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More than 600 candidates for bachelor's and master's degrees became the last graduates of Whitworth College over Commencement Weekend, May 19-20.
Graduating seniors and their families gathered at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena to hear Dale Soden, professor of history, college historian, and executive assistant to the president, address George Whitworth's founding vision and its integral role in both the history of Whitworth College and the future of Whitworth University.
Soden pointed out that Whitworth University, which will become the college's official name on July 1, best reflects an institution with Whitworth's profile of undergraduate, graduate and international programs. He also emphasized the fact that the distinctive mind-and-heart mission, liberal-arts focus and warm interpersonal culture for which Whitworth has long been known will endure. Earlier in the weekend, Bill Robinson, completing his 14th year as Whitworth president, addressed degree recipients of the college's graduate programs in education and business, including the first graduates of the Whitworth Master of Business Administration Program. And preaching at the baccalaureate ceremony was Dave Hillis, executive director of Tacoma's Northwest Leadership Foundation, which has partnered with Whitworth on the Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative to develop young urban leaders as agents of change on campus and in their communities.
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