​Falcon Firsts

Take a Look at some "Firsts" of SPU History

By Adrienne Thun Meier ’04

Founded by intrepid Free Methodist pioneers, Seattle Pacific University has a history peopled with folks who stepped out to try something new, making an impact felt by future generations. Here, Archivist Adrienne Meier highlights some of the University’s “firsts,” represented by images and publications from the SPU Archives.

The Seattle Center Opera House, 1963

Previous Commencements on campus were held in Brougham Pavilion, First Free Methodist Church, and McKinley Hall. Ivy Cutting, of course, has always been held in Tiffany Loop, weather permitting.

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Latin and Greek

Offered in the second term of classes (Fall Term, 1893) and taught by Clark W. Shay (left).

Chinese was offered 1948–57, and taught by Wen-Djang Chu. And, since being offered again for the first time in decades beginning in Autumn 2014, Chinese is now a part of SPU's new Asian Studies major.

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C. May Marston

She graduated from Seattle Seminary in 1898. She first appears in the 1904–05 academic catalog as a teacher of German and English.

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Men’s Soccer, 1978

The Falcons defeated Alabama A&M 1–0 in two overtimes to capture the NCAA title.

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The Olympiad, 1909

This is the oldest yearbook held by the SPU Archives. View the whole publication at digitalcommons.spu.edu.

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Youth Camping Experience

The May 1956 SPC Bulletin reported that “During the week of May 14–18, about 250 fifth and sixth grade youngsters from three Seattle grade schools participated in a three-day camping experience” at the newly acquired Camp Casey.

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Janette Jamieson

She served during the 1940–41 academic year. The 1941 Cascade notes: “Janette Jamieson, the first lady president in the history of S.P.C., is to be congratulated upon her wonderful student leadership. Through her untiring efforts and executive ability, much was accomplished throughout the entire school year.”

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Ward Folsom, Mrs. Dana A. (Lois T.) Newton, Ruth H. Sharpe

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1934 Falcon

With the adoption of the Falcon as a mascot in 1934, the name of the student newspaper, formerly Seattle Pacific College News, changed. Stories covered in the first Falcon edition include a college hike, student weddings, and a sports upset: A freshman team beat a rest-of-the-school team in baseball.

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Orrin E. Tiffany

Tiffany served as SPC president 1916–26 and also taught political science. In this photograph, Tiffany is third from the left. The stripes of cloth on his sleeves denote his PhD status.

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Hill Hall, 1962

All prior residence halls (Tiffany, Watson, Moyer, Alexander, and Marston) were used as single-sex housing.