Faculty Staff Bulletin - Monday, May 16, 2016

NWCCU Accreditation Visit Team Corrected Report

The corrected report from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accreditation visit team is now available through the Provost Gateway. A quick reminder: this is not the final report of the Commission. This is a recommendation from the visit team to the Commission. In June, I will meet with the Commission to discuss the report. We then anticipate receiving the Commission’s final report (which may include different recommendations) later in the summer. We are allowed to share this team recommendation internally, which is why we are posting it now. Please treat this as confidential, however, as it is not supposed to be shared beyond our faculty and staff community at this time.

As you may recall, the visit team orally presented its commendations and recommendations on Friday, April 15, as they were leaving our campus. I reported on the team’s actions in a memo to the community the following Monday, April 18. On April 29, we received the first draft of the team’s written report, accompanied with a standard request that we review it for possible factual errors. We identified a few small corrections, which were since accepted by the team. We received the final version of their report last week and, after confirming that it was acceptable to do so, we posted the report. Please contact me at dmartin@spu.edu if you have any questions or suggestions after reading the materials. (Accessing this SharePoint document may require a login.)

A Unique Art and Music Collaboration by Two Faculty Members

Associate Professor of Art Scott Kolbo and Assistant Professor of Music Brian Chin have collaborated on a special music and video event that will be presented May 20 in Bellevue and May 21 in Seattle. Scott explains the project, which was partially funded by a generous Faculty Research Grant from the SPU Center for Faculty Development. “Brian and I collaborated with his jazz/classical/hybrid band (TORCH) to come up with music and videos around the theme of the five ‘elements’ — fire, earth, air, water and the mysterious fifth element we are calling ‘aether.’ The performances will feature projected video animations and live music — with an improvisational component thrown in for the final act. The music is gorgeous, there will be plenty to look at, and I’m confident that you will not be bored.” Visit the website for more information and tickets.

New Website on Diversity, Justice, Reconciliation

There is now an SPU website highlighting ongoing efforts and current resources around issues of diversity, justice, and reconciliation. The information is pulled from other SPU webpages, Response and etc magazines, faculty and staff news, and other sources. The University Communications staff worked with various departments and offices to put together the website. The basic framework includes webpages that deal with:

1) Academics (programs and some of the courses offered for undergraduates and graduates around issues of diversity, justice, and reconciliation).

2) Resources and programs for current and prospective students, and faculty and staff.

3) Ongoing efforts, which includes a timeline of recent events and next steps as outlined in President Martin’s February 2016 Board of Trustees report.

4) Publications, research, and videos by SPU faculty, staff, and students.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Director of Public Information Tracy Norlen at tcnorlen@spu.edu or 206-281-2977.

Tell Your Graduating Students About Senior Grad Fair

Know students who are stressed about graduation? Whether they’re completing undergraduate or graduate degrees, tell them about the Senior Grad Fair on Tuesday, May 17, 3-6 p.m. in Upper Gwinn. At the fair they can purchase cap and gowns; pick up graduation tickets; receive a free MiiR tumbler graduation gift; have professional headshots taken for LinkedIn; get their cover letter, resumes, and LinkedIn profile edited by the Center for Career and Calling; and so much more. If you have questions, contact Meranda Clausen in Alumni and Parent Relations at clausenm@spu.edu.

Professor Dearborn’s Last Lecture

“God’s Scandalous Love and What It Means for Us and Our World” is the title of Professor of Theology Kerry Dearborn’s “Last Lecture” on Tuesday, May 17, 6-7:30 p.m. in Otto Miller Hall, room 109. Light refreshments will be served. Students, faculty, staff, and the general public are welcome to attend. The concept of a “Last Lecture" is based on a 2007 lecture and 2008 book by Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor who died from pancreatic cancer in July 2008. In subsequent Last Lectures, professors reflect on what matters most and what wisdom they would hope to share with others. Ivy Honorary is SPU's chapter of the National Mortar Board Honor Society.

Fan Mayhall Gates Literary Reading with Suzanne Wolfe

Join SPU Writer in Residence Suzanne Wolfe, Image journal, and English faculty for the Fan Mayhall Gates Literary Reading on Thursday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. in the Art Center Gallery. Suzanne has taught literature and creative writing at SPU since 2000, and is the author of two novels. SPU faculty and students established the Fan Gates reading series in 1999 to honor this well-loved professor and colleague following her retirement from the English Department after 36 years.

Know Some Outstanding Graduates in the Class of 2016?

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 his or her profile. Send information by email to Director of Public Information Tracy Norlen at tcnorlen@spu.edu.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert May 20

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform Friday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., at First Free Methodist Church. The concert includes the Flute Choir, the Inglemoore High School Wind Ensemble directed by SPU alumnus Ted Christensen, and the SPU Wind Ensemble directed by Director of Bands Danny Helseth. The repertoire will feature works focused on dance, including Gustav Holst’s Second Suite in F, Robert Russell Bennett’s “Suite of Old American Dances,” David Holsigner’s “Liturgical Dances,” and Arturo Marquez’s “Danzon No. 2.” The event is free.

Sitecore/Contribute Brownbag May 19

Join us for the May brownbag this Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. in the Lower Weter large conference room. Please email Kathy Henning in University Communications at kathy@spu.edu if you plan to come. Sitecore/Contribute Brownbags occur the third Thursday of most months. If you would like help making changes to your website, bring them with you and we’ll show you how.

Sitecore Tip of the Month: If you need to update an image, always be sure you include a descriptive alt tag for the image, for accessibility. Don’t know what an alt tag is? Come to the brownbag and find out!

Free Chiropractic Scanning for Students, Faculty, and Staff May 20

Join the Falcon Athletic Department in welcoming Dr. Ed and Cheryl Shepherd of Shepherd Family Chiropractic to campus Friday, May 20. Dr. Shepherd will offer free chiropractic scanning for faculty and staff in the Hendrick’s Falcon Club in Brougham Pavilion, 12-2 p.m. The scan measures muscle tension in key stress areas along the spine, and can help identify how your body is working to deal with the stresses of daily living. Shepherd Family Chiropractic is located on Nickerson Street, and they treat many current SPU community members. The Shepherds are proud parents of two SPU alumni. Come by during your lunch — the scan takes only a few minutes! To learn more about the clinic, visit the website.

Do You Know Discipleship-Oriented Teens?

A message from the School of Theology: Your help is needed to spread the word about Immerse, a new discipleship experience at SPU for teens. It’s an opportunity for high school students who are ready to invest in their faith and discover their identity as one of both knowledge and action. With a broadened awareness of who Jesus is, who they are, and how those stories intersect, they will be equipped to live out their identity in their home, school, church, community, and world. Through an intensive, weeklong encounter in July and a follow-up October “Remix” weekend retreat, they’ll grow as disciples of Jesus. If you know a student or youth pastor who’d be interested, contact Program Manager Dan Vandewarker, 206-281-2750 or danvan@spu.edu.

Campus Retail Dining Promotions

Here are the Campus Retail Dining Services promotions for May 16-22.

Common Grounds/Academic Perks: Enjoy the sun with a Venti Italian Soda for $1.99.

Medley: New salad topping: roasted turkey breast for $1.59.

Subway: 6-inch veggie sandwich with avocado for $3.99.

Sandella’s: Beef Fajita Quesadilla for $5.59. Yummy Desserts offered at $1.99 (Regular price $3.29). (Apple Cinnamon Square, Peanut Buttercup Square, and Chocolate Strawberry Square).

Jamba Juice: 20 percent off Jamba Juice orders every Tuesday and Thursday for the month of May.

Einstein’s Bagels: Fresh baked cookies for $1.29. Get a medium Buttery Caramel Coffee for .99 cents every Wednesday for the month of May.

Grill: Pulled Pork Sandwich With the Works: Pulled BBQ pork topped with crispy Tater Tots, dill pickle chips, red onion and BBQ Sauce served on a Ciabatta roll for $5.99.

C-store: Silk Milk (chocolate or vanilla) for $1.29 – a .70 cents savings. Ten percent off 1893 Pepsi Cola products every Saturday for the month of May. Two for $4 Special: Choose between King Cone Ice Cream Bars, Magnum Ice Cream Bars, or Mrs. Fields Ice Cream Sandwiches.

$5 Friday Retail Dining Promotion:

Medley: 3-topping salad including roasted chicken or turkey

Grill: Chili cheese dog and a 21-ounce fountain drink

Einstein’s Bagels: Turkey Deli sandwich

Sandellas: Any freshly prepared grilled flatbread

Subway: Footlong tuna sandwich

C-Store: Spend $5 or more and get ten percent off

Vokos Receives Award

Professor of Physics Stamatis Vokos recently received the Innovation in Academia Award for Science and Business. The awards were established in 2014 by the University of Kent, in partnership with BritWeek, to celebrate the strong academic link between Europe and the U.S. The awards honour academics whose professional accomplishments have made a significant and lasting impact in the field of higher education and whose work and character have earned the respect and admiration of their professional colleagues. Stamatis is also an alumnus of the University of Kent. Congratulations!

Woodward’s Upcoming Talk on Seacoast Forts, Including Camp Casey

Professor of History Bill Woodward will look at the origins of Washington state coastal forts from the Columbia River to Puget Sound during a talk sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Historians Guild on Thursday, May 26, in the Ames Library on campus. Bill introduces his presentation. “Long nagged by memories of the only successful attack on our nation’s capital before September 11, 2001, — the British invasion of 1914 — advocates for ‘homeland security’ in the 1860s and 1870s turned to massive coast guns to protect the three American coasts.” The event is free.

Moe Gives Keynote Address

Rolin Moe, assistant professor and director of Educational Technology and Media, was a keynote speaker for the Innovation Conference by the Online Learning Consortium held in New Orleans last month. His talk, “Reachin' Out to Meet the Changes,” took a critical look at the popular use of the word “innovation” and challenged participants to strive to create conceptual spaces in their institutions and organizations to foster innovative thinking. The talk was in concert with a gallery installation detailing the history of innovation as a topic. The website of the installation is still available online.