The University Chaplain Search Committee, under the leadership of Dean of the School of Theology Doug Strong, is pleased to announce that Provost Jeff Van Duzer has given approval for two university chaplain candidates to come to campus for more extensive interviews. The two candidates are: 

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof will discuss the moral challenge of global gender equity at Seattle Pacific’s annual Downtown Business Breakfast on Friday, April 20, 7–8:45 a.m., at the Westin Seattle. Kristof is a New York Times columnist, best-selling co-author of several books with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, including  Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. For the first time, tickets will be sold for this previously invitation-only event. Before tickets go on sale to the general public, faculty and staff have the first chance to buy them online. Tickets are $50, and the event is expected to sell out quickly.

Each quarter, the School of Theology offers a 2-credit Community Bible Study class for the SPU community. In this class (THEO 3100), faculty, staff, and students gather to read Scripture with an eye to its role in the formation of Christian life. A new book or theme is explored each quarter, and the Spring Quarter study is on 1, 2, and 3 John. The class will be taught by Professor of New Testament Studies Dave Nienhuis, and will meet on Wednesdays, 4–6 p.m. For more information, contact Professor of Theology Doug Koskela at kosked@spu.edu or 206-281-2261. Come and join us!

A message from Heather Eide, office and transportation manager: We are currently in need of both part-time and full-time Vanshare riders who want to meet at King Street Station and share a van ride to or from SPU. If you’re looking for alternative commuting options, we have groups that leave King Street Station between 6 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. Contact Office Manager of Safety, Security, and Transportation Heather Eide at eideh@spu.edu with your work schedule to coordinate a ride.

The men’s and women’s track and field teams compete in the Doris Heritage Track Festival, hosted by Seattle Pacific, on Saturday, March 24, at West Seattle Stadium. Field events start at 10 a.m., and running events at 12 p.m. For the latest in Falcon sports, visit the Falcons online.

What is the mission of God in our multiethnic world? How do Christian communities understand and participate in that mission? These are the questions that will be explored at “Multiethnic and Missional? Leading Diverse and Vibrant Churches,” a half-day event sponsored by Seattle Pacific Seminary (SPS). The event will be led by SPS faculty members Brenda Salter McNeil and David Leong, along with special guest Darrell Guder. Their collective work in Christian reconciliation, community development, and missional theology will set the stage for a vibrant conversation about holding these commitments together in the identity and ministry of the church. The event is Tuesday, May 15, 12–2 p.m., with optional breakout groups from 2–3 p.m. in Upper Gwinn. Lunch will be provided. Ticket prices vary. Register to attend today.

A message from the Center for Career and Calling: The Peer Career Advisor program is an excellent paid leadership opportunity for undergraduates. PCAs gain extensive knowledge about career preparation, build excellent leadership and professional skills, improve their communication and networking abilities, and gain valuable administrative experience working in a busy office. PCAs receive one-on-one mentoring from career counselors and, as a team, create programing and manage the CCC’s social media. We think this is one of the best jobs on campus. Please encourage your students to check out the job posting on Handshake.  

Students can learn more on Tuesday, March 27, when this year’s PCAs host a “Meet-up” in Weter Lounge between 10 a.m. and noon. This will be a great opportunity to meet current PCAs and ask questions.

Do you know a student who demonstrates Christian character, has made a commitment to on- or off-campus service, shows a willingness to take on tasks regardless of recognition or challenge, demonstrates leadership, and is currently a junior? If so, we encourage you to nominate them for the Barnabas Servant Leadership Scholarship. Recipients of this scholarship receive a $750 cash grant and a contribution of $250 given in their name to a charity of their choice. The deadline for online nominations has been extended to March 23, and the nomination form can be found on the University Ministries Student Leaders webpage.

Faculty and staff are invited to a discussion of the film, Black Panther, on Friday, April 6, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Weter 202. The discussion will be led by Associate Professor of Theology Brian Bantum, and hosted by Jeffrey Overstreet, adjunct English faculty member.

Find out more about the new social justice and cultural studies major on Friday, May 4, 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Weter 202. Join us in celebrating the new major.

A message from Staff Council: It’s time to recognize someone in our staff community who has done a tremendous job this year. Do you know a staff member who has gone above and beyond? Nominate them for Staff of the Year. Nominations close on March 23, so don’t delay.

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, March 22. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, March 26.

Assistant Professor of Psychology Tom Carpenter and students recently delivered five presentations at the 2018 annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology in Atlanta. Tom and student co-presenters’ contributions included:

• A talk at the Teaching of Psychology preconference on screencasting titled “The Screencast Answer Key: Enhancing Learning via Active Homework Correction”
• A poster titled “Have We Ever Really Measured State Guilt and Shame? Widely Used Measures Appear to Lack Validity”
• A poster titled “Guilty and Ashamed: Why Aren’t Women Unhappier and Less Self-Forgiving?”
• A poster titled “Action Tendencies, Not Attributions: The Role of Self-Theories in Guilt-Proneness and Shame-Proneness”
• A poster titled “Trait Self-Forgiveness Predicts Stigma and Attitudes Toward Mental-Health Help Seeking”

Tom was also selected as a 2018 Admired Scholar, chosen to meet with and mentor a graduate student Diversity Travel Award winner. Tom would like to thank several current and former SPU student co-presenters who were in attendance and assisted with presentations: psychology undergraduates Cherise Blondefield, Jessica Fossum, and Lynne Onishi; psychology alumni Megan Hamasaki, Bailey Johnston, and Joseph Walker; and clinical psychology graduate student Jyssica Seebeck. In addition, they would like to thank former lab members Jaime McDonald and Naomi Isenberg, who were unable to attend, and their network of external collaborators.

The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Washington recently awarded affiliate professor status to Gene Lemcio, emeritus professor of New Testament in the School of Theology. He will be available for lectures and advising about religion and politics in Ukraine and about the influence of sacred Scripture on Ukrainian culture.

Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Global Development Studies Bradley Murg was quoted in the article "The Triumph of Emotion Over Reason" on March 15 in The American Conservative, a bi-monthly magazine founded and published by the American Ideas Institute. Bradley coaches the SPU Debate Team, and commented on changes in the college debating circuit.