Winter Quarter In the Loop

SPU excels in 2025 college rankings

This year, Seattle Pacific University again received high marks in several 2025 national university rankings.

For ninth year in a row, SPU was named a “Best National University” in US News & World Report’s 2025 best national colleges’ ranking. Seattle Pacific earned the No. 1 ranked Christian university in the Northwest in Niche’s “2025 Best Christian Colleges in America.” Niche is an online resource providing information on K–12 schools, colleges, and more. It’s a top guide for students looking for a college. And The Wall Street Journal included SPU in its 2025 America’s Best Colleges.

Video: New tech powers campus store

A new convenience store powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is now open at Seattle Pacific University, making SPU one of the first universities in the Pacific Northwest to offer this option to students.

Located in Weter Hall, SPU’s automated C-Store concept opened during Autumn Quarter 2024. It’s a partnership with Sodexo, the food service provider for the University. The store, called “Falcon Express,” is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and gives students early morning and late-night options for food and beverages. Customers can swipe their university ID card or a credit card to gain entrance. Cameras monitor the purchases and customers can exit with no checkout required. Watch this brief video to see it work.

Camp Casey Conference Center sold

After almost 70 years of ownership and more than two decades of evaluating its best use, Seattle Pacific University has sold its Camp Casey Conference Center and the Fort Casey Inn on Whidbey Island to the YMCA of Snohomish County.

Since purchasing the property in 1956, Camp Casey served as an extension of SPU’s educational mission and character formation through hosting classes and retreats as well as serving external groups like sport camps, churches, educational groups (e.g., outdoor education). Several facilities have also served the Whidbey Island community. You can read this FAQ about the transition to new ownership.

Campus safety a year-round priority

Each year at Seattle Pacific University, students, faculty, and staff participate in annual emergency drills, including an evacuation drill during Autumn Quarter and a lockdown drill during Winter Quarter. Yet those drills are just two examples of SPU’s commitment to a safe and prepared campus environment.

Director of Safety and Security Cheryl Michaels also encourages everyone on campus to keep these key safety tips in mind:

• Use safety escorts. The Office of Safety and Security provides safety escorts 24/7. Call 206-281-2922 to request an escort to any area on or near campus for safety or medical reasons.
• Be aware of your surroundings. When walking alone, stay alert, particularly to any people or vehicle that may appear to be following you. If you feel uncomfortable, change your route to a more populated area, and call OSS at 206-281-2911. OSS can monitor several campus areas via security cameras and dispatch an officer as needed.
• Limit distractions. Avoid using headphones or looking at your phone while walking, running, or biking.
• Stay in well-lit areas. Use well-lit, populated areas, particularly at night.
• Travel in groups. Whenever possible, travel with others, particularly during early morning or late evening hours.
• Secure building entrances. Ensure that building doors close securely behind you when entering or exiting.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, seek safety immediately and report your concerns. Report any suspicious activity or concerns promptly to OSS at 206-281-2922.
• In case of emergency. Use any yellow campus emergency phone, or call OSS at 206-281-2911.

For additional crime-prevention and fire-safety tips, visit the Office of Safety and Security website at spu.edu/administration/office-of-safety-security/fire-safety-crime-prevention.

Dean’s List now available

The Autumn Quarter 2024 Dean’s List is now available. The list recognizes undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who completed at least 12 credit hours at SPU during the Autumn Quarter and earned a 3.5 or higher grade-point average.

Maximize your student’s financial aid offer

Your student’s financial aid starts with the FAFSA. Complete the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid to help SPU determine your student’s need-based aid. Visit Student Financial Services online for guidance and more.

You‘ll also want to remember these important 2025–26 FAFSA and WASFA deadlines:

Incoming first-time freshmen students

• Priority deadline for regular admission: April 1, 2025

Incoming new transfer students

• Priority deadline for Early Action: April 1, 2025
• Priority deadline for regular admission: July 1, 2025

Continuing-students priority deadline:

• April 1, 2025

Final day to file:

• June 30, 2026

For more from Student Financial Services, check out this SFS Updates page for a FAFSA FAQ, payment-plan information, and more.

Video: A Studio to develop students’ skills

Staff in the Research, Reading, and Writing Studio come alongside students at any stage of the writing process, offering strategies to move forward and strengthen their projects throughout the quarter. Learn more about the Studio — and encourage your student to take advantage of all the Studio has to offer this Winter Quarter!