A message from R. John Robertson, dean of the library and academic innovation: As part of adjusting to new staffing levels and the new college structure, some liaison librarian responsibilities have shifted. A more comprehensive mapping of librarians by discipline is available on our website – please check to see who your program contact is.

• Janet Hauck is the lead contact for the College of Business and Technology.
• Kristen Hoffman is the lead contact for the College of Applied and Natural Sciences.
• Steve Perisho is the lead contact for the Seminary and history, philosophy, and sociology.
• Liz Gruchala-Gilbert is the lead contact for the College of Humanities, Education, and the Arts, (education, art, communication, English, and music), Honors, and general studies.

All of the librarians have other responsibilities as well. Some highlights are:

• Liz is the library lead for the studio and our expert on the first-year experience.
• Steve leads Special Collections and collection development – in particular our distinctive Wesleyan collections and is taking on the administration of Digital Commons.
• Janet is our archives lead.
• Kristen is our expert on scholarly communications and copyright.
• Librarian Natalee Vick, our technical services lead, manages acquisitions, cataloguing, and discovery systems.

Other library staff are Johanna Staman leading access services, managing course reserves, and supervising our team of student workers; and Vance Lindahl, who is continuing to manage interlibrary loans and shifting to be our evening and weekend supervisor.

A message from Kati Barr, assistant director of Learning Support Services. President Porterfield is hosting a special reception to welcome our newest first-generation Falcons and their families on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2–3 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) in Upper Gwinn. The event will feature:

• A welcome message from President Porterfield
• A panel of first-gen students sharing their stories
• An opportunity for students and families to mix and mingle with our first-gen faculty and staff

We are inviting first-generation faculty and staff to volunteer to attend the event and help us extend a warm welcome. Your presence and representation can help create a sense of belonging and encouragement for these students as they begin their journey at SPU. To show our appreciation for your attendance, the first 25 volunteers will receive a complimentary “First Gen and Proud” T-shirt, which we ask that you wear proudly at the event.

If you’re able to attend, please let us know by submitting the quick President's Reception Volunteer Form. If possible, please RSVP by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18. Once we've reached 25 volunteers, I’ll follow up to notify our T-shirt winners and provide instructions on how to receive your shirt.

Thank you for helping us build a strong and supportive community for our first-gen students at SPU! I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Please join the Seattle Pacific Seminary for the Alfred S. Palmer Lectureship on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., in the First Free Methodist Church sanctuary. Dr. Stephen Newby, former SPU professor of music, and Prof. Robert Darden will discuss their new book, Soon & Very Soon: The Transformative Music and Ministry of Andraé Crouch. The book highligts how the groundbreaking gospel artist reshaped American music through his innovative compositions, performances, and multiracial vision with examples drawn from his career.

A message from Information Technology. As a reminder, all university devices must be updated to Windows 11 by Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. We began communicating this requirement last academic year and now we are approaching the final deadline. If you have not yet scheduled a time with IT to perform the upgrade, please be aware that there is a hard cut-off date.

• Microsoft will officially end service for Windows 10 on Oct. 14.
• To prevent service disruptions, IT requires that all devices be upgraded by Oct.10.
• Users who have not updated may lose access to critical university resources.

For those pressed for time, IT can provide a like-for-like device swap (same make and model). If you choose this option, please ensure all of your files are backed up beforehand.

If you are unsure whether your device has already been upgraded, or if you still need to schedule an appointment, please contact IT Support as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our technology secure and supported.

A message from Health Services: Our local Safeway pharmacy team will be coming to campus to provide a wide variety of vaccines to faculty, staff, and students. The dates are Tuesday, Oct. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Health Services lobby (Watson Hall). You must sign up for an appointment using the specific date links below and bring your insurance cards, as most vaccines are covered by insurance. This is a great time to update your flu vaccine, COVID-19 booster, tetanus booster, shingles, or any other routine vaccine you may need. Sign up today!

Tuesday, Oct. 21: Sign up here.

Wednesday, Oct. 22: Sign up here.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year. The next deadline is Thursday, Sept. 18, and the next issue will be published Monday, Sept. 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 and will be published for two consecutive issues; they then can be resubmitted for an additional two weeks.

Evelyn Crichton, 88, died at home on September 7, 2025, in Seattle, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband and longtime SPU Professor of Physics and Engineering James Crichton, who died in 1999. Evelyn and Jim met at Seattle Pacific where they both graduated with the class of 1959. A service of celebration and remembrance will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, 3 p.m. at Magnolia United Church of Christ, 3555 W. McGraw St., Seattle, WA 98199. Learn more about Evelyn at her online obituary in The Seattle Times.