Homecoming 2015 Celebrates Alumni
Hundreds of alumni from around the world returned to
where it all began for SPU’s 2015 Homecoming celebration February 5–8, 2015. The slate of events included a men’s basketball game against Western Washington, class and department reunions, the Homecoming Talent Show featuring student performances, and theatre performances of King Lear, starring retiring SPU theatre professor and 1969 alum George Scranton. At the Homecoming Luncheon, Alumnus of the Year Rick Reynolds ’75 was honored for his 30 years of service with Operation Nightwatch. SPU also presented the Young Alumna of the Year award to Kristen Eddings Tetteh ’06 and Medallion Awards to Gordon Werkema ’80 and Jeanette DeBlois Fiess ’02.
New Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Selected
Bryan Jones ’99, a member of First Free Methodist Church, and a FFMC delegate to the annual PNWC Leadership Summit, was selected as the new SPU director of Alumni and Parent Relations. Jones brings to his new role a record of outstanding leadership and managerial experience in SPU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He served in various positions in UGA from 2001 to 2011, including four years as associate director. He also brings substantial fundraising experience as a major gift officer in the Office of Development from 2011 to 2014.
Alumna Phyllis Sortor Speaks in Chapel
Phyllis Sortor, a 1964 graduate of Seattle Pacific and Free Methodist missionary, spoke to SPU students, faculty, staff,
and community members during chapel on April 14, 2015. Sortor was kidnapped in Nigeria in February and released days later. Her work in Nigeria has focused on leadership development, education, and International Child Care Ministries.
Alumna Phyllis Sortor speaks in Chapel about her recent kidnapping in Nigeria.
Alumnus Dan Price Honored as Entrepreneur of the Year — Again
Founder and CEO of Gravity Payments Dan Price was named “Entrepreneur of 2014” by Entrepreneur magazine and appeared on the cover of the January 2015 issue. The 2008 alumnus started the credit card processing firm out of his college residence hall room at Seattle Pacific and recently made national headlines by raising the minimum wage of his employees to $70,000 a year. In 2013, he won “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” at the GeekWire Awards, sponsored by online technology news site GeekWire.
Alumnus Jon Meis Receives National Award
2014 Seattle Pacific alumnus Jon Meis was recognized as a 2015 Citizen Honors recipient by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation at a ceremony at Arlington National cemetery on March 25, 2015. Meis was selected for his heroism in disarming and subduing an on-campus shooter on June 5, 2014.