Q&A with Lindy Scott
Professor of World Languages & Cultures
Years of Service: 13
What is one outstanding moment in a class that you'll never forget?
A debate took place in my Core 350 Discussion Group where students were arguing both sides of the gun control issue. They were passionate about their positions, but they were articulate and showed deep respect for the opposite sides.
What's changed since you first started teaching at Whitworth?
Postmodernism has become dominant in our culture, with all of its virtues and vices. Life is not so "certain" as it has been in the past. Students are still very attracted to Jesus, but they are more disillusioned with churches. This poses tremendous opportunities for a discipleship that is more faithful to Jesus and that concentrates on serving our neighbor, being a caring community, being more honest with our failures and more committed to articulating and living out a social justice worthy of the Lord.
What place on campus is particularly special to you?
The place on campus that is special for me is the outdoors. The pine trees are a magnificent example of our Creator's good earth. The groundskeeping crew does a wonderful job of stewarding the creation, especially with their fabulous flowers.
What is one unexpected thing you've learned during your time at Whitworth?
The older I get, the more I learn from my students. Their zeal and freshness have kept me younger than my age.
What parting advice would you offer to current students and lifelong learners alike?
Follow the truth, whatever the cost. The truth is in short supply, especially during our current political climate. Speak the truth, follow the truth, live out the truth… with grace and courage!
What's one Whitworth experience, value or memory that you'll carry with you into retirement?
I was usually quite punctual at arriving at my classes, but one day I arrived about five minutes late to a class. I hoped that my students were still there. To my surprise, one of the students had gone to the front of the class and was teaching the class and was imitating my mannerisms and style. I slipped into his desk and let him go on for another five minutes or so and we all laughed at his imitation. Knowing that he was a swimmer, I decided to challenge him to a swimming competition – an underwater swim for distance. I am not a great swimmer, but this was my specialty. He accepted my challenge. Then a female swimmer in the class decided to challenge both of us. Later that week we went to the natatorium. The young man and I essentially tied by swimming a length and a half underwater. The young woman beat us both by 20 yards.
What do you look forward to in retirement?
I plan on staying very active. I have several speaking engagements over the next few months in the United States and in Latin America. I am also working on a couple of writing projects. A significant one is comparing evangelicals in the United States and Brazil and their support or critique of their respective presidents, Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro. In both cases, I offer suggestions for political involvement that would be more faithful to our Lord Jesus. A second project is a team effort with educational experts from three other institutions. We are analyzing the biblical roots of social-justice-connected Latin American folk/protest music. We hope the book with our results will be available in 2022.
My wife [Dinorah Scott, former assistant professor of Spanish at Whitworth] and I will be living near Chicago to be closer to our three children, their spouses, and our five wonderfully creative, fun-loving, energetic grandchildren.