The Erickson Undergraduate Research Conference will be held Friday, May 3, 4–7 p.m. in Otto Miller Hall. The conference, in its 22nd year, showcases student research and design projects from all STEM departments and Health & Human Performance. The conference will begin with a keynote address from Dr. Elizabeth Dong Nguyen, a pediatric nephrologist at Seattle Children’s and an SPU alumna (Class of 2007). Her talk is titled “Bringing your whole self: An integrative approach to treating children with kidney disease." Please see the Erickson Conference website for the full schedule of events. All are welcome!

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.

Join the School of Theology for their annual Book Celebration featuring recently published books by SOT faculty.

School of Theology Book Celebration
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
4–5:30 p.m.
Upper Gwinn (Queen Anne Room)

The Faculty Life Office, in collaboration with ASSP and English/Social Justice and Cultural Studies, invite you to attend a book talk with Professor of English and Cultural Studies Kimberly Segall on Wednesday, May 8, at 12 p.m. in Demaray 150. Kim will talk about her new book, Superheroes in the Street: Muslim Women Activists and Protest in the Digital Age.

Human Resources will host a series of educational events designed to get you ready for retirement. Even if retirement is years — or decades — away, having a smart strategy starts today!

Retirement Ready Seminar: Join us for informative presentations from a Transamerica retirement planning consultant and a Medicare Health Plan expert. Spouses are welcome to attend as well. Light snacks will be served.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
4 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Hendricks Falcon Club, Royal Brougham Pavilion

Transamerica Individual Appointments: Scott Jozefowski is a Transamerica retirement planning consultant and will be available for individual appointments. He can go over anything from how to navigate the Transamerica website to your retirement outlook and everything in between. Schedule an appointment with Scott.

Wednesday, May 1, 2024
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Human Resources Conference Room

Medicare Individual Appointments: 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.

Friday, May 3, 2024
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Human Resources Conference Room

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, May 2. The next issue will be published Monday, May 6.

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 new poem titled, "After Bells, After Drums" by Mischa Willet, assistant professor of English and writing, was published by Rabbit Room Poetry. The poem deals with the nature of faith and doubt.

Brenda Salter McNeil, associate professor of reconciliation studies, was interviewed by Sojourners magazine about racial reconciliation in an article titled "Brenda Salter McNeil knows why we're fed up with 'racial reconciliation.'"

A memorial service for Professor Emeritus of Educational Ministry Ed Smyth will be Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the First Free Methodist Church sanctuary. Ed died in March at his home in Lexington, Kentucky. During his 32 years of faithful service at SPU, Ed hosted student discipleship groups for more than 350 young men on Thursday nights. Andy O'Shea `90 is hosting a "Guys Group" on Thursday, May 9, 7–9 p.m. at the Fine Center in First Free Methodist Church for any man who was ever in a group led by Ed. Contact Andy at andyoshearealestate@gmail.com or 425-422-3642 if you have any questions.