Mind & Heart Newsletter: December 2012
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
Whitworth embraces paradox. Our university is animated by what we call the "grand paradox" – the idea that faith and education are complementary rather than competing values and that mind and heart are meant to nurture and sustain each other. Whitworth stands for the seemingly paradoxical idea that we should pursue faith as rigorously as we pursue truth, and pursue truth as devotedly as we pursue faith. God loves to teach us through the lens of paradox. The late American physicist Richard Feynman said that a paradox "is not a conflict within reality, but a conflict between reality and our feeling of what reality should be." Jesus himself embodies this definition. St. John, in the prologue to his gospel, introduces us to mere glimpses of Jesus' paradoxical nature: the transcendent made incarnate; the creator made created; Jesus filled with both grace and truth. He employed paradox as he taught, using parables. I once heard a preacher say that parables are "a device to compare apples to oranges." Parables provided Jesus with a way to use ordinary things and relationships to contemplate and teach the extraordinary things of God. Advent, this season of the liturgical calendar that brings us to reflect upon the awesome work that a loving God did in a broken world to bring peace and joy, can also be viewed through the lens of paradox. During Advent we are encouraged to anticipate the arrival of God through Jesus Christ. We look expectantly for what God can and will do through the miracle of the incarnation. We trust that God will do a wonderful work to bring true Shalom. Yet we are also to live as though the incarnation has happened, as if grace and truth have already been revealed to us – because they have. Our anticipation is not for the Christ child, for he was delivered to us, but for the day when God in Christ has fully redeemed the world unto himself. Our hope is not set on whether, or when, or through what means redemption will occur, but upon the certainty of God's love for us and for the world, expressed in the person and work of Christ, fully revealed. So as Advent people, we can live fully and confidently in this wonderful paradox: While we wait for God, we are with God all along, and while we need to be reassured of God's arrival, or the arrival of our homecoming, we are already at home. Emily Dickinson captured this in her poem On the Paradox of Advent:
The Infinite, a sudden Guest
Has been assumed to be –
But how can that stupendous come
Which never went away?
Academics
Congratulations to Associate Professor Alan Mikkelson, '00 (Communication Studies), whose 2011 article "Different Solicitudes of Social Support in Different Types of Adult Sibling Relationships" has been chosen Article of the Year by the Journal of Family Communication. Alan was presented with a certificate at the NCA Family Communication Division business meeting this month.
Visiting Assistant Professor Tibebe Eshete (History) presented at the 18th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies last month in Ethiopia. His presentation was in a panel discussion of "Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Ethiopia: The History and Social Dynamics of a Contemporary Religious Movement," and his research was on "The SIM Youth Center, Hibret Ambra Church and the Spread of the Charismatic Movement in the Qale Hiwot Church" (a church that has more than seven million members in Ethiopia). Hundreds of scholars from major universities all over the world attended the conference.
Assistant Professor Todd Friends (School of Global Commerce & Management) recently spoke on business opportunities in Asia. Todd's presentation, which took place at the Washington State Sister Cities Conference, shared cross-cultural knowledge from his extensive business experience in Asia. Todd currently serves on the advisory board of the Spokane Regional Trade Alliance.
The Arts
Six Whitworth vocalists earned awards at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Inland Empire Chapter Auditionsheld at WSU in November. Winners in the classical division in their respective age groups included Amy Evans, '13, and Tommy Bocchi, '16, first place; Will Czifro, '16, second place; and Lise Hafso, '15, and Anna Willson, '14, third place. Ellie Tappa, '13, was awarded third place in the musical theater division. Congratulations to these students and their teachers and accompanists.
The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Professor Dan Keberle (Music), will perform in February at the 46th annual Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festival, in Chicago. Dan has recently had three more of his jazz arrangements published by the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press, which has now published 20 of Dan's arrangements.
Professor Leonard Oakland (English) was emcee for the opening concert of the Trophée Mondial World Accordion Competition, which was brought to Spokane recently by 2012 Alumni Award recipient Patricia Bartell, '00. The concert featured groups from throughout the world, the international accordion champion, and the Spokane quartet Tango Volcado, of which Patricia is a member. I'm pretty sure that's the first accordion competition on Leonard's long and illustrious vita.
Student Life
Everyone had lots of creepy fun at our Halloween events: Warren Hall's Monster Mash and the Mac Hall haunted house provided the thrills, and our theme-house residents, along with Julie and I, provided the goodies, hosting 200 or so Whitworth trick-or-treaters for a costume party. November events included Miss Representation, which illuminated the ways in which media portray women, and The Naked Face Project. Midnight Madness celebrated the beginning of basketball season with introductions of the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as slam-dunk and three-pointer exhibitions. The audience also participated in court games and, of course, received their Midnight Madness T-shirts (which an amazing number of students wore to the first men's game of the season). Then the International Banquet and Festival took us into Thanksgiving Break with amazing food from all around the world and entertainment provided by our international student clubs.
The health center is offering travel clinics to all Whitworth-sponsored travelers, including the more than 200 students enrolled in off-campus programs in Jan Term. The center offers travel screenings for students via a new process created through collaboration with the offices of off-campus programs and service-learning. Travel clinics are an important step in keeping our students healthy and safe when they're on the road in the U.S. or abroad.
In February, with support from the President's Strategic Initiative Fund, we're planning to launch a new anti-violence measure that incorporates a "bystander approach," encouraging and equipping those who see violence to help the victim and deal with the abuser. This initiative to combat power-based personal violence (stalking, bullying, partner violence and sexual assault) is one response to information gathered from focus groups with students, faculty and staff that indicates a need to address these concerns in a proactive way. In order to make our already-safe community even more secure, we've hosted one training session and are planning another around our launch date.
Alumni & Parents
Portland-area alumni and parents are invited to a networking event on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. This event, sponsored by the offices of alumni & parent relations and career services, along with the School of Global Commerce & Management, is a great opportunity to connect with Whitworth professionals in the Portland area. Mark your calendar now and look for registration information soon.
Heritage month 2013 is shaping up beautifully. In February we'll celebrate Whitworth's 123rd anniversary as we explore the theme "The African-American Experience at Whitworth," and our annual Gospel Explosion, two great speakers, and several of the Leonard Oakland Film Festival choices will address the broader implications of African-American life in the U.S.
Mark your calendars for Whitworth reunions on campus during 2013 Commencement Weekend, May 17-19. Members of the classes of 1953, 1963 and 1973, as well as all alumni who graduated in 1963 and earlier, are invited to join us on campus while we also celebrate this year's Alumni Award recipients. Watch for more information soon, or contact the alumni office at 509.777.3799 or alumni@whitworth.edu.
Have you moved, changed your contact information, or had a life change? Please update us at www.whitworth.edu/alumni/stayengaged.htm, and click on the Class Notes and Updates form. We'd love to stay in touch.
Admissions
The holidays are a good time for students to investigate and apply for outside scholarships to help fund their college education. Whitworth covers as much of students' financial need as our resources can afford, but there is always a gap we can't cover – and outside scholarships often make the difference in a family's ability to close that gap. Many scholarship resources are available online, including on our financial aid site: www.whitworth.edu/financialaid/scholarshipopportunities.
Incoming freshmen admitted with honors for fall 2013 should be on the lookout for invitations to attend one of our Honors Colloquium weekends scheduled for Feb. 9-10, Feb. 23-24 and March 9-10. Attendance is capped at 100 students for each event, and registration is handled on a first-come, first served basis, so don't dawdle. These events are a lot of fun in spite of the fact that two full-tuition scholarships are at stake at each colloquium.
Resources
Thank you so much for making this the time of year in which you stuff not only turkeys and stockings, but also those little gift envelopes we sent with last month's Mind & Heart. I hope 2012 has been such a great year for you that you will benefit from making a tax-deductible gift. We would certainly benefit from receiving one! December is the biggest month of the year for The Whitworth Fund, for which our strategic plan has significant giving goals, including one for raising $1.38 million dollars this year. So while I boldly ask that you help us reach these goals, I also thank you with all my heart for your past gifts. It's my daily privilege to witness the amazing ways in which our students and alumni support people in need. We will be really grateful for any contributions you can make to this mind-and-heart mission. Visit www.whitworth.edu/give to make a gift.
Costa Rica
CRC Director Lindy Scott writes, "during our weeklong trip to Nicaragua, many students fell in love – with Nicaraguan poetry! Upon returning to Costa Rica, Assistant Professor Nicole Sheets (English) organized a Nicaraguan poetry night, and 90 percent of the student body thoroughly enjoyed a bilingual reading of poetry, the works of Daisy Zamora being among the favorites. On Thanksgiving eve, the CRC gathered for a traditional turkey dinner. What was not so traditional was an all-community talent show where we shared and enjoyed music, drama, poetry and dancing. At the end of November, students spent a week in Cuba discovering the mysterious island for themselves. Museums, music, church services, food, walks along the boardwalk, meetings with Cuban university students, and interviews with Cubans from a wide variety of perspectives filled their/our days and nights."
Sports
The football team finished 7-3, ending the season with a 37-20 win over Lewis & Clark. Ronnie Thomas and Jake DeGooyer, both '13, earned All-Northwest Conference first-team honors at running back and wide receiver, respectively.
Volleyball finished the season with an overall record of 10-13 and an NWC mark of 6-10. Jalana White, '14, earned Second Team All-NWC honors.
The men's soccer team went 13-3-3 overall and won the Northwest Conference with a 10-2-2 record. The Pirates played in the NCAA Division III tournament for the seventh time since 2001, falling to Mississippi College 1-0 in a first-round match played at Trinity University, in Texas. Sean Bushéy was selected NWC Coach of the Year, while GK Kyle Novak, '13, was voted NWC Defensive Player of the Year. Four other Whitworth players earned first-team honors: Balin Larson, '15, and Andrew Flint, Will Wren and Robby Ubben, all '14.
Women's soccer finished 10-8-2 overall and 10-4-2 (third place) in the NWC. Midfielder Mackenzie Grow, '13, and goalkeeper Andrea Stump, '16, earned first-team All-NWC consideration.
The women's cross country team finished third at the NWC Conference championships and 10th at the NCAA West Region meet. Elisabeth Spencer, '14, earned First Team All-NWC recognition with her fifth-place finish at the conference championship meet, while Christina Anderson, '14, took 27th place at the regional meet to earn All-West-Region honors.
The men's cross country team ended up fourth at the NWC championships and ninth at the NCAA West Region meet. Taylor Steele, '14, ran to Second-Team All-NWC honors, while Mac Murray, '16, was 35th at the regional meet; Mac earned All-West-Region honors.
The men's golf team won the NWC Fall classic tournament, held just outside of Vancouver, Wash. Jesse Salzwedel, '14, was the NWC individual runner-up, with a final score of -1 (143). The Pirate women took third place as a team, with Emily Guthrie, '13, finishing second as an individual, following a second-round score of 73 on Sunday.
The swimming teams are both off to 4-0 dual-meet starts. The Pirate women have also won all of the invitational meets in which they have participated. Samantha Smith, '15, was chosen NWC Women's Swimmer of the Week for Nov. 20. The Whitworth men finished second to Whitman at both the NWC Sprint Pentathlon and the Northwest Invitational.
Men's basketball, ranked 14th in the d3hoops.com preseason poll, lost to 11th-ranked St. Thomas 70-65 in its season opener on Nov. 17 despite a game-high 23 points by Wade Gebbers, '13. The Pirates came back the following week to top NCAA Div. III tournament 2012 participants University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 70-61, with Dustin McConnell and Colton McCargar, both '14, leading the way.
The women's basketball team has stormed out of the gate, going 4-0 to begin their season and scoring a Whitworth record 105 points in a road game against CalTech. The women are enjoying their best start since 2006, with Kendra Lahue, '14 (high scorer in the CalTech game), Faith Emerson, '16, Bethany Fleming, '14, Lauren Picha, '13, and KC McConnell, '16, turning in some topnotch performances.
Closing Thoughts
I used my generous quota of words in my greeting, so I'll be brief here in wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. On behalf of the entire Whitworth family, as well as the Taylor family, I thank you for your prayers and support.
