A message from Office of Student Involvement and Leadership: We’re pleased to announce that Christian rappers Lecrae and PEABOD will appear in concert in Royal Brougham Pavilion as a part of SPU’s New Student Orientation on Saturday, Sept. 28. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to this complimentary show exclusive to our community. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Be sure to bring your SPU ID with you — that’s your ticket into the show. We’re looking forward to having you with us!

Seattle Pacific University presents “AI and the Future of Work,” a online and in-person conference to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work. SPU faculty will lead plenary sessions — on the latest developments in AI, the ethical impacts of AI, and writing with AI — as well as professional tracks focused on business, education, health professions, psychology, and ministry. Students can attend the conference and earn one college credit. 

The in-person conference is Sept. 20–21 on campus, and the online conference is Saturday, Oct. 19.

A message from SPU Dining Services: Einstein Bros. Bagels and the C-Store will close temporarily for an exciting remodel that began August 31. SPU Dining apologizes for any inconvenience caused due to the closure and we look forward to serving you again when the 2024-25 school year begins!

If you are interested in playing pickleball with other faculty and staff, email Cindy Strong, emertia faculty librarian, at clstrong@spu.edu. Cindy says, "We usually play one morning a week in Brougham Pavilion. Players of all levels are encouraged to join the fun. We play grace-filled pickleball. Bring your own paddles and sometimes we have extras."

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, Sept. 12. The next issue will be published Monday, Sept. 16. 

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.

Tracie Delgado, professor of biology, was awarded a $364,252 grant by the National Institutes of Health. This undergraduate research driven grant will fund the discovery of clinically relevant metabolic drugs that can be used as new antiviral treatments.

A book by Jeff Keuss, professor of Christian ministry, theology and culture, titled, Defiant Hope, Active Love: What Young Adults Are Seeking In Places of Work, Faith, and Community, was recently published by Eerdmans. The edited volume is the culmination of five years of data collected from Pivot NW Research based in the School of Theology, which looks at ways young adults are currently finding faith and growing deeper in their sense of identity formation. Authors from the School of Theology and the department of Industrial/Organizational Psychology interviewed and surveyed hundreds of young adults both in the Pacific Northwest and nationally. The book seeks to help congregations learn more about the next generation of young adults and prepare their ministry for this next generation of leaders.

More about the book and resources can be found online.

Doug Strong, the Paul T. Walls Professor of Wesleyan Studies and the History of Christianity, presented a paper titled "Holiness Abolitionism as a Theological Framework for its Generation (and for Ours?)" at the 15th Oxford Institute for Methodist Theological Studies in Oxford, England, held August 4-11, 2024.

Please join the Office of Human Resources in welcoming the following new staff members.

Autumn Doolittle, executive assistant to the vice president for Academic Affairs
Aly Quatier, coordinator of worship, Student Ministries
Maya Watson, financial analyst, Budget & Finance