Vice President Search
As you are aware from my previous messages, a search committee was formed and we began seeking applicants for the position of vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The committee reports that it has received numerous applications and has narrowed the search to eight candidates. Over the next several weeks, the committee will complete reference checks and review additional materials requested from these candidates. The committee is hopeful they will be able to identify three finalists from this group to move forward to the next phase by the end of Autumn Quarter,

Professional Development
In keeping with the strategies and actions I outlined earlier this year, a group with broad SPU community representation was formed this past spring to discuss professional development around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Coming out of the work of that group, a three-tiered plan was formulated: 

1) ensure that all faculty receive quarterly trainings on ethnic diversity, equity and inclusion
2) provide an array of ongoing workshops, book clubs, and events with smaller groups to broaden faculty and staff professional development
3) develop and encourage communities of learning with the goal of deepening relationships and transforming understanding.

The faculty training component was implemented in September 2016 with a required training centered around biblical and theological views on the importance of ethnic diversity, equity, and inclusion, and creating a campus climate in which students and faculty of color can thrive. Subsequent all-faculty and campuswide events and trainings are scheduled throughout the year to continue and advance the conversation on this important topic.

The communities of learning will provide opportunities for groups of faculty and staff to journey together throughout the year in sustained communities to share experiences and conversations, with the goal of deepened relationships and transformed understandings

More details on these opportunities can be found through the Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development website under the section on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professional Development Opportunities.

From the Wellness Initiative: The SPU Wellness Initiative is a group of faculty and staff working to improve the mental, physical, and emotional health of undergraduates. The monthly posts on the Wellness Initiative blog will provide you with information about common mental health problems that students deal with on a daily basis. We hope this will help faculty and staff identify students who may need extra support. We will also provide you with campus and community resources that are available for students.

The blog is kicking off the new school year with thoughts about wellness. Promoting your own wellness can help you improve your everyday life and reduce stress. Faculty and staff can also help students promote their wellness. This month, our focus is on understanding wellness and all of its facets. Read more at the Wellness blog.

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A message from Undergraduate Admissions: Hundreds of prospective students and their families will be on campus this month for SPU Fridays. Prospective and admitted high school and transfer students will dine in Gwinn, attend informational sessions, and visit classes on Friday October 14 and 28. Look for these students and their families and make them feel welcome.

As part of SPU’s 125 anniversary celebration, a special art exhibit featuring the work of alumna and painter Anelecia Hannah Brooks ’05 will be on display in Nickerson Studios through June 2017. In this solo exhibit titled "Heritage," Anelecia combines the bittersweet imagery of young adulthood with imagery drawn from millennia of Christian history, suggesting that personal history and community history share similar dynamics of discovery. She is completing her Master of Fine Arts in Painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

For the latest information on Falcon sports, visit the website.

Thursday, October 13

Men's soccer vs Saint Martin's, Interbay Stadium, 7 p.m.
Volleyball vs Simon Fraser, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 15

Women's soccer vs Simon Fraser, Interbay Stadium, 4 p.m.
Volleyball vs Western Washington, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

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The weekly Spanish Language Table on Wednesdays in Marston Hall 252 is open to anyone who wants to chat with others in Spanish. Beginners are welcome. The table meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can meet your colleagues and make new friends as you improve your Spanish. Get some help on vocabulary or figure out how those reflexive verbs work. You don’t have to sign up ahead of time — just bring your lunch and join us! If you have any questions, contact adjunct faculty member Vilma Illanes at villanes@spu.edu.

Professor of Education Nyaradzo Mvududu is leading a free Zumba class in the lower gym in Brougham Pavilion. The class will now begin at 12:30 p.m. instead of 12 p.m. It will be offered on Wednesdays during Autumn Quarter and open to all faculty, staff, and alumni of all fitness levels. Nyaradzo, a licensed Zumba instructor, says the class is “fun and beginner-friendly. Money back guarantee! Let the beat carry you through this energetic dance workout set to international music tracks. Zumba is designed to feel like a party so that the hour flies by.” If you have questions, email Nyaradzo at nyaradzo@spu.edu or Intramural Manager Adam Finch at acfinch@spu.edu.

Tickets for SPU’s annual Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert are now available. This event sells out every year, so buy your tickets early. The concert is Tuesday, November 29, 7:30 p.m., in McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. Sacred Sounds of Christmas features the best of traditional Advent and Christmas music from around the world, performed by the Music Department's nationally recognized student and faculty musicians. Buy tickets online.

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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, October 13. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, October 17, 2016.

Jaeil Lee, professor of apparel design and merchandising, co-authored a paper titled “A Study on the Mediating Effect of Obesity Stress in the Relationship Between Narcissism and Clothing Behavior Related Appearance by Plus-Size Consumers” in the Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles.

Brad Murg, assistant professor of political science and director of global development studies, recently returned from two months of field work in Cambodia exploring the dynamics of Chinese aid policy. He has been appointed research fellow at the Research Institute for Management and Economics in Phnom Penh, and completed discussions and a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a formal partnership between SPU and the Royal University of Law and Economics.

An article by sociology professors Jennifer McKinney and Karen Snedker titled “From Charity to Change” was published in Contexts. Spring: 80-82. 

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Kathleen Braden, professor emerita of geography, presented a lecture on October 3 to the Russian Studies Department at Dartmouth College. Her lecture was titled “Illegal Game Hunting in Russia as a Cast Study of Elite Impunity.”

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

Mai-Anh Anderson, mental health counselor, Student Counseling Center
Michelle Arendt, office manager, University Communications
Beth Bollinger, Kern Grant program assistant, Center for Biblical and Theological Education
Brian Ficken, investment analyst, Seattle Pacific Foundation

Tom Carpenter, assistant professor of psychology, was quoted in a story in Desert News titled “Taking a Look at This Month's Two Major Jewish Holidays.” The story appeared in several newspapers about the country.

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