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The Loop: Spring 2012 Issue
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> Alumni & Parent Relations Update |
> Student Perspectives > Parent Resources > Upcoming Events > Final Words |
Welcome
Greetings from Whitworth!
Walking around campus, it is amazing to see signs of spring: Frisbees dart across The Loop, students wearing shorts and sandals is becoming the norm again, as is studying outdoors in The Loop. After a long winter, students, staff and faculty crave the arrival of spring and summer.
At this time of year, as students are thinking more about the summer and their futures, I'm always reminded of my dad, who often spoke those freeing and grace-filled words, "Josh, do what you love," while I was making big decisions throughout my college career. On one end of the spectrum, I see students applying for on-campus student leadership positions and on the other end, I see seniors applying for graduate schools, jobs and service positions. I often share with these students the words my dad shared with me; may you share those words with your son or daughter, too.
In this edition of The Loop, you'll hear from a student, a parent, a faculty member, and an administrator, all reflecting on this season and on the coming of summer. Life at Whitworth is busy: students work hard and play hard, all while growing more and more into their unique selves and unique callings.
We are thinking of you and are praying for you as you approach this season, too, whether this is your first spring and summer with a college student, or this is your final spring as you are about to celebrate your student's graduation from this great place.
As always, if there is anything we can do for you, please don't hesitate to contact us. You know where to find us, and we're always here to support you.
In the Whitworth spirit,
Josh Cleveland, '01, M.Div.
Assistant Director of Alumni &Parent Relations
Alumni & Parent Relations Office Update
Finals Week Exam-Survival Kits
If you ordered a survival kit for your son or daughter, the kits will be delivered during finals week, May 8-11. If you haven't yet placed an order, there is still time to do so. We are pleased to offer two options for your student: the Finals Week Fresh Fruit Bag, which includes fresh and healthy seasonal fruit packaged in a recyclable gift bag, costs $25. The Exam Energy Kit, filled with familiar favorites including Act II Kettle Corn microwave popcorn, Planters Peanuts, Reese's Pieces, Rice Krispie Treats, Laffy Taffy, M&M's, and other surprises -- 20 items in all -- comes in an environmentally friendly box and costs $20.
To surprise your student with a Finals Week Exam-Survival Kit, please order online before April 13. We are unable to accept orders after the deadline. Place your order here.
Parents' Council
Did you know that almost 40 parents volunteer on our Parents' Council? These volunteers comprise a representative group of parents of current students who meet on campus twice annually, and whose objective is to generate and maintain the goodwill and support of student families. Parents on the council are located in areas where we have the highest number of current Whitworth students and families. We are so grateful for their service and support! Click here for more information about Parents' Council.
Around Campus
Dining Hall Expansion
We are so pleased to see that the addition to the Hixson Union Building dining hall is almost complete! Our construction crews have appreciated the mild winter weather and have been able to progress quickly. This phase of the dining hall will allow for a more comfortable dining experience for our students, and will provide a greater variety of food and dining options. Click here for more information on the expansion, and to see architectural renderings and a real-time webcam video of the addition's progress.
Note From Student Life
by Nicole Boymook, Associate Director of Residence Life
Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life. --Marilu Henner, Actress
Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner. After spring break, March 19-23, only six weeks of classes and one week of finals remain (move-out day for non-seniors is Saturday, May 12). For some of you, it is the first time you'll have a son or daughter coming home for the summer, and for others it may be the first time you don't have a son or daughter at home during the summer. Either case can be a significant transition, so what can you do to prepare yourself and your student for the upcoming summer months?
It may be a good idea to have a conversation in person, over the phone, or via e-mail with your daughter or son about expectations -- yours and theirs -- for the summer months. Are you expecting they will get a job or an internship? If so, how much money do they need to earn for school for next year? Do you expect them to watch their younger sibling/s for a certain amount of time during the week? Do you expect them to go on the family vacation? Do you expect them to attend church with the family? Do they have a curfew?
If your student isn't coming home for the summer, what are your hopes for what communication will look like? Would you like him or her to come home for a visit at some point during the summer?
These questions address a few of the potential "hot button" issues that can bubble up as you transition into summertime with your student. As we all know, unmet expectations can lead to disappointment. Talking about potential issues ahead of time will help ensure that everyone is on the same page about summertime expectations, needs, wants and plans.
Parent Perspectives
Watching Over the Crossroads
by Liz Holtzman
On a bright, crisp fall weekend, I moved my freshman daughter into Stewart Hall and entrusted her into the care and instruction of the Whitworth community. President Beck Taylor spoke of an education of the mind and heart, an education that summons students to a crossroads, "where the fearless pursuit of the truth intersects with a steadfast commitment to the integration of Christian faith and learning." Whitworth's vision of equipping its students to live lives "with intellectual competence, moral courage and deep compassion" aligns exactly with the hopes and dreams we have for our daughter.
While my daughter discovers the new crossroads prepared for her at Whitworth, I also find myself at a new crossroads. For the first time I am not directly involved in my daughter's day-to-day life. How am I to continue being a positive force in my daughter's life?
As I reflected on these changes, the role of watchmen in the Old Testament came to mind. In the Old Testament God was often frustrated with his people because they were rebellious and did not walk in his ways. He sent prophets, judges and ordinary people to serve as "watchmen" to remind the people of what was right, warn them about the consequences of their rebellion, and intercede for them in prayer. Ezekiel 22:30 says the Lord "looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." Thankfully, that is not the case for us. There are faithful people "building up the wall and standing in the gap" on behalf of the Whitworth community. There are people watching over the crossroads, praying for the protection and furtherance of God's work in the lives of our students. This is a powerful mission I can join. I can watch over the crossroads by praying for God's work in the Whitworth community and, through that community, his work in my daughter's life.
I have signed up to receive On Bended Knee, Whitworth's online prayer guide. It provides weekly posts with scripture passages and timely prayer requests for Whitworth people and programs. I find it a very useful tool as I pray faithfully for Whitworth and my daughter. Please join me in watching over the crossroads. When we pray, we align ourselves with the invincible power of God to accomplish his purpose in the lives of our students.
Liz Holtzman lives in Redmond, Wash., where she works part time on staff at The Bear Creek School. Her daughter, Anna, '15, is a freshman.
Student Perspectives
by Rachel O'Kelley, '12
ASWU President Melinda Leavitt, '12, shares her fellow classmates' enthusiasm for spring, when the weather warms and everyone is counting down to the end of the school year. But she is also enthused about working on a number of programs and events, including the new Honors Program that Whitworth will introduce next fall.
"I am looking forward to working with ASWU to finish the year strong, and to really continue to work to grow as a leader while helping others grow in their leadership positions," Leavitt says.
Most students agree that springtime at Whitworth is filled with exciting events, like Springfest, the Mr. Whitworth contest, and other dorm-specific activities. Many students begin to feel a bit of spring fever once April rolls around, and focusing on classes while the sun is shining and fun events are happening can prove to be difficult.
"Students need encouragement that the end is in sight and to finish the year strong," Leavitt says. "This is the point in the year when it feels like we've been in school forever and weariness begins to settle in."
She urges students to remember why they came to Whitworth in the first place, which was to receive a good education. Leavitt encourages students to not only focus on their education in the classroom, but to also get involved outside of class, whether through joining a club, applying for an ASWU position, or working off-campus.
One of parents' biggest worries in the spring is where their student will live during the next academic year and when their student will make living arrangements. Parents often have a hard time when their student is required to make those arrangements on his or her own.
Leavitt wants to put parents' minds at ease by reminding them that students are usually very responsible about making housing and work arrangements for the following year. "Students are fairly forward thinking about their plans for work and housing," Leavitt says.
Spring is an exciting time on campus as the academic year comes to a close, ASWU elections are underway, and students buckle down for the final academic lap. It's a time to finish the year strong, focus on what next year will bring, and maybe enjoy a few study breaks along the way.
Parent Resources
Residence Hall Closures
For all non-graduating students, residence halls close on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m.; for graduating students, residence halls close on Monday, May 14, at 10 a.m. Each non-graduating student must be checked out of his/her residence hall within 24 hours of his/her last final exam. Failure to follow this policy will result in a charge of $10 for every 15 minutes a student stays late. Graduating students may stay in the halls until Monday, May 14, at 10 a.m. If there are special circumstances, your student should contact his or her resident director as soon as possible.
Yearbooks
It's not too late to purchase a yearbook for your student! The 2012 volume is available for $55 at www.whitworth.edu/yearbook.You may pay online or charge it to your student's account. Seniors also have the option to purchase the 2009-2012 editions for a total of $150 (by e-mail request). For further information or questions, please contact Editors-in-Chief Pam Bauthues and Pam Murphy at natsihichief@gmail.com.
Update Your Information
Have you changed your address, phone, primary e-mail address, or other personal information? Please keep us updated so we can keep you updated! E-mail updates@whitworth.edu to update your information.
Other Resources
The Whitworth Hawaiian Club, Na Pu'uwai o Hawai'i (The Heart of Hawai'i), will share food and culture with the Whitworth and Spokane communities during the club's 42nd annual Lu'au on Saturday, April 14, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Monday, April 2. For more information on the lu'au and how to purchase tickets, visit Whitworth Hawaiian Club Lu'au 2012.
Commencement 2012
Congratulations to those of you celebrating your son or daughter's graduation from Whitworth! This is a special time, and we're excited to have you on campus to join in the festivities. For complete details, including information about local accommodations, please visit www.whitworth.edu/commencement.
Alumni & Parents Calendar
Campus Events Calendar
Academic Calendar
by Melissa Rogers, Assistant Professor of Psychology
As we head toward the end of another academic year, plans for summer are taking shape and piles of grading work are rapidly stacking up on my desk. As the year winds down and I have time to think about the conversations I have had with many of your children, the discussions we had in class, and the changes in them I have seen develop over the past year, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my calling as a teacher, the support of the Whitworth community, and, most importantly, thankful for the time with your children.
As parents, you have trusted me to educate your children's minds, spark their curiosity, develop compassion for their world, and help them build the tools for a successful life after their time at Whitworth. I take this responsibility very seriously, and I cherish my time with them. I am not yet a parent myself, but I will be in a few short months. As I think about how excited I am to meet my own child for the first time, I better realize just how big it is to let your child go off to college and continue growing outside of the home. Thank you.
Thank you for the relationships I have formed with your children. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have students stop by my office just to share a pint of ice cream. Thank you for fun conversations at the coffee shop. Thank you for the brave first-year student who was willing to speak out against injustice with insight far beyond her years. Thank you for allowing me to support a student whose family was going through an illness that my own family was experiencing as well. Thank you for providing me the opportunity to learn from smart seniors who are ready to thrive outside Whitworth. Thank you for the relationships all Whitworth professors have formed with your children.
And now we are all thankful for summer to come. A time we can take a breath, reflect on the successes and struggles of the past year, and recharge for next year. A time you may have again with your child, a time for continued conversations, and a time for fun. Not a day goes by that I don't think about how much I love my job and how thankful I am to be here.
Thank you for your part in this!
Melissa Rogers, Ph.D., joined the Whitworth psychology department in summer 2009. She is a cognitive psychologist and specializes in the intersection between education and psychology, focusing on how educators can use what we understand about human cognition to enhance how teachers teach and students learn.
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