What's the Big Idea?

Defining the Christian University for the 21st Century

By Philip Eaton,
President


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saying that "broad participation is vital to this planning process," President Eaton has taken the discussion about SPU's future to groups of students, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni. He'll soon expand the conversation to area meetings around the U.S. (See Campus News).

On our way to Camp Casey for Faculty Retreat last month, my wife, Sharon, and I were driving past Boeing's Everett plant where the amazing computer-designed 777 is built. On that huge hangar was a sign that set my mind whirling. "Boeing," the banner announced, "building the future of flight together." What a bold idea upon which to stake the future of the company, an idea so big that it can shape and stir the imaginations and the aspirations of the people of Boeing.

Theodore Hesburg, longtime president of the University of Notre Dame, used to say that Notre Dame would become the "first great Catholic university since the Middle Ages." I recently heard that Ohio State's president wants that university to "protect and preserve a free society." Just like Boeing's grand announcement, these are big and defining aspirations.

As we begin the 1997-98 academic year at Seattle Pacific University, I have announced a carefully designed process to create what we are calling a Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century. This plan will contain everything necessary to give strategic direction to SPU for at least the next ten years.

I believe Seattle Pacific has been blessed with incredible gifts. Our history gives us a rich and deep heritage upon which to draw. Our mission is solid, healthy and worthy. Our people are talented, caring and committed. Our location is incomparable, a stunning asset as we look to the future. As the Scriptures say, to whom much has been given, much will be required. If we do not do the significant planning called for at this moment in history, we will squander the gifts that are ours.

Let SPU's future be a bold one. Our comprehensive plan must be guided by that big and compelling idea that gives shape to our hopes and aspirations for this university. If Boeing will build the future of flight together, what will SPU accomplish? I truly believe that we have been given a special opportunity to help define what it means to be a Christian university in the 21st century.

I am not talking here about a Christian college, important as those institutions are. I am talking about a university. I am not talking about this university as it has been. I am talking about a university for the 21st century. And I am most certainly talking about what it means to be a university that is deeply and fully Christian.

Let me state the first premise upon which everything else in this planning must be built. Our "big idea" will be grounded on the astonishing and winsome gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to say that as clearly, emphatically, and enthusiastically as I can. Informed and guided by our Wesleyan heritage, distinctly evangelical, and genuinely ecumenical, we move into the future with this strong commitment.

But then the imagination takes hold. Once the foundation has been set, to what do we aspire? What core values will guide us in our decisions for the future?

In all of the talking, listening, reading, reflecting and planning we have been doing around these questions, I believe three sets of values emerge. First, we must deeply believe that our graduates, impacted by their experience at SPU, have the potential to change the world. Is that bold enough? Then, I think we must courageously commit ourselves to the life of the mind. We must understand anew, and without fear, that ideas matter greatly, and that ideas informed by the light of the gospel do indeed change the world. And finally, we are called to live and work in grace-filled community.

Notice that in all of these commitments, we seek to serve the city, the church, and the world. I believe this outward focus is something of what it means to be a Christian university for the 21st century.

There is a lot of work yet to be done. As we prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century, I invite Response readers to join us in the conversation, sharing your aspirations for the future of this university. Help us as we seek to clarify and articulate that big and bold idea that will give shape to all of our hopes for Seattle Pacific University.



 Please read our disclaimer. Send any questions, comments or correspondence about Response to jgilnett@spu.edu
or call 206-281-2051.
Copyright © 1999 University Communications,

Seattle Pacific University.


Seattle Pacific University
Office of University Communications
3307 Third Avenue West
Seattle, Washington 98119-1997
United States of America