President's Report 2017-18

A message from President Beck A. Taylor, Ph.D.

When we launched Whitworth 2021, the university’s ambitious 10-year vision and strategic plan, we knew that we had a strong foundation from which to build. The institution had experienced unprecedented success in the previous decade, and the proverbial wind was in our sails. That allowed us to think in big and bold terms as we set the course for the next decade and beyond.

The plan, which is now entering its final three years, envisions even greater academic success for our students, more experiential learning to complement traditional classroom experiences, expansions in graduate education, and an emphasis on growing intercultural competencies, among other objectives. The goal is simple: to elevate Whitworth’s standing as one of the finest Christian universities in the world.

One of the strong foundational pillars we depended upon as we articulated the university’s future was the historic strength of Whitworth’s undergraduate teaching. No matter which era of alums we survey, the universal experience Whitworthians mention throughout the years is the quality of instruction and the mentorship, and, indeed, friendship, Whitworth’s faculty members offer. So it was no surprise, but still appreciated, when U.S. News & World Report ranked Whitworth the best private regional university in the West for the quality of our undergraduate teaching for 2018.

Although the campus and curriculum have changed over the decades, Whitworth’s unwavering commitment to the student experience hasn’t changed. I’m so grateful to all of Whitworth’s faculty and staff members who embody that commitment as they live and work faithfully into Whitworth’s mission to equip graduates to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.