertation of the Year Award at the Education Law Association – a great achievement for Erica and for her department. She will present her dissertation at the ELA's annual conference next month.
Our theology department is hopping. Karen Petersen Finch delivered a series of lectures on "John Calvin, Postmodernism and Power" at the prestigious Beeson Reformation Heritage Lecture Series at Samford University; Roger Mohrlang's new book on the Apostle Paul will be released in December; Jerry Sittser's latest book, A Grace Revealed: How God Redeems the Story of Your Life(a sequel to his best-selling A Grace Disguised) was released this month; and Karin Heller is compiling a series of her lectures on women and men in the church into a book. Karin is also preparing to videotape a series on the same subject for distribution in Europe.
Student Life
October began with "A Very Hipster Homecoming," for which students made banners for their halls, ran in relay races, and, finally, competed to be King and Queen Hipsters. Arend Hall's entries took home the trophy and presided at the Homecoming Dance at the Service Station. The Open Conversations Club offered a well-attended awareness week for sexual-orientation issues; students heard coming-out stories from classmates, discussed homosexuality as it's addressed in the Bible, and listened to a faculty panel discuss the issue. And a couple weekends ago, 675 moms and dads came to campus for Parents' Weekend, which featured the musical Honk!, mini-colleges presented by faculty, and, of course, Whitworth's beautiful fall foliage.
V.P. for Student Life Dick Mandeville is pleased to announce that Nicole Boymook, a longtime member of the student life team, is Whitworth's new assistant dean for off-campus students and student success. And Landon Crecelius, '04, is our student success advocate. These new positions will allow Nicole and Landon to serve an important segment of Whitworth's students.
Alumni & Parents
Parents, order forms for our annual Final-Exam Survival Kits should arrive in your mailbox soon. Students love getting goodies from their loved ones, and the office of alumni & parent relations is taking orders for Finals Week treats until Nov. 15. The cost is $25 for a fresh fruit bag and $20 for a snack kit. To order online, visit www.whitworth.edu/finalexamkit. Kits will be delivered Dec. 6.
The May 2013 Core 650 Tour to Germany with Jim Edwards is filling up quickly. See all of the details at www.whitworth.edu/germany2013. You won't want to miss this great opportunity! Julie and I are planning to join you.
Portland-area alums, mark your calendars for a professional networking event Thursday, Feb. 21. Alumni find these events an enjoyable way to connect with other Whitworth professionals. Watch your e-mail for more information.
Admissions & Financial Aid
"If you build it, they will come," a famous line from Field of Dreams, is proving true in the case of Robinson Science Hall. One year after the building's dedication, we've seen a 52.5 percent increase in the number of incoming freshmen interested in biology, chemistry and health sciences. We'd already experienced a significant increase in the number of majors in these disciplines, based on the quality of our faculty and curriculum; we're thrilled now to have a facility to match our excellent programs.
Our Nov. 30 early action (non-binding) application deadline is just around the corner. Students admitted through this program can submit their enrollment deposits to get priority status for housing selection and class registration. Deposits are fully refundable through May 1, so students can't lose. And it's great to get applications done before the holidays. Our regular application deadline is March 1.
If you're on Twitter and you want to stay updated on news of interest to prospective students, find us at @gotowhitworth. One of our great students, biology/pre-med major Kyle Darbonne, '13, is the main tweeter (or is it twittererer?) behind this popular news feed. You can also find us on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media outlets (see www.whitworth.edu/socialnetworks).
Resources
It's difficult not to think of the things we're grateful for as we get close to Thanksgiving. Many of you support Whitworth because you are thankful for its mission and impact. And we certainly thank God for the support you provide to keep Whitworth strong. Each November, we attach an envelope to this newsletter in the hope that you'll consider contributing to The Whitworth Fund, which supports student aid and other institutional needs. Thanks for considering this extra gift, which will be much-appreciated and well-used. Our students need your support.
As we enter this season, we also enter a campaign especially for Whitworth graduates. The goal of 1,500 by the 15th: Light the Match is to increase alumni participation. If we receive gifts from 1,500 alumni by Dec. 15, one of our terrific trustees has promised to match our total with an additional $50,000. Your participation is just one way in which you can show how much you appreciate the unique education Whitworth has given you; alumni participation also allows Whitworth to provide that same education to current and future students. Our ability to meet students' financial need relies largely on The Whitworth Fund. So we ask you, with no hesitation or reservation, to Light the Match and help Whitworth reach 1,500 by Dec. 15. You can use the attached envelope, or you can go to our website and give online at www.whitworth.edu/give. Thanks so much!
Sports
The football team is 6-2 and looking great. RB Ronnie Thomas, '13, leads the Northwest Conference in rushing yards, yards per game and rushing touchdowns.
Volleyball has battled injuries and illness, and stands at 7-12. Jalana White, '15, has come on strong to lead the Pirates in kills over the last month of the season. The Bucs upset nationally ranked Puget Sound in five sets a couple weeks ago.
Men's soccer is just one win away from its seventh NWC championship since 2003 and its eighth overall under head coach Sean Bushéy. GK Kyle Novak, '13, leads NCAA Division III with a stellar goals-against average of 0.13.
The women's soccer team heads into the final two weeks of the season tied for first place in the NWC. Tiara Pajimola, '16, is among the conference leaders in goals scored (8) and total points (19).
Men's cross country heads to the NWC championship meet as two-time defending champ. Tim Hill, '13, has been the Pirates' most consistent runner this fall.
Women's cross country looks to improve on last season's sixth-place finish at the conference meet. Christina Anderson, '15, currently leads the Pirate women.
The men's golf team is deep, young and talented. The Bucs head into this week's NWC Fall Classic as a favorite behind twins Lyle and Oliver Rudnicki, both '16. This week's tournament counts 25 percent toward final league standings.
Emily Guthrie, '15, continues to lead the women's golf team. She has won two tournaments this fall and is a contender for medalist honors at this week's NWC Fall Classic.
Closing Thoughts
I'm finishing this newsletter on the eve of the general election. Like many of you, I'm praying for President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney and their families. I can only imagine what it must be like to run a national campaign and to open up every square inch of one's personal life for public display and potential criticism. I find myself grateful that I don't live in a "swing state," so I can actually turn on my television in the evenings. I'm also extraordinarily grateful for these two men who have answered the call to lead and to endure the sacrifices to do so. I'm also praying for our country and our collective willingness and ability to get behind the person who is elected president. I marvel at our country's ability to move quickly past the rancor and divisiveness of political campaigns. The peaceful affirmation/transfer of power is a wonderful characteristic of the American political system, and not one that can be taken for granted. By the time you read this, our country will have elected its next president. May God in his grace and mercy grant that person, and us, the wisdom and discernment to be agents of God's love, justice and mercy here and around the world.
