You are invited to the 2022 Winifred E. Weter Lecture given by Eric Long, professor of biology. Eric will present his topic, “Priests of a Fallen Creation: The Temple, Natural Theology, and Ecology in Dialogue,” on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., in Upper Gwinn Commons. (You can also watch the lecture online.) The lecture will consider how to make sense of both creation’s goodness and decay, as Eric proposes that a fruitful path forward involves synthesizing recent advances in three fields: natural sciences, natural theology, and biblical theology.

Entry is free and wheelchair accessible. All current SPU students and employees must show their SPU card upon entering the event. Additionally, either proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test will be required as a condition of entry for anyone who is not a current SPU student or employee. For more information, visit the 2022 Weter Lecture website.

Please note: The Center for Learning will be proctoring Winter Quarter final exams March 15–17 in the library for Disability Support Services students who have testing accommodations. Students have been notified that they must schedule their final exams with DSS no later than Friday, March 4. Please contact the Center for Learning at cfl@spu.edu if you have any questions.

A message from Nate Mouttet, vice president for enrollment management and marketing: Each year we try to convey to incoming students the kind of learning community they will find here at SPU. An example of this has been a project that the Undergraduate Admissions team spearheads in asking faculty to write a personal note to each admitted student for the coming fall. Because it is an “old school” type of engagement, it is often hard to quantify the rate of return on your investment of time (which we know is very valuable). Yet each year we get unsolicited feedback at our spring events, as well as from our admitted student research, that receiving a personal notecard from a college professor is a powerful message that they will be known and that they will begin an actual relationship with a faculty member.

As we enter the third year of the pandemic, we know that you continue to juggle so much as you care for and invest in our current students. Knowing that the students who are in front of you are your top priority, we are going to approach this project in a different way this year – scaling it down, but still reaching a key segment of our incoming students with personal notecards.

• We will start this project sooner than usual, with cards being available to faculty this next week.
• We will simply ask you to either sign up for your cards to be delivered to you, or to come join us for a faculty notecard-writing party, where your cards will be waiting for you.
  • If you are willing and able, even to write just a few cards, please COMPLETE THIS BRIEF FORM (takes about 30 seconds to complete).
  • We would love for you to join us for one or both faculty notecard-writing parties, one offered during dinner (right before the Weter Lecture) and one during lunch:
  • Pizza and snacks will be offered at both, as well as music, prizes, and good times with colleagues. (Please make sure to RSVP via the form linked above.)

Faculty notecard-writing party #1: Tuesday, Feb. 22, 4–6:30 p.m., Eaton Hall Auditorium

Faculty notecard-writing party #2: Wednesday, Feb. 23, noon–2 p.m., Library Seminar Room

• Most faculty will write to students within their own academic disciplines, but please know that you may still be asked to write a “general” note of welcome to students from outside your program’s majors or to those whom are undecided.
• All notecards will be pre-labeled and pre-stamped, and we will include suggested text for your note. (Though it’s a wonderful touch if you can include one of your business cards, if you have them.) We are hoping to have all notecards mailed by Monday, March 7, so that our students will hear about our admitted student events on time.

At the end of this project, we still plan to award the coveted “Golden Falcon Pen-holder Award” (shout out to the prolific Dr. Tim Nelson for being the inaugural winner last year!) to the faculty member who writes the most cards. We also have a LOT of SPU swag to give away and will be hosting faculty drawings among those who write cards.

Again, thank you for all that you are doing for our current students, and we thank you in advance to those who are willing and able to help us with personal cards again this year!

As part of the Faculty Artist Series, Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Hanson and soprano Dr. Shana Mashego will perform in the  “Hymn Project" on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. in First Church Seattle, located at 180 Denny Way near the Seattle Center. The concert is a collaborative effort to preserve the singing of hymns through arranging and composing in various classical styles. Christopher is the chief composer, arranger, and violinist, and he will perform along with local guest artists on piano and cello. 

The SPU String Ensemble will also collaborate with Dr. Mashego for "Sacred Songs With Strings" on Friday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. at First Church Seattle. The concert will feature sacred music composed for string and voice and the world premiere of "An Illumination of Bach's Cantata 199." 

Both events are free and open to the public under appropriate COVID-19 guidelines.

University Ministries invites the SPU community to join in worship on March 2, Ash Wednesday, in preparation for the upcoming Lenten season. Guided prayer stations, culminating in the receiving of ashes, will be open between 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Upper Gwinn for a self-paced time of prayer, reflection, and worship.

SPU is part of the NCAA Division II, and “DII Day” is Tuesday, Feb. 22. Come to Martin Square where our student-athletes will be handing out pre-wrapped donuts and coffee. We hope to see you stop by the Falcon tent to celebrate DII Day with us!

Of the five films the Center for Faithful Business submitted to the SIMA Film Awards festival, three were named finalists and one video won the "Impact" category. SIMA (Social Impact Media Awards) is a global curator and impact media agency dedicated to advancing cross-cultural understanding, human rights, and education. SIMA's films introduce audiences to contemporary social issues using documentaries of excellence and screening films in communities and classrooms worldwide. 

The three finalists were Brighter, Into Something Beautiful, and When God Roars, which also won the "Impact" category! Congratulations!

In the latest SPU Voices podcast, SPU doctors of nursing Bomin Shim and Julie Pusztai talk about their qualitative study exploring the spiritual life of those suffering from dementia. Prior to SPU, Professor Shim worked with those caring for loved ones with dementia and Professor Pusztai did her doctoral work on the process of aging.

SPU’s Department of Engineering and Computer Science is offering on-campus day camps this summer for rising 9th–12th graders. Students can jump-start a tech career with hands-on programs focused on game creation, 3D printing, and more. No coding experience necessary. Plus, they’ll earn college credit! Learn more and register at spu.edu/techcamps.

"House Specials: SPU Art Faculty Exhibition," featuring sculpture, painting, video, and animation by Art Department faculty, is currently on display in the Seattle Pacific Art Center. Assistant Professor of Art Zack Bent says, "Drop by sometime this quarter to check out what these artists and designers do for research! You are welcome to direct your students to the space as well for visual exploration and contemplation." The center is open Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located at 3 West Cremona Street. The exhibit runs through March 11.

From the Center for Career and Calling: Please join us by inviting your students to attend the Winter Virtual Career Fair happening Thursday, Feb. 24, 1–5 p.m. Over 60 companies from all industries are currently registered and seeking to hire your students! Students can register via Handshake.

The John Perkins Center at SPU is again hosting a scholarship competition for students as they explore thinking about practical ways for engaging reconciliation in our communities. Eligible students must be enrolled at SPU for the 2022–23 academic year, and includes transfers and incoming students. This year our Perkins Center Prize will award two finalists, one at $1,500 and a second at $1,000. The submission deadline for participants is April 1, 2022. Forms, criteria, and more information can be found on the Perkins Center website. Awardees will be named in May 2022, and the tuition scholarship will be given in the 2022–23 year.

Nominate a current SPU junior student for the Barnabas Servant Leadership Scholarship. Students should demonstrate Christian character, have made a commitment to on- or off- campus service, show a willingness to take on tasks regardless of recognition or challenge, and demonstrate leadership  The recipients of this scholarship receive a $750 cash grant and a $250 contribution in their name to a charity of their choice. Nominations are due by March 4, 2022, using this online nomination form.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly during the academic year. The next deadline is Thursday, Feb. 24, and the next issue will be published Monday, Feb. 28. 

If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible with an image or graphic to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity.

Alissa Walter, assistant professor of history, received a research grant from the Graves Awards in Humanities Committee from Pomona College in Claremont, CA. This grant is awarded to younger faculty members who have “outstanding accomplishment in actual teaching in the humanities” in accordance with the final proposal.

Alissa explains her research: "My research focuses on the history of Iraq, and funds from the Graves Award will allow me to travel to Iraq to carry out interviews and work in archival collections there. I also plan to travel to Washington, D.C. to work in the National Archives and the Library of Congress. This research is in support of my book manuscript, which is tentatively titled "Becoming Baghdad: State-Society Relations in Iraq's Capital City, 1950-2011." I also plan to use this fieldwork to explore the feasibility of various new research projects on the social history of modern Baghdad.

With funding from the Graves Award, I hope to expand the kinds of hands-on experiences students can have in my classrooms. One initiative I plan to pursue is setting up a virtual cultural exchange between SPU students and Iraqi students by establishing partnerships with a university in Iraq."

Congratulations, Alissa!

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Carlos Arias, Assistant Professor of Psychology Phillip Baker, Professor of Theology Mike Langford, and Assistant Provost for Educational Technology and Dean of the Library Michael Paulus spoke at the recent CCCU 2022 International Forum about an SPU faculty research group that explored artificial intelligence and Christian faith. Their presentation described how the group was organized to facilitate interdisciplinary and theological reflection, and it provided examples of how the group impacted members’ theological development and scholarly trajectories. The group, which also included Associate Professor of Business Ethics Bruce Baker, Associate Professor of Philosophy Rebekah Rice, and Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction David Wicks, has a book forthcoming in April on AI, Faith, and the Future. Slides from the CCCU presentation, “Exploring AI, Faith, and the Future through a Faculty Research Group,” is available from Selected Works.

June Hyun, associate professor of education, was recognized by the national Chi Sigma international honor society as an "Advocacy Heroine." June was a former faculty advisor for the SPU chapter of this international honor society that focuses on excellence in counselor education. Congratulations, June!

Jason Thornberry, receptionist for the School of Education, had his short story, “The Finish Line,” included in the annual collection of Central Connecticut State University's Helix literary magazine. Jason’s work has appeared in OPEN: Journal of Arts & Letters, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Broadkill Review, and elsewhere.