“Good News and Just Responses to Climate Change" is the title of the next Faith, Diversity, and Science lecture on Monday, April 22, 6 p.m. in Upper Gwinn.The speaker is Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. climate scientist and communicator known for explaining and depolarizing climate change with fact-based, practical, and hopeful information. She is an author, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, one of a group of scientists awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, and a host for the PBS digital series, "Global Weirding: Climate, Politics and Religion." Hayhoe has been named by Christianity Today as one of their "50 Women to Watch;" Time magazine’s "100 Most Influential People;" Foreign Policy magazine's "100 Leading Thinkers;" Fortune magazine’s "World’s Greatest Leaders;" and the United Nations Champion of the Earth in Science and Innovation. Katharine writes an influential newsletter that shares climate change good news and ways to respond. The event will be livestreamed.

Also, on Tuesday, April 23, the student Sustainability Club along with Sodexo will coordinate a special Earth Day lunch in Gwinn Commons. Look for their table in Gwinn.

The John Perkins Center invites you to this year's annual Perkins Lecture Series, on Tuesday, April 23, starting with Elizabeth Perkins, co-president of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation, in morning chapel. Meet and greet with the Perkins Foundation presidents, Elizabeth Perkins and Priscilla Perkins, for the JPC 20th Anniversary Reception in Upper Gwinn at 6 p.m. and the 18th annual Perkins Lecture at 7 p.m. with keynote Rev. Sandra Van Opstal — pastor, activist and author. More information can be found on the Perkins Center website. Events are open to the campus community.

Join SPU Dining Services on Tuesday, April 23, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. as we celebrate Earth Day with a delectable and eco-friendly lunch at Gwinn Commons! Discover more about sustainable eating by visiting the Sustainability Club's table located in front of the dessert station.

The SPU Art Department is pleased to present the Senior Photography/Studio Art Exhibition, "Earthly Bodies." This culmination of study features individual projects by students Kati Chau, Macs Herdrich, and Madi Stephens. The works present a range of material approaches including photography, sculpture, video, and textiles to explore the spiritual connection that exists between bodies. Please join us for a public reception with refreshments on Thursday, April 18, 5–7 p.m. at SPAC Gallery in the Seattle Pacific Art Center, 3 West Cremona. The exhibition will be on view through April 26. Gallery hours are 9 .m.–4 p.m., Monday–Thursday or by appointment.

Celebrate your colleagues and express your appreciation for their committed years of service during the annual Celebration of Service on Thursday, May 2, 11:10 a.m. in Brougham Pavilion. The professor and staff members of the year will also be announced. There will be a community reception immediately following the event. All offices are closed during the celebration so faculty and staff can attend.

Human Resources will host a series of upcoming events, designed to get you ready for retirement. Whether retirement is a distant dream or just around the corner, these events are designed for you!

Retirement Ready Seminar

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
4 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Hendricks Falcon Club, Royal Brougham Pavilion
Join us for an informative presentation from a Transamerica representative and a Medicare Health Plan expert.

Transamerica Individual Appointments (scheduling link coming soon)
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Scott Jozefowski from Transamerica will be available for individual virtual appointments. He can go over anything from how to navigate the Transamerica website to your retirement outlook and everything in between.

Medicare Individual Appointments
Friday, May 3, 2024
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Human Resources Conference Room
Dan McCarley from Advocate Insurance Group will be on campus for Individual appointments. Dan is an experienced Medicare Health Plan broker who can help you navigate Medicare planning and enrollment. Schedule an appointment with Dan.

University Communications needs help identifying outstanding students from this year’s graduating class. This request is for undergraduate and graduate students. These students and their achievements will be pitched to media outlets prior to Commencement and featured on our "Meet the Class" webpage. Please send the name(s) of the students and a short description about why you are recommending them. Examples would be students who overcame obstacles to graduate, were involved in community service projects, participated in innovative research, started a new venture, took a class that changed their career direction, or did something really interesting. Basically, anything that would make a good story! We will follow up with the student and get permission to use their profile. Send information by email to Director of Public Information Tracy Norlen at tcnorlen@spu.edu.

SPU Theatre presents Silent Sky, April 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!

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 Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. The next deadline is Thursday, April 18. The next issue will be published Monday, April 22.

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.

A memorial service for Professor Emeritus Ed Smyth will be Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church. Ed died in March at his home in Lexington, Kentucky. Ed hosted student discipleship groups with hundreds of young men during his more than 32 years at SPU. Alumnus Andy O'Shea '90 is hosting a "Guys Group" on Thursday, May 9, 7–9 p.m. at First Free Methodist Church for any man who was ever in a group led by Ed. Contact Andy at andyoshearealestate@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Mary Anne Nagy, wife of Professor Emeriti Bill Nagy, died on Feb. 2, 2024. A celebration and memorial service for Mary Anne will be held Saturday, April 20, 2–4 p.m. at Philadelphia Church, 7704 24th Avenue NW in Seattle. (The church has parking lots on 24th Avenue north and south of the building.) Her obituary is on her art website, pauseforanimals.com,