In the Loop

September 2018

Video: Running for the Future

In a global city, where great need meets greater hope, Seattle Pacific University unveils a new look rooted in heritage and facing the future. Two Falcon athletes share how this place changed their lives and deepened their faith.

SPU Voices: Biology grad planting trees to impact poverty in Africa

Corrie Mauldin, director of Trees for the Future

As the director of East Africa Programs for Trees for the Future, Corrie Mauldin ’98 and her team aim to work with 125,000 impoverished people in Africa to plant 500 million trees. Families are now helping to revitalize the soil, create “forest gardens” — and find a pathway out of poverty. Read the full story in SPU Voices.

Parents’ Prayer Network

Hands praying on an open Bible

Since the founding of Seattle Pacific Seminary in 1891, the community has come together — and stayed together — through prayer. And as the 2018–19 academic year begins, you are invited to join the more than 400 parents and SPU families praying for Seattle Pacific University and its students.

Led by SPU parent Karin Westeren, the Parents’ Prayer Network provides two emails each quarter during the academic year, and each includes prayer requests geared toward specific community needs. Join the network by signing up today.

School of Health Sciences moving to 6 Nickerson Street

In July, the School of Health Sciences learned the Norcliffe Foundation approved a $1.5 million grant to help renovate a new facility for the Lydia Green Nursing Program.

6 Nickerson Street

The nursing program is entering a new phase of expansion to help meet a growing demand for nurses in the Pacific Northwest. Plans include a newly renovated building at 6 Nickerson Street, which will offer modern classrooms and offices, spaces for meetings and student support, and an expanded Clinical Learning Laboratory to accommodate enrollment growth.

Grant support will build upon the nursing program’s history of academic excellence, and provide the space needed to prepare students to excel as clinicians, practitioners, and nurse leaders in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Students and faculty members are expected to move into the new space during Autumn Quarter 2018.

SPU Voices: #falconspirit photos of incoming class

#falconspirit SPUBound photo contest

This summer, the popular SPUBound Photo Contest put out a call for future Falcons to show their #falconspirit. Here are the top six photos, including the contest winner by incoming freshman Alora Greene, who’ll receive a $50 Amazon gift card at Orientation 2018. See the top photos.

Video: Your student’s financial account at SPU

As the start of the 2018 Autumn Quarter nears, Student Financial Services has some important information for you about your student’s account and making payments.

New payment process for 2018–19

Calculator with pen and paper

Student Financial Services is partnering with Nelnet Campus Commerce to offer new payment-plan options this year. One significant change from prior years is that the payment plan is open to parents as long as your student has made you an authorized payer. For more information go to spu.edu/paymentplan.

New dining website offers online store

Students eating in Gwinn

Dining Services unveiled a new website that offers everything from a list of dining locations to events and dining specials and an online store.

In addition to other items, if you want to help your Falcon through the midterms and final exams, you can order an Exam Pack filled with healthy energy snacks. Is your student feeling under the weather? Send the Feel Better Bundle. You can even send your student two dozen cookies. Explore the new dining website.

Faculty additions for 2018–19

SPU faculty

Incoming students won’t be the only new faces on campus this fall. The Provost’s Office announced 17 new SPU faculty members across the disciplines — economics, clinical psychology, mechanical engineering, writing, psychology, music, nursing, chemistry, special education, mathematics, computer science, and history.

Four of the new faculty are even SPU alumni themselves, including Alissa Walter ’08, assistant professor of history; Helen Chung PhD ’18, instructor of management; Paul Anderson MFA ’16, instructor of writing; and Jeffrey Overstreet ’94, MFA ’16, assistant professor of writing.

Upcoming events

CityQuest
Saturday, September 22
10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Incoming students join with service organizations around Seattle to learn about their work and to serve for a day, and it all begins with a CityQuest rally in Martin Square at 10 a.m.


Autumn Quarter 2018
Monday, September 24

Classes begin.


Résumé Rescue
Wednesday, September 26
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Student Union Building, second floor

Students are invited to get their résumés ready for the Fall Job Fair. They can bring a hard-copy draft of their current résumé to the Center for Career and Calling for a quick professional review.


Fall 2018 Job Fair
Thursday, September 27
1–4 p.m. | Upper Gwinn

The SPU Fall Job Fair is a great way for students to meet work study, non-work study, on-campus, and off-campus employers.


Falcon Friday
Friday, October 12
8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

At the first of five SPU Fridays this academic year, prospective students and their families have the opportunity to take a closer look at some of SPU’s most popular academic and co-curricular programs during information sessions led by SPU faculty and staff. Get more information and register.