A message from Louise Furrow, vice president for University Advancement: From all of us in the Office of University Advancement, we are proud to recognize the Facility and Project Management staff for their incredible generosity. Over the past 12 months, 57 percent of the team made recurring monthly donations through payroll deductions to support the Facility Management Student Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for student employees working in that department. Established in 2003, the scholarship has had facility employees provide over $33,500 scholarship dollars, blessing 34 students.

We are grateful and amazed by the faithfulness and generosity of the Facility and Project Management department. We hope you are inspired to follow in their footsteps and give through payroll deduction on a monthly basis. Our students will thank you!

A message from the Office of Alumni, Parent, and Family Relations: SPU Voices Podcast is a monthly interview show dedicated to telling inspiring and provocative stories. Everyone has a story, and we showcase those that are both artistically rich and culturally relevant. The more personal the story, the more universal the impact. The first three podcasts feature Professor of Music Stephen Newby talking about his personal journey of reconciliation; alumnus Bobby Martin and his organization helping young men leave gangs; and alumna Cami Ostman, author of the memoir, Second Wind: One Woman’s Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents.

The podcasts are hosted by Amanda Stubbert, director of Alumni, Parent, and Family Relations, and produced by Kyle Brown, assistant director of engagement and event. Our podcast can be found at spu.edu/voicespodcast. Listen to our first interviews now, and please rate, review, and subscribe!

A message from University Advancement: This year on Thursday, April 11, we’re excited to host our own Day of Giving, and I “heart” SPU is our theme. You can get involved in lots of ways, including simply spreading the word through your networks. The financial needs of our students have continued to increase in recent years, so we’re growing our fundraising efforts to make an SPU education possible for as many students as we can. We know that one of the most impactful things for students about an SPU education is their interactions with you, beloved faculty and staff (we hear it a lot). For those of you who have a lot of connections with alumni or parents, we’d love your help getting the word out.

Visit givingday.spu.edu to learn more and save the date. On the “Social Toolkit” page, you’ll find resources that you can use to share on social media. Explore the “SPU Causes” you care about most, and share them from the cause pages via email, Facebook, and text.

A reminder that the first of two Admitted Student Preview events is April 4–5, and the University will host 250 families on campus. We are asking SPU community members not to park in the Dravus Parking Lot on these days to make room for our guests. 

Here’s how you can help:

• Take mass transit and leave your car at home, if you can.
• Consider carpooling to campus, if you don’t already.
• If you are driving and parking, fill up all other SPU parking lots; parking permits won’t be required these two days.
• Use streets east of 7th Avenue West to help us maintain good neighbor relations if you need to park in the neighborhood.
• Avoid parking in the First Free Methodist Church parking lot, as they need those spaces for events at the church.

Thank you in advance for helping us accommodate our guests for one of the biggest campus events this year. 

A message from Campus Dining Services: As a "Good Idea" collaboration with Staff Council, every first Friday of the month will feature a $5 special for faculty and staff with presentation of their Falcon Card. Please view this week's $5 special on April 5.

• Bertona Street Pizza: Canadian Bacon, Pineapple, and Onion on Classic Mozzarella Cheese Pizza
• Bertona Street Grill: Classic Burger 
• Cocina Del Sol: Chicken Rice Bowl with 5 toppings 
• Academic Perks and Common Grounds: Grande Soy Milk Latte

Falconettes and Centurions, two of SPU’s longest standing student organizations, want your help.  Please nominate undergraduate students (current sophomores and juniors) for membership in these clubs. Advisors are looking for students who take service, scholarship, and Christian character development seriously. 

Email your recommendations by Friday, April 12, to Falconette advisor Julie Antilla (antillaj@spu.edu), or to Centurions advisors Ryan LaBrie (ryanl@spu.edu) and Bryan Jones (bryan@spu.edu). Each student you nominate will receive an invitation from us to apply to the clubs.

From International Student Services: Faculty and staff are invited to an International Student Culture Share on Wednesday, April 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the SUB Gazebo. Several of our international students will share presentations about their stories and home countries. Snacks that represent the home countries of many of our international students will also be available as long as they last! This event was rescheduled due to snow. Please mark your calendars and stop by!

Faculty and staff are invited to attend the First Fridays Colloquium series presented by the Social Justice and Cultural Studies major. The next two events are April 5–6. For more information, email Professor of English Kimberly Segall at segalk@spu.edu.

Beyond the Veil: Panel of American Muslim Women
3–4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 5
Otto Miller Hall, Room 109

Aneelah Afzali, executive director of MAPS-AMEN (American Muslim Empowerment Network), will join a panel discussion with a diverse group of American Muslim women. 

Mosque Visit: American Muslim Women Speak Out
12–3 p.m. 
Saturday, April 6
17550 NE 67th Ct, Redmond. 

RSVP to Professor of English Kimberly Segall at segalk@spu.edu to participate.

Bloodworks Northwest will host a blood drive on campus April 4–5, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. near the entrance of Tiffany Loop. Schedule an appointment online.

A message from Campus Dining Services: Faculty and staff will receive two bonus meals if they purchase a Faculty/Staff Block 10 Meal Plan by Friday, April 5. That’s 12 meals for $82 (or $6.83 per meal)! (Limit one per person.) You can use the plan in Gwinn any time during Gwinn’s service hours. Or you can use it to purchase Simply to Go meals at the Corner Place Market, Academic Perks (SUB), or Common Grounds (Weter Hall). Meals can be used for guests, too. Plans can be purchased through Banner. Meal balances roll from quarter to quarter as long as you are employed at the University. If you have questions, contact Housing & Meal Plan Services at 206-281-2188 or mealplan@spu.edu.

Diversity 101 @SPU
Thursday, April 4, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in room 117 of the new School of Health Sciences building (6 Nickerson).

What do we mean by “diversity” at SPU and why does it even matter? With a focus on building individual and institutional capacity, this training provides a shared language and framework for SPU employees to move forward productively in the work of diversity. Registration is open to all, while priority will be given to new employees. Lunch will be provided for those who sign up by Thursday, March 28. Register using Skillsoft.

Each spring, two staff members are nominated by their peers and selected by Staff Council to receive the Oral V. Hemry Non-Exempt Staff Member and Exempt Staff Member of the Year awards. Criteria for these awards include living out their Christian faith at SPU; demonstration of competence, skill, and initiative in their role; connection with colleagues and modeling grace-filled community in the workplace; and demonstration of leadership. Nominations are open through Tuesday, April 9. Nominate a colleague today.

You have until 9:59 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2, to have stationery orders delivered Monday, April 15. Stationery orders are delivered once a month. Orders made after 10 a.m. on April 2 will be delivered in May. For more information, contact Hope McPherson in University Communications at hmcpherson@spu.edu.

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, April 4. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, April 8.

From the Office of the Provost: This week, we are highlighting three more faculty colleagues who will retire at the end of this academic year. We hope you will enjoy watching and reading a bit more about them. Please join us in celebrating:

Elaine Weltz, assistant professor of computer science, for her 35 years of service.

Weltz Video Tribute; Weltz Emerita Resolution

Bill Nagy, professor of education, for his 23 years of service.

Nagy Video Tribute; Nagy Emeritus Resolution

John Thoburn, professor of clinical psychology, for his 21 years of service.

Thoburn Video Tribute; Thoburn Emeritus Resolution

J.J. Johnson Leese, assistant professor of Christian scripture, recently had her article “Ecofaith: Reading Scripture in an Era of Ecological Crisis” published in the peer-reviewed online journal Religions.

An essay by Mischa Willett, instructor of writing, was published in the journal Mockingbird. The article, titled “The Life-Changing Magic of Tearing My Students’ Papers Up,” deals with freedom, sacrifice, Marie Kondo, and folding one’s socks.

Alberto Ferreiro, professor of history, recently presented his penultimate talk, “Popular Devotions/Sacramentals,” for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Bothell. The talk gave the historical-theological background of sacramentals in the Old Testament and early Christianity, and their importance in increasing faith, adoration of God, love of neighbor, and their presence in our time.

The Office of Human Resources would like to welcome Henry Lopez, lead auto mechanic in Building Maintenance.