Faculty Staff Bulletin - Monday, January 12, 2015

An Op-Ed in The Seattle Times

A week before Christmas, I was contacted by an editorial page editor at The Seattle Times and offered a chance to write an opinion piece for Christmas Day. The editors wanted a different kind of editorial for their readers on Christmas, and brainstormed about who they would like to hear from in the area. I’m honored they thought of Seattle Pacific.

In the piece, I tried to convey how our Christian faith not only shapes our response to tragedy and loss, but how it also challenges us to respond to some of the world’s most pressing problems such as homelessness and racial injustice. I ended with my firm belief that “Seattle Pacific University will continue to be a place where we strive to live what we believe, a place where our Christian identity is foundational and formative.”

In case you missed it, here’s the op-ed that was published in The Seattle Times on December 25, 2014.

“How to Eat Till We Are Full: Idolatry and How to Avoid It”

What might lead the people of God into idolatry and how can they avoid it? Explore this question with Dr. Stephen Fowl at the annual Alfred S. Palmer Lecture on Thursday, January 22, 7 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. Fowl is professor of theology at Loyola University Maryland and SPU's 2014-15 theologian in residence. The event is hosted by the School of Theology and Seattle Pacific Seminary.

Get Fit With Lunchtime Zumba and Yoga

Staff and faculty can participate in intramural leagues and fitness classes. Currently offered during Winter Quarter are Zumba (Tuesdays, 12 p.m.) and yoga (Thursdays, 12 p.m.). Circuit training, Zumba, and yoga are also held in the evenings. Students, alumni, staff, and faculty participating in intramural leagues or fitness classes are required to purchase an IM League Pass. The pass can be purchased over the phone through the Athletic Department by calling Lisa at 206-281-2393. The pass costs $30 (one quarter), $50 (two quarters), or $60 (all year). This pass allows for unlimited participation in all intramural leagues and fitness classes for the duration of the pass. Visit the website for more information and to sign up.

Encourage Students to Participate in Senior Week

The Center for Career and Calling is hosting several “life after college” workshops this week. Please encourage students to pick up a “Passport to Success” at the Center for Career and Calling and attend three or more workshops for a free portfolio. Learn more by visiting the website.

Cigna HSA Refresher Sessions

A Cigna representative is coming to campus to review important information about the Health Savings Account (HSA), including tax reporting responsibilities and demonstrations on how to use mycigna.com. Find out more by attending one of the following hour-long, drop-in sessions in the Library Seminar Room (no registration required):

Tuesday, January 20, at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21, at 4 p.m.
Thursday, January 22, at 9 a.m.

Cigna One-on-One Appointments

Twenty-minute Cigna one-on-one appointments will be held Friday, January 30, in Conference Room C on the third floor of the Ames Library. Bring your questions and have them answered by one of our Cigna representatives. Register by calling the Human Resources Office at 206-281-2809.

Next Sitecore/Contribute Brownbag Lunch Is Thursday, January 15

Have you been trained in Sitecore or Contribute but keep putting off making changes to your website? Join members of the University Communications (UC) Web Team on Thursday, January 15, for our monthly brownbag Q&A. Sitecore/Contribute Brownbags occur the third Thursday of most months, noon to 1 p.m. in the Lower Weter large conference room. If you have changes you need to make to your website and you’re nervous about making them on your own, bring them with you and UC staff members will help you.

Flu Shots Available

Flu shots are now available in Health Services, located in Watson Hall. Current staff, faculty, and dependents (age 15 years and up) who have Cigna coverage through SPU may receive their annual flu shot free of charge as part of the preventive care benefit. For those not covered by Cigna, the cost is only $25. Make an appointment by calling 206-281-2231.

Call for Advancement Core Nominees

Advancement Services needs your help in identifying outstanding students to be a part of Advancement Core (AC). AC is a student group under the leadership of Advancement Services that cultivates relationships between students, alumni, and donors of SPU. AC seeks to share with all students the tremendous story of SPU: from alumni impacting the world in incredible ways to donors who are advancing Seattle Pacific with generous financial support. We focus on building a culture of philanthropy and engagement across campus and helping students realize their involvement with SPU can and should be a lifetime experience. Our work comes to life through AC’s annual “I Love SPU” campaign, serving at Homecoming reunions, and volunteering at various events throughout the year such as the Downtown Business Breakfast or the annual President’s Circle Banquet. Qualified applicants should have strong interpersonal communication skills, as well as a passion and excitement for SPU. Applicants should desire to see students continually flourish and enjoy this place. If you know of someone who would be an excellent addition, email advancementcore@spu.edu.

Cook a Meal for Tent City 3

A message from Celeste Cranston with the Tent City 3 Services Committee. “As an SPU host community, we are hoping Tent City 3 will have one hot meal per day while they are on campus. If you want to get in on this wonderful opportunity, check the meal preparation calendar, then contact me at cransc@spu.edu for more details and to set a date. (If you are interested in cooking on a Monday, the use of the First Free Methodist Church kitchen between 3-6 p.m. may be an option.)"

TechSmith Relay Contest

A message from Robbin Riedy, assistant director of Educational Technology and Media. "In an effort to support our ever-growing population of TechSmith Relay users, we’d like to create a ‘Digital Tour’ website featuring examples of how our existing users (yourself, colleagues, professors, instructors, students, administrators, coaches, educational technologists, etc.), are currently benefiting from TechSmith Relay and other TechSmith solutions. If you have examples to share, fill out the online form for submission. Submissions are due Friday, January 23, 2015. All those who complete the form and have their video selected by TechSmith will receive a $20 gift card to Amazon.com. (Please note: All users are encouraged to submit multiple submissions. However, each user will only receive one, $20 gift card.) Thank you for your help reaching out to end users. Please feel free to contact me at rriedy@spu.edu or 206-281-2786 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.”

“Mostly Men’s” Clothing Drive Until January 16

The SPU Tent City 3 Services Committee is hosting a “Mostly Men’s” Clothing Drive for Tent City 3 until Friday, January 16. Donations of men’s new or gently used clothing can be placed in the big blue collection barrels located in the Ames Library, Weter Hall, Eaton Hall, Demaray Hall, or Otto Miller Hall. If you have questions, contact tentcity3@spu.edu.

Upcoming Home Athletic Events

Thursday, January 15
Women's basketball vs Northwest Nazarene, Brougham Pavilion, 5:15 p.m.
Men's basketball vs Alaska Anchorage, Brougham Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 17
Indoor Track & Field; Seattle Pacific at University of Washington Indoor Preview, Dempsey Indoor (at UW), 9 a.m.
Men's basketball vs Alaska Fairbanks, Brougham Pavilion, 5:15 p.m.
Women's basketball vs Central Washington, Brougham Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.

For all the latest in Falcon sports, visit the Falcons website.

Faculty/Staff Bulletin Deadline

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every week during the academic year. If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible to Bulletin Editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity. The next deadline is Thursday, January 15. Due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, the next Bulletin will be published Tuesday, January 20.

Warren Named in Top 40 List

Caenisha Warren was nominated as one of the top “40 Under 40” by The Covenant Companion, a monthly publication reporting on Christian life, the church, spirituality, community, social justice, and outreach ministry. According the magazine, the list “is just a sampling of the riches throughout the Covenant — 20- and 30-something women and men who are serving in both quiet and pronounced ways in churches, classrooms, offices, and numerous other venues.” Caenisha is the coordinator for events and student clubs and budget manager for the John Perkins Center.

Gritter Joins Editorial Board

Kris Gritter, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, was recently invited to join the editorial board for the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, one of the flagship journals of the International Reading Association.

Ewald’s Chapter Published

Owen Ewald, C. May Marston Assistant Professor of Classical Languages and Civilizations, contributed a chapter titled “Imperial Roman Cities as Places of Memory in Augustine’s Confessions” to the collection Urban Dreams and Realities: Remains and Representations of the Ancient City, edited by Adam Kemezis of the University of Alberta. The chapter was part of Mnemosyne Supplement 375 in the History and Archaeology of Classical Antiquity series. Owen’s chapter grew out of the 2008 Marston Lecture, “Augustine’s Journey.”

Wong’s Article Published

An article by Kenman Wong, professor of business ethics, and recent SPU alumnus Donovan Richards (M.A. Theology/Applied Business) titled "Commercialization and Microfinance Interest Rates: Usury or Just Prices?" was recently published in the Journal of Markets and Morality.

Koskela Book on Vocation Published

A book by Associate Professor of Theology Doug Koskela was recently published by Eerdmans Publishing. Calling and Clarity: Discovering What God Wants for Your Life offers a theological vision of calling for those who aim to use their time, energy, and gifts faithfully. It was shaped significantly by conversations and questions that emerged in undergraduate and seminary classes on vocational discernment at SPU.

Alsbury’s Article Published

Thomas Alsbury, professor of educational administration and supervision, was invited to write an article for Télescope, a peer-reviewed journal of comparative analysis dedicated to presenting the research of international experts in the field of public administration. This article investigates school board members’ perceptions about their roles and responsibilities for improving student learning, and examines contextual factors and characteristics that influence those beliefs.

Oppenlander in Seattle Times

Mark Oppenlander, director of the School of Business, Government, and Economics' Center for Applied Learning, was quoted in a Seattle Times article on October 24 about job shadowing. The article was titled “Job Shadow: How the Career Curious Can Get a Taste of New Gig.”