Story by Hope
McPherson
Photo by Daniel Sheehan
Question: What's the common denominator in the following events? High tea — in Seattle and in London. Mentoring students and providing internships. Mariners Spring Training Camp in Arizona. On-campus academic forums with internationally renowned speakers. Four-wheeling in the Cascade Mountains. Answer: SPU's Society of Fellows.
A 1973 graduate of Seattle Pacific, Swanstrom and other Fellows leaders have brought a new focus and vitality to the organization. "Originally, the Society was a way to raise money for the University," recalls longtime member Mike Macdonald, professor of European studies, German and philosophy. "Under President Eaton and Sig, it's tied in much more directly to the vision of SPU." "I had a misconception of what the Fellows were," says Darlene Hartley, a 1965 graduate and retired elementary school principal who became a Fellow three years ago. Now president of the SPU Alumni Board, Hartley thought the Society was for an elite few. "It's actually a community of the mind and heart," she says, adding that her husband, a University of Puget Sound alumnus, is also a staunch member. In the last several years, the Society has established new community-building, educational and outreach events for Fellows, even co-sponsoring the SPU C.S. Lewis Institute and the SPU Christian Writers Conference. The goal is to encourage Fellows to become friends, lifelong learners and world-changers. Another important addition came recently when the Society created a new arm specifically for women Fellows. Its first event, a springtime high tea in downtown Seattle, was hosted by Sharon Eaton, wife of SPU President Philip Eaton, and Donna McIntosh, wife of Vice President for University Advancement Robert McIntosh. "We had a wonderful turnout of women and, in fact, had to hold two events because the interest was so great," says Sharon Eaton. In early October, the women met again, this time at Seattle's Canlis Restaurant, where Executive Chef Greg Atkinson gave a holiday cooking class. |
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The aim for all the events goes far beyond entertainment. "The purpose of these events is to provide women Fellows with a place to bring friends, not only to introduce them to SPU but also to expose those who may not be Christians to the Christian faith," says Eaton. Besides having access to events like the Canlis cooking class, the November C.S. Lewis Institute conference on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and an upcoming barge tour in France, Fellows understand that they're part of an organization that supports Seattle Pacific in multiple ways. These include, among other things, mentoring students, consulting on University initiatives and financial gifts. "Lots of universities have donor clubs, but under President Eaton, the Society of Fellows has developed into something more," explains Swanstrom. "It's important to realize we're not a mercenary organization, but a community of like-minded people that believe in SPU's vision." The financial investment of Fellows, says Hartley, serves a purpose. "It's an indication on another level that we're committed to Seattle Pacific," she points out, "and I think it's appropriate." The premiere group of givers to SPU, Fellows give $1,000 per year or more, although young alumni (those who graduated less than five years ago) give $500 per year, as do faculty and staff. |
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Still, that's only part of the story. "We have a special responsibility as one of the largest Christian enterprises in the Northwest to be involved in the community," says Swanstrom. "As Fellows, we can't cloister ourselves on campus. We are a resource to the church and greater Seattle. We are a bridge to connect our people with the community and to bring the community here."
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An organization founded in 1968 under President David McKenna, the Seattle
Pacific
University Society of Fellows has grown over the years to include 2,800
members.
A kinship of SPU supporters — including alumni, parents, business
leaders,
community members, parents, faculty, staff and others — these members
share
an important goal. "We're trying to build a 'commitment community' of people
who
identify with the SPU mission of engaging the culture and changing the
world," says
Sig Swanstrom, a Fellow since 1982 and the Society's director since 1999.
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Send any questions, comments or correspondence about Response to jgilnett@spu.edu or call 206-281-2051. Copyright © 2003 University Communications, Seattle Pacific University.
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