From the dawn of Christianity, some form of art has often communicated that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Art continues to not only represent but also shape our understanding of community, revelation, spirituality, conversion, and worship. Explore this intersection with Fr. Eduardo Fernández at the annual Alfred S. Palmer Lecture on Thursday, February 11, at 7 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. Fr. Fernández teaches classes in missiology and Latino theology and ministry at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, leads workshops and retreats, and assists at local parishes. The lecture is hosted by the School of Theology and Seattle Pacific Seminary. Professor of Art Laura Lasworth will be the respondent.

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As part of the Church Leaders Forum, Dr. Soon Chan Rah will speak in chapel on Tuesday, February 9, 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church. He is an SPU adjunct professor this quarter, teaching the first course in the new Master of Arts in Asian American Ministry degree. Dr. Rah is the Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Seminary; an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church; and founding senior pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is a nationally recognized speaker and author of several books, including his most recent publication, Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times (2015). For more information on the forum, visit the website. 

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The SPU community is invited to the Ash Wednesday service at First Free Methodist Church on February 10, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Centuries before George McDonald, J.R.R.Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis, the Græco-Roman world featured many examples of non-realistic fiction. Owen Ewald, the C. May Marston assistant professor of classics, will look at the creative works of early writers during the annual C. May Marston Lecture on Tuesday, February 9, at 3 p.m., in Demaray 150.

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The story of Joseph in Genesis provides a great picture of preparation for a career in business. Mathematics provides a lens for thinking about relationships, business, theology, and politics. Executive in Residence Al Erisman will share a story of connections across disciplines in the work he has been doing over the past several years during the next Creative Conversations event on Thursday, February 11, 12 p.m. in the Library Reading Room. Light snacks will be provided.

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A message from the SPU Wellness Initiative: The SPU Wellness Initiative is a group of faculty and staff working to improve the mental, physical, and emotional health of undergraduates. During Winter and Spring quarters, we will provide you with information about common mental health problems that students deal with on a daily basis. We hope this will help faculty and staff identify students that may need extra support. We will also provide you with campus and community resources that are available for students. This month, we are focusing on stress and how stress affects the mind and body. Faculty and staff may be interested in a new book titled Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind over Body, examining how the mind can overcome the physical and psychological effects of stress. NPR recently aired a story about the book. Faculty and staff are also encouraged to check out the new SPU Wellness website, which has lots of information on student stress, campus wellness activities, and resources.

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Fort Casey Inn has a few units left for Presidents Day Weekend, February 12-15. Rates for faculty and staff are discounted to $115 per night, and there is a two-night minimum stay during the holiday weekend. The special rate will be offered once you book the space and mention your SPU status. Visit the website to reserve a unit.

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Gary Stager is an internationally recognized educator and consultant who has spent 28 years helping teachers make sense of their roles in the age of personal computing, and making schools more constructive places for children. He will be on campus for several events on Thursday, February 18. His visit is sponsored by SPU’s Educational Technology and Media. Register online. (The Book Club at 3 p.m. is full.) 

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On Monday, February 8, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will host 50 of SPU’s top admitted students for a campus competition for five full-ride scholarships. This is the first day of the Distinguished Scholar Award — formerly the SPU Scholar Award — competition, and students will interview with faculty and admissions staff; participate in group discussions and presentations; as well as visit classes throughout the day. Thank you to the faculty who have volunteered to help with interviews for this event. There is still time to volunteer for the second day of the competition on Friday, February 19. Contact Myra Veltkamp, visits and events coordinator, at veltkm@spu.edu if you would like to participate.

Faculty in the Music Department will perform on Tuesday, February 9, 7:30 p.m. in Nickerson Studios. The event is free. 

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On Friday, February 12, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will host an exclusive Transfer Open House event for several dozen Trinity Lutheran students. Trinity Lutheran College will close permanently this spring. We will offer campus tours, admissions and financial aid sessions, and an interactive panel to assist in the transfer process for these students. Please look for these students and make them feel welcome as they learn how they can make SPU their new home!

Faculty and staff are invited to a special event exploring the rich tradition of poetry in African-American culture on Friday, February 12, 7-8:30 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons.

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The winter census information is now available on the Office of Information and Data Management (IDM) website. Several pages on the IDM site are open to the public; others are available only to SPU staff and faculty. If you have comments or questions about the information appearing on the website, contact Tim Gatlin, senior systems and data manager, at tgatlin@spu.edu or 206-281-2545.

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The 10th of each month is the last day to make changes to your upcoming payroll check. Do you need to add or remove your spouse and/or children from your health care plans? If so, contact Human Resources (HR) to complete the appropriate form. Changes might include events that are expected to impact your benefits and deductions, such as your spouse or children gaining or losing coverage due to employment, birth, marriage, etc. Additionally, any changes you wish to make to your 403(b) account contributions must be made by the 10th of the month. For changes to your 403(b) account, contact Transamerica Retirement Solutions at 1-888-676-5512 (5 a.m.-6 p.m. PST), or 1-800-755-5801. If you have any other benefits-related changes, call Mardeth Hughes in HR at 206-281-2816.

Common Grounds /Academic Perks: Happier Hour! From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., purchase any grande drink and receive a FREE pastry! (While supplies last.)

Medley: Get a 5-topping salad for $5.99.

Subway: Get a FREE cookie when you purchase any footlong sandwich.

Sandella’s: New tuna wrap for $4.99. Add a 21-ounce fountain drink for only $5.99. (Limited Time Offer). Also, get a grilled steak burrito for $5.89. Add a 21-ounce fountain drink for only $6.89.

Einstein’s Bagels: It’s tween time from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., purchase a medium cup of coffee and a sugar cookie for $3.59.

Grill: Limited time offer – Texas BBQ pork sandwich with grilled onions and coleslaw on ciabatta bread for $5.39. Or, smoked turkey and fresh mozzarella sandwich on ciabatta bread for $5.39.

New Retail Promotion on Friday. Stop by these campus dining retail outlets and take advantage of a special promotion every Friday.

$5 Friday Retail Promotion:

Medley: 5-topping salad

Grill: Crispy chicken burger with fries

Einstein’s Bagels: Turkey Club Tostini

Sandellas: Grilled flatbread and 21-ounce fountain drink

Subway: Six-inch chicken breast sub and 21-ounce fountain drink

Friday, February 12

Indoor track & field -- Seattle Pacific at Husky Classic, Dempsey Indoor (University of Washington), 4 p.m.

Gymnastics vs UC Davis, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 13

Indoor track & field -- Seattle Pacific at Husky Classic, Dempsey Indoor (University of Washington), 9 a.m.

Sunday, February 14

Indoor track & field -- Seattle Pacific at UW Indoor Open, Dempsey Indoor (University of Washington), 9 a.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, February 11. Due to the Presidents Day holiday, the next Bulletin will be published Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

On February 2, Associate Professor of Sociology Karen Snedker accompanied a group of students to Olympia for Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day, an organized event where students and other advocates have an opportunity to meet with their elected officials and talk to them about policy issues. Almost 700 advocates from around the state came together in the state capital in this powerful call to action around homelessness.

A message from Rick Eigenbrood, dean of the School of Education: “I am pleased to share the news that the Washington State Professional Educators Standard Board (PESB) has awarded the SOE a $180,000 ARC block grant. The grant will fund up to 12, $14,000 scholarships for students in the Alternative Routes program. Of the 15 grant applicants submitted, SPU was one of only six selected for full funding. I am very grateful for the work of SOE faculty members David Denton, who wrote and submitted the grant, and Dan Bishop, who worked with David to solicit support from school partners. I’m also grateful for Anne Butler and Margaret Diddams in the Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development in supporting the grant submission, and Cherry Gilbert in the Budget and Finance Office for reviewing and vetting the budget.”

Bradley Murg, assistant professor of political science and director of Global Development studies, was invited to serve as a panelist for a series of round table discussions on the role of economics and business studies in a liberal education. The event was organized by the Institute of Political Economy at Utah State University. The conference took place in Springdale, Utah, January 28-31.

Assistant Professor of Music Brian Chin and the Music Department’s “Futures in Music” lecture series were mentioned in an article on February 4 in NewMusicBox, a multimedia publication from New Music USA dedicated to the music of American composers and improvisers and their champions.

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