Mind & Heart Newsletter: September 2010
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
This time of year is absolutely my favorite. The start of a new academic year at Whitworth breathes new life and energy into our campus. There's nothing like greeting 680-plus freshman and transfer students, along with their families, to get your blood pumping! The scene last Saturday was an amazing one to witness as hundreds of Whitworth volunteers eagerly met our newest Whitworthians as they moved their belongings into their residence halls and began the time-honored Traditiation process. Julie, the kids, and I also participated in our own Traditiation of sorts. We enjoyed watching and participating in orientation events that emphasized our community and mission – Zach, Lauren and Chloe especially appreciated my rendition of Iron Man during the welcome skit on Saturday night (so that's what a university president does…hmmm). In all seriousness, my family and I gained important insights into what makes Whitworth such a special place to so many. Several of our newest parents tasted a little of that Whitworth magic for the first time, too. Let me share an excerpt from one parent's e-mail that I received at the end of the weekend: "I spent six hours on Sunday driving home from Whitworth after dropping off my only son as a freshman, and instead of feeling overwhelmed with sadness and loss, I felt only gratitude. My gratitude stems from the care you all took at making my son feel welcomed and preparing parents for departure. I am truly awed by the many details that were thought of to help with the transition. Each event felt well-planned and purposeful. Although I came into the weekend feeling apprehensive that our son had made the right selection in schools, I left Whitworth with a clear understanding that he is now in a place that will challenge, inspire, nurture and educate him better than any other university." Whitworth is truly a special place.
Academics
The Faculty Research and Development Committee supported these Summer Research Fellows, who conducted scholarship in diverse areas: Andy Hogue (Political Science) worked on a manuscript on the politics of religion for Baylor University Press. Arlin Migliazzo (History) began his yearlong sabbatical project on the influence of Henrietta Mears in transforming American evangelicalism. Roger Mohrlang (Theology) started work on a book about the Apostle Paul. Karla Morgan (Economics) constructed a survey to gather data about the influence of migration and remittances on the economy in El Salvador. This kind of research greatly enriches the learning experience for our students.
In the area of faith-learning integration, over the summer Terry Ratcliff (Continuing Studies) and Mike Ingram (Academic Affairs) directed a workshop on the integration of faith and learning for adjunct faculty teaching in the evening program. And in June, 10 faculty members invested three weeks in examining the relationship of faith and learning in their roles as teachers, mentors and scholars. The"Vocations of the Christian Professor" workshop was led by Arlin Migliazzo (History), Angeles Aller (Spanish) and Mike Ingram. Also, Whitworth received a $26,800 grant (the third in a series of three) from the Servant's Heart Foundation to enhance faculty efforts to integrate faith and learning. And finally, Janet Hauck (Archives) received a $2,500 grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion that will allow her to work with theology faculty to integrate student use of Whitworth's theological archives into their courses.
At the May Dean's Brunch, faculty recognized these peers for their outstanding teaching: Lyle Cochran (Math): Academic Challenge Award; Mike Sardinia, '87 (Biology): Academic Mentoring Award; Kerry Breno (Chemistry): Collaborative Teaching Award; Kathryn Picanco (Education): Dean's Junior Faculty Award, Fred Johnson (English): Innovative Teaching Award.
Congratulations to Dr. Debbie Tully (Evening Teacher Certification) and Dr. Nathan Moyer, '04 (Mathematics), who recently defended their dissertations,"In Their Own Words: Moral Development of High School Seniors Engaged in Community Service" (Tully) and"A Knapsack-Type Cryptographic System Using Algebraic Number Rings" (Moyer), at Washington State University. Those two dissertation topics capture Whitworth's mind-and-heart mission pretty well, I'd say.
This summer, math and computer science faculty worked long hours with students on these important projects: Kent Jones (Computer Science), Nathan TeGrotenhuis, '12, and Jeremy Wiuff, '11, worked to develop an updated version of a biologically inspired machine learning tool that would use genetic algorithms to create and investigate the properties of networks that emulate the computational characteristics of biological neural networks. Deanna Ojennus (Chemistry) and Finn Pond (Biology) worked with Christopher Frick, '12, and Elizabeth Wall, '11, to present a conference poster,"Purification of R body proteins RebA, RebB, RebC, and RebD for structural studies," at the 65th Northwest Regional Meeting and 22nd Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Kamesh Sankaran (Physics) worked with students Marc Rollins and Ben Hamming, both '12, to develop a method for optimizing the trajectory of a spacecraft to reduce the time and fuel required for a mission to a nearby asteroid, and then applying it to evaluate various existing and proposed propulsions systems. Kerry Breno (Chemistry) worked with Jared Onley, '11, and Tyler Bland, '12, to synthesize novel organometallic hydroxy complexes, which are promising candidates for green oxidation catalysts and could be useful in industry. And Betty Williams (Education/Lindaman Chair) and Susan Mabry (Computer Science) worked with Stefan Dernbach, Josiah Donor, and Chelsea Zink, all '11, to refine instruments and software that will assist pediatricians and other professionals in the initial identification of children who are at risk for autism spectrum disorder and assist in the monitoring of their progress to determine effective treatments.
Alumni/Parents/Events
For alumni well established in their fields, recent graduates, and everyone in between, we'll be holding regional networking events – in Spokane on Thurs., Sept. 23, and in Seattle on Thurs., Nov. 11. Details for the Spokane event are available at www.whitworth.edu/alumnievents, and specifics for the Seattle event are coming soon. Grab your business cards and join us!
Whitworth's presidential inaugurations are few and far between, and that's a good thing. However, when we do install a new president, it presents a great opportunity for the university to lift up its mission. That's why I'd like to invite you to participate in the Inaugural Week events planned around our theme,"Celebrating a Community of Courage." We would love for you to attend the programs scheduled for Oct. 11-16, including the inaugural ceremony and banquet on Oct. 15. All of the details are at www.whitworth.edu/inauguration.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, Director of Campaign Planning Tad Wisenor, '89, will host a halftime reception in Northern California as the Pirates take on the Oaks of Menlo College. And on Saturday, Oct. 9, Assistant Director of Alumni & Parent Relations Kari Dykhouse, '08 M.Ed., will host a pre-game feast in Puyallup at The RAM Restaurant. We'll then head over to Sparks Stadium and watch the Pirates take on the Lutes of PLU. Please register for the pre-game feast at www.whitworth.edu/alumnievents. Tickets for the games at Menlo and PLU can be purchased at the gate.
Homecoming 2010 is coming! Alumni from every class are invited to join us for the second annual Alumni Frisbee Game in The Loop on Saturday morning. Or grab a cup of coffee from the Mind & Hearth and come cheer on your classmates. Then join us for a tour, an all-campus picnic, and refreshments at the alumni tent during the football game. We're excited to honor our 2010 Alumni Award winners at the banquet on Saturday night. And we're also celebrating the five-, 10- and 20-year milestones of the classes of 2005, 2000 and 1990 as well as those of affinity groups from CoolWhip and The Whitworthian. To see the full schedule of Homecoming Weekend events and to register for the banquet and childcare, visit www.whitworth.edu/homecoming.
The ideal time for moms and dads to return to campus and visit their Whitworth students is Parents' Weekend, Oct. 15-17. The weekend will include performances of Whitworth Theatre's fall production,Once Upon a Mattress (in which Carol Burnett made her Broadway debut, in 1959), as well as volleyball matches against PLU and UPS. There also will be opportunities for my wife, Julie, and me to meet with parents and to re-connect with some of you I met during move-in weekend. Parents are invited to come a day early and join in the Inauguration Week festivities. Visit www.whitworth.edu/parentsweekend for more information about Parents' Weekend.
The Arts
It seems early, I know, but Christmas is just around the corner (at least that's what 3-year-old Chloe tells me). And that means that Whitworth's Christmas Festival concerts are already scheduled. We know you'll want to join us for this annual Whitworth tradition at which we kick off the Christmas season with beautiful choral and instrumental music, presented by our gifted student-musicians. Tickets are $18 for regular admission; $15 for students and seniors 62 and up. Concerts will take place Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., at First Presbyterian Bellevue; Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m., at First Presbyterian Seattle, and Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., as well as Saturday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., at First Presbyterian Spokane. I hope you can join us as we Taylors experience our first Whitworth Christmas. We're looking forward to it.
Frosh on Stage, our annual production by freshman and transfer students, will be directed this year by Nick Kemner, '11. The performances will take place Sunday, Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $1. For more information, please contact Theatre Department Assistant Jennifer Toulouse-Lee at 509.777.4592 or jtoulouse-lee@whitworth.edu.
Continuing Studies
In the span of just one year, Whitworth Continuing Studies quickly outgrew its University District location in the Sirti Building in downtown Spokane. With three new classrooms sporting the latest technology, Whitworth's new U-District location is conveniently located across the street from Sirti, in the Riverfront Office Park. The program, which caters to working adults by offering evening degree programs in an accelerated format, went from its inaugural enrollment of 24 students last fall to more than 100 students last month. Currently, 28 percent of Whitworth's evening undergraduate population attends classes at the U-District location.
Costa Rica Center
Costa Rica Center Director Lindy Scott reports that the major renovations to the center were complete by the time students arrived the first week in September. The fall group will study courses in Latin American culture, Spanish linguistics, environmentalism and human rights, and Core 350 (worldview studies), and many will be doing independent studies. They've also set up some fantastic internships with immigrants, at art museums, and in after-school programs. We expect to have a full group of 30-plus freshmen admitted with honors for Jan Term, followed by 20-25 in the spring. I look forward to my visit to the center in January.
Resources
The Whitworth Phonathon begins this month, and our students will reach out to as many of you as possible. These students represent the Whitworthians you support with your gifts to The Whitworth Fund, and they take their role seriously. They can also provide you with a great link to your past. Audrey, one of the 2009-10 student callers, says, "My best Phonathon connection was with a gentleman who had the same love for Bon Jovi as I do. He had me laughing to the point of tears; amazing conversation." Even if you don't share their love for '80s hair metal bands, it takes just a few minutes to share a story and make a gift – and maybe to make a friend. Learn more about this program, and about our callers, at www.whitworth.edu/phonathon.
The Robinson Science Hall project is steaming along. The crane came down this week, and the building will be fully enclosed long before any winter weather might hit. (Perhaps I should rephrase that.) While we are still on target for our fall 2011 opening, we are also actively seeking the final $1.9 million necessary to complete funding for the facility. You can make a gift to this most significant academic building, find out more details, and track construction progress via webcam, at www.whitworth.edu/scienceinitiative.
Student Life
Our 150 student leaders were trained and ready for the onslaught of new and returning students as Orientation Week began Sept. 4. The 2010 Orientation Week theme was "Science! Probing the Possibilities of the Mind & Heart," and students found lots opportunities for exploring their new learning and living laboratories during this important week.
Athletics
Whitworth football boasts 90 players this fall. The Pirates opened against nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons (Texas) at home last weekend. The Bucs were tough, but Hardin-Simmons was tougher (this time). The Pirates play six of their remaining nine games on the road. Seniors Layton Brown and Jeff Erlenmeyer lead the strong Pirate defense. Senior Zack Clow, a first team All-NWC punter, has expanded his repertoire and is starting at tight end.
Volleyball returns six key players and has added several highly regarded newcomers. Senior Randi Stephens was one of the conference's leading blockers last season, and her defense will again be key. Juniors Kaimi and Ka'ipo Rocha (yes, folks – they're twins) provide the offensive fireworks.
Men's soccer is looking for a fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA DIII tournament. The Pirates have 37 players on the roster, the largest men's soccer team in school history. Senior Travis Gutierrez leads a talented young team. Junior Justin Meyer is the leading returning scorer for the Bucs.
Women's soccer returns several key components from a squad that finished 17-3 a year ago. Seniors Sidonia Davin and Elizabeth Mattila, both All-NWC selections in 2009, will lead what figures to be a dangerous attack.
Women's cross country returns its top four runners from a team that finished sixth in the nation in 2009. Junior Dana Misterek and sophomore Joy Shufeldt are returning All-Americans.
The men's cross country squad missed qualifying for nationals last season by THIS much. The Pirates return several key runners from last season, including senior Nick Gallagher and junior Aaron Jenkins.
Closing Thoughts
Orientation Weekend, the start of classes and Fall Convocation provide a tremendous boost of energy as we move forward into the fall semester. But as I look ahead to Inauguration Week and to the fall board meeting, I can't help but think of one figure who will be missing – Whitworth trustee, donor and friend Bill Welch, who passed away in early July. Bill's formal relationship with Whitworth was relatively brief, but it was deep and transformative. He and his wife, Peggy, strongly supported and encouraged Whitworth's commitment to the integration of Christian faith and learning. We will certainly remember and celebrate Bill's extraordinary life on Oct. 14, when Jim Edwards, '67 (Theology), presents the inaugural Bruner-Welch Lecture. But I hope we celebrate Bill's faithfulness, and the singular object of his faith – Jesus Christ – every day as we equip our students to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity. Thank you for all you do to support us in that mission.
