I am pleased to announce the speakers for our year-end high ceremonies.

The Undergraduate Commencement speaker is Dr. Deborah Wilds, senior fellow for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, retired chief operating officer of the College Success Foundation, and a member of SPU's Board of Trustees.

The Graduate Commencement speaker is Ms. Sue Sherbrooke, retired chief executive officer for YWCA Seattle/King/Snohomish.

The Ivy Cutting faculty speaker is Dr. Eric Long, professor of biology, Seattle Pacific University.

Dr. Deborah Wilds serves as a senior fellow for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and a member of Seattle Pacific University’s Board of Trustees. She has had a long and distinguished career in education as a teacher, founder of an independent primary school, nonprofit leader, and philanthropy officer. She has dedicated her life’s work to serving children and youth.

Dr. Wilds served as the president and chief operating officer of the College Success Foundation, whose mission is to inspire underserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate college, and succeed in life. She also worked as a senior program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she led work to launch the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Washington State Achievers Program, and Early College Initiative. Prior to her tenure at the Gates Foundation, she was the deputy director of the American Council on Education's Office of Minorities in Higher Education in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Wilds is an active volunteer in the community and a faithful servant in her church. She currently chairs the Board of Directors of Equal Opportunity Schools and has served on the Washington state Board of Education, Philanthropy Northwest board, and as the chair of Seattle University Youth Initiative Advisory Board. She and her husband, Fred, are members of From the Heart Church Ministries, where she began a pre-college ministry serving over 500 youth. She is currently a member of the intercessory prayer ministry. The Wilds now reside in northern California.

Ms. Sue Sherbrooke served as chief executive officer for YWCA Seattle/King/Snohomish, one of the region’s leading nonprofits, for 13 years before retiring in October 2016. Prior to taking this position in 2004, Ms. Sherbrooke served as YWCA deputy director and finance director. Before joining YWCA in 1984, Ms. Sherbrooke worked in commercial banking and as deputy director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Consumer Division. Ms. Sherbrooke earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of public administration degree from the University of Washington.  She co-chaired the Interagency Council of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County, and currently chairs the Foundation for United Methodist Communications. She serves on the United Way of King County Board, the University of Washington Honors Advisory Board, and is a member of the International Women’s Forum – Washington State.

Dr. Eric Long is professor of biology at Seattle Pacific. Originally from rural central Pennsylvania, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology from Wheaton College in 1999. In 2001, he completed a masters’ degree in biology at the University of North Dakota, where he researched cougars, and in 2005, he completed a doctorate in ecology at Penn State University, where he researched white-tailed deer. Dr. Long moved to Seattle from Pennsylvania in 2006 to begin at SPU. Dr. Long’s research focuses on the ecology and behavior of deer, and he is quick to share that he feels blessed to work extensively at SPU's Blakely Island campus. He and his wife Carina, have two lovely and energetic kids, Torin (3) and Bria (7 months), and are members of Quest Church in Seattle. They are also proud and adamant Pittsburgh Steelers fans. As Dr. Long says, “Old habits die hard.”

A message from Louise Furrow, vice president for University Advancement: When we think about donations to Seattle Pacific University, it is easy to focus on the large gifts. However, I am continually reminded of the sustaining power of the steady, recurring gifts that arrive each month. 

Recurring gifts are evidence of deep and longstanding care for SPU. Many faculty, staff, and alumni have been inspired to set up monthly automatic gifts. To those of you who give faithfully through payroll deduction, thank you! You may be surprised and encouraged to learn that students who are appreciative of their SPU experience have made this decision as well ― Andrew Bell ’16 is a perfect example. 

Andrew was a political science major and says that he thrived in the unique community the professors created. “They fostered space for honest and earnest discussions with people who held different perspectives,” says Andrew. (This video offers a closer look at the special culture created in SPU’s political science department.)

When asked what motivated Andrew to sign up for a recurring gift, before he graduated, he shared, "I wanted to support the place that was having such a profound and positive impact on my life. As a student, I worked in University Advancement. I knew that even small gifts make a difference over time."  

To make monthly recurring gifts to SPU, visit the website.

Dr. John M. Perkins, one of the leading evangelical voices from the American civil rights movement and a longtime partner with SPU, returns to Seattle for a series of events, including a special chapel and lecture on campus. The author of the new book Dream With Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win is a powerful speaker whose stories of injustice and reconciliation are just as important today as when he started. He will speak in chapel on Tuesday, April 25, 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church.

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The Celebration of Service event will be held on Thursday, April 27, beginning at 11:10 a.m. in Brougham Pavilion. Please join us as we celebrate the years of service of our colleagues across campus and recognize the Faculty of the Year, Exempt Staff Member of the Year, and Non-Exempt Staff Member of the Year. There will be a reception following the ceremony, and offices will be closed so everyone can attend.

Rob Wall, Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies, will give this year’s Walls Lecture on Tuesday May 2, 7 p.m., in Upper Gwinn Commons. Building on Howard Snyder’s historical book on Seattle Pacific’s founding, which notes the University’s “missionary impulse,” this year’s lecture narrates a story that plots the purposeful pairing of Scripture’s instruction with this missional taproot. Rob will explain a Wesleyan missional hermeneutics of Scripture cued by Jesus’s Great Commission (Luke 24:44–49), and John Wesley’s sermon “The General Spread of the Gospel,” followed by a curated history of Scripture at SPU. Doug Strong, dean of the School of Theology and Seminary, will be the respondent. The presentation is free, open to the public, and wheelchair accessible. No registration necessary. More information can be found online.

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A message from Human Resources: Open enrollment begins May 1 through May 19 this year, and where there’s open enrollment, there’s the Human Resources annual Benefits Fair. The HR staff looks forward to having you join us on Tuesday, May 2, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Upper Gwinn for the Benefits Fair. Please take a few moments to come by and say hello, stroll around the fair, and enjoy some snacks with a friend. This will be an excellent opportunity to run some numbers with our dedicated Cigna team, as well as discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Presentations will be given about our medical plans, wellness plans, value-added programs, and more. Representatives from BAC (administrator for our health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts), Delta Dental, VSP (our vision plan), and many more will also be present.  These representatives provide information, answer questions, and bring giveaways. Don’t forget the prizes! We look forward to seeing you there. Reminder: Pay careful attention to all communications from HR, particularly during this open enrollment season.

SPU’s annual Gates Reading, honoring beloved English professor Fan Mayhall Gates, will take place on Thursday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Art Center Gallery. This year’s guest is poet Mischa Willett, an instructor in SPU’s writing program. He will read from his new book of poems, Phases, published by Cascade Books. (Rumor has it that Fan Gates herself will be in attendance!) The event is free and open to the public.

In celebration of Seattle Pacific University’s 125 anniversary, the SPU keyboard faculty will present an evening of musical masterpieces on Wednesday, May 3, featuring music written during and around the year 1891. Featured performers will include Myrna Capp, Dan Kramlich, Leslie Martin, Yuliya Minina, Robert Swan, Asta Vaicekonis, and Dainius Vaicekonis. The concert will be held in Nickerson Studios beginning at 7:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, Campus Ministries invites you to join an “SPU Day of Prayer” on Thursday, May 4. The campus community is invited to gather for worship and prayer 12– 1 p.m. in (TBA). Music begins at 12 p.m., with the formal program and prayer starting at 12:30 p.m. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to stop in as you can. Beyond this service, we would invite faculty and staff to take time for prayer throughout this day in their classrooms, or with departments and teams.

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Have you ever thought about bicycling to work? What better time to start than now! May is the 2017 Bike Everywhere Challenge, which challenges team members to commute by bicycle at least four days throughout the month of May. Here’s how to join a team:

• Go to the Bike Everywhere Challenge website.
• Select the blue ”Register Here” button.
• Join as a participating member of a Seattle Pacific University.
• Sign in or create a new account, and follow the prompts.
• Once logged in, navigate to “My Org” and select the team that you would like to join with SPU.
• Start biking, win prizes, and get to know other SPU bike riders!

University Communications needs help identifying outstanding students from this year's graduating class. This request is for undergraduate and graduate students. These students and their achievements will be pitched to media outlets prior to Commencement, as well as for promotional purposes. Please send the name(s) of the students and a short description about why you are recommending them. Examples would be students who overcame obstacles to graduate, were involved in community service projects, participated in innovative research, started a new venture, took a class that changed their career direction, or did something really interesting. Basically, anything that would make a good story! We will follow up with the student and get permission to use their profile. Send information by email to Director of Public Information Tracy Norlen at tcnorlen@spu.edu.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is hosting hundreds of prospective and admitted students on campus with their families for SPU Friday on April 28. Prospective and admitted students and their guests will be dining in Gwinn, attending informational sessions, visiting classes, taking tours, and more. Look for these students and families, and make them feel welcome.

You have until 9:59 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, to have stationery order(s) delivered on May 12. Stationery orders are delivered once a month. Orders made after 10 a.m. on May 2 will be delivered June 16. To see deadlines and delivery dates for the remainder of the fiscal year, visit the “Create an Order” stationery page in Banner. For more information, contact Hope McPherson in University Communications at hmcpherson@spu.edu.

As part of its 125th anniversary celebration, SPU has set a goal of 125,000 hours of community service. We will track individual or group volunteer efforts by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents in churches or communities, as well as include SPU events and organizations such as SPRINT, CityQuest, the Perkins Center, and Latreia. Track your hours and send them to us through the "Submit Volunteer Hours" webpage. Send along a photo as well, and it will be included alongside the other SPU community members who are doing their part to give back to the community and reach the goal.

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As you begin to hire students for summer employment, please remember that on-campus summer housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please advise your student employees to complete an application in the Housing portal by Friday, May 5, if they are hoping to live on campus during the summer. If you have any questions, please contact University Services at 206-281-2188 or housing@spu.edu.

The Spanish Conversation Table will be available Spring Quarter to anyone who wants to speak with others in Spanish. Beginners are welcome. Meet your classmates and colleagues, make new friends, and improve your Spanish. If you want to get some help on vocabulary or figure out how reflexive verbs work, come see us. You don’t have to sign up ahead of time; just bring your lunch and join us. The table meets on Fridays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in Marston Hall, room 254. If you have questions, email adjunct faculty member Vilma Illanes at villanes@spu.edu.

We are currently in need of Vanshare riders who want to meet at King Street Station and share a van ride to 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.

A message from Campus Dining: Enter to win a $300 airline voucher by taking a quick Dining Services Survey. Take the survey online by May 3.

Tuesday, April 25
Taco Tuesday: Get a Soft or Crunchy Taco with your choice of one protein and five toppings at Cocina Del Sol for only $1.99
OO LA LA Creperie. Chocolate Mousse and Turkey Mornay Crepes will be served in Gwinn during dinner. Get one crepe for one meal swipe plus $5 or two crepes for one meal swipe plus $10.

Wednesday, April 26 
It's National Pretzel Day! From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., don't forget to grab a pretzel with cheese sauce or peanut butter bacon sauce from Gwinn Commons during lunch.

Thursday, April 27
Celebrate National Blueberry Pie Day with a slice of homemade blueberry pie in Gwinn Commons during dinner.

Friday, April 28: $5 Friday Specials

• Common Grounds and Academic Perks: Tall Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade and a cookie
• C-Store: Three WOW cookies
• Bertona Street Pizza: One-topping pizza 
• Falcon Grill: Falafel sandwich
• Subway: Foot-long cold cut sandwich

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, April 27. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, May 1.

SPU’s Staff Council has named Judy Flathers, executive assistant to the vice president for enrollment management and marketing, as the April Staff Member of the Month. "Judy embodies a servant’s heart in all that she does. In addition to her fine, hard work, she generously gives kindness and grace to all. Thank you, Judy." Read more about Judy and nominate colleague as the next Staff Member of the Month.

There will be a farewell celebration for Professor of History Michael Hamilton on Tuesday, April 25, 2:30-4:30 p.m.in the Alexander Hall conference room, with a short program at 3:15 p.m.

Michelle Beauclair, associate professor of French and Francophone studies, received the 2017 Outstanding International Program Faculty Leader Award from the Northwest Symposium on Faculty-Led Programs. The award states in part, "Michelle has an incredible talent to engage students in intercultural exploration and self-development throughout her courses abroad (from intentionally designed program development and curricular elements to inspiring simple joy and excitement for learning). Her students return to the United States as globally aware citizens that are engaged on campus and work to inspire their peers to consider similar experiences abroad." Congratulations, Michelle!

Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Global Development Studies Brad Murg served as one of three panelists for an April 17 event at Town Hall in Seattle titled "The Rise of the Right in Western Europe." Brad is also teaching a graduate seminar on "Far Right Politics: Authoritarianism and Populism in Contemporary Europe and Russia” at the University of Washington this quarter, where he is affiliate professor of Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian studies.

The Office of Human Resources would like the SPU community to welcome the following new staff members. Contact information can be found on the SPU online White Pages.

Johnny Faddis, security officer, Safety & Security
Mandie Linthicum, office manager, University Recruitment & Admissions
Molly Martin, enrollment operations coordinator, Enrollment Operations

Bruce Congdon, dean of the division of STEM and social sciences, talked to local public radio station KNKX-FM (formerly KPLU) about why he participated in the March for Science.

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From University Archivist Adrienne Meier: As our 125 anniversary year comes to an end, let’s revisit some of Seattle Pacific’s previous anniversary celebrations. This week we’ll take a look at the 50 anniversary celebration, 1941-42. In subsequent issues, we’ll highlight the 75 and 100 anniversaries.

From September 1941 until June 1942, faculty, staff, students, and alumni celebrated the 50 anniversary of the founding of Seattle Pacific. On the first Friday of Autumn Quarter of the 1941-42 academic year, a special convocation was held with a faculty procession, choral music, and a special address given by President C. Hoyt Watson titled "Progress Without Compromise." Later that same day, the first All-College Hike to Lincoln Park was held, an event that became a tradition during the middle decades of the 20th century. A formal Fall Reception, held the second week of the quarter and branded as part of the Golden Jubilee festivities, was the first event held in the basement social room of the new McKinley Auditorium.

The Golden Jubilee year climaxed at Commencement on June 8, 1942. All the public programs ─ Baccalaureate, Commencement, and the annual Music Recital ─ took place in McKinley Auditorium. This was the second Commencement held in McKinley. Reverend Francis J. Archer, pastor at First Free Methodist Church, was the Commencement speaker. The College Chorus' rendition of Mendelssohn's "Elijah" was described as one of the highlights of the weekend, and performances by the A Capella Choir were also well  received. The SPC Bulletin, the college alumni publication, reported that attendance for the alumni events was around 300 graduates and former students. Select the link to see an image of the Commencement program cover.

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