Special scholarships offered for Art Institute students
Following the sudden closure of the Art Institute of Seattle in March, SPU’s faculty and staff rapidly mobilized to help the program’s displaced students. Students’ academic options were reviewed and special transfer scholarships offered, resulting in 23 new transfer students enrolled.
Transfer Promise pathway program announced
SPU is the first university to respond to the Seattle mayor’s Seattle Promise that provides free community college to Seattle-area students. Beginning in autumn 2020, students enrolled in the Seattle Promise program are offered an exclusive, discounted pathway to SPU. To support Seattle-area community college students as they finish four-year degrees, SPU will give at least 50% off tuition in the form of SPU scholarships and grants, and offer direct pathways into most majors.
SPU hosts Special Olympics gymnastics competition
Seattle Pacific rolled out a big welcome mat when the Special Olympics USA Games came to Seattle last summer. As the host for the gymnastics competition in July, SPU held six sessions in Royal Brougham Pavilion and provided volunteer support. Approximately 3,000 athletes competed in 14 sports in the Puget Sound area.
Event honors local architect
SPU’s Disability Support Services presented their annual “No Limits, No Boundaries” event in April focused on increasing campus and community awareness of disability, and honoring an individual whose life, spirit, and work reflect a commitment to access, inclusion, and reconciliation. Local architect Karen Braitmayer was this year’s speaker and recipient of the No Limits, No Boundaries Award.
Christmas concert held
The 19th annual Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert, featuring the SPU Music Department’s nationally recognized student and faculty musicians performing traditional Advent and Christmas selections from around the world, was held in November at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle. The
concert, a perennial sellout, attracted concertgoers from throughout the region.
New video game development camp offered
SPU’s Engineering and Computer Science Department offered a new program for youth this summer, “Game Creation Studio for Beginners.” This one-week summer camp introduced ninth to 11th graders to the world of game development. Participants learned basic development techniques, explored computer science as a career, and heard from professionals in the entertainment software development industry. Each camper created a game of their own, complete with a storyline and graphics editing, guided by SPU students and professors. Participants qualify for a $1,000 SPU tuition scholarship and one University credit.
Mega Meet-Ups connect students with employers
The Center for Career and Calling hosted several Mega Meet-Ups, casual career fair/networking events with employers in various sectors, including business, government, STEM, and peace, justice, and human services. Students met professionals (including many alumni), learned about their work, and found jobs and internships. These events complemented job-seeking initiatives like career treks and on-campus recruiting by individual companies.
Work parties held as part of SPU’s Homelessness Initiative
In March, students took part in “Falcons United” work days at a local self-managed “tiny house” village for people experiencing homelessness. The volunteers helped with carpentry, landscaping, painting, and more. In May, the Engineering and Computer Science Department and SPU’s Homelessness Initiative (along with funding from the Institute for Academic Innovation Grant) organized construction of a tiny house for this community.
Voices of Autism event
The School of Psychology, Family, and Community presented their annual event “Voices of Autism: Individuals, Families, and Professionals” in April, featuring discussions from experts and families living with autism and a resource fair to connect individuals who have ASD and their families with community programs in Washington state. This year’s keynote lecture, “You Are Your Child’s Most Important Educational Advocate: Notes for Parents of Children with Autism From a Psychologist’s 32 Years in Clinics and Schools,” was presented by Clinical Psychologist Allison Brooks.