Mind & Heart Newsletter: March 2021
The March 2021 update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
Students at Whitworth have done an amazing job of creating social media accounts on a variety of platforms that highlight the good, true and beautiful on our campus and in our world. They range from the lighthearted @squirrelsofwhitworth Instagram account where you can romp our beautiful campus grounds through the eyes of our iconic four-legged, fluffy-tailed friends, to the more serious, including the @whitworthtot Instagram page that promotes resources and issues for students enrolled in teacher preparation programs. One of my recent favorites is the @humans.of.whitworth Instagram page that highlights Whitworthians who have inspiring stories of faith and perseverance. In one such story, Julia Horowitz '24 describes her harrowing journey with a mysterious, life-threatening illness, and the faithful journey that led her to Whitworth, despite the odds. Or there's Helio Ramollari '23, an international student from Albania, who on a whim decided to apply to Whitworth. Helio describes how, as a freshman at Whitworth, he wasn't that interested in issues of faith, but he noticed a difference among the people at Whitworth. During a Jan Term course on the Gospel of Matthew, Helio discovered the power of prayer. But just as his faith was becoming real, the pandemic hit, and Helio was stuck on campus with nowhere else to go. He found a Bible in a heap of items left behind after most students evacuated campus, and since then, Helio has grown in his faith and is now serving as a resident assistant in Duvall Hall. Places like Whitworth are collections of inspiring stories – each student and employee on this campus has a unique journey, and I'm inspired each day by the ways God is working in the lives of people who call this place home.
Academics
Whitworth's Ethics Bowl team, the Philosoraptors, took second place at the national Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl on Feb. 27-28, competing in an online format. Team members include Eric Anderson '21, Eli Min '21, Zakris Pierson '22, Kylie Vera '22 and Celia Vigil '23. This marks the 12th time in 14 years Whitworth has qualified for the national bowl. Whitworth was the first Christian college and first small liberal arts college to win the national bowl. The Philosoraptors have won the bowl three times, most recently in 2019. Go Bucs!
M.S. in athletic training student Ryan Stover '21 is completing an Injury Prevention Specialist Fellowship with Amazon. Stover is one of the first MSAT students in the nation to participate in this fellowship.
Robin Henager-Greene (Business & Economics) published an article in Journal of Family and Economic Issues in which she and her co-author discuss levels of satisfaction and funding strategies when paying for college.
The mathematics & computer science department launched a new major this academic year – applied mathematics. Its four track options are data science, economics, finance and general. Five students have already declared the major, and the department looks forward to growing that number as it continues to refine the major.
Jason Wollschleger (Sociology) is the recipient of the 2021 Provost's Award for Scholarship. Wollschleger's proposal for the award centers on taking a deep dive into data he has compiled related to the role of the Black church in the civil rights movement. Congratulations, Jason!
The Arts
This week, Whitworth Theatre will livestream its spring main-stage production, Antigone. What are we willing to sacrifice for justice? What might Antigone teach us today? Shows run March 19-21. There will be a talk-back after the March 21 matinee. Tickets: whitworth.edu/antigone. More information: theatre-dept@whitworth.edu or 509.777.4374.
The Whitworth University Art Department and the university's Bryan Oliver Gallery are proud to present the 2021 senior exhibition. A selection of works from our art and graphic design majors will be on display April 13-May 22. In May, the work will also be featured on the gallery blog at whitworthart.com. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday from 1-3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment only. Call 509.777.4826 to schedule a visit.
Student Life
On March 1, Whitworth welcomed the Rev. Esau McCaulley, Ph.D., to give the inaugural Emmaus Scholars Program Lecture via webinar. Hundreds watched the New Testament scholar speak on his book Reading While Black, which explores the intersection of race, Christian faith and biblical interpretation. McCaulley also had conversations with faculty, staff and student leaders. The new Emmaus Scholars Program is an intentional, one-year living and learning community.
Eighty-eight students have participated in career services' SET SAIL training. Student Employment Training for Successful Advancement in Life gives students practical and interactive training around career competencies and interpersonal skills. It was created last summer and has become an essential part of students' career and professional development.
Admissions
We are optimistic we will resume normal operations for the 2021-22 academic year, including unrestricted occupancy in campus residence halls and a full array of in-person classes and co-curricular experiences. We will continue to follow public health guidance to ensure the health and safety of our campus community and to build on the tremendous success we had this year with our WhitworthFLEX strategy. We will continue to communicate regularly with current and incoming students and their families.
Our March 1 priority application deadline for first-year students has passed, but we are still accepting applications and admitting students on a space-available basis. Our priority application deadline for transfer students is July 1. However, the sooner both first-year and transfer students complete their applications, the sooner we can send admissions decisions and financial aid offers. Go to whitworth.edu/apply.
Students admitted to our incoming first-year class are encouraged to sign up for the Bucs Bound admitted student event, which will be virtual this year on April 17. Participants will be able to explore academic and co-curricular programs, connect with current students and professors, and test their knowledge of Whitworth trivia to win great prizes. Plus, seniors who participate in one of our admissions visit events, or two virtual visit events, qualify for a $1,000 Visit Scholarship. If Bucs Bound doesn't fit your schedule, check out our other visit events at whitworth.edu/visit.
Here's a presidential pro tip for prospective students who want to increase their odds of getting one of their top residence hall choices and preferred class schedule in the fall: Deposit now! Go to whitworth.edu/deposit to pay the $350 enrollment deposit and lock in priority housing and class registration benefits.
The Campaign for Whitworth
Whitworthians came together to create meaningful moments for students during One Pine Day 2021. Many students were encouraged by the uplifting notes written by alumni, parents and friends. Whitworthians funded all 14 projects, and 17 new sustaining donors will make an ongoing difference for Whitworth students each month. Learn more about the impact One Pine Day has on Whitworth at whitworth.edu/onepineday.
Inspiring generosity from our wonderful Whitworth community will further impact students this spring, and beyond. Several crowdfunding leaders have added stretch goals to their original projects in order to provide additional meaningful opportunities for students. To learn more, visit whitworth.edu/crowdfunding.
Alumni & Parents
Whitworth plans to hold in-person commencement ceremonies on campus for the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2021 and 2020 over Commencement Weekend, May 22-23, while following all public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More information has been emailed to graduates and families and is available at whitworth.edu/commencement.
I had the chance to reflect on my 11 years at Whitworth by answering 10 questions from around campus for a video series we're calling "11 for 11" (Julie answered the 11th). I invite you to take a look at whitworth.edu/11for11.
Join Whitworthians and Professor Emeritus Jerry Sittser for the rescheduled Core 650 Tour to Turkey from Sept. 10-25, 2021. Only a few spaces remain. Details are available at whitworth.edu/turkey2021.
Alumni are invited to take part in the Whitworth Alumni Book Club as it reads After the Last Border: Two Families and the Story of Refuge in America by Jessica Goudeau. Nicole Sheets (English) will lead Zoom conversations April 15, 22 and 29 from 7-7:45 p.m. PDT. The link will be posted in the Whitworth Alumni Book Club group on goodreads.com. If you have a goodreads.com profile, search for "Whitworth Alumni Book Club."
Join Dale Soden (History) for a conversation with award-winning author Jess Walter on Tuesday, April 6. Walter will read excerpts from his recent national bestseller The Cold Millions and participate in an audience Q&A on Zoom. Register at whitworth.edu/events/jesswalter.
Parents: Did you know that we offer (nearly) daily updates just for parents of current students? Check out Pirate Parent Updates at whitworth.edu/parentupdates for news on topics relevant to parents. Subscribers will be the first to know when something new is posted here, so sign up on the site if you haven't already!
Sports
The busiest sports season in Whitworth's history continues. Winter sports started first, and two swimmers stood out. Jamie Siegler '21 broke her own Northwest Conference record in the 100-yard breaststroke in the final meet of the season, a dual victory over Whitman College. Ryan Grady '22 broke Whitworth's Megan Thompson Aquatic Center record in the 200-yard individual medley in his final dual of the season. Both would certainly have qualified for NCAA Div. III championships had that meet been held.
The basketball teams' final games, set for this weekend, have been canceled. The men finished 12-5 overall and 8-2 against NWC-member schools from Washington. The team was balanced, with four players averaging 11 or 12 points per game. Miguel Lopez '21 led the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and was second in rebounding (6.1 rpg). The women's team went 4-4, including a win over highly ranked Whitman. Megan Dorney '22 averaged over 12 points per game and made 53% of her shots.
The football team went 4-0, outscoring opponents 167-51. Jaedyn Prewitt '22 completed 60% of his passes for 1,074 yards with 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Ethan Peloquin '22 caught seven of Prewitt's touchdown passes this season. Bryce Hornbeck '21 led the defense with three interceptions and four pass deflections.
Volleyball has one more week of play. The Pirates (8-2) have secured the best record among the NWC's Washington schools. Maddie Lee '22 is averaging 3.5 kills and 4.2 points per set, while Kaity Barr '24 averages 1.11 blocks per set and is hitting .317.
The soccer teams have two more weekends of play. The women (3-3-1) earned two victories over Puget Sound in one season for the first time in school history. Jadyn Baumgartner '21 leads the team with four goals and has been selected as the NWC's Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week twice this season. The men's team is 2-4-1. Dominic Gusman '24 leads the team with three goals.
Spring sports are just getting going. The baseball (1-6) and softball teams (2-10) have completed their non-conference schedules and open NWC play this weekend. Women's tennis (1-4) earned their first win over Linfield in nearly a decade. Men's tennis (2-6) played a difficult non-conference schedule but defeated Linfield twice once conference play began. The golf teams opened well. The men won their first tournament, while the women took second place. Track & field will open at home with a meet this week.
Although the NCAA canceled all championships for fall and winter sports, the spring championships remain in play. And the NWC expects to name champions in all spring sports this year.