Heather Wallace

Anticipated graduation year: 2011

Majors: Philosophy; English

Hometown: West Linn, Ore.

Whitworth activities/clubs: Spandex Optional Cycling Club, miscellaneous student theatre productions, employed in the Whitworth Writing Center

Favorite book: The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman

Favorite quote:
The Brain –is wider than the Sky—
For—put them side by side—
The one the other will contain
With ease—and you—beside—

The Brain is deeper than the sea—
For—hold them—Blue to Blue—
The one the other will absorb—
As sponges—Buckets—do—

The Brain is just the weight of God—
For—Heft them—Pound for Pound—
And they will differ—if they do—
As Syllable from Sound—

- Emily Dickinson, c 1862

You'd be surprised to know that... I rode my bike 200 miles from Seattle to Portland last summer...after only cycling for two months!

Favorite thing about Whitworth: I know it's corny, but I really appreciate Whitworth's dedication to being fully committed to Christ and staying open-minded to finding truth wherever it may be. What an incredibly difficult goal! But I truly see it lived out in so many ways here: The administration is connected and willing to engage with students on any issue, the Whitworthian has important freedom of the press and keeps both students and administration accountable to our own hypocrisy or double standards, and so many individuals are willing to speak up and engage the rest of campus in issues that would be easy to ignore. There is a drive of activism among students to really grapple with the difficult topics that provoke uncomfortable feelings among many people. We aren't perfect, but I am amazed by the level of grace I have witnessed in the student body as we struggle together as a community, listening to opposing voices while seeking truth.

Best class: Old Testament Prophets with Scott Starbuck is an absolute must for anyone who is a Christian or is frustrated with Christianity. The American church has long ignored the powerful, challenging, uncomfortable message of parts of the Old Testament. But our faith is incomplete and dead without it. (Yes, Jesus isn't enough if you don't understand where he is coming from theologically!) This class deals with the hardest, and most real, parts of faith and Scripture and asks us to engage with God in completely new ways—and reconsider the way we think he works in history, through his people, and in our individual lives and callings. It has changed the life and faith of everyone I know who has taken it!

Favorite residence hall: Shalom Cornerstone! 2008-09 was the first year that students lived in this residence, and despite continuing construction glitches, it has been an INCREDIBLE opportunity. About 25 upperclassmen live in intentional community, committed to caring for one another and being a presence on campus working for justice and wholeness (Shalom!). The relationships I have found here are some of the most intimate and quickly formed that I have had at Whitworth. In fact, I'm spending the summer in Finland with an exchange student that I have gotten to know here in Shalom! ... and it's nice that we have our own bathrooms and two community kitchens!

Best Whitworth moment or experience: I just recently read in the first ever Vagina Monologues performance at Whitworth. It was an absolutely phenomenal experience. The Vagina Monologues was a controversial event for our campus, but everyone involved showed so much maturity about being committed to hearing diverse voices here at Whitworth while helping an important cause. The Monologues challenge us, shock us, and invite us to action. I'm so proud that I go to a school that is willing to listen to voices that may not present the same perspective as the official stance of the school and its supporters. And the house was packed with an energetic, enjoyable audience! Being part of The Vagina Monologues initiated incredible conversations for me and built a community of women here in a completely unique and powerful way. I think the whole process of bringing the show to campus and having a receptive audience says a lot about who we are as the Whitworth community.

Advice for incoming students: There's way too much to do and be involved in here! Take some time at first to dip in to lots of potential activities, but quickly learn how to say no! Pick a few things that you really love and can invest completely in – and don't feel guilty about the hundreds of great causes and opportunities you have to turn down!

What I plan to do after graduation: I hope to go to grad school and study neuroscience or philosophy of mind. I love the interdisciplinary approach to the core questions about what makes us human. I could see myself someday teaching and remaining involved in research in these fields.