As I announced on March 22, David Brooks, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times and author, will come to campus on Thursday, April 11, 3–4:30 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church. He will continue the inaugural conversation as we dive into character development and education, leaning into courageous conversations with generosity and grace. Such conversations are imperative for us who are called to be Christ-like in a world that has become increasingly divided. This is a closed event for our internal community.

Brooks, also a writer for The Atlantic and regular contributor to the PBS News Hour, is the author of The New York Times bestseller, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. Reflecting on my own journey, I look forward to being challenged to think about how I approach conversations and interactions with others. 

I hope you will join me on Thursday for what we believe will be an enlightening and educational experience.

SPU Theatre presents Silent Sky, April 11–13 and 18–20 in the E.E. Bach Theatre in McKinley Hall. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Look for an email about complimentary tickets for faculty and staff. Based on the true story of 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, the production explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries. With music and math bursting forth onstage, Henrietta and her female peers change the way we understand both the heavens and the Earth. It is the poignant tale of a woman’s dedication to the stars, and the human touch that makes life under the vast sky beautiful and timeless.

Rev. Dr. Douglas Strong, Walls Chair of Wesleyan Studies, will present this year’s annual Paul T. Walls Lecture on Wednesday, April 17, 6 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church. What if pastors and churches encouraged Christians to learn and practice specific skills and arts that they knew would help expand love for God and neighbor? John Wesley promoted such habitual routines and behaviors that enhanced holy living, which he called the prudential means of grace. Dr. Strong will speak about how music, visual arts, and even athletic activities — when intentionally pursued in light of God's creativity — can be channels of grace. This event will also include worship, a response, as well as a panel discussion led by Bishop John Mark Richardson, executive director of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection. The respondent is Shannon Sigler, executive director from the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology & the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary.

This event is free and does not require RSVP. It will be video recorded for later publication.

Student teams will pitch their ideas for socially innovative businesses and organizations that make money and make a difference at this year's annual Social Venture Plan Competition. Come and vote for your favorite projects. Your votes will decide the winner of the $1,500 People’s Choice prize. Check out the website now, and don’t miss the event on Thursday, April 18, 2–6 p.m. in Upper Gwinn!

The Faculty Life Office invites you to the 2024 Winifred E. Weter Lecture on Tuesday, April 9. Join us as Professor of Psychology Paul Youngbin Kim presents, “Redeeming Korean Constructs of Han, Nunchi, and Jeong: Lessons for Interpersonal and Communal Flourishing.” The lecture will be at 7 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

A message from Computer and Information Systems: CIS is in the process of rolling out Windows 11 for faculty and staff eligible for device upgrades this year. In doing so, Technical Support Services has also created wiki documentation on how to navigate the Windows 11 operating system and are providing weekly tips and tricks via the CIS Technology Blog. Please keep an eye out for any communication regarding Windows 11 or device upgrades from Help@spu.edu.

A message from University Communications: As we begin Spring Quarter, we’d like to encourage you to send story ideas and event information to University Communications. We are always looking for ways to promote and tell stories of the students, faculty, and staff in our community through newsletters, social media, targeted press releases, on the homepage, and in communication channels with prospective students and families.

The earlier we get the information, the more time we have to craft messages and distribute them in our communication channels. If you have story ideas, event information, upcoming deadlines, or news about your undergraduate or graduate programs, please send them to Tracy Norlen, director of public information, at tcnorlen@spu.edu and Shelly Ngo, editor of Response magazine and SPU Stories, at sngo@spu.edu

Please join us for the 21st annual Burton and Ralene Walls Distinguished Speaker Series event and luncheon on Tuesday, April 30, 12–1:30 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. Romanita Hairston, chief executive officer of M.J. Murdoch Charitable Trust, will give an address on "Empowering Human Flourishing: The Importance of Tri-Sector Solutions For The Common Good." The event and lunch are free, but registration on required.

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 every Monday during the academic year or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. The next deadline is Thursday, April 11. The next issue will be published Monday, April 15.

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.

An article by Piljoo Kang, assistant professor of psychology, titled "Ethnic church mentoring: Buffer against outside prejudice and inside pressure for success" was published in the Journal of Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning.

The fourth edition of "Technical Sourcebook for Apparel Design" with Fairchild Books by Jaeil Lee, professor and co-director of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, was published by Bloomsbury publishing. The book (first and fourth editions) has been currently used at numerous leading fashion programs worldwide and has been available in Korean and Chinese. This 400-page book presents an extensive collection of technical design methods and principles prevalent in current global apparel production. It offers readers both a theoretical framework and practical insights into the role of technical design in garment manufacturing. The book delves into the creation and communication of original designs, exploring how factors like fashion trends, target demographics, budgets, and detailed construction impact the design and apparel production process. Furthermore, it discusses the commercialization of these designs, making them accessible to consumers globally.

An essay by Bo Lim, professor of Old Testament, titled “God’s Character in the Book of Hosea," (pages 261-73) was published in The Oxford Handbook of the Book of Hosea. (Edited by Brad Kelle. New York: Oxford University Press, 2024.) This essay provides a description of God as a dramatis persona in the book of Hosea and offers hermeneutical and theological reflections on interpreting God’s character and reading Hosea as sacred Scripture for faith communities.

A new book by Rob Wall, Paul T. Walls Professor Emeritus of Scripture & Wesleyan Studies, titled, Reading Hebrews, (Smyth & Helwys Books) has just been released. Rob says, "The New Testament letter, 'To the Hebrews,' is one of scripture's most extraordinary books. Although its author and his first congregation of Jesus followers are unknown, the church recognized its divine inspiration and usefulness very early and received it as scripture by the middle of the second century. It offers arguably scripture's most comprehensive and mature understanding of Jesus as God's priestly son and creation's only Messiah. It is written as a 'word of exhortation' (Heb 13:22) to encourage its readers to 'consider Jesus' (3:1) in practical ways as their Lord and leader as they make their way daily through a broken world's 'wilderness slog' toward Zion, God's promised new creation. While I hope you can use this commentary, I consider it vastly more important that you pick up and read and study Hebrews with others as God's urgent word for God's people today."

Nate Hoover, program coordinator for the MFA in Creative Writing Program, explains his monthly cartoon: Some puns just need a switch of the vowels. Many happy returns! To see more of my cartoons, follow me on Instagram @hoovernathaniel.

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