| Letters to the Editor
I was so pleased to attend SPU’s first Day of Common Learning on October
17. My thanks to President Eaton, Susan Gallagher and their team for
carrying out this vision of expanding curriculum beyond books and knowledge
to purposefully addressing issues of moral character and godliness.
I believe in so doing the University, through its leaders, modeled the
very thing purported
in Dr. Carter’s speech: that education for character really takes place by example.
To set aside classes for the day so that the students could be challenged and
taught in this area revealed a deep and serious
commitment to this issue. As alumni and
parents of SPU students, both my husband
and I applaud this course.
Dr. Carter appeared to be a man
whose love and reverence for God was
clearly reflected in his own character
through his godly standards and strength
of convictions. I loved the fact that students
got to hear such an articulate and
comprehensive argument for integrity,
civility, patience and self-restraint. He was
forthright in stating the need for living out
these qualities and clear in his examples of
those who have done so. I appreciated
that many of his points were addressed to
issues facing college students, yet what he
had to say was applicable to us all.
Specifically, I appreciated Carter’s understanding that young people are taught
virtues by the examples of important adults and that Christian students bring
these virtues to the University because they have learned them at home. ... He
gave this challenge: A Christian college has a right, an obligation and a privilege
to reinforce the moral compass with which
students arrive, saying that “while we are about intellectual inquiry in the
strongest
and most robust and exciting sense, we’re
about that for God’s purposes.” As a parent, this is the approach that I can
embrace.
My husband and I were also privileged
to attend another “packed house” as Philip Yancey spoke on campus. We appreciate
the fact that SPU is taking steps to address character in such bold and purposeful
ways, and without excuse. This is what I have always felt should set the University
apart. The message is wonderfully loud and clear. Education at Seattle Pacific
is about more than books. SPU wants students to be wholly all God
has for them to be and is working to
help them do just that.
Paula Evans Gough ’70
Renton, Wash.
Kicking Off The Campaign for SPU
I ’d like to thank SPU for hosting the recent gala at the Seattle Westin Hotel
to kick off The Campaign for SPU. My wife and I spent a pleasant evening getting
re-acquainted with friends from the Seattle Pacific community while being entertained
and inspired with top-notch entertainment. And the price was right!
Cliff McCrath
was a wonderful emcee for the event, the musical numbers were first-rate, and
the food was excellent. It was inspiring to see so many of the SPU extended family
together in such a warm, comfortable setting that was so easy on the eyes and
ears. And President Eaton’s words helped set the stage for our new, yet ongoing,
venture of “engaging the culture,
changing the world.”
I trust that this event was just the first of many around
the country, even the world; we need to get this message out to all who have
any interest in advancing Christian higher education. Thanks again to all who
had a hand in staging this kick-off event;
I ’ve already sent along my first “investment” check to support The Campaign — and
with no pressure from anyone.
Lee Springer ’70
Redmond, Wash.
We were privileged to attend the recent Campaign Gala for Seattle
Pacific University
at the Westin Hotel. We enjoyed our evening so very much. The presenters
were articulate and entertaining (emcee
Cliff McCrath — need I say more?).
The “Engaging the Culture, Changing
the World” theme that President Phil Eaton so ably promotes, not only on campus,
but throughout the community, is inspiring. President Eaton walks his talk. I
recently heard him interviewed on KIRO
Radio’s morning show with host Dave Ross and also happened to read a wonderful
article in The Seattle Times’ Pacific Northwest Magazine about his
approach
to education for character and his involvement in the community.
Our daughter,
Erica Baker ’02, thirdgeneration SPU alum, was placed in a business internship
during her time at Seattle Pacific, and this turned into a fulltime job after
she graduated. The faculty in Family and Consumer Sciences and Fine Arts was
so supportive and encouraging. This networking is one of the great benefits that
SPU gave her. It’s these types of opportunities that allow SPU graduates to really
go out and make a difference in the world.
Thank you for the chance to remain
involved with my alma mater.
Sheryl McGavin Baker ’74
Kirkland, Wash.
Those Brothers K
Editor’s Note: In the last issue of Response, we published an article
by faculty
member
Christine Chaney about Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov. We
also offered readers a copy of The Brothers K if they wanted to join
the University
Scholars
in reading the book. For the hundreds of people who took us up on our offer,
bravo! This was the highest level of participation yet in our
annual book feature. (Which means, unfortunately,
we are now out of copies of the book.)
Don’t forget that the Response Online Bulletin Board at www.spu.edu/response
is available for you to discuss the book with other readers. This kind of discussion
depends
on you to start it and keep it going — so check the Bulletin Board often and
don’t be afraid to share your ideas and questions. Here is a sampling of the
responses we received to the Chaney article and book offer:
I have enjoyed the
new Responseimmensely. A former “General Honors
Reading” student, I read with great interest “A Mighty Symphony of Ideas” and “Probing
the Great Works,” and remembered how much I loved the readings and sessions during
my years at SPU.
Send me The Brothers Karamazov and count me in on some online
discussions!
Sandra Olson ’84
New York, N.Y.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “A Mighty
Symphony of Ideas” and would very much appreciate reading The Brothers Karamazov.
It has been many years since I have read a
Russian novel of great proportions … I ’d love to take this course — as an audit!
Sit in on the lectures, listen to youthful students, their young wisdom, difference
of viewpoints. I ’ll love reading the book,
might even make some notes to “grow by.” Maybe skip the final exam?
Elaine Dodd
Williams ’53
Loma Linda, Calif.
I read with interest your article on The Brothers Karamazov and your offer to
allow alumni to read it along with the students. I would be interested in receiving
a copy and embarking on a voyage into the late 18th century with you. ... I like
the
new format [of the magazine].
David Grant ’67
Marysville, Wash.
As a new senior pastor to the Pacific Northwest,
I ’m serving the Free Methodist church in Bellingham, Washington. I received
the Autumn 2002 Response yesterday. A beautiful
and effective publication! The article
by Christine Chaney was excellent.
It piqued my interest to read The Brothers
Karamazov again, after these many years.
Let me be so bold as to take you up on the
offer for a complimentary copy.
Rev. Paul DeMerchant
Bellingham, Wash.
In the Autumn 2002 issue of Response,
I saw that you offered a copy of The
Brothers Karamazov. Our son is a freshman
University Scholars student, and we
would like to have a copy of this book.
Thank you for giving parents the opportunity
to follow along with what the
students are studying.
David Garen
Canby, Ore.
Replaying the Sacred Sounds
of Christmas
Please accept my heartfelt appreciation to
[director Gerry Marsh] and the Symphonic
Wind Ensemble for their part in
the [Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert
at Benaroya Hall]. Their expressions of
praise and joy lifted us all. Where and/or
when will I be able to hear all of the “Song
of Luke”? And the three carols arranged
by Robert Smith — I haven’t enjoyed Greensleeves so much since I played a Calypso
version of it in a steel band … Thanks again for a wonderful afternoon of Advent
anticipation.
Bob Cathey ’40
Seattle, Wash.
It behooves us all to extend our deepest thanks
and heartiest congratulations to the Department of Music for the splendid Christmas
concert that was held at Benaroya Hall. The staging was stunning, the musicianship
was consistently wonderful
and the ambience — established from the outset by Phil Eaton in his warm welcome
to the audience, and maintained
throughout by the conductors and the
performers — was cordial but deeply reverent. At one level, the concert made
me
very proud of our university. But at a deeper level, it enabled me to forget
the
university entirely, and to contemplate anew
the mystery of the Incarnation. Thanks to
one and all — and to our wonderful students, who shortened their Thanksgiving
holiday to bring us such splendid music.
Rick Steele
SPU Associate Professor
of Moral and Historical Theology
More Responses to Response
I just wanted to
say that we LOVE the new Response! The format is so much easier to read and the
additional photography is great! I think my husband and I both have almost read
this issue cover to cover because it is so easy to read. With the old format,
we would look forward to reading it but at times it was pretty cumbersome so
we didn’t always read as much of it as we intended to.
Great job to you and your
staff — it’s wonderful!
Becky Tindall ’95
Lynnwood, Wash.
I just read through the new issue of
Response — what an AMAZING piece of work you are doing with this magazine. It
is incredibly impressive. … This new look and the content you are producing with
your writers could not be more firstrate. Everything from your thematic concepts
to the art to the texture and weight of the paper is evidence of serious thought,
meticulous care and profound talent. Congratulations to you and your team! Makes
me even MORE proud to be part of this great school. Again, congratulations.
Les
Parrott
SPU Professor of Psychology
What Do You Think? Don’t be shy!
We’d like to hear your opinion about Response or any articles
printed in the publication. To tell us what you think, send e-mail to
response@spu.edu, or visit
www.spu.edu/response. You may also write Editor, Response,
Seattle Pacific University, 3307 Third Avenue West, Seattle, Washington
98119–1997. Letters must be signed and will be printed as space
permits.
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