Mind & Heart Newsletter: June 2026
An update from Whitworth University President Scott McQuilkin
Seasons. The Lord created them. Scripture speaks about them. Because each season has a start and a close, there's anticipation on both ends. March, June, September and December usher in the start of something new and stir thoughts about what the next season promises. I wonder for you, too, if there's something in the seasonal rhythms that evokes memories of hope and renewal, of patience and letting go. Not of the South Dakota type in which, my friend informs me, the seasons, just two of them, are winter and road construction. Nor, for me, the discomfort of May – the itchy eyes and scratchy throat of hay fever season while pinning my hopes of a postseason appearance by the Mariners. Rather, it's the transition from long days and summer warmth to crisp mornings and fall foliage; from winter garb to the first flower bud on the dogwood tree adjacent to our front porch. For everything, there is a season.
The Whitworth student experience seems to me like a prolonged spring – the rich soil, watering, roots diving deeply, the evident growth. Too often, we measure this academic season of life by semesters and classes, years in school, credits accumulated, and time left before earning one's diploma. There are better measurements, I think – ones of character and spiritual formation, and the development of intellect, courage, humility, and a sense of self and others. Our newly graduated students didn't just "go" to college. They came with potential; structure and community fostered agency. They came as learners; they leave equipped to be contributors to a world that needs them. This Whitworth season prepared them for their next season, and the ones to follow – seasons of promise. I am ever grateful for the fertile loam at 300 W. Hawthorne Road. It continues to produce exceptional graduates, people who have greatly blessed our community, simply because they shared this season of their lives with us.
Admissions Update
Enrolling for fall 2026 | There's still time to apply
A Whitworth education equips students to meet humanity's needs with compassion and confidence, and we look forward to welcoming our incoming first-year students this fall as they begin this transformative journey. Seventeen percent of incoming students have a parent or sibling who attended Whitworth, a record in recent years. In more sobering news, the substantial decrease in the state's need-based grant program (College Bound/Washington College Grant) for private, nonprofit universities has had an impact. We received 49 fewer deposits from College Bound students – those with high financial need – compared to last year. We will accept applications.(www.whitworth.edu/apply-now) and award financial aid through early August, but applying earlier is better. Transfer students have until the regular July 1 deadline to apply for a fall start (www.whitworth.edu/apply-now-transfer). Please contact the admissions office at admissions@whitworth.edu or 509.777.4786 with any questions.
14 Spring Highlights
1. We dedicated the new PACCAR Engineering Building in an energizing ceremony attended by the campus community, donors, the construction team and trustees. Afterward, our engineering & physics department students gave touring guests an inside look at the work already happening in this state-of-the art facility. We're thrilled about how this building will help equip our students to design engineering solutions that serve humanity.
2. Peace studies major Jordyn Bennett '27 has been selected as a finalist in the U.S. Department of State's prestigious Critical Language Scholarship Program. She will study Swahili in Tanzania this summer.
3. Speaking of Africa, three of our second-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy students completed the program's first international fieldwork rotation in Rwanda. The cohort and Assistant Professor Bonnie Kirkpatrick served children with disabilities through the organization Love With Actions in collaboration with Global Engagement Institute, gaining hands-on experience in an international health setting. We love seeing our health sciences programs expand their global reach!
4. Several art history majors worked alongside Professor Meredith Shimizu '93 on curating an exhibition at Spokane's Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Shimizu, the guest curator of an exhibition of European paintings from 1500-1900, worked directly with two students while two others interned at the MAC. It runs through Aug. 23.
5. Highlights from the music department include our students' achievements at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The Whitworth Jazz Orchestra, directed by Jared Hall '08, DMA, won first place in its division for large ensemble, and two Whitworth jazz combos took first place and runner-up in the combo category. Also, the Whitworth Choir had the fantastic experience of performing at the Northwestern American Choral Directors Association conference in Tacoma after being selected through a blind audition process. Directed by Xiaosha Lin, DMA, the choir received a standing ovation and high praise.
6. Three seniors in our engineering & physics department received fully funded offers from doctoral programs for the fall. Congratulations to these outstanding scholars:
- E.Q. Qian '26 (physics) – electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MIT Presidential Fellowship recipient
- Elena Calderon '26 (physics and applied mathematics) – applied mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder
- Colby Cinqmars '26 (engineering) – aerospace & mechanical engineering at the University of Arizona
7. The Arguing Bucs won the National Christian College Forensics Association's tournament on home turf in March, taking the combined sweepstakes as well as first place in debate and second in speech. Minasé Legesse '26 was the individual varsity champion. It was a fitting sendoff for the team's coach, Professor Mike Ingram, who retired this spring.
8. We are proud to introduce Whitworth Online, a new identity for our degree completion programs for adult learners. Whitworth Online replaces the former School of Continuing Studies name and offers all programs in a flexible, fully online format designed for working adults. Whitworth Online is also adopting an accelerated, 90-credit structure to reduce both the time and total cost of a bachelor's degree while preserving program rigor. Learn more at online.whitworth.edu.
9. The Whitworth Graduate Studies in Business Program has revamped its offerings to better serve working professionals. Starting in the next academic year, our master's programs in business administration and business leadership will offer lowresidency and fully online learning options. Our low-residency model will provide high-impact, in-person engagement without the need for weekly commuting. Explore these programs at www.whitworth.edu/gsb.
10. The Whitworth Women's Leadership Network hosted Career Week, an inspiring opportunity for students to connect with over a dozen alumni who are making an impact in their fields. A lunch and learn session on "Bridging Calling & Career" offered a meaningful space for students to glean insights for their futures. We are grateful to our alums for investing their time and wisdom in the next generation.
11. A record number of generous donors stepped up for One Pine Day in February! More than 1,100 Whitworthians gave to 21 projects supporting students. With continued spring giving, 13 projects are now fully funded. View the projects at www.whitworth.edu/one-pine-day.
12. Whitworth's Guaranteed Admissions & Aid Program (GAP+) took off this spring as our admissions team signed agreements with many public and private high schools. The program that started with the Mead School District now includes all Spokane Public Schools, East Valley High School, Lakeside High School, Gonzaga Preparatory School, Saint George's School, Northwest Christian Schools and more. Students in participating schools with a 3.6 GPA or higher have a direct path to admission and substantial scholarship support. Find details at www.whitworth.edu/apply-now-gap-plus.
13. Momentum is building for Whitworth's new four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, which will increase the region's nursing education capacity amid a growing nursing shortage. Chris Sloan, Ph.D., RN, has been hired as administrator and director and brings ample experience in nursing education, leadership and pediatric oncology. With meaningful ties to the Whitworth community, she is committed to developing a rigorous, mission-driven program.
14. Whitworth Athletics won the Northwest Conference McIlroy Lewis All-Sports Trophy for the 15th time in 17 years. The following are a few highlights from winter and spring that contributed to this feat: Our women's and men's swimming teams swept the NWC championships for the second and third year in a row, respectively, with the men's team claiming the largest margin of victory in conference history. The men's basketball team won another regular-season conference championship. The baseball team won the NWC regular season and tournament before making a run to the NCAA regional championship game. In track & field, the Pirate women won their first NWC crown in a decade. At the NCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Amblessed Okemgbo '26 took the women's shot put national title, and six of the eight Pirates who competed earned All-America honors.
Upcoming
Whitworth Ministry Summit | June 23-26 | On campus
Ministry leaders are invited to join us for three days of excellent preaching and teaching, formational worship, and communal discernment around the theme "Repairers of the Breach: Nurturing Faith Communities that Restore Hope & Peace." Register at www.whitworth.edu/summit.
President's Leadership Forum | Oct. 14, 7 p.m. | Fox Theater
We are honored to welcome presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham to the President's Leadership Forum. He will focus his presentation on his new book, American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An Anthology. For tickets, visit www.whitworth.edu/plf.
One Big Whitworth Weekend | Oct. 16-18 | On campus
Alumni and families are invited to our combined Homecoming and Family Weekend! Come reconnect with old friends and the campus community during one of the most beautiful times of the year. Alumni celebrating reunions this year (1966, '76, '86, '96, 2006 and '16) are also invited to an all-class reunion celebration and alumni award presentations at 1898 Public House. Register at www.whitworth.edu/obww-26.
Closing Thoughts
I invite you to consider making a gift that will open doors to the extended spring of a transformative Whitworth experience. The recent, steep cuts to state-supported aid have had dramatic results for students with high financial need. Doors are being closed. Scholarship support allows students to attend, to persist, and to grow in knowledge and character. In Whitworth soil.
Your gift to the Whitworth Scholarship Fund today will change a student's life. Make your gift online at www.whitworth.edu/heart. Thank you.
Scott McQuilkin