Over the past week, you may have noticed some new signage installed outside the Library. As previously announced in my State of the University address, in recognition of their faithful leadership and partnership, the Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the naming of the Library after Gary and Barbara Ames. Gary has faithfully served the University both as a board member and now board chair, and Gary and Barbara are the generous benefactors of the Ames Scholarship program on campus. We are very proud that our Library now bears their name. 

There will be an official ceremony this Thursday, November 20, at 11:10 a.m. outside Ames Library to recognize both the naming and the Ames’ generosity. I hope you will be able to join us for this important event in the life of our community. 

At the Library’s next “Creative Conversations” event, sociology professors Karen Snedker and Jennifer McKinney talk about their multifaceted research project involving the SPU community and the residents of Tent City 3, who will move on campus for Winter Quarter.

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Image journal hosts an event on Tuesday, November 18, with Northern Irish storyteller Gareth Higgins, who will talk about Celtic spirituality, cinematic landscape, and the power of stories.

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The next Music Department Faculty Recital on Thursday, November 20, features cello "firsts" ― music first in its genre and first for its composer. The concert, featuring staff member and accompanist Yuliya Minina on piano and guest Zhenia Kobylyanska on cello, will include works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninov.

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A “Multicultural Night of Worship” will be held Sunday, November 23, 7 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church. The theme is “Glimpses of the Kingdom” and is based on Revelation 7:9, “all nations and tribes, all races and languages.” The evening features music, dance, and readings representing different cultural worship traditions. The event is sponsored by Catalyst, the Associated Students of Seattle Pacific Intercultural Initiatives leadership group. First Free Methodist Church will host a reception in the Fine Center following the service.

The School of Psychology, Family, and Community welcomes Dr. Tracy Jirikowic, associate professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, for a special lecture on Thursday, November 20, 7-8:30 p.m. in the Library Seminar Room. She will talk about sensory processing in the home, school, and community settings for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Admission is free and no RSVP is needed. Continuing psychology education credits are available for this event. The lecture is part of SPU’s Initiative for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

The SPU student Set Free Club presents Nefarious: Merchant of Souls on Thursday, November 20, 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Eaton Hall 112. The documentary exposes the disturbing trends of modern-day sex slavery, and includes testimonies from survivors, traffickers, and international experts from more than 19 different countries. Plan to attend and find out what you can do.

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The Tent City 3 Host Committee is sponsoring a series of community education forums around the topic of homelessness. The next event on Thursday, November 20, 11:10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Demaray Hall 150 will explore the question “Are Cars and Tents Really Housing: Where’s the Affordable (Rental) Housing?” Professor of Interior Design and Housing Sandra Hartje will facilitate a discussion with representatives from Sound Law Center, the Seattle Housing Authority, and nonprofit housing developers. They will talk about the lack of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families and what’s being done to address this critical issue. Visit the website for more information on Tent City 3 forums and films.

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Do you have a colleague who has gone above and beyond this month? Nominate her or him for the Staff Member of the Month Award, sponsored by SPU’s Staff Council. Learn more about the award at the Staff Council website.

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How does copyright relate to faculty work as educators and scholars? Find out by attending the “Copyright for Educators” session on Monday, December 1, noon-1 p.m. in the Library Seminar Room. Learn about the exclusive rights of copyright holders and how exceptions to those rights, such as fair use, guide our in-person and online classroom use. Copyright’s role in publishing and journal policies will also be discussed. The instructors are Kristen Hoffman, psychology and scholarly communications librarian, and Michael Paulus, university librarian. Lunch will be provided. Please register online.

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The academic counseling team in Student Academic Services will be available for drop-in questions in the lobby of Demaray Hall during the week of registration. This opportunity is for students with questions regarding Winter Quarter registration only. Academic counselors cannot remove faculty advisor holds, so students must meet with their faculty advisor first. The question table will be open during the following hours:

Monday, November 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday, November 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, November 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday, November 20, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Have you been trained in Sitecore or Contribute but keep putting off making changes to your website? Join members of the University Communications Web Team this Thursday, November 20, for the monthly brownbag Q&A. Sitecore/Contribute Brownbags occur the third Thursday of most months (there will not be one in December), noon to 1 p.m. in University Communications, located in Lower Weter Hall. If you have changes you need to make to your website and you’re nervous about making them on your own, bring them with you and we’ll walk you through them. If you have question, contact Web Writer Kathy Henning at kathy@spu.edu.

Twenty-minute one-on-one Cigna sessions will be held in Library Conference Room B on the third floor on Thursday, November 20. Bring your questions to SPU’s own dedicated Cigna representative. Questions might include: What is covered on my medical plan? How do I find info on the mycigna.com site? How might I reimburse myself from my HSA? I’m having issues or concerns related to how my claim(s) have been processed? Register by calling 206-281-2809 in Human Resources.

A message from Lori Honts Tongol in Student Academic Services: “If you are interested in hosting an international student (or students) at your Thanksgiving gathering this year, contact me at tongol@spu.edu and tell me how many students you would like to host, your home address, and contact information. Also, let me know if you are able to provide transportation for the student(s) you host – some have access to a car, but many do not. (Please note: Students generally feel more comfortable if they can go with another student. Graduate students may have family members in the U.S. with them – some with children. Campus housing will remain open during the Thanksgiving weekend.) I will connect students with you to make arrangements for the holiday hosting experience. Please contact me no later than Friday, November 17.”

Get the facts about the MBA, MS-ISM, and MAM degrees offered by the School of Business, Government, and Economics at the next open house on Tuesday, November 18, 4:30 p.m. in McKenna Hall.

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Do you know a high school student who is thinking about college? Invite them to join President Dan Martin for “Pizza With the President” on Friday, December 5, 6 p.m. in Falcon Club (upper level of Royal Brougham Pavilion). This Undergraduate Admissions event before the annual Tradition celebration is a chance for prospective students to meet President Martin and learn more about SPU. Admission is free with an RSVP.

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What is long-term care insurance and why is it important? Already have a policy with Unum (SPU’s plan) and wish to ask questions one-on-one? A representative will be available on Tuesday, November 18, in the Walls Advancement Center Conference Room. The two group sessions will be 10-11 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. Individual one-on-one sessions will be held 11-11:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. (Reminder: Employees hired between September 1, 2013, and August 31, 2014, have access to a guaranteed issue ― no medical questionnaire required for approval up to certain limits ― through November. All other eligible employees and family members have access to the plan or may make changes to the plan with additional medical underwriting. All questions may be directed to LTC Solutions at 1-877-286-2852 or info@ltc-solutions.com.) Sign up for the Unum group meetings and/or one-on-one sessions by selecting “Reserve Your Spot.” 

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For all the latest in Falcon sports, visit the Falcons online.

Tuesday, November 18
Men's basketball vs Evergreen State, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

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 Bulletin will be published Monday, November 24. The next deadline is Thursday, November 20.

Michael Hamilton, associate professor and chair of the Department of History, organized and led a session about the book God’s Forever Family: The Jesus People Movement in America by Larry Eskridge (Oxford University Press, 2013). The session was part of a conference called “A Movement for the 21st Century: The Future of Evangelicalism,” sponsored by the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals at Wheaton College in October. The book was named Christianity Today Book of the Year and the Religion Writer’s Association Non-Fiction Religion Book of the Year. The session included an interview with the author. For more on the conference, visit the website.

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Sharleen Kato, professor of family and consumer sciences, gave the opening keynote address at the Washington Association of Family and Consumer Sciences annual meeting in Pasco, Washington, in October. Her address, “Making a World of Difference: Global Family Trends Identified by the United Nations,” was in recognition of the UN’s 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.

Scott Edwards, chair and associate professor of marriage and family therapy (MFT); Tina Schermer-Sellers, MFT faculty and director of Medical Family Therapy; and MFT alumna Leslie Savage, MS gave a presentation at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in October. They presented their research titled “Client Relationships With Chronic Pain, Mindfulness, Wellbeing.”

Al Erisman, executive in residence in the School of Business, Government, and Economics, co-chaired (with David Gill from Gordon Conwell and Bill Peel from LeTourneau University) the Faith at Work Summit held in Boston, October 24-25. More than 270 people representing seminaries, universities, workplace ministries, pastors, and workplace professionals gathered for presentations, workshops, and discussions. Participants came from four continents. Al also presented a tribute to Wayne Alderson and gave a talk on the role of the university in the faith at work movement. Videos of the talks will be available early next year, and a book collecting papers from the conference will be completed in about a year.

Professor of European History Alberto Ferreiro gave a talk and led a discussion titled “Creeds Part II” at Blessed Sacrament Parish Youth Catechism Class in November. The historical background of the Apostle’s Creed was briefly presented. In addition, the participants were asked to identify what parts of the Apostle’s Creed they did not understand, its structure, and its relevance today.

An article by Associate Professor of Mathematics Wai Lau, along with former senior project advisees Elizabeth Nguyen and Elisabeth Berg, was recently published. The article, "Compartmental Pharmacokinetic Models,” was published in the Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications.

The Office of Human Resources would like the SPU community to join us in welcoming Suzanne Townsend, assistant to the vice provost, Office of Academic Affairs.

Paul Youngbin Kim’s name was incorrect in the November 10 issue of the Bulletin in the news item “Article by SPFC Faculty Published.” We apologize for the error.

Director of Athletics Erin O’Connell participated in the New York City Marathon on November 2. Erin reports. “My dad, brother, and I ran the recent New York City Marathon. It was a first for my brother (Colin O’Connell) and me, and my dad’s 29th (Tom O’Connell, although he thought he had retired from marathons in 1993.) My brother instigated this and it was a truly special for me to accomplish 26.2 miles with them. My mom, husband, and Declan (our 2-year-old) were our cheer squad at mile 16 in Manhattan and the finish line. It’s quite amazing how the entire city shuts down and gets behind the event. Definitely a bucket list item!” Select a link for a photo of the O’Connells at the finish line.

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