A message from Sandra Mayo, vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion; and Doug Strong, dean of the School of Theology. On behalf of the Provost Search Committee, we would like to express our appreciation to everyone who participated in the listening sessions with our search consulting team from Isaacson, Miller last month. Your thoughtful input was instrumental to the development of a position profile, which offers an overview of our University’s distinctiveness and the opportunities and challenges of the provost role.

At this time, we are asking for your active engagement in identifying candidates you believe have the characteristics and qualifications to lead us in achieving our Universitywide goals. We invite and encourage you to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider possible candidates and to submit nominations via the Isaacson, Miller website.

We look forward to providing regular updates, particularly as we begin the active phase of the search in Autumn 2019. Again, our sincere thanks to each of you for your continued involvement and input.

To prepare for the upcoming academic year, the Office of University Communications will be closed July 8–10 for its annual in-house Organization Week. Although the office will be closed, the UC staff will be on-site and available if needed. If you have an urgent request, call Office Manager Mik Roque at 206-281-2051, and he will connect you with the appropriate staff member. If you are currently working with UC on a project, your communications specialist will ensure that the closure does not cause any delays. Please call your communications specialist or Mik if you have questions or concerns.

Bloodworks Northwest will host a blood drive on campus Friday, July 12 , 9 a.m.–3 p.m. near the entrance of Tiffany Loop. Schedule an appointment online.

For summer reading ideas, a teaching tool for building cultural competency, and more, check out the June edition of ODEI Connections.

A message from Mailing Services: As we all begin our summer schedules, please let us know if your office will be closed on any particular day, week, month, or will be consistently closed at a certain time. We would be happy to hold your mail until your return. Thank you so much, and may your days be filled with warmth and much sunshine.

Do you know someone who’s considering teaching abroad? Invite him or her to join the 2019 summer cohort to earn TESOL certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in just four weeks. Candidates will learn in a hands-on learning environment while completing 12 graduate-level credits. The Center for Professional Education is partnering with Interlink International Institutes to provide candidates with practical experience in an ESL classroom where “students are developing superior English and academic skills, as well as cultural sensitivity and understanding.” Those who complete the program are eligible to apply credits toward a K–12 ELL endorsement. For more information, visit the program page.

Family and Consumer Sciences is hosting a fundraiser in October called "Gift Gallery" featuring gifts from a selection of talented vendors. They are looking to partner with artisans and vendors who offer unique gift items. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in a booth, please fill out the online application form. If you have questions, contact organizers Mia Hays mhays@spu.edu or Pam Martin martinp2@spu.edu.

Human Resources maintains a webpage for all open positions on campus and at Camp Casey and Blakey Island. Visit this webpage for the latest openings.

The 10th of each month is the last day to make changes to your upcoming payroll check. Do you need to add or remove your spouse and/or children from your health care plans? If so, contact Human Resources (HR) to complete the appropriate form. Changes might include events that are expected to impact your benefits and deductions, such as your spouse or children gaining or losing coverage due to employment, birth, marriage, etc. Additionally, any changes you wish to make to your 403(b) account contributions must be made by the 10th of the month. For changes to your 403(b) account, contact Transamerica Retirement Solutions at 1-888-676-5512 (5 a.m.–6 p.m. PST), or 1-800-755-5801. If you have any other benefits-related changes, call Mardeth Hughes in HR at 206-281-2816.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every other week during the summer. 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 Wednesday, July 3. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, July 8.

Bruce Baker, associate professor of business ethics, presented a paper, “[O]utopia is No Place for Business: On Sin and the Tragedy of Idealistic Thinking in Business Ethics,” at Calvin College’s Symposium on Sin in Business on June 17.

Master Gardener Jeff Daley will lead a free workshop titled “Ornamental Grasses for the Modern Garden” at the Bellevue Demonstration Garden on Saturday, June 29, at 10:30 a.m. This demonstration garden is located at 15500 SE 16th St., Bellevue, Washington.

Brad Murg, assistant professor of political science and director of global development studies, presented his paper “Too Many Cooks? Biodiversity and Institutional Diversity in the Greater Mekong Subregion” on June 13 at the regional workshop on the Future Prospects of the Mekong River Conference. He co-organized the conference in his role as senior research fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace. Later that day, the inaugural edition of the Journal of Greater Mekong Studies, for which he serves as lead editor, was launched at an event including U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Walter Douglas and a collection of global experts on Southeast Asian politics, development, and environmental sustainability.

The Office of Human Relations would like to welcome the following new employees:

• Harold Avelar, coordinator, Student Financial Services
• Levi Clum, Lily Grant budget assistant, School of Theology
• Stefanie Kosco, fan engagement and corporate sponsorship manager, Athletics
• Adam Millson, technology support analyst I, Computer and Information Systems

The Office of Human Resources would like to congratulate DeHeavalyn Pullium as the new budget and office manager in Graduate Admissions.

The memorial service for Ray Wells, professor emeritus of philosophy, will be Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at Warm Beach’s Beachwood Auditorium, located at 20800 Marine Dr., Stanwood, Washington. Ray, who served as professor in religion and philosophy for 26 years, passed away on May 24.

Prayers and condolences go to Joy Hammersla, professor emerita of psychology, whose husband, Floyd, passed away May 28, 2019, after a brief illness. After three years of service during World War II, Floyd earned a BA and MA at the University of Washington in hearing and speech pathology and in education. He spent 34 years working in public education and was active in retirement, enjoying such activities as hiking, skiing, beach combing, and reading. A memorial service was held June 15.