The first Chapel for Winter Quarter is Tuesday, Jan. 6, 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church. The theme for the quarter is "Launching together: Following Jesus is not a solo journey" and the guest speaker is Professor of Theology Doug Koskela. All faculty and staff are invited to join a community lunch each week after Chapel in the SUB Fireside Room. Bring your lunch and share fellowship with others across campus.

From Alumni, Parent, and Family Relations: In mid-December, more than 35,000 SPU alumni received the winter 2026 issue of Connections e-newsletter which included a video of the second annual Christmas Tree Lighting event, theTwo Years of Impact flipbook, a recent alumni survey created by psychology students, and more. View the e-newsletter here.

A message from Jake Carlson, executive director of Camp Casey. For 68 years, Seattle Pacific was the proud steward of Camp Casey. The YMCA is committed to ensuring that SPU's legacy and tradition live on, and colleges, departments, and programs have access to exclusive benefits at Camp Casey. Whether you're planning a department retreat, an off-site course enrichment, or an athletics getaway, take advantage of these special offerings designed just for you!

That's right, we charge the exact same rate to SPU as we did before the transition (50% off lodging/meeting spaces, 20% off meals). Host staff retreats, team-building events, and leadership trainings at Camp Casey at a special rate. For groups from 3 to 300, choose to stay overnight in a house, large dorm with private rooms, or even bunkhouses. We've folded the (former) Fort Casey Inn into the larger operations of the camp, so now your group can stay in these cozy, two-bedroom cottages.

The pool and Sealab are back up and running, and the 120-year old maple floors in the gymnasium have been restored for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball! We also added archery, a climbing wall, and giant slides to add to your group's experience. All of these new amenities are available to you! 

Contact ‍CampCasey@ymca-snoco.org to make your reservation.

The Faith & Science Club will host "Compost Kaleidoscope" in partnership with Cedar Grove Composting, SPU Dining, and SPU Facilities, on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 12–4 p.m. in the Eaton Discovery Room (Room 110). Come and see how compost is created at the Cedar Grove facility and choose what compostables can and cannot be put in a campus compost container. Answer questions correctly from the spinning wheel and win prizes (while supplies last)! The Eaton Greenhouse will be open to see compost used in a practical way. Please join us and pass this message to your students.

A message from Athletics: We are offering winter junior volleyball clinics for 5th-9th graders beginning Thursday, Jan. 8. These are beginner and intermediate range clinics designed to be fun, safe, and encouraging places to work on some new skills and practice what players already know along with members of our coaching staff and our current volleyball team! The clinics will be 6–-7:45 p.m. on most Thursdays in January and February. Register online.

A new resource marking the key initiatives and achievements of the last two years under President Porterfield's leadership titled, "Two Years of Impact: A Journey of God's Faithfulness," is available online.The report covers mission and identity, leadership and governance, strategic planning, academics, financial stewardship, enrollment and marketing, fundraising and advancement, and student experience.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year. The next Bulletin will be published on Jan. 12,  and the next deadline is Thursday, Jan. 8.

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 can be resubmitted for an additional two weeks.

An article by Katie Kresser, professor of art and visual studies, is featured in the fall-themed issue of Christian Scholar's Review. In this issue, edited by Biola University's Tim Muehlhoff (Winsome Conviction Project), scholars from a range of disciplines explore the theme of "Perspective-Taking." Kresser's article, "The View from Here: Facilitating Perspective-Taking Through Art," leads off the issue.

An article by Brian Lugioyo, dean of Seattle Pacific Seminary, titled “Treasures Old and New: The Danger of Hell for Theologians,” was published in Perspectivas, v.22 (2025), 90-94. This volume of Perspectivas collected the installation sermons and speeches from Latina/o presidents and deans of theological schools and seminaries. Lugioyo’s installation sermon engages with a rich set of parables and images to beautifully articulate the critical importance and responsibility of theological education. Recognizing the power of words to shape community and imagination, he calls on his colleagues and community to take seriously their “scribal” task of balancing the new and the old.

Jeffrey Overstreet, associate professor of English and writing, will interview author Tim Greiving on his new biography of renowned film composer John Williams at the Hugo House on Thursday, Jan. 8, 6–8 p.m. Williams wrote the memorable scores and themes for a number of popular movies — among them Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and the Harry Potter series. He earned more Oscar nominations than any individual artist in the history of the motion picture Academy. The event is free and you can register online.

Please join the Office of Human Resources in welcoming Rachael Kamwesa, coordinator of spiritual formation in Student Ministries.

Alumna Ava Van Snow was featured in the December issue of Seattle magazine. The profile follows her career and recent launch of her own PR firm. In the article, Van Snow says, "SPU teaches you how to engage with culture and change the world,” she recalls. “I learned that I could make a career but also make a difference in the world. I wanted to give a voice to the voiceless.”

Professor Emerita of European Studies and French Marilyn Severson died on Dec. 30. She taught at SPU for 25 years. In her academic career, she’s led the SPU Foreign Languages Department; wrote books, including Masterpieces of French Literature, and led students on several study tours to France. When she retired in 2004, Response magazine published a short tribute to her long tenure at SPU. A memorial service was held on Jan. 4 at Queen Anne Presbyterian Church.

Her obituary was published online and a recording of the memorial service is available on the church's Facebook page.