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February 2015 | Volume 9, Issue 2
 Can Character Be Measured?
Seattle Pacific University aims to help students become "people of competence and character." And employers notice, says Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Cindy Price, who commonly hears employers say, "I hire SPU students, because they're just different; I can't tell you why." But how exactly does that character develop? And what does it look like? Read more
Inside SPU
Home on the Hall
Students who live in one of Seattle Pacific's five residence halls can attest that living on campus is the experience of a lifetime. From top-secret traditions and midnight study sessions, to developing lifelong friendships, students get far more than just a place to lay their heads. Read more
Meeting Dostoevsky
Transfer student Claire Neiman explains why joining SPU's honors program, University Scholars, became one of her best academic decisions -- allowing her to grapple with Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov and discover how the book strengthened both her sense of vocation and her faith. Read more
Homecoming 2015 Recap
Coming from near and far, hundreds of Falcons and their families returned to campus in early February for 2015 Homecoming. They were not disappointed.
Held during the first weekend in February, Homecoming featured tours of the new residence hall, Arnett Hall, and of SPU's restored campus icon, Alexander Hall. The men's and women's basketball teams took to the court; and Shakespeare's "King Lear" took to the James Chapman Stage in E.E. Bach Theatre, featuring retiring Professor of Theatre George Scranton '69 as Lear. The ever-popular Talent Show's nine acts ranged from stand-up comedy and dynamic dancers to a high-energy solo drummer and singers whose three-song set garnered a standing ovation. The 2015 Alumnus of the Year Rick Reynolds '75 and 2015 Young Alumna of the Year Kristen Eddings Tetteh '06 were honored at the packed Alumni Luncheon, and the popular first-time event "Taste of SPU" welcomed -- and fed -- alumni.
Homecoming 2016? Its planning is already in the works. Stay tuned.
Men's Basketball Team Named GNAC Team of the Week
On February 17, the Seattle Pacific men's basketball team was named the GNAC Team of the Week after battling back from a halftime deficit against Alaska Fairbanks and surviving an overtime contest against Alaska Anchorage. In the process, they secured a spot in the GNAC Tournament March 4-7 at Alterowitz Gymnasium in Billings, Montana. Learn more
Center for Career and Calling On-Campus Events
Encourage your student to take advantage of the on-campus events hosted by the Center for Career and Calling. Next up: The Careers in Government panel; a Nursing Career Day; and the Etiquette Dinner. Learn more
SPU Payment Plan Is Online
If you and your student pay tuition in installments, you'll find the 2014-15 Spring Quarter Three-Installment Payment Plan application available through your student's Banner Information System account after he or she registers for Spring Quarter courses. The payment plan divides a student's quarterly charges into three equal installments for the quarter. The application deadline is March 9, 2015. Learn more
Upcoming Events
SPU Brings Gen. Keith Alexander to Campus on April 9
Seattle Pacific University is bringing the former head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and retired four-star Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander to campus April 9 for a free public lecture. Alexander is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost experts on cybersecurity, a topic of growing concern in America. At this event, he will offer an insider's perspective on espionage, cybersecurity, and privacy. Alexander will also speak at SPU's Downtown Business Breakfast. Last year's speaker was former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Gen. Keith Alexander's free public lecture is Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m., in Brougham Pavilion.
 Save the Date: Dad's Day
Save the date for Dad's Day on April 25. Dads and their students can enjoy a brunch and then a Mariner's Game against the Minnesota Twins that evening. Watch for more details, including the cost and schedule, in the coming weeks.
Planning for Commencement 2015
Is your student a senior? Check out the Commencement site for information you may need to begin making plans to attend the graduation celebration events, June 12-13, 2015. Find the schedule for Ivy Cutting, Commencement, and other graduation events. A printed invitation with more details will be arriving in households in the coming weeks. Learn more
Faculty News
Physics Department Wins Award
The Physics department received "The 5+ Club Award" from the Physics Teacher Education Coalition, a joint project of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers. The award recognizes institutions for graduating five or more "well-prepared physics teachers in the last three years," and the department's "outstanding contributions to the education of future physics teachers." Learn more
Woodward, Hairston Participate in Panel Discussion
Director of the John Perkins Center Tali Hairston (top left) and Professor of History Bill Woodward recently participated in a post-production discussion about August Wilson's play "The Piano Lesson" at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.
The two were invited to participate in a three-person panel discussion with the audience about themes raised in the play -- both historical and contemporary. The show is one of a 10-play cycle on the African-American experience in the 20th century. Each play is set in Pittsburgh during a different decade. "The Piano Lesson" represents a family's struggle during the 1930s. Woodward reported, "The conversation, like the play, was robust and provocative."
View the Parent Guidebook (PDF)
Did You Know? SPU Is on Instagram
Check out behind-the-scenes photos of student life at SPU on Instagram.
Questions or Comments?
We'd love to hear from you. Let us know what's on your mind, or how we can help. Submit your questions and comments by emailing parents@spu.edu.
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Save the Date: Dad's Day
Woodward, Hairston Participate in Panel Discussion