Vice Provost's Message

Dear colleagues,

I hope your summer has given you what you needed most. Perhaps you needed rest, travel, productivity or simply time on our beautiful campus. For my family, it was a mix of celebration and tradition: Whitworth graduation for our oldest, Ainsley; Mead High School graduation for our fourth, Emmy; and our annual family vacation to Lopez Island.

August slips away in time as it usually does and turns our attention to the joy of welcoming new colleagues and students. New faculty orientation is one of my favorite events of the year. Their introduction to Whitworth included the full experience: a HUB lunch with John Pell, a residence hall tour, a library tour, and tacos with Scott and Janice McQuilkin. I encourage you to join us in extending hospitality at Faculty Retreat on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Big Barn Brewing starting at 11:15 a.m., and the tradition of New Faculty Installation & Worship Service and Faculty Family Picnic also on Thursday, Aug. 28, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Another tradition we treasure is faculty mentorship. Many of you have guided new colleagues in past years with generosity and wisdom. This year, we will again provide compensation for mentors’ time and effort. If you have served before or expressed interest in doing so, I will be reaching out soon.

And of course, we soon welcome our newest students. On Sunday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m., the Whitworth community will gather on The Loop for the Crossover Ceremony, where students and families hear from the president, sing “Amazing Grace” and walk through the pinecone arch into their Whitworth journey. It is one of our most moving traditions, and I warmly invite you to join us. The energy increases with each person who step foot on campus. Please join us on Orientation Weekend for this and many other activities under New Student Orientation 2025.

I am grateful to begin another year of shared work alongside you, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

Stacy Withrow Hill, Ed.D.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs