Mind & Heart Newsletter: Summer 2016
An update from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor
What is Whitworth's brand? We often associate a company's or product's brand with its logo. All of us can quickly identify the Nike swoosh and the Starbuck's siren (or whatever she is). Visual identities are important, and good ones immediately help the viewer associate good (or bad) experiences with the product or service in question. Recently, when driving through the South with Julie and our kids, I saw a sign for Chick-fil-A, and I immediately remembered how fond I was of their chicken sandwiches. The sighting also conjured up memories of taking my then-much-younger children to Chick-fil-A on hot summer days in Texas to enjoy their yummy milkshakes. In a split second, the restaurant's logo took me back more than a decade to remember good times and my now-collegeaged children as cute toddlers. You won't be surprised that we stopped and had a sandwich and a shake – and they were just as I remembered them.
So a brand is much more than a visual logo. Embedded in a brand is the set of values, mission, history and promises that any product or service offers. A logo is part of that. For the past 16 years, Whitworth's logo has been a graphic of a circular seal featuring an open book and flame, which, among other things, certainly represent Whitworth's mind-and-heart mission linking academic excellence (the book) with Christian faith and learning (the flame). But before the familiar book and flame, Whitworth's logo changed many times throughout the decades to include multicolored flags, representing the diverse and global community Whitworth serves, and several versions of the Whitworth name written or typeset in various ways. Logos change because of trends, forces of competition, and technology. Sometimes, a logo just needs to be refreshed.
Later this fall, Whitworth will be unveiling an exciting new look. This new visual identity will be fresh, distinctive, innovative and can be applied more effectively than our current logo in a variety of print and online settings. The design of the new logo has involved input from many representatives of Whitworth's constituencies, including current and prospective students, faculty and staff, alumni, parents and the business community. I'm excited to roll it out. (The Whitworth Athletics logo will not change, so Pirates fans can rest easy.)
For some, change isn't easy to digest. And as with anything artistic, everyone will have his or her own preferences and perspectives. Logos can't carry all the responsibility of communicating explicitly the other institutional values and priorities embedded within the larger brand, but some may wish they did. It's important to emphasize that even with our new look, the other components of Whitworth's brand will not change. Sure, we'll use this as an opportunity to update some of our marketing messages and materials, but Whitworth's underlying values, principles and mission will stay. Our hope is that over time, Whitworth's constituents will associate the new logo with the university's enduring commitments to Christ-centered higher education, relational culture, friendly Northwest charm and amazing outdoor beauty, and courageous academic conversations, just to name a few. You can always count on those things. I promise.
Academics
I've often said that Whitworth's "secret sauce" is its array of outstanding faculty members who deliver to our students Whitworth's unique blend of academic excellence and Christian faith and learning. All of our hard-working and dedicated faculty members are worthy of accolades, but at the end of the year we had the opportunity to recognize a few of them for exemplary service and performance. Many of the items below also describe other activities faculty members are involved in this summer.
Congratulations to the following faculty who received teaching awards for Academic Year 2015-16: Cynthia Wright (Health Science): Academic Challenge; Jessica Clements (English): Academic Mentor; Jason Wollschleger (Sociology): Innovative Teaching; Will Kynes (Theology): Junior Faculty; Matthew Bell, Stephen Johnson (Computer Science): Lecturer and Adjunct Professor, respectively; Bethy Campbell (Psychology): Service; Julia Stronks (Political Science): Weyerhaeuser Center Award for Faith & Learning.
Congratulations also to these faculty members who successfully submitted proposals for summer research fellowships and grants: Fellowships ($2,000): Bethy Campbell (Psychology), Alan Mikkelson (Communication Studies), Jessica Clements (English), Robin Pickering (Health Sciences), Kamesh Sankaran (Physics), Corey McKenna (Education). Grants ($750): Patricia Bruininks (Psychology), Katie Creyts (Art), Janet Hauck (Library), Brooke Kiener, '99 (Theatre).
Thanks to the generous support of donors, each summer the Vocation of the Christian Professor Program enrolls 12 faculty members in a workshop that introduces them to the history of and strategies for incorporating Christian faith and learning in their classrooms. This year's participants are Forrest Buckner (Chapel), Stacy Hill (Education), Marcia Hopkins-Marker (Mathematics/Computer Science), Kevin Grieves (Communication Studies), Christopher Parkin, '04 (Music), Aaron Putzke (Biology), Jonathan Huwe (Health Science), Grant Casady (Biology), Angela Allen (English), Katherine Karr-Cornejo (World Languages & Cultures), Marc Robinson (History), and Candice Correia (Business). Facilitators will be Arlin Migliazzo (History), Dale Soden (Weyerhaeuser Center/History), and Kathy Storm (Academic Affairs).
The Research Expansion & Enhancement for Faculty and Students Workshop facilitates project initiation and rejuvenation. Through this workshop, faculty members identify new research projects while receiving training about novel ways to engage undergraduates within their research framework. This summer's participants are Janet Hauck (Library), Kent Jones (Mathematics/Computer Science), William Ntow (Chemistry), Michael Rempe (Mathematics/Computer Science), Cynthia Wright (Health Science), and Jason Wollschleger (Sociology). Facilitators are Aaron Putzke (Biology), Kerry Breno (Chemistry), Pete Tucker (Mathematics/Computer Science) and Noelle Wiersma (College of Arts & Sciences).
Nichole Bogarosh (Communication Studies) was selected as a 2016 Kopenhaver Fellow for the Association of Education in Journalism & Mass Communication.
Janet Hauck (Library) presented "Community-Building on Campus: All-Star Activism Using Primary Sources" at the 2016 Northwest Archivists Conference, in Seattle.
Two of our students were offered Fulbright Awards this year. Francesca Bisciglia,'16, an international studies major with an emphasis in political science and Spanish, and Juliana Zajicek, '16, a Spanish and communications double-major, were honored by the Fulbright Program.
Scott Miller (Music) is music director/conductor for Meredith Willson's The Music Man at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater this summer. Performances run July 14-31 at Coeur d'Alene's Kroc Center.
Jennifer Scriggins Brummett (Music) was invited to perform at the International Horn Symposium, in Ithaca, N.Y., in June.
Student Life
Whitworth's University Recreation Center (U-Rec) provided our community with a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities this spring. Students, faculty and staff come to U-Rec to take part in intramurals, to climb at the indoor climbing center, to lift weights or to take a fitness machine for a spin. Since the beginning of January, Whitworth community members have used this very popular facility approximately 45,500 times. Whatever you need, the friendly front-desk attendants are waiting to greet you.
Some fun facts about Whitworth's U-Rec programs: Incentive programs welcomed 260 participants (faculty, staff, family members, and students were represented) this year. A record-breaking 250 students took part in outdoor-recreation trips this spring. Opportunities included ski vans, snowshoeing, ice-climbing, whitewater rafting, outdoor rock-climbing, Spring Break trips to Zion National Park and Moab, and many local hiking and mountain-biking adventures. While snowboards and snowshoes were popular early in the semester, thanks to a decent winter, we're excited that the mountain bikes and new tents get to see the sun. Students also love cruising around campus on one of our tandem bikes!
Financial Aid
The deadline for completion of the billing e-packet and submission of a payment plan for fall term is early August. There are nine- and 10-month payment plans available to ease the bill-handling. If you have any questions, please call a member of our great student accounting services staff at 800.535.4668.
Alumni & Parents
Special events for alumni, parents and friends are happening all across the West this summer and fall. From Seattle to Honolulu and San Diego to Spokane, there are many opportunities to gather with Whitworthians. Visit connect.whitworth.edu to see what's going on in your region. If registration costs are ever a concern, contact iaevents@whitworth.edu; we don't want you to miss out!
All alumni are invited to join us for Homecoming Reunion Weekend, coming up Oct. 7-8. There will be milestone reunion gatherings for the Class of 1956 and earlier classes, along with grads from 1966, '76, '86, '96, '06, and '11. All music alums are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Cowles Music Center, and we will celebrate the four winners of our annual Whitworth Alumni Awards. For a full list of events and to register, visit connect.whitworth.edu.
In its fourth year, the Alumni Discovery Project has completed nearly 1,300 total interviews. As I write, 19 Whitworth student ambassadors are interviewing alums around the nation to hear stories about their lives before, during and after Whitworth. If you've participated, thank you! And if you've been invited, I hope you'll take the time to meet with one of our ambassadors this summer. Visit www.whitworth.edu/discoveryproject to learn more.
Summer Sendoffs are taking place across the West to welcome incoming students and their families into the Whitworth community. Visit www.whitworth.edu/summersendoffs to register and learn more.
Families of current students are invited to Family Weekend, Oct. 14-16. To learn more and to register, visit www.whitworth.edu/familyweekend. Make plans to attend today!
If you're the parent of a current or incoming Whitworth student, join us in a Facebook group created just for you. Log in to Facebook, and search for Parents and Families of Current Whitworth Students '16-'17.
Thirty-one alumni, parents and friends recently returned from an inspiring 11-day tour of Greece with Professor Emeritus of Theology Jim Edwards, '67. Julie and I were privileged to share in this experience, and we hope all of you will be able to join one of these Core 650 tours. Whitworth students know that the world is our classroom, and these tours share that wisdom with all Whitworthians. Watch for more details on next May's trip.
Admissions
Enrollment deposits are due Aug. 1 for transfer students. Go online to www.whitworth.edu/admittedstudents and click on "Guarantee Your Spot" to find a link to the transfer deposit submission form. Transfer students are a great addition to the Whitworth community, and we look forward to welcoming you in September. Questions? Please call Whitworth Student Accounting Services staff (509.777.4495) or the admissions office (509.777.4786). We're here to help!
The Campaign for Whitworth
Whitworth just completed its strongest fund-raising year ever. Thanks to generous donors like you, many new endowed scholarships were established, funding for the completion of the Cowles Music Center was identified, and we celebrated a new endowed professorship in chemistry through a wonderful unexpected bequest. All gifts matter, and we are thankful for every gift and every donor. Your support of this special place and our thriving mission is imperative, and we look forward to sharing more exciting giving opportunities, as well as stories of the difference your gifts make in the lives of our students. Blessings and thanks for the many ways in which you support Whitworth!
Whitworth Serves
Alumna Linda Sciaroni, '83, serves with several organizations in and around Greater Los Angeles, including Grid Alternatives (which provides free solar power and job training to low-income families) and Firebaugh High School (where she teaches students about hydroponic gardening). Linda serves because it's her favorite thing to do with her time, and we know that many of you feel the same way. Please visit www.whitworth.edu/whitworthserves and take two minutes to tell us your story of service and to let us know why you serve.
Sports
The Northwest Conference has selected Whitworth's KC McConnell, '16, as its 2016 Woman of the Year. KC now moves forward as the conference's official nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.
Several academic awards have come through this summer for Whitworth's athletics teams including Academic All-America recognition for Dakota Kliamovich, '17, and Trent Alsin, '16, of the track and field teams. The swimming teams were recognized for overall team GPA by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.
At the end of May, Andrew Bloom, '16, was crowned NCAA DIII national champion in the men's javelin at the Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Former national champion Kerry Wright, '16, placed fourth in the women's javelin, and Cooper Budden, '16, placed eighth in the men's javelin; both were named All-Americans along with Andrew.
Team schedules for our fall sports are set and posted on WhitworthPirates.com. Check the website and start planning your visits to Whitworth to support the Pirates!
You can now purchase football and basketball season tickets for the 2016-17 academic year. Call 509.777.3224 for details.
Closing Thoughts
We're having a cooler summer so far in Spokane, so Julie and I had to find the heat elsewhere. We just returned from the Core 650 trip to Greece, where we endured temperatures near the triple digits. A family reunion in Arkansas provided heat of the humid variety – something we don't miss, frankly. So returning this week to Spokane, where temperatures have struggled to get into the 80's, has been a relief. With only eight weeks until freshman orientation, we'll have to squeeze a lot of summer into the time remaining, regardless of the weather. I hope and pray that the remainder of your summer includes lots of fun, family and peace.
