Mind & Heart Newsletter: September 2011
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
Several times this past year I've mentioned to people that I think I will be a better university president when I've had the experience of sending one of my own children off to college. Julie and I still have three more years before our oldest, Zach, heads off to a college campus to be cared for and nurtured by folks I will likely have only read about online or in promotional brochures. I suppose any hesitation I might have as that day comes will be moderated by seeing Zach's confidence that he has made a great decision and is leaving home for a community he's excited to join. Ultimately, I will have to put my faith in God to care for and protect the person I've grown to admire and respect during the 18 years I was privileged to spend with him at home. Last weekend, I saw families living out this exact script as more than 630 freshmen and transfer students arrived on the Whitworth campus for Orientation Weekend. The energy and excitement were palpable as students, parents, grandparents and friends arrived on our beautiful campus Saturday morning with way too much stuff to fit into regular-sized dorm rooms. Our newest Whitworthians were bubbling with anticipation. On the faces of parents, I saw a mixture of emotions – most shared the excitement of living vicariously through their children's experience. But most also looked a bit melancholy, knowing that an important chapter in their lives was coming to a close. I don't know what that feels like, but I can imagine it. I reminded parents that we at Whitworth view ourselves as partners, not replacements, in the intellectual, moral and spiritual development of their loved ones, and I said that for many families, Whitworth's values will mesh wonderfully with the values that nurtured their students while they were at home. Together, I encouraged them, we have the blessing and privilege of contributing to lives that will matter. That is indeed an awesome privilege and an awesome responsibility, one that Whitworth accepts joyfully. By the end of the weekend, although there were some tears, most parents departed knowing that their students had chosen well. Thank you, parents, for entrusting your daughters and sons to the Whitworth community. And thanks to all of you who keep Whitworth in your prayers.
Academics
The Faculty Research and Development Committee supported the work of these summer research fellows: Patty Bruininks (Psychology) continued her research on how hope functions, gathering data from a cross-section of Spokane's underprivileged population. Nate King (Philosophy) investigated persistence as an intellectual virtue. Matt Silvers (Health Science) examined muscle-activation patterns during aquatic treadmill running. Rich Strauch (Music) reviewed the 1903 reception of Richard Wagner's final musical, Parsifal, and explored ways in which Christians of that era responded to the work. I'm so grateful for these wonderful scholar-teachers.
At this spring's Dean's Brunch, five faculty were recognized by their peers for outstanding teaching: Academic Mentoring Award: Karen Stevens (Chemistry); Collaborative Teaching Award: Diana Trotter (Theatre); Contingent Faculty Award: Tresa Schmautz (Psychology); Dean's Junior Faculty Award: Nate Moyer, '04 (Math); Innovative Teaching Award: Katie Creyts (Art). Great teachers amid great teachers!
Nineteen Whitworth students are in China on the first semester-long Whitworth in China study program with Associate Professor Tony Clark (History). Kyle Novak, '12, received a Freeman Asia award for $5,000, and Annalisa Wells, '13, received a Gilman Award for $2,500. Both used their awards to participate in this study program. You can get updates and see pictures from this trip at whitworthchinaprogram.blogspot.com.
Our students shine in so many ways. Michael Shultz, '11, won the 2011 award from the Pacific Northwest Region American Academy of Religion for outstanding paper in the fields of biblical and religious studies. Morgan Feddes, '11, the 2010 editor-in-chief of The Whitworthian, used her first-rate skills to earn an editorial residency position at Christianity Today, in Chicago. Christopher Holmes, '06, and Heather Wallace, '11, were named fellows in the fourth cohort of the Lilly Graduate Fellows Program, which supports arts and humanities graduate students who are interested in teaching at church-related institutions.
Whitworth won a prestigious Silver Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for With Grace & Truth: The Robinson Presidency, a video commissioned to celebrate Whitworth President Emeritus Bill Robinson and his wife, Bonnie. The video, produced by Whitworth with Spokane-based North by Northwest Productions, features Whitworth faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees and community leaders. And speaking of Bill and his accomplishments, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire recently appointed him to a committee formed by the legislature to review the structure of higher education governance for the state. Way to go, Bill!
Once again, Whitworth has landed in Forbes' rankings of the top undergraduate institutions in the U.S. Whitworth joins some of the most prestigious schools in the country in the magazine's latest rankings and is listed as one of the top six private schools in the Pacific Northwest. Forbes' rankings highlight measures that are important to undergraduates, such as student satisfaction, minimization of student debt loads, and postgraduate success.
Science faculty members spent summer days working with students on important projects: Drew Budner (Chemistry) directed Alyssa Thompson, '12, and Janell Talbot, '12, who sought to improve the stability and performance of a sensor used to measure hydrogen peroxide; Drew also worked with Shawn DeLappe, '12, on developing a quantification method for food additives. Shin "Tom" Kang, '12, coordinated with both Drew and Deanna Ojennus (Chemistry) to develop aroma profiles of fermented beverages that allow them to explore volatile chemicals in barley-based beverages compared to gluten-free sources. Look for more about these faculty-student collaborations in the October M&H.
The Arts
The exhibit "Face to Face: Recent Figurative Work of Bruce Herman" will take place Sept. 13-Nov. 5 in our Bryan Oliver Art Gallery. The artist's reception is set for 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 13, and Herman will present his artist's lecture that same day at 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre, Weyerhaeuser Hall. For more information, call 509.777.3258.
In celebration of the Franz Liszt bicentennial, the Kong Piano Duo will present an all-Liszt, two-piano program in the Whitworth Recital Hall on Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. They will also offer a piano master class at 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 in the recital hall. Both events are free and open to the public.
Saxophonist Joshua Redmond, recognized throughout the world as a true jazz master, will appear with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium. Tickets ($15) will be available Sept. 26 at www.whitworth.edu/musictickets, www.ticketswest.com and on campus at the HUB Info Desk (509.777.3796).
Student Life
Welcome, all new students! Veteran student leaders and volunteers welcomed newbies to Orientation Weekend, during which the vets introduced frosh to Whitworth traditions, helped them prepare for classes, and got them involved in activities. Orientation featured the traditional Yell Off and Mock Rock competitions, an outside movie in The Loop, The Stewart Lawn Dance and Bingo. Freshmen had a ball while their parents were at home trying to get used to the absence of their newly minted Whitworth students. See a video of all of the excitement at youtube.com/whitworthuniversity.
The Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement has developed a unique partnership with The Arc of Spokane, and individuals with developmental disabilities from The Arc's community center will be visiting Whitworth classes this year. Brian Holloway, The Arc's director of development, says, "This really gets to the heart of what we're trying to accomplish both as an agency and through the community engagement program."
Alumni & Parents
Soccer alums: Join us Sept. 23-25 for a reunion for all Whitworth Soccer alumni. This will be a weekend of Pirate pride, celebrating more than three decades of soccer at Whitworth. To view a full schedule of events and to register, please visitwww.whitworth.edu/alumnievents.
Homecoming 2011 is on its way! The weekend of Oct. 7-9 is full of great events for all Whitworth alums and their families. Join us for Frisbee in The Loop on Saturday at 9 a.m.; tennis alumni are invited to join in a match at 9:45 a.m. on Cutter Courts. Then it's time for the grand opening of Robinson Science Hall, followed by an all-campus picnic and refreshments in the alumni tent during the football game. We'll honor our 2011 Alumni Award winners at Saturday's banquet, after which we'll have celebrations for the classes of 2006, 2001 and 1991 as well as for affinity groups from swimming, biology and chemistry. To see the full schedule or to register for the banquet/childcare, visit www.whitworth.edu/homecoming.
To kick off Homecoming 2011, please join us for a lecture by Alumni Award winner Primal de Lanerolle, '68. On Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m., in the Eric Johnston Science Center Auditorium, de Lanerolle, a member of the faculty of the University of Illinois at Chicago, will present a free lecture, "From English Major to Professor of Physiology: The Enchantment of a Liberal Arts Education." All are welcome!
Parents' Weekend 2011 is Oct. 21-23. Join your student(s) and fellow parents for a weekend full of activities designed just for you! Please register by Oct. 8 at www.whitworth.edu/parentsweekend.
Admissions & Financial Aid
Our admissions counselors soon will be visiting college fairs, high schools and churches near you;www.whitworth.edu/admissionstravel will provide their travel schedules, so if you know a student who might be a good fit for Whitworth, please encourage her or him to contact one of our counselors or to fill out our online information request form at www.whitworth.edu/inforequest. A new, streamlined web application will be available Sept. 15 at www.whitworth.edu/apply, and we now accept the Common Application.
Our fall freshman class is (relatively) small, but mighty! We had more applications than last year but were aiming for a smaller class, so we admitted fewer students. We then experienced lower yield, and the result is fewer first-time freshmen than planned. But their academic profile is the strongest ever – with a 37-point jump in the average SAT score, to 1807. We understand the factors that contributed to our shortfall, and we have a clear plan to achieve our enrollment goals for next year. Thanks for all you do to refer students to us. And a sincere welcome to new Acting Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid Greg Orwig, '91, formerly chief of staff in my office.
Resources
Students are back at it with the annual Whitworth Phonathon. This program is one of the most successful ways in which we convey the student experience directly to our alumni and parents. Phonathoners can tell you what it's like to live and learn in the Whitworth community, and these students raise a significant amount of support for our annual budget – more than $200,000 every year. They're eager to talk to you, so please answer that call from 509.777.3291.
Walker Construction broke ground in early August on the new 14,000-square-foot addition to the HUB dining facility.This long-awaited project, which will increase mealtime seating capacity by more than 50 percent, will also include new dining options (including a pizza oven!) and a meeting room for conferences. The addition will be open for business next May.
Costa Rica
Fall semester at Whitworth South has begun in earnest. Two student-teachers arrived there a month ago and are pouring their lives into teaching/learning at the Lighthouse International School. Others' classes began last week with Spanish 301, Core "Corazon" 350, and Spanish for Christian Ministry. Please lift up our students in prayer as they meet their host families and immerse themselves in Spanish. And our Costa Rica staffers would appreciate your prayers as they encourage Whitworth students to become more fluent citizens of the world.
Sports
Football has new starters at key positions this season, including quarterback, running back and several defensive positions. Head Coach John Tully is confident that this year's incoming class of players is as good as he has had in many seasons.
Volleyball hopes to make it two Northwest Conference championships in a row. Head Coach Steve Rupe has five starters back from last season's championship team, including NWC Player of the Year Kaimi Rocha.
Men's soccer will look to several key starters to propel the squad back to its happy place – atop the NWC standings. Head Coach Sean Bushéy is in his 16th season of leading the Pirates, and this team has a chance to win Sean a seventh NWC championship.
Jael Hagerott, '07, one of Whitworth's best-ever soccer players, takes over as head coach of the women's soccer team this year. Goalkeeper Callie Bergstrom and defender Anisa Babar lead what should be a very strong Whitworth defense.
Men's cross-country is aiming for its third Northwest Conference championship in the last four years. The team is led by Aaron Jenkins, who has been to nationals three times. Head Coach Toby Schwarz is looking to rebuild his mega-successful women's team, which graduated three of last year's top five runners.
The golf teams begin play this month. The men open at the Washington State Invitational, while the women begin play at the Pacific (Ore.) Invitational.
Closing Thoughts
As I began my second academic year as Whitworth's president, I reflected on how nice it is to have run around the proverbial track one time. During my second lap, I will know better which lane to be in, how fast to run, and when to anticipate the turns. Familiarity is a wonderful thing. The Whitworth community is fantastic, and I cannot imagine why it took me so long to get here – look at all I was missing! One thing that I've committed myself to do is to pray regularly for Whitworth and for all of the people who come into contact with the university. One of the most common questions I receive from people is, "How can we pray for Whitworth?" I've never been able to answer that question to my own satisfaction. Now I can. Two weeks ago, Whitworth launched an online prayer blog called On Bended Knee (www.whitworth.edu/onbendedknee). Each week, the blog will list specific prayer requests for the Whitworth community, along with a scripture reading and words of thanksgiving. Also included will be the sermon texts and lessons preached on campus during chapel that week. I hope that this resource is one that you will take advantage of, and one that will connect you more deeply to what is happening on campus. By God's grace, may Whitworth be known as a campus rooted in prayer. Thanks for partnering with us.
