Newsletter Archives

It’s beginning to look a lot like …

Most of us would typically finish that sentence with the word “Christmas.” That is how the song goes, at least, and it reminds of us of many of the images of Christmas — candy canes, silver lanes, and holly on the front door. But the song also reminds us that a new season of the year is starting.

That is true for your student, as well — especially those who are first-year students. New students have experienced “a new season” at Seattle Pacific University. Great learning is happening in and out of the classroom, and they are facing challenges and making decisions. We trust there has been good growth over the past few months.

As this new season unfolds, there will undoubtedly be changes in your relationship with your student. You may see your student exhibit an increased sense of independence, a tendency to utilize critical thinking skills, and/or a re-calibration of expectations. These are all important aspects of learning in a college environment and often influence the changing relationship with parents.

As you interact with your student over Christmas break, here are a few ideas for how to engage your student's newfound knowledge and curiosity about the world:

• Ask a question or two about what your student is learning in and out of the classroom. What topics are interesting? What has changed, if anything, about why he or she enrolled at SPU?
• Ask about the people with whom he or she is learning. What types of activities are meaningful or fun? Who has been your student’s favorite faculty member?
• Find something that you can do with your student that is fun. Go out for a cup of coffee or tea. Go to a movie or take a walk. Make it an enjoyable time. Laugh.

I pray this Christmas break will “look a lot like …” and will truly be a meaningful time with your student. Merry Christmas!

Jeff Jordan
Vice President for Student Life

SPU Voices: College scholarships enabled Shayla’s education

When medical bills began to pile up for women's soccer team defender, Shayla Page ’18, and her family, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to afford her college education.

But when she received her financial aid offer, the combination of both an academic and athletic scholarship made coming to SPU a reality. Read about Shayla in SPU Voices.

SPU endowment outperforms national average

Since 1979, the SPU endowment has helped SPU students by creating a dependable investment stream of annual financial aid. Over the past three years, nearly $9 million has been distributed to SPU students from the more than the 360 individual endowments established to support SPU students.

Now totaling more than $106 million, these endowments are invested and managed by the Seattle Pacific Foundation, which has a reputation for generating excellent returns. In a recent survey of over 830 colleges and university endowments — including schools such as Princeton, Stanford, and Yale — SPU’s investment returns were in the top 10 percent for one-, three-, five-, and 10-year periods of investment, as of June 30, 2016. Additionally, for the 2015–16 fiscal year, SPU ranked No. 12 out of the 830 participating institutions.

For more information on establishing an endowment to benefit SPU students, or to contribute to an existing endowment, email msandlin@spu.edu.

Sacred Sounds highlights

Don’t miss these video highlights of November’s Sacred Sounds of Christmas in Benaroya Hall. Attended by a sell-out audience, the concert ushered in the Christmas season through the best of traditional Advent and Christmas carols performed by SPU’s talented student, faculty, and staff musicians.

Handshake for part-time and full-time jobs

Did you know about SPU Handshake, Seattle Pacific University’s new job board for both part-time and full-time positions? Handshake is intuitive, mobile-friendly, and a great way for students to find employment and career-centered positions all through the year.

Students can log into SPU Handshake at any time and utilize some great features:

• Apply for jobs both on and off campus through the iPhone app or mobile site.
• RSVP for events.
• Request a career counseling appointment.
• Follow new postings by favorite companies.

We are seeing new postings every day, and many great opportunities for Winter Quarter.

If you or your student have any questions, contact the Office of Student Employment at 206-281-2047 or ose@spu.edu.

Submit the 2018–19 FAFSA now

Have you and your student filled out the 2018–19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) yet? If not, don’t delay. All students must submit a new FAFSA each academic year. The 2018–19 FAFSA will ask for tax and income information from the 2016 calendar year, as well as current investment and asset information as of the date the FAFSA is filed.

The priority deadline is January 15, 2018, for first-time freshmen; and July 1, 2018, for new transfers. The priority deadline for continuing students is April 1, 2018. For more information about the FAFSA, visit our website.

What are my student’s next steps?

To graduate in a timely manner, students need to complete a few important tasks each year. According to the Provost's Office and Student Academic Services, here are the tasks and when students should accomplish them:

• Seniors must register to participate in Commencement 2018. They must register online, and registration is available beginning January 16.
• Juniors who have earned at least 105 credits must apply online through the Student Menu in Banner in order to graduate. In general, students should apply one year ahead of the year they intend to graduate.
• Sophomores should apply for their major, if they haven't already applied and been accepted to the major(s) of their choice. Students may want to speak to their academic counselor or faculty advisor prior to applying.
• Freshmen may want to change their faculty advisor to a faculty member teaching in their area of academic interest. Students should speak to their academic counselor or current faculty advisor.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program starts strong

The DNP cohort launched its doctor of nursing practice degree program this fall with an inaugural cohort of 19 students, exceeding enrollment goals.

This new program prepares students for advanced-practice nursing roles with classes held once a week, allowing them to complete this advanced degree while continuing their career. The students — predominantly with two to five years’ nursing experience — are pursuing the doctorate as a family or adult/gerontology nurse practitioner or as a clinical nurse specialist.

To learn more about the program, visit spu.edu/dnp.

Upcoming events

Christmas Break for students
December 8–January 2

Residence halls reopen
Tuesday, January 2
1 p.m. | New-student check-in, 1–4 p.m.

Winter Quarter classes begin
Wednesday, January 3

Poesìa en la canciòn: Art Songs of Central and South America
Sunday, January 7 | 4 p.m.
Nickerson Studios

Celebrate the rich culture and poetry from Mexico, Central, and South America in an evening of song. The concertfeatures SPU music faculty Chérie Hughes and Dainius Vaičekonis.

Homecoming and Family Weekend
February 2–3
All-access individual pass*, $20
All-access family pass* (up to six family members), $45

Basketball galore, Jane Eyre: The Musical, the always-amazing Talent Show, and more fill this popular weekend. For a complete schedule and information, visit spu.edu/homecoming.

*Includes admission to all weekend events except the Falcon Family Brunch and Alumni Awards Dinner.