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  4. November 2023

Mind & Heart Newsletter: November 2023

An update from Whitworth University President Scott McQuilkin

We're entering a stretch of weeks that many find conducive to reflection, especially about reasons for which to be grateful. Heaps of research informs us that among all the emotions we might feel, a sense of gratitude is chief among them for well-being. In that reflective spirit, I'll use all of this intro for that purpose – to share a sliver of what Janice and I are grateful for in this beloved Whitworth community. Please indulge me as I dwell on people and place. My reflections might stir memories of your own about the people who impacted your mind-and-heart experience, or that of your child.

We're grateful for the group of student workers who painted my office this summer and left behind a sticky note, expressing their hope that the brushstrokes of my decisions would match the care and precision of the ones they made on my walls. Clever. The student musicians who lead campus worship with joy and talent, ushering our hearts and minds into the Lord's presence. Our faculty, who introduce topics and ideas that stretch our students, challenging minds and developing character. The joy we experience watching our talented students compete in forensics and athletics, and wow us in the performing arts. The people who keep the campus grounds and facilities stunning and functional, inside and out. The many offices that help students attend and persist at Whitworth, financially, socially, spiritually and intellectually. The results of a student survey, in which students share the names and impact of people whom they'll never forget. It's a long list of names. And this place that has, for 134 years, taken students wherever they are in their faith journeys and introduced them to the good news of Jesus Christ, through coursework, with presence, in relationship.

In this season of Thanksgiving and the approach of Advent, we are grateful. Immensely so. "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his steadfast love endures forever."

11 Highlights on Campus This Fall

  1. Kraig Wheeler, professor of chemistry, and Diana Schepens, assistant professor of mathematics & computer science, have been awarded a $434,000 National Science Foundation Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) grant to develop mathematical and chemical models for probing complex recognition profiles of small molecules over three years. This collaborative project will give Whitworth students, as well as a North Central High School teacher and his students, access to innovative research in the materials sciences.
  2. Whitworth is launching a new platform for professional development and lifelong learning called Whitworth LEARN. The platform's non-credit courses are designed for busy professionals and combine the flexibility of online learning with personalized executive coaching. Courses include Managing People, Career Compass, Leading Across Difference, Flourish (health and wellness), and more. Visit learn.whitworth.edu for details or to enroll in the inaugural courses.
  3. For the second year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranked Whitworth No. 1 in Best Undergraduate Teaching among regional universities in the West. We know this great news won't surprise our alumni! Whitworth was also ranked No. 3 in Best Value Schools, No. 5 in Best Colleges for Veterans and No. 7 in Best Regional Universities. Plus, Whitworth was selected as one of the best colleges in the West by The Princeton Review in its "2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region" list.
  4. Two professors are newly serving in endowed professorships this year. Professor of Philosophy Nathan L. King was installed as the Edward B. Lindaman Endowed Chair at Fall Convocation. Professor of Theology Jonathan Moo has been named the Bruner-Welch Endowed Chair in Theology and will be installed at Spring Convocation. We look forward to seeing how both of these highly acclaimed scholars and authors will utilize their positions to further contribute to academia and humanity.
  5. Assistant Professor of History Elise Leal has been named a 2023 Young Scholar in American Religion by the Center for the Study of Religion & American Culture at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Leal, who teaches courses on early America, women and gender, and religious history, will receive intensive mentorship through this prestigious fellowship. She will also develop two new courses during her cohort experience, enabling the Whitworth History Department to expand its curriculum. Congratulations, Elise!
  6. Human rights champion Bryan Stevenson, public interest lawyer and author of Just Mercy, returned to the President's Leadership Forum in October, inspiring a packed house of nearly 1,200 people. We were pleased to award Stevenson with an honorary doctorate and to give hundreds of students from Whitworth and other local universities and high schools the opportunity to hear Stevenson's important message of justice for the poor, incarcerated and condemned.
  7. Despite pouring rain on Community Building Day, 849 Whitworthians, including nearly 600 new students, got out and made a difference in the Spokane area at the start of the semester. The Dornsife Center for Community Engagement purchased enough ponchos for everyone working outside, including the fifth graders at Holmes Elementary in the West Central neighborhood, where many students volunteered. The Whitworth and Holmes students collected 46 bags of trash in the neighborhood – 10 more than last year – and had time to play games at recess before the day was over.
  8. Whitworth is preparing to launch the Multicultural Leadership Program, a new program designed to equip and support community-minded students from Spokane, Tacoma and Tri-Cities to become effective multicultural leaders on campus and in their communities. Starting next fall, the program will enroll 20 incoming Whitworth students per year to receive pre-college training, financial aid (including scholarships, grants and loans) covering 100 percent of direct college costs, leadership training and mentoring, coursework in U.S. cultural studies, and focused preparation for post-college plans. Visit whitworth.edu/mlp for information on the application process.
  9. Whitworth students had the chance to network with more than 20 alumni from our advisory boards and councils during our new Afternoon with Alumni event. Students benefited from hearing insights on career development and from attending breakout sessions on careers in tech, political science and engineering and on women in leadership. Thank you to our stellar alumni for participating!
  10. At One Big Whitworth Weekend, Whitworth honored four inspiring alumni award recipients. We are grateful to Judy Sanderman '64 (Mind & Heart Award), Thom Sicklesteel '89 (Distinguished Alumni Award), Kamau Chege '18 (Emerging Leader Award) and Charise Shigeta '98 (Alumni Service to Whitworth Award) for how they have used their mind-and-heart educations to serve humanity.
  11. The Office of Church Engagement has begun the Formed in Faith Project, supported by a new $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The program is designed to draw parents and church leaders together to investigate parenting as a site of intentional discipleship and explore new models of child faith formation. The program hosted its first community event in October, inviting pastor Meredith Miller to speak with local parents and ministry leaders about building a sustainable and meaningful family faith culture. The OCE team has also started to gather parents in small groups and is forming a Children's Ministry Network as a resource for churches. Connect to the program or learn more at www.whitworth.edu/formed-in-faith.

Upcoming

Christmas Festival Concert | Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. | Fox Theater, Spokane
The music department presents Joy to the World, featuring Christmas music from around the world performed by Whitworth's choral ensembles, student instrumentalists and collaborative guest artist An Dóchas, a Spokane-based Irish band. Tickets: www.whitworth.edu/christmas-festival or 509.624.1200.

Pirate Athletics | Happening now! 
Fall sports have almost wrapped up, and winter sports are just getting started. Don't miss the chance to cheer on our student-athletes this winter! Visit whitworthpirates.com for a full schedule.

Emeritus: Gordon Wilson Art Exhibit | Now through Jan. 24, 2024 | Bryan Oliver Gallery 
View a selection of works created over the last 50 years by Professor Emeritus of Art & Design Gordon Wilson. Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed on university holidays.

Women's Leadership Network Opportunities | Ongoing

  • The Womentors Mentorship Program is live again! Volunteer to mentor a female student at www.whitworth.edu/womentors. Matches will be made if a student applicant might benefit from your experience.
  • Join the WLN from anywhere this winter with two virtual Lunch & Learn events. Hear from Jessica Davis '08 about unlocking appreciation in the workplace on Jan. 12 and from Professor of Political Science Julia Stronks about civic engagement and lives of calling on Feb. 9. RSVP at connect.whitworth.edu. Plus, save the dates for our spring Leadership 360 series in Spokane: Fridays, Feb. 2, March 1 and April 5. Details will be available next year at connect.whitworth.edu.

One Big Whitworth Weekend | Oct. 11-13, 2024 
Save the date for One Big Whitworth Weekend 2024, a combined Homecoming and Family Weekend on campus! Look for more information to come.

Whitworth Application Deadlines | Various Dates
Our Nov. 15 Early Action I deadline for first-year students has just passed, but students can still apply for free now and receive an admissions decision within three weeks. Jan. 15 is the Early Action II deadline to receive the opportunity for priority consideration in class and housing registration. Jan. 15 is also the Early Action I deadline for fall transfer students. See more application dates or apply at www.whitworth.edu/apply, and remember to file your FAFSA or WASFA to ensure you receive all the financial aid available to you.

Closing Thoughts

I was recently in the room when an exceptional Whitworth student shared her gratitude for the scholarship aid she receives. She told about her transformative experience and about her future aspirations. This young woman, studying history and theology, will have a breadth of career options because she thinks deeply and communicates with remarkable poise and intelligence. Except for the scholarship support provided, a Whitworth experience was out of reach for her. Like this student, I am grateful to the many hundreds of supporters who make gifts to the Whitworth Scholarship Fund. As you weigh the many places to which you might make gifts, please consider current and future Whitworth students, graduates equipped to lead and serve, blessed by this mind-and-heart education. Please make a gift by visiting connect.whitworth.edu/heart, opening that door to a Whitworth experience.

Gratefully,

Scott McQuilkin

With you, Whitworth's mission remains strong. View the 2023 Annual Report at www.whitworth.edu/annual-report.

Note to our alumni: To read the Whitworth Today fall supplement - featuring Class Notes, In Memoriam, a sweet alumni story and more - please go to www.whitworth.edu/wt-supplement-fall-23. We're primed to send you the full issue of Whitworth Today in spring 2024!