The next Chapel is Tuesday, Jan. 13, 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church with Campus Pastor Fred TenEyck. The theme for the quarter is "Launching together: Following Jesus is not a solo journey." 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.

The Sociology and History (Hindsight) student clubs are sponsoring a forum on the recent events in Venezuela on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:15 p.m. in Demaray Hall 150. Professor of Sociology Kevin Neuhouser will present some historical context for Venezuela and the U.S.’s relationship to Latin America. Associate Professor of History Alissa Walter will explore potential similarities between Venezuela and the removal of Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq (the most recent time the U.S. removed a sitting head of state) to help us consider possible outcomes for Venezuela and the U.S. There will be time for questions from the audience.

From the Office of Alumni, Parent, and Family Relations: The winter 2026 In the Loop e-newsletter recently went out to more than 2,200 parents and family members with news and information about the Autumn Quarter Dean’s List, President Porterfield’s first two years, an inside look at SPU’s annual safety drills, and more. This e-newsletter goes out quarterly.

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 Hall front lobby area. 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 grade girls. 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.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year. Due ot the Martlin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the next Bulletin will be published on Tuesday, Jan. 20,  and the next deadline is Thursday, Jan. 15.

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.

Frank Spina, emeritus professor of Old Testament, recently published a review of R. J. Balfour's book, Divine Rejection: Explorations in the Biblical Portrayals of Esau and King Saul (Baylor University Press). It appeared in the Society of Biblical Literature Press and is available on the Review of Biblical Literature blog.

Professor Emeritus of European History Alberto Ferreiro gave a talk to 30 candidates in the Rite for Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bothell on December 21. The talk was titled, "Four Marks of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic." Historical background on the creed was provided for each article of the faith, the theological meaning, and how all four marks apply to personal discipleship. This is the first of three scheduled talks. He has been teaching in the RCIA at St. Elizabeth's parish for 25 years.

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

Eileen Celentano, instructor, College of Business & Technology, Apparel Design and Merchandising
Michael Cruz, technology support services analyst II, Information Technology
Jordyn Freeman, academic programs manager, College of Applied & Natural Sciences, Lydia Green Nursing Program
Maddie Seid, disability support services manager, Office of Student Life

James Yeh, the dean of the College of Business and Technology, is featured in SPU Stories in an article titled, New Leadership, New College: Business and Technology Reimagined.

Vic Peirsol, former associate director of security operations in the Office of Safety and Security, died on December 14 at the age of 81. Peirsol served at SPU from 2004 to 2015. Prior to SPU, he worked at the University of Washington Police Department, retiring with the rank of captain. After leaving SPU, he continued public safety work part time as a background investigator. He was a longtime resident of Lynnwood, Washington. A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. at Shoreline Covenant Church. Please keep Vic’s family and loved ones in your prayers.