Communion and the State of the University address is Wednesday, September 20, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church, adjacent to campus. This year, instead of a picnic after the event, faculty and staff are invited to an opening breakfast in Upper Gwinn, 7:30–9:30 a.m. Come enjoy food and fellowship with other faculty and staff during that time. The change from a picnic to a breakfast was made to better accommodate staff members who support the move-in process. The new time will allow them to participate in the community gathering and still fully engage with new students and their families arriving on campus that day. Faculty and staff are encouraged to be a welcoming presence on campus and in the residence halls this week as new students and their families join the SPU community.

During the summer, Seattle’s Department of Transportation has been conducting major repairs on Nickerson Street. When classes resume on Monday, September 25, the focus of construction on Nickerson Street will be immediately east of 3rd Avenue West. Faculty and staff may want to schedule additional time to their commute to and from campus due to potential delays on Nickerson. The DOT website on this project provides more information.  

More

University Services will host the third annual Food Truck Event on Wednesday, September 20, 5–8 p.m., in Tiffany Loop in conjunction with the first day of New Student Orientation. Faculty and staff are invited to stop by and purchase food. Seating and music will be available outdoors in Tiffany Loop, and indoors in the SUB in case of rain.

A warehouse sale of premium-brand men's and women's clothing and household items from some of Seattle's most iconic retailers will be held in Peterson Hall on Friday, October 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday, October 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Many of the items will be almost 90 percent less than retail prices. The sale is sponsored by SPU’s chapter of Sigma Rho, a philanthropic organization of Family and Consumer Sciences alumni and friends. All profits will benefit FCS scholarships and the Faculty Professional Development Fund. 

More

Each quarter, the School of Theology offers a 2-credit Community Bible Study class for the SPU community. In this class (THEO 3100), faculty, staff, and students gather to read Scripture with an eye to its role in the formation of Christian life. A new book or theme is explored each quarter. Beginning Autumn Quarter, the topic is “The Sermon on the Mount,” taught by Rob Wall, the Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies. The class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays. 12:30–1:20 p.m. in Bertona 5. For more information, contact Doug Koskela, professor of theology, at kosked@spu.edu or 206-281-2261. Come and join us

A message from Human Resources: SPU is adding its support to the 2017 American Heart Association Heart and Stroke 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, October 14, at Seattle Center. In addition to raising vital funds for heart disease and stroke research, the family- and pet-friendly Heart Walk also promotes fun ways to be physically active and make healthier choices every day. SPU employees may also earn wellness incentives by participating. Join the SPU team to support an amazing cause while earning healthy rewards. If you have questions, contact Alie Dorsey, Human Resources benefits specialist, at 206-281-2816 or dorseya@spu.edu.

More

Faculty and staff are invited to join the 15 academic reunions happening on campus during Grand Reunion, October 6–7. Also, don’t miss the Family and Consumer Science Department’s Warehouse Sale of clothing and household items benefiting the Sigma Rho Honorary Society in Peterson Hall. Visit the website for the complete schedule of academic reunions, locations, and how to register. There’s no cost to attend.

More

Tickets for SPU’s annual Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert are now available. This event sells out every year, so buy your tickets early. The concert returns to Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle, and will be held Sunday, November 26, at 7 p.m. Sacred Sounds of Christmas features the best of sacred Advent music from around the world, performed by the Music Department's nationally recognized student and faculty musicians. Buy tickets online.

More

For the latest information on Falcon sports, visit the Falcons online.

Thursday, September 21
Women's soccer vs Saint Martin's, Interbay Stadium, 4:30 p.m.
Men's soccer vs Simon Fraser, Interbay Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 23
Women's soccer vs Northwest Nazarene, Interbay Stadium, 4 p.m.
Men's soccer vs Western Washington, Interbay Stadium, 7 p.m.

You have until 9:59 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, to have stationery orders delivered on October 13. Stationery orders are delivered once a month. Orders made after 10 a.m. on October 3 will be delivered November 13. To see deadlines and delivery dates for the remainder of the fiscal year, visit the “Create an Order” stationery page in Banner. For more information, contact Hope McPherson in University Communications at hmcpherson@spu.edu.

From the Wellness Initiative: With a new school year approaching, students may begin to set goals and expectations for their performance. Unrealistically high anticipation or belief around being a “good” student can present itself as perfectionism. As students begin Autumn Quarter, it’s necessary to address the potential negative consequences of perfectionism and facilitate goals that are more realistic. Fortunately, self-compassion and resiliency-related behaviors may help mitigate undergraduate distress and depressive symptoms stemming from maladaptive perfectionism. To learn more, visit the Wellness blog.

More

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every week during the academic year. 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 deadline is Thursday, September 21. The next Bulletin will be published on Monday, September 25. 

A chapter on Karl Barth's doctrine of atonement, written by Assistant Professor of Theological Studies Shannon Smythe, was published in the new T&T Clark Companion to Atonement (London: Bloomsbury, 2017).

A chapter by Professor of Theology Doug Koskela was recently published in The Oxford Handbook of the Epistemology of Theology, edited by William J. Abraham and Frederick D. Aquino (Oxford University Press). The chapter, titled “John Wesley,” explores Wesley’s understanding of how knowledge of God takes root in the human heart and mind. Particular attention is given to the relationship between testimony and the perception of God in Wesley’s vision.

Stephen Newby, associate professor of music, will present a paper titled “A Theology of African American Sacred Song and Liberation” at Pacific Lutheran University’s Lutheran Studies Conference on September 28.

This summer, by invitation of Christ Center Community Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Adjunct Writing Instructor Jeffrey Overstreet presented an all-day seminar on faith, film, and cultural engagement. The sold-out event featured lectures, discussions, scene studies, and two complete feature-film screenings followed by in-depth discussions. Jeffrey focused on learning to see the world through the eyes and experiences of other cultures in order to fulfill Christ’s guidance in loving our neighbors. Christ Center’s pastor then invited Jeffery to return Sunday morning to address the congregation. During the same visit, he accepted an invitation to speak for a special evening gathering of the Anselm Society, where he spoke on the Christian imagination, cinema, and the power of play. He also became a guest on the society’s podcast, “Believe to See,” to consider 2017’s summer movies through Christian perspectives.

Assistant Professor of Political Science and Director of Global Development Studies Brad Murg presented a paper and gave a talk and Q&A in French to leaders of the government of Quebec, including Prime Minister Philippe Couillard, at the recent Forum of Ideas for Quebec. The forum explored Quebec's economic integration with Southeast Asia. Brad also served as part of a delegation examining the future of regional development in Quebec in the cities of Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan. Also, his review of  "Burnt by the Sun: The Koreans of the Russian Far East," was accepted for publication by the Journal of Japanese Studies and will be published later this month. Brad says, "I apologizes to all for missing faculty retreat." Select the link to see a photo of Brad at the forum.

More

The Office of Human Resources would like the SPU community to welcome the following new employees:

Katie Clum, graduate admissions counselor, Graduate Admissions
Jordan Coquinco, administrative assistant – social sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
Jason Thornberry, receptionist, School of Education

Ruth Hansen, professor emerita of education, passed away September 13 at the age of 89. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 22, at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Free Methodist Church, 9412 15th Avenue NE in Seattle. Ruth was a faculty member in the School of Education for more than 25 years, retiring in 1991. She was also a Class of 1950 alumna, and graduated with a bachelor’s in education. While at SPU, she met her husband, Bud, and they were married for 57 years until his death in 2007. Bud was a member of the Seattle Pacific Board of Trustees for 33 years. Ruth is survived by many family and friends, including her daughter, Lynne Hall in University Advancement.

Joey Collins, assistant professor of industrial-organizational psychology, participated in the International Triathlon Union Multisport World Championships in August. He competed for Team USA. Despite a rough training season overcoming injuries (including a foot injury the night before the big race), Joey completed a 10 kilometer run, 40 kilometers on a bike, followed by another 5 kilometer run. He finished 285/603 overall and 34/46 for his age group. He says he was "thrilled to race for Team USA!" Select to see a photo of Joey at ITU.

More