A message from ASSP: Please join us as we engage in discussions on race and privilege. We are offering three discussion topics this quarter: Deconstruction of Race, White Privilege, and Race and the Bible. This opportunity is open to all students, staff, and faculty. In order to participate, you must commit to the six weeks of discussion which are held every Wednesday, 2:45–4:30 p.m., beginning January 27. Sign up online.

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The next School of Business, Government, and Economics Dean’s Speaker event is Wednesday, January 20, 1:30 p.m., in the Library Seminar Room. The guest speaker is Dr. Dorothy Echodu, CEO of Pilgrim Africa, who will tell her personal story and share about the work of her organization in Uganda. All are welcome, but space is limited. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Center for Applied Learning at cal@spu.edu or 206-281-2151.

The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations is currently taking nominations for the “125 Ones to Watch” awards, which will debut with the 125^th anniversary of SPU in June. The purpose of this award is to recognize 125 GOLD (graduates of the last decade) for their accomplishments. The criteria for Ones to Watch are: graduated in the last ten years; have demonstrated significant success in their profession, ministry, or service involvements; embody the university’s mission of engaging the culture and changing the world; pursue a mature and active Christian faith; and exhibit pride and enthusiasm for SPU. All submissions can be emailed to alumni@spu.edu with a description of how the individuals fit the criteria. 

On Monday, January 25, 6-9 p.m., the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will host the annual Dessert Reception. This formal admissions event attracts hundreds of prospective and admitted students and their families. Guests will enjoy wonderful desserts in Upper Gwinn; hear Provost Jeff Van Duzer share his vision for the University; and have a chance to attend academic and co-curricular informational sessions and panels from University Ministries, Residence Life, Athletics, and more. Please look for these students and their families and make them feel welcome.

A message from Undergraduate Admissions: During the Distinguished Scholar Award Competition, formerly known as the SPU Scholar Award Competition, we invite approximately 100 of our top applicants to campus to compete for 5 full-tuition scholarships. Faculty interviews are an integral part of the competition process, and offer an opportunity for faculty to interact with our strongest applicants to help in the selection process for this prestigious award. We are in need of faculty who are willing to do three, half-hour interviews with scholarship candidates between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 8, and/or Friday, February 19, in Upper Gwinn. Faculty interviewers will be given interview questions to follow and a score sheet to rate the applicant. It is an exciting opportunity, as many students fly in from around the world for this prestigious event. If you are interested, email your availability to Visits and Events Coordinator Myra Veltkamp at veltkm@spu.edu. 

The SPU Theatre Department presents this Tony Kushner play about an aging father, his estranged son, and all-knowing magician. Performances are January 28-30 and February 4-6 at 7:30 p.m. in E.E. Bach Theatre in McKinley Hall. There will be a Saturday matinee performance on February 6 at 2 p.m. Learn more and buy tickets online. 

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Undergraduate Admissions is hard at work recruiting next year’s new class of SPU Falcons, and they would love your help. If you know someone who was born to be a Falcon, invite him or her to apply for Winter, Spring, or Autumn 2016 quarter — then let us know. You could receive a gift! Here’s what you need to do.

First, submit the student’s name at spu.edu/referafalcon. If he or she applies and lists your name in the application, you will receive $25 in Falcon Funds.

When the student fills out the Common Application, in the SPU member section under "Contacts," tell the student to list that he or she heard about SPU from you. Once we receive your submitted form and the student's application, you’ll get $25 in Falcon Funds. The deadline is February 1, so make sure to invite students to apply before then. If you have questions, email admissions@spu.edu or call 206- 281-2021.

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Assistant Professor of Art Zack Bent has spent time visiting and photographing a parcel of forest fire land near Cle Elum, Washington, seeking to study the silence and death left by the fires. An exhibit of his photographs and sculpture pieces created to honor the landscape is now on display at the SPU Art Center Gallery until February 26. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, January 21, 5-7 p.m.

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Professor of Education Nyarazdo Mvududu is leading a free Zumba class for faculty and staff. Beginning Friday, January 29, the class will be offered Fridays, 12-1 p.m. in the main gym in Brougham Pavilion. Nyarazdo is a licensed Zumba instructor, and says the class is “fun and beginner-friendly.”

Meet students and colleagues and make new friends as you improve your Spanish at the Spanish Conversation Table, meeting Winter Quarter on Fridays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., in Marston Hall 252. The sessions are open to anyone who wants to converse with others in Spanish, and beginners are welcome. If you want help on vocabulary or how to figure out Spanish reflexive verbs, plan to join us. You don’t have to sign up ahead of time ― just bring your lunch and join us. If you have any questions, email adjunct faculty member Vilma Illanes at villanes@spu.edu.

Normally, Sitecore/Contribute brownbags are the third Thursday of the month, but because of a conflict, this month’s brownbag is Thursday, January 28, noon–1 p.m. in the Lower Weter large conference room. If you need help in the meantime:

• If you’ve been trained in Sitecore, call Kathy Henning in University Communication at 206-281-2329 and she’ll arrange for someone on the Web Team to help.
• If you need help with Contribute, call Hope McPherson in University Communications at 206-281-2552 Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Sitecore Tip of the Month 
Here’s a question we get a lot: How can I turn a double return into a single return? Put your cursor at the end of the line before the double return and delete the return so that the paragraph break disappears. Then hit shift + return. Voila! Single return.

Tuesday, January 19
Men's basketball vs Saint Martin's, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

Friday, January 22
Gymnastics vs Sacramento State, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

For the latest in Falcon sports, visit the website. 

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The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly 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 21. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, January 25, 2016.

A book review by Assistant Professor of English Peter Moe was published in the latest issue of Rhetoric Review, 35.1 (January 2016): 71-74. Peter reviewed Mary Norris's Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen.

Amy Foster, assistant athletics director, is one of 23 senior-level administrators who are part of the NCAA's 2016 Pathway Program. She began the yearlong educational program last week during the NCAA convention. Congratulations, Amy! Read more about the program.

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A book review by Professor of English Susan VanZanten was published in the December 2015 of Christianity and Literature. Susan reviewed W. Clark Gilpin’s Religion Around Emily Dickinson.

Associate Professor of World Christian Studies Miriam Adeney was quoted in a Christianity Today article on January 19, 2016, titled “Here’s What Evangelical Experts on Missions and Muslims Think of Wheaton's ‘Same God’ Debate.”

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Ivy Kerlee, wife of the late Professor Emeritus Don Kerlee, died January 4, 2016, at the age of 99. Ivy and Don met while students at Seattle Pacific. Don held a number of positions during his almost 30 years at SPU before retiring in 1990. He died in 2012. A memorial service for Ivy was held January 17 at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church.

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