A message from University Ministries: The wilderness is a rich Biblical theme that repeats in the story of Israel and in the life of Christ, inviting followers of Jesus to slow down, simplify their lives, and look to Christ for our sustenance in the midst of challenging, painful seasons of life. In this season of Lent and in the lead up to Holy Week, pause with us on retreat and be reminded of the presence of Christ with you in your sufferings and struggles, and be refreshed by his sustaining presence.

Retreat: Sustaining in the Wilderness: Walking with Jesus to the Cross

Thursday, Mar. 16, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 

Register online.

The latest SPU Voices podcast, "How lament can bring us joy," features an interview with former SPU adjunct and guest speaker Rev. Dr. Soong Chan Rah. He is professor of evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary and founding senior pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship Church in Cambridge. He has degrees from Columbia, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Harvard; and Duke. Rev. Dr. Rah is a nationally recognized speaker and author of several books, including his most recent publication, Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery. Listen now or read the transcript.

A message from University Ministries: If you are looking for a weekly Lenten reflection, check out the UMin Instagram page.

Staff of the Year nominations are now open! Each year Staff Council recognizes one exempt and one non-exempt staff member for their outstanding contribution to the SPU community. Help us find our 2023 winners by submitting your nominations today! Nominations will be open through Tuesday, March 21.

The School of Education is hosting its third annual SOE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Conference on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 9 a.m. This year’s conference is titled “Advancing Toward Educational Justice: Cultivating Transformative Educational Spaces for All,” and will be on Zoom. For a list of speakers, the agenda, and more information, visit the conference website.

A message from SPU Dining Services: Come to Gwinn Commons and celebrate International Women’s Day with Her Campus on Wednesday, March 8. Join us for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit Her Campus' booth to learn more about their vision and mission, while enjoying our female chefs’ signature dishes.

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 to your 403b account may take up to seven days to be provided to SPU for processing, so please contact Transamerica by the first of the month prior to your requested change. 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 Cherylin Shdo in HR at 206-281-2816.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly on Mondays during the academic year (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). The next deadline is Thursday, March 9, and the next issue will be published Monday, March 13.

If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible with an image or graphic to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity.

Assistant Professor of Art Alison Stigora’s ART 2722/3722 Sculpture Studio students are in the process of installing “Push and Pull,” an exhibition of sculptural works throughout the Ames Library. Please join them for an opening reception in Ames Library on Tuesday, March 7, 2–3 p.m. Works will be on view from March 7-15.

Jill Heiney-Smith, assistant professor of teacher education and director of graduate teacher education, recently had her article “Reimagining Hospitality and Sense of Belonging for Underrepresented Students in Graduate Teacher Education,” published in the AILACTE journal.  

Doug Strong, Paul T. Walls Professor of Wesleyan Studies and professor of the history of Christianity, had his article, “‘Sheer Peacefulness’: Reflections on the Revival of 2023 from a Historical Perspective,” published in Catalyst. Doug was asked to write this reflection about the revival that took place at Asbury University and other campuses from the perspective of church history.

Jason Thornberry, receptionist in the School of Education and SPU adjunct writing instructor, will read from his work with other writers, and local bands will perform, at a Words With Music event at Bad Jimmy’s Brewery, 4358B Leary Way NW, Seattle, on Saturday, March 11, 6–9 p.m. The event is in conjunction with the annual conference of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference. Visit the site for more information.

Jack DeJong, associate professor of finance, was quoted in the article “Why This ‘Guaranteed’ Retirement Income Product May Be Too Good to Be True.” Originally published on the Smartasset.com blog, it appeared in several news outlets around the country.

Amy Robertson, research professor of physics, was recently quoted in  the article “Community heightens attention to accessibility for physicists with disabilities,” in Physics Today.

Nate Hoover, program coordinator in the MFA-Creative Writing Program, explains his monthly cartoon: Who knew so many things we interact with every day could have been named differently? I suppose where there’s a will, there’s a pun. To see more of my cartoons, follow me on Instagram: @hoovernathaniel.

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