President Porterfield’s inauguration is Friday, February 23. More than 500 people will be attending. If you have not sent in your RSVP, you are welcome to attend the inauguration ceremony at 10 a.m. at First Free Methodist Church. Faculty are encouraged to attend in regalia and process into the sanctuary. Please arrive at the church by 9:30 a.m. and line up along the east hallway wall. Dr. Derek Wood will assist with the processional.

The afternoon program will be in Upper Gwinn starting at 2 p.m. Dr. Shirley Mullen, former president of Houghton University, will give a presentation on “Navigating Differences in a Time of Polarization.” Les Steele, interim chief academic officer, will moderate a panel discussion featuring Dr. Mullen, Romanita Hairston (MJ Murdock Foundation), Dr. Shirley Hoogstra (Council of Christian Colleges and Universities), and Peter Chin (lead pastor, Rainier Avenue Church).

Associate Professor of History Zhiguo Ye will give a talk about Taiwan on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 5–6 p.m. in Weter Hall 202. This Hindsight History Talk will provide a good opportunity to gain deeper insights into Taiwan, particularly in the wake of the recently concluded presidential election. Starting from the recent presidential election, Dr. Ye will go through the history of the China and Taiwan disputes and the evolution of U.S. diplomacy in the region. She will try to explain why Taiwan became the biggest risk for a U.S.–China clash and explore the likelihood of an imminent crisis.

A message from Bryan Jones, associate vice president for admissions: Each year we try to convey to incoming students the kind of learning community they will find here at SPU. An example of this has been a project that the Undergraduate Admissions team spearheads in asking faculty to write a personal note to each admitted student for the coming fall. 

Because it is an “old school” type of engagement, it is hard to quantify the rate of return on your investment of time (which we know is very valuable). Yet each year, we get unsolicited feedback at our spring events and from our admitted student research that receiving a personal note card from a college professor is a powerful message that they will be known and will begin an actual relationship with a faculty member. As you navigate these challenging times in the life of SPU, we know that you continue to juggle so much as you care for and invest in our current students. Knowing that the students who are in front of you are your top priority, we work to keep this project manageable, while still reaching out to a large yet targeted segment of our incoming students with personal notecards.

We will simply ask you to sign up for the number of cards you are willing to write, and they will be delivered to you on campus.

• If you are willing and able, even to write just a few cards, please COMPLETE THIS BRIEF FORM (takes about 30 seconds to complete).
• Those who participate will be invited to a thank you gathering hosted by Undergraduate Admissions.

Additional Information:

Most faculty will write to students within their own academic disciplines, but please know that you may still be asked to write a “general” note of welcome to students from outside your program’s majors or to those whom are undecided.

• All notecards will be pre-labeled and pre-stamped, and we will include suggested text for your note. (Though it’s a wonderful touch if you can include one of your business cards if you have them.) We are hoping to have all notecards mailed by Friday, March 8, so that our students will hear about our admitted student events on time.
• At the end of this project, we plan to award the coveted “Golden Falcon Pen-holder Award” to the faculty member who writes the most cards. We also have SPU swag to give away to those who write cards.

Again, thank you for all that you are doing for our current students, and we thank you in advance to those who are willing and able to help us with personal cards again this year!

Faculty Notecard Testimonials:

“I had at least two students this fall tell me that the personal touch of the card was a significant factor in their decision to come to SPU.”

“Just this week, a recent grad showed me the letter she received from a history professor when she applied.”

“I have had multiple students write me or seek me out to mention the note card I wrote them.”

“A few students have sent me thank you cards and emails thanking me for the card. This has truly warmed my heart!”

A message from University Ministries: Join us for the next All University chapel on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church. The special guest is artist, author, and spiritual director Scott Erickson who will speak on "The Art of Lent."

SPU’s annual biometric screenings return to campus for two days only, Feb. 27–28. Human Resources, Aetna, and Quest Diagnostics have partnered together to offer free confidential health and wellness screenings available to SPU employees and spouses who are enrolled in SPU’s Health Plan. Do something important for your health while also earning $50 toward your Aetna Wellness Incentive!

On-campus sessions are available Tuesday, Feb. 27, and Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., in Upper Gwinn, Cascade Room.

• 7:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Takes less than 20 minutes.
• Conducted by certified health professionals.
• Consists of a brief health assessment, blood pressure screening, and comprehensive blood test.
• Fasting and non-fasting options are available.
• Fasting participants should fast 9-12 hours before the event.
• Drink plenty of water the day before and the morning of the event.
• Bring your Aetna medical ID card.
• Location: Upper Gwinn, Cascade Room

To schedule an appointment, go to My.QuestForHealth.com to set up a username and password. Enter your unique ID: Aetna WID# from your Aetna ID Card (add S for Spouse). Registration Key: SPU2024

For more information, contact Cherylin Shdo in Human Resources at shdoc@spu.edu

Mammograms save lives! To help make these essential tests convenient for women in our community, SPU is hosting the Swedish Mobile Mammography coach, Feb. 21–22. Get screened and earn $100 toward your wellness incentive!

Schedule your appointment by going to Swedish Breast Center online scheduler. Bring your medical history form from the online scheduling link, your insurance card, photo ID, and the first and last name of your current primary care provider. The coach will be near Tiffany Loop on Third Ave. W. For more information, contact Cherylin Shdo, Human Resources benefits specialist, at shdoc@spu.edu.

Do you live in the Northend, Shoreline, Bothell, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, or Lynnwood area and are tired of paying for gas? Join our vanpool and enjoy free rides to work! Meet-up and leave times may be adjusted to fit the needs of the group. We meet at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center. Contact: Christina Traverso at traversoc@spu.edu or Cherylin Shdo at shdoc@spu.edu if interested in joining.

Here are some of the benefits of joining. 

• Save a lot of money on gas: The van, gas, and maintenance costs are all covered by SPU through King County Metro.
• Free SPU parking passes: Get five free single day parking passes per person for each quarter you ride in the van at least once a month.
• Reduce wear and tear on your car: Keep your car in better shape and lasting longer by not accumulating thousands of miles on your personal car.
• Faster than public transportation: Already take the bus or light rail? The vanpool could reduce your commute time by 20-30 minutes.
• Go green: Help Seattle reduce the amount of cars on the road. Even one less car helps!
• Build community: Connect with people from other departments.
• Introverts welcome: Want to use your commute to sleep or read a book? No problem!
• Flexible Commitment: Participants can ride in the van as little as once a month. Meet up and leave times may be adjusted to fit the needs of the group.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year, or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. The next deadline is Thursday, Feb. 22. The next issue will be published Monday, Feb. 26.

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.

Mike Potratz, senior financial analyst with the Seattle Pacific Foundation, is retiring after 39 years of service at SPU. We will miss his sense humor, detailed accounting expertise, and most importantly, the example he set by living his faith out in the workplace. You are invited to a reception for Mike on Friday, March 1, 10–11:30 a.m. in Falcon's Lounge in Royal Brougham Pavilion.

“Sustaineth,” a poem about Christ’s regenerating work in the heart of sinners by Assistant Professor of English and Writing Mischa Willett, was published in the new issue of Ekstasis magazine.