The annual President’s Spring Forum honoring faculty and staff is Thursday, May 22, 11:10 a.m. (new time this year) in Royal Brougham Pavilion, with a community reception afterward. Offices will be closed during that time to encourage everyone to attend.

Khawla Hadi, a translator for Iraqi-Syrian refugees at the trauma center at Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and Marwa al-Mtowaq, an Iraqi-American activist poet recently returned from Baghdad, will join SPU Professor of English Kimberly Segall in a panel discussion on Monday, May 19, 7 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. Kimberly is the author of Performing Democracy in Iraq and South Africa and has spent more than 20 years working as an activist and volunteer in Middle Eastern and African communities. The event is free and wheelchair accessible.

Faculty and staff are invited to join the School of Theology (SOT) for a celebration of recent publications by SOT faculty members. The event is Thursday, May 15, 2:30-4 p.m, in the Fine Center at First Free Methodist Church. Local pastors will give a brief review of each featured book, speaking especially to its importance and relevance for the life of the church. Please feel free to invite others to attend. External guests will receive a complimentary copy of one of the books. See a list of the featured books online.

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Co-sponsored by the SPU English Department and MFA in Creative Writing program, the 11th Denise Levertov Award will be presented by Image journal to poet Scott Cairns on Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. with a reading and dessert reception open to everyone. The free event will be held at 415 Westlake, and RSVP is requested but not required. For more information, visit the website.

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Does SPU have a unique role and opportunity to initiate new ventures? Assistant Professor of Business Ethics Bruce Baker and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Adam Arabian discuss practical implications and theological insights regarding entrepreneurial activity for the sake of the common good at the Library's “Creative Conversations” event on Thursday, May 15, 3-3:50 p.m. in the Library Reading Room.

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The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform “Classics in the Spring” on Friday, May 16, 7:30 p.m., at First Free Methodist Church. Joining the ensemble will be the Flute and Clarinet Ensembles. The repertoire includes “First Suite in Eb” by Gustav Holst, “Molly on the Shore” by Percy Grainger, as well as “Psalm for a Band” by Vincent Persichetti. The concert will also honor military members and veterans with “Hymn to the Fallen” by John Williams. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is directed by Director of Bands Daniel Helseth, the Flute Ensemble is directed by Instructor of Flute Sandy Saathoff, and the Clarinet Ensemble is directed by Instructor of Clarinet Mary Kantor.

The student Fashion Group presents their annual show featuring designs by students in clothing and textiles on Saturday, May 17, 8-9 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. This year’s show, “Zeitgeist: Spirit of the Times,” will examine fashion and music through the decades.

Local artists will join the SPU Gospel Choir and Worship Arts Ensemble for a concert of original compositions, Fijian sacred hymns, and the “Hallelujah” chorus from the “Soulful Messiah” on Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 p.m., at First Free Methodist Church. Joining the SPU musicians will be the First Fijian United Methodist Choir from Shoreline, who will sing traditional Fijian songs and hymns. The concert will also feature local guest conductor Juan Huey Ray. The First Fijian United Methodist Choir is directed by Choir Leader Melesiana Kete and Pastor Jale Tuirotuma. The Gospel Choir and Worship Arts Ensemble are directed by Associate Professor of Music Stephen Newby.

Help the SPU Athletic Department and School of Business and Economics raise funds to package meals to ship and feed children worldwide through Children of the Nations. SPU and Falcon gymnastics will host a “Parents Night Out” on Friday, May 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Gymnastics Center at Royal Brougham Pavilion. All proceeds will benefit Children of the Nations. The cost is $12 per child, or $20 for two children in the same family. Registration is required and space is limited. To sign up, email Women’s Gymnastics Coach Laurell Tindall at ltindall@spu.edu.

Do you have technical questions or do you need a refresher on how to use Sitecore or Contribute to update your department¹s website? Do you want to learn about Google Analytics? Come to the next brownbag lunch on Thursday, May 15, 12-1 p.m. in the University Communications conference room and get your questions answered. You¹ll also get snacks! Bring your questions about Sitecore or Contribute content management systems or Google Analytics, or learn about these topics:

1. How to keep your Sitecore News Item and Callout content fresh – and how to make updates.
2. How to update the Sitecore Faculty and Staff Directory using lists.
3. How to set up Sitecore Builders.
4. How to work with the Sitecore Check In/Publish workflow.
5. How to avoid formatting issues in Contribute.

Bring your lunch and laptop, and you¹ll get one-on-one help from the University Communications Web Team. The trainers this month are: Jason Herrman, web programmer; Hope McPherson, web writer; and Jacob Lane, web developer. The UC Web Team host brownbag lunches the third Thursday of every month. If you need technical assistance in between brownbag lunches, contact Web Communications Manager Wendy Jones at jonesw1@spu.edu to arrange a time to come to your office.

The spring census information is now available on the Office of Information and Data Management (IDM) website. Several pages on the IDM site are open to the public; others are available only to SPU staff and faculty. If you have comments or questions about the information appearing on the website, contact Tim Gatlin, senior systems and data manager, at tgatlin@spu.edu or 206-281-2545.

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The work of seniors in visual communications will be featured at SPU’s Art Center Gallery May 22-June 13. The exhibit, titled “The Fifth Phase,” features interactive design, motion graphics, web design, and illustration. There will be a reception with the artists on Thursday, May 29, 5-7 p.m. at the gallery. The gallery is located at 3 West Cremona Street near campus. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Human Resources is aware of an error on the Cigna Health Plan Comparison Chart that was enclosed in your Open Enrollment packets. In the blue “SPU HSA Funding to offset Deduction for Family” line on the first page, the amount should have been listed as “Up to $3816” rather than “Up to $2816” Please make this adjustment on your personal copies.

Image journal, founded by SPU Writer in Residence Gregory Wolfe and located on campus, has been publishing the best art and writing that engages with faith and mystery for 25 years. The journal is looking for interns for the 2014-15 school year who share their vision for the place art has in the life of faith, and who are also diligent, meticulous, and responsible about the daily details. Just like the editors, the interns have a balance of grunt work (daily processing) and glory work (more interesting ongoing projects). Grunt work includes tasks like sorting the mail, responding to emails, and sending out book orders. The glory work for next year's interns includes things like choosing images for the daily “Good Letters” blog; reading back-issue content in order to tag it for the redesigned website; creating original graphics for social media; and content writing for the online newsletter ImageUpdate, social media, or the website. If you know students who might be interested, have them email Image journal Program Director Tyler McCabe at mccabe@spu.edu for a full job description.

Seattle Pacific University's Ivy Honorary presents “The Last Lecture of Dr. Lyle Peter” on Monday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. in Otto Miller Hall, room 109. Lyle is a professor of chemistry and will retire this year. Students, faculty, staff, and the general public are welcome to attend. The concept of a “Last Lecture" is based on a 2007 lecture and 2008 book by Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor who died from pancreatic cancer in July 2008. In subsequent Last Lectures, professors reflect on what matters most and what wisdom they would hope to share with others. Ivy Honorary is SPU's chapter of the National Mortar Board Honor Society.

The Academic Counseling Team in Student Academic Services will be available for drop-in questions in the lobby of Demaray Hall during the week of registration. This opportunity is for students with questions regarding Autumn Quarter registration only. Availability will be more limited this week, as the office is also preparing for New Student Orientation on Saturday, May 17. Academic counselors cannot remove faculty advisor holds, so students must meet with their faculty advisor first. The question table will be open during the following hours:

Tuesday, May 13, 12-4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14, 12-4 p.m.
Thursday, May 15, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn how to “run the numbers” for yourself and your family to help you compare the medical plans to make the best choice during Open Enrollment. Get some basic understanding of the differences between the two plans. Ask questions about what you can expect. RSVPs not needed.

5/14 4-5 p.m. Library Seminar Rm
5/22 12-1 p.m. Otto Miller Hall 109
5/22 2-3 p.m. Otto Miller Hall 109

Human Resources is providing information sessions to learn about the new online Open Enrollment system this year. You can use detailed instructions found on the Human Resource website under the Employee Benefits section. Get hands-on instruction at an information session in OMH 139. (No food or drink allowed is allowed in the computer lab.) Bring your Open Enrollment packet, which was delivered to your campus address. RSVPs are not needed. Feel free to bring your spouse.

5/13 10:30-11:30 a.m.
5/14       5-6 p.m.
5/20 12-1 p.m.
5/21       5-6 p.m.
5/22              4:45-5:45 p.m. (Otto Miller Hall 109)

This summer, the John Perkins Center’s SPRINT program will send eight student teams to learn and serve alongside local leaders around the globe. Hire a SPRINT student or a team to help around your house with spring cleaning, yard work, or other chores. Cost is $10 per student per hour. For more information, contact student Daniel Lee at leed13@spu.edu or visit the website.

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Do you have questions about coverage on your medical plan? Are you trying to navigate mycigna.com site? Do you need to reimburse yourself from your HSA online? Do you have issues or concerns related to how your claim(s) have been processed? If so, sign up for a 20-minute session with SPU’s Cigna representative on Thursday, May 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Library Conference Room C. Call 206-281-2809 to make an appointment.

Common Grounds and Academic Perks: Come join us for Happy Hour, 2-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and get 20 percent off any grande espresso drink.

Falcon’s Grill: Try the new Katsu Bacon Burger. A delicious quarter-pound burger, breaded and deep fried to perfection and topped with bacon and tonkatsu sriracha sauce. Stop on by and try it for only $5.99.

Medley: Take a friend to lunch with you! This week only, buy a Salad Sensation and get 50 percent off the second one.

Sandella’s: Try the new rice bowls for only $6.99.

The Athletics Department announces the closure of the weight room in Royal Brougham May 15-mid July for remodeling. The cardio room, main gym, upper gym and Wallace Field will remain open.

Used shoes will be collected in residence halls, the SUB and Weter Lounge, May 5-14, to support the Real Change organization's public awareness event about the need to expand shelter and end homelessness in King County. The goal is to collect 3,123 pairs of shoes to represent the number of unsheltered homeless people counted in Seattle this January. Shoes in reusable condition will be donated after the event.  For more information, email Owen Sallee at owen@spu.edu or Niki Amarantides at nikia@spu.edu.

The 15th of each month is the last day to make changes to your upcoming payroll check. Do you need to remove your spouse and/or children from your health care plans? If so, contact Human Resources (HR) to complete the appropriate form. It must be submitted to HR by the 15th of the month, prior to your dependent's access to new coverage. Otherwise, the change can only occur the subsequent month, and any premiums paid will not be refunded. Changes might also 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 you wish to make to your 403b account contributions must be made by the 15th of the month. For changes to your 403(b) account, contact Transamerica Retirement Solutions 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 Carrie McCrimmon in Human Resources at 206-281-2676.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadlines for submissions are Thursdays. If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, May 19. The next deadline is Thursday, May 15.

Professor of Art Roger Feldman constructed an installation for the recent N.T. Wright conference at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena. He also joined a panel of artists for a discussion and gave a talk about the installation. A video of the installation is being produced and will be available soon. Visit Roger’s Facebook page for more information.

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Chair of the History Department Michael Hamilton presented a paper at a national symposium on Historic Religious Roots and the Future of Higher Education at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, April 11-12. His talk was titled “Constituency Influence on the Faith and Learning Question at Calvin College, 1920-1960.” The symposium featured historical talks on the philosophy of Christian education at 17 evangelical colleges and universities.

An article by Assistant Professor of Management Don Lee and P.Y. Kim was recently published in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. The article is titled “Internalized Model Minority Myth, Asian Values, and
Help-Seeking Attitudes Among Asian American Students.” Read the abstract online.

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Professor of Educational Leadership Thomas Alsbury was quoted in a Seattle Times story on May 4 about the election for the leadership of the Seattle teachers union. Read the article online.

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From SPU Master Gardener Jeff Daley. A real "eye-catcher" of a plant blooming now is Viburnum plicatum tomentosum, known by its common name of Doublefile viburnum. Originally from China and Japan, the double rows of pure white lace-cap flowers that blossom along the branches of the shrub remind me of a beautifully decorated wedding cake in all its splendor. It becomes a nice-sized deciduous shrub that has a beautiful horizontal branching structure with quite the dazzling display of flowers in the spring. It presents well as a dignified background shrub in the summer with its green leaves that flame into exuberant fall colors of crimson, orange, and ruby just before they drop. This plant tolerates, and will adapt to, any Pacific Northwest soil that is moderately fertile, slightly moist, and well drained. Once established it can become practically maintenance free and it is deer resistant. 

There are several viburnums that are noteworthy: Viburnum carlesii, (common name: Korean spice viburnum) and Viburnum burkwoodii, they are both deliciously fragrant and fill the garden with their intoxicating fragrance. The flowers of Viburnum tinus "spring bouquet," on the other hand, smell like dirty gym socks and on a warm day can be rather obnoxious. Viburnum opulus "sterile" is often called the "snowball tree." Growing up, the neighbor boys and I would use the blossoms for snowball fights, much to my mother's chagrin. Viburnum davidii can be found in almost every shopping mall parking lot; its metallic blue clusters of berries in the fall are one of its redeeming qualities. Select the link for photos of viburnums.

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