Mind & Heart Newsletter: November 2019
The November 2019 update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
I often wish that people who love Whitworth could walk a day or a week in my shoes. As president, I'm blessed to have an incredible perspective on all of the amazing things happening on campus and among our alumni ranks. Julie and I like to say we have "all-access passes" to the university. Attending lectures, watching students present research, worshipping in chapel, cheering on the Pirates in debate tournaments or on the soccer pitch, and traveling the world to hear the inspiring stories of alumni are just a handful of things we get to do that contribute to our understanding of the many ways Whitworth lives out its mind-and-heart mission. Whether through Whitworth's outstanding Speakers & Artists Series or when I'm traveling on behalf of the university, I often rub elbows with some truly amazing people. And when I report to others about my conversations with these leaders, people will often say, "I wish I could have been there or heard that!" Those responses have inspired me to create a way for Whitworthians to get a periodic glimpse at Whitworth through my eyes, and to experience some of the inspiring people I meet on a regular basis. Beginning this month, my new monthly podcast Beck & Calling will feature my sit-down interviews with guests who visit campus or cross my path when I'm on the road. As the name suggests, one common theme in the series will be learning how people see themselves living out their respective callings in life. I promise that you will be encouraged and inspired as you hear how my guests think about the world and their unique place in it. I've committed to keeping these conversations to 30 minutes or less so they can be easily consumed. You can find and subscribe to receive the Beck & Calling podcasts at whitworth.edu/beckandcalling. Thanks for listening, and thank for all you do to support Whitworth! Happy Thanksgiving!
Academics
Anthony Clark (History) gave a seminar as part of the investiture ceremonies for Seton Hall University's new president in November.
Dan Keberle (Music) was commissioned by the Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma City's 160-member professional choir, along with the Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra, to arrange five hymns for the choir and 17-piece jazz ensemble. They were performed at Oklahoma's Civic Center Music Hall on Oct. 13.
Cyndi Caniglia, Kathryn Picanco and Sharon Naccarato (School of Education) were selected to receive a $15,000 Professional Educator Standards Board Professional Learning Grant. They will use the grant to support local educators in working collaboratively to develop equity-based and culturally responsive teaching, and supportive practices in inclusive settings with diverse student populations. Participants will be supported through professional development, professional learning communities, and individualized professional growth plans.
Brent Perdue M.Ed. '98 was named the 2019 Spokane Schools Distinguished Principal by peers in Spokane Public Schools. Perdue is principal of Logan Elementary, a Whitworth educational administration graduate, and a member of the Whitworth Gifted Education Advisory Board.
Office of Church Engagement Director Terry McGonigal visited the U.S.-Mexico border this fall with a group of 12 pastors and ministry leaders from Spokane to learn more about the immigration crisis. Read a reflection from McGonigal on the OCE's new Third Way blog: thirdwayoce.wordpress.com.
Jerry Sittser (Theology & Office of Church Engagement) published a new book titled Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian "Third Way" Changed the World.
Professor Emeritus Gordon Jackson's (Communication Studies) second novel is now out. Never Say "Moist" at Wyndover College is a satire about banned words at a fictional college.
The Arts
The university's Bryan Oliver Gallery is proud to feature an exhibit by Matthew Whitney '00. That Which Is – Drawings of the Present Moment will run through Jan. 24, 2020.
Student Life
Two staff members in the Dornsife Center for Community Engagement, Meredith Devey and Daniel Geiter '16, presented on Whitworth's use of the "Pathways of Public Service" framework at the annual meeting of Stanford University's Pathways working group. Pathways encourages students to reflect on and act out ways they can become involved in their communities: through direct service, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, policy and government, organizing and activism, or applied research. As part of the Stanford working group, Whitworth has used the survey in service-learning courses, leadership development and applied research courses. Whitworth will now be able to monitor trends among students regarding their beliefs about how they can contribute to the public good.
Admissions
Our Early Action I application deadline was Nov. 15. However, we offer rolling admissions, so the sooner students complete their application, the sooner they can receive an admissions decision. And any students who are admitted and have submitted their FAFSA to Whitworth by early December can still be included in the first round of financial aid offers to be mailed in mid-January. The application is free and is available at whitworth.edu/applynow.
Whitworth is doing more than ever to ensure a mind-and-heart education is accessible and affordable to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes a four-year graduation guarantee (whitworth.edu/finishinfour) to ensure students avoid costly delays that have become too common at many public universities. Read more about why U.S. News ranked Whitworth No. 4 for best regional university values in the West and No. 1 for best undergraduate teaching: whitworth.edu/affordablevalue.
The Campaign for Whitworth
In case you receive this mailing electronically and don't have an envelope enclosed, we would love for you to click here to make an end-of-year gift or visit whitworth.edu/crowdfunding to support a favorite project or program.
New crowdfunding projects display the breadth of programs in which our students are involved. Students bring a broad array of interests and passions to campus, and you are invited to partner with them by providing important support for some of their activities. Learn about how your gift of any amount will make a difference at whitworth.edu/crowdfunding.
Sustainers are making an impact. This fall, 31 donors have committed to a new monthly gift that will sustain students. A sustained gift is convenient and efficient – monthly donations save you time and save us mailing costs. Your ongoing support makes a big difference.
In October, 220 alumni celebrated a milestone reunion by making a gift to support their alma mater. Because of this overwhelming participation, over $30,000 was raised for student scholarships and the Class of 1989 reached its goal to fully fund its endowed scholarship. To celebrate, red pinecones adorned a tree in The Loop during Homecoming Weekend. Thank you for making a life-changing difference for students!
Financial Aid
Students who are not on a formal monthly payment plan and have an unpaid outstanding balance on their Whitworth student account are now accruing a service fee of 1.5 percent around the 20th of every month. They will not be allowed to register for Jan Term or Spring Term 2020. Please go to whitworth.edu/payment to review payment options.
Students should watch for their spring 2020 billing form, which will be sent to their Whitworth email account around Jan. 2. Students and/or parents who need to set up a five-month payment plan for spring, starting Jan. 10, will need to establish a plan through NelNet before Jan. 6. If you have questions regarding billing or the monthly payment plan, please contact student accounts at 509.777.4495.
Alumni & Parents
Nominate a deserving grad for one of four annual alumni awards. Visit whitworth.edu/alumniaward by Dec. 1 to submit nominations for 2020.
Join the Women's Leadership Network! Gain access to Whitworth's network of women, participate in topical discussions, book clubs and social gatherings, and connect with alumnae in your area. Learn more at whitworth.edu/womensleadershipnetwork.
EVENTS
Jan. 24 | Alumni Night at the Fieldhouse – This year the Pirate basketball teams play Linfield for alumni night. Admission is free for alums and their families. Visit connect.whitworth.edu for more information.
March 13 | Lū'au – You're invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary Hawaiian Club Lū'au! Save the date and watch for more info as we get closer.
Spring 2020 | Core 250 Tour – We're taking Core 250 on the road! Celebrate 50 years of Core 250 along with beloved faculty. Jan. 18: Honolulu; April 3: Portland, Ore.; April 18: San Diego and Denver; April 19: Huntington Beach, Calif., and Boise, Idaho; May 5: Seattle. Whitworth alums, families and friends are all invited. Details at connect.whitworth.edu.
October 2020 | Homecoming and Family Weekends – Mark your calendars for big events in fall 2020! We'll celebrate Homecoming Reunion Weekend Oct. 9-11 and Family Weekend Oct. 16-18.
Sports
The volleyball team finished 20-7 and won the Northwest Conference title with a 14-2 record. League coaches selected Emiko Kahler '20 as Player of the Year in the NWC after she led the conference by a wide margin in kills per set. Kahler finishes her Pirate career as Whitworth's school record holder with 1,210 kills. She earned All-NWC recognition every year. Iris Tikhonov '20, who led the NWC in blocks per set, claimed second team All-NWC recognition. Whitworth fell to Colorado College in its NCAA Division III tournament opener, the Pirates' fourth national tournament appearance in Kati Bodecker's seven seasons as head coach.
The football team lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Linfield on Nov. 9 that prevented the Pirates from winning the NWC title. Coach Rod Sandberg rallied the team to a win at Pacific (Ore.) in the season finale for a 38-28 win that secured second place in the standings. Andrew McCoy '20 led the conference in sacks and earned first team All-NWC recognition. So did Kale Wong '20, Whitworth's leading tackler for the second year in a row. The Pirates finished 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the NWC.
Becky George '22 will represent Whitworth at the NCAA DIII cross country championships on Nov. 23 in Louisville, Ky. She finished sixth at the DIII West Region meet on Nov. 16 in Claremont, Calif., and was the runner-up at the NWC Championships on Nov. 2. Joel Mott '21 earned first team All-NWC for the men's team, as well as All-West Region based on finishing 26th at that regional meet. Whitworth's men and women both finished in fourth place in the team standings at the NWC Championships.
The men's soccer team battled through injuries to finish 10-9-1 overall and 8-6 (fourth place) in the NWC. Chase Reidt '20 earned second team All-NWC. The women's team finished 6-12-2, 5-9-2 (sixth place) this season. Jadyn Baumgartner '21 and Brixaida Mendoza '22 each earned second team All-NWC.
The men's golf team took second place at the NWC Fall Classic and won the Confluence Classic in Walla Walla to close the fall season. Women's golf also took second place at the NWC Fall Classic.
Pirate Night 2019 was another huge success as Whitworth Athletics raised nearly $100,000 to support student-athletes. Thank you to everyone who participated.