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Note: SPU will be closed for Christmas Break from noon on December 24 to 8 a.m. on January 4.
Seattle Pacific University’s Day of Common Learning is an annual, campuswide event in which the SPU community and the public learn about important issues of the day; all are welcome to attend. This year’s event centered on justice, with the title “Seek Justice, Do Justice, and Sustain Justice: Building Community in a Broken World.” Lisa Slavovsky, aftercare specialist for International Justice Mission, delivered the keynote address, “Who Is My Neighbor?” Slavovsky discussed the story of the Good Samaritan, highlighting ways in which that story parallels the challenges of fighting global injustice today. Read more.
A sellout audience of more than 2,800 people gathered in McCaw Hall on November 30 for SPU’s 16th annual Sacred Sounds of Christmas. Showcasing performing groups from the SPU Music Department — including, for the first time, the 80 vocalists and instrumentalists of SPU’s Gospel Choir — Sacred Sounds celebrated the birth of Christ the Redeemer. Watch highlights.
From the Center for Biblical and Theological Education
Each quarter, SPU’s Community Bible Study (CBS) explores a new book or theme, paying particular attention to its part in the formation of Christian life. Each week’s class consists of a lecture by a School of Theology faculty member, contemplative reflection, and small-group interaction led by student leaders. All members of the SPU community are encouraged to sign up at no cost (unless you’re taking it for credit). This winter’s CBS is taught by Assistant Professor of New Testament Laura Holmes. More information.
Wednesdays, January 6–March 9, 6:30–8:10 p.m.
Fine Center, First Free Methodist Church
Even if you can’t join us for CBS, be sure to join us online for the free Gospel of Mark Lectio series beginning January 4 (but you can jump in anytime!).
Upcoming Events
January 29–30, 2016
Homecoming and Parents Weekend is the quintessential amalgamation of alumni, students, and parents in celebration of all things SPU — a full weekend of theatre, concerts, sports, worship, food, and more. There are special sessions for parents that include helping your student with career planning, as well as an opportunity to visit classes. Learn more.
An Evening With Doris Kearns Goodwin
Thursday, April 7, 2016
World-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will give a free public lecture in SPU’s Royal Brougham Pavilion beginning at 7 p.m. She comes to campus as part of SPU’s annual Downtown Business Breakfast.
See more upcoming SPU events.
Career events for your student
January 11–15
Your student will get advice about networking and job searching from renowned career consultant Elizabeth Atcheson, tips on dressing for success from Professor of Clothing and Textiles Raedene Copeland, tips on managing your money from CPA Tom Neill (a graduate of the UW Foster School of Business with 30+ years of experience in the audit and accounting field), and much more. It’s a week your student won’t want to miss.
Learn more about Life After College Week.
January 7
CBRE is the leading full-service real estate services and investment company in the world. Alumnus Dale Kenny ’97 will share about the company and his role, and discussing internships and entry-level positions. Weter Lounge, 3–4 p.m.
Other upcoming CCC events
- January 19: Mission Springs Christian Camps display table in the SUB, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- January 20: Camp Hammer display table in the SUB, 10–2:30 p.m.
- January 27: Gravity Payments Meet-Up, Weter Lounge, 4–5 p.m.
- February 23: Weyerhaeuser Meet-Up, Weter Lounge, 3–4 p.m.
See all Center for Career and Calling events.
Study Abroad events for your student
South Africa Info Session
January 20, 12:30 p.m., Marston-Watson 253
Annual Study Abroad Fair
January 29, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Weter Lounge
Lessons from Abroad! Study Abroad Returnee Conference
February 6, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Upper Gwinn
For more information, email studyabroad@spu.edu.
Home for Christmas: advice for parents
From the Center for Career and Calling: making the most of Christmas Break
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. For most parents, your SPU student is home for the holidays. Be prepared for some time to adjust and get re-acquainted. You may be eager to plan family activities and help your student be productive, but keep in mind that he or she has been juggling classes, study time, activities, work, and friends — and may need some downtime to rest and recover. Discuss expectations about how your student will use the break, including options for career preparation, such as these:
- Work: Perhaps your student can pick up some hours with a former employer or find a seasonal position to earn extra money. It’s also not too early to start looking for a summer internship or job. Your student can visit local employers, submit applications, even ask for an interview.
- Volunteer: Volunteering can give your student a chance to get out of the house, gain some experience, and feel good about using the break to help someone else.
- Network: Encourage your student to find a professional who is in a field your student is considering. Your student can ask for a brief informational interview or spend a half-day doing a job shadow.
- Prepare: Christmas break is an excellent time for your student to prepare for future job search needs. Your student can update his or her résumé, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile; compile a list of potential employers; or investigate internship or career options.
- Plan: Winter Quarter starts January 4. Along with finalizing class registration and purchasing books, your student can check out the upcoming Center for Career and Calling events and set calendar reminders.
School breaks can be frustrating for you and your student if there are different expectations about how to use the time. You can help your student find a balance between the need to relax and the need to have a purpose for these few weeks.
From the Parent Team
In September you dropped your student off at SPU, and now he or she is home for Christmas. Your student will have enjoyed some newfound independence, made new friends, and — thanks to classes and professors and experiences with peers — started questioning some of the ideas and routines once taken for granted.
So how should you approach these moments when your young adult reconnects with the familiarity of home?
In the Loop asked for advice from parents who have been through this transition before. Many of their answers overlapped, from “let them sleep” to “don’t expect to see them.” They all agree that seeing their student grow during this time is special.
Below is some of the advice we received. And we'd love to hear your tips and add them to our growing list.
“Don’t make plans assuming their involvement. Despite being ‘home on break,’ they are still very connected with the community in which they are now a part and will very likely have their own plans (which may not include you)!”
— Gerard Duguay
“Let’s face it, they will always be your ‘kid’ … but our students have now had a few months of functioning independently as adults, making their own decisions, managing to obtain food and clean laundry to some degree or another, and calling the shots on their own bedtimes. It can be so hard to avoid slipping back into former ways of parenting, possibly including telling them what your opinion is about their decisions and actions. Try to resist giving your opinion unless asked for it! Instead, keep the conversation going by asking open-ended questions! Odds are high that they are learning from natural consequences, so instead of telling them that they have terrible sleep habits (99.9 percent of them do for a while), ask them how they did with midterms and finals, what they learned about themselves in the process, and what they’ll do the same or different next quarter!”
— Heidi Monroe
“You may not see your dearly missed son or daughter, because he or she will be busy catching up with high school friends. Picturing long conversations over the dinner table? Time to play a board game or two? Maybe catch a movie? Well … not so much.”
— Alison Estep
“My mother once told me if I wanted to be a good writer, I had to learn to observe. But sitting in the back seat of a car outside the bustling façade of Kaldi’s Coffee — the Ethiopian knockoff of Starbucks, complete with a round, green logo — I felt incapable of observing anything.” Read more.
Cascade is Seattle Pacific’s annual yearbook. Created by a team of talented student designers, photographers, writers, and leaders, Cascade seeks to encapsulate the unique experience your student receives at SPU — every event, recital, dance, etc., that the student body holds — in order to create the most all-inclusive representation of SPU student life. Owning a yearbook is the best way for your student (and you!) to look back on the past year. Yearbooks can be preordered at a reduced cost, so consider ordering one for your student! More information.
Do you have a younger son or daughter thinking about applying to SPU?
If your student applies for Autumn Quarter 2016 by January 1, the application fee will be waived (select Institutional Fee Waiver in the Common Application; then enter the code SPUGift)! Our regular application deadline is February 1. For more information, visit the Admissions website.
Is your student graduating this year?
Visit the 2016 Commencement website for everything you need to know.
From Student Financial Services
Upcoming FAFSA deadlines
- First day to file: January 1, 2016
- Priority deadline for first-time freshmen: February 1, 2016
Note about December statements
Because of the timing of when December statements are created, your student’s statement will look a little different. If there is pending financial aid listed on the statement, the adjusted due amount assumes all aid listed will be received by SPU on time. Contact Student Financial Services if you have questions about your statement.
“Like” SPU’s Facebook Page!
Seattle Pacific’s flagship Facebook page has nearly 16,000 “likes” from around the world. Designed for visitors, friends, alumni, parents, and students, it provides thoughtful content to increase your knowledge and deepen your faith — as well as keep you up to date with what’s happening at SPU.
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Your student will get advice about networking and job searching from renowned career consultant 
