“BRAVE” parenting
By Jeff Jordan, Vice President for Student Life
At the beginning of each year, our student leaders gather for a leadership kickoff. This past year, the theme was “Leading Bravely” — an apt focus for their service on our campus and in future endeavors.
I had the privilege to provide a welcome and give a few thoughts utilizing the word “BRAVE.” My encouragement to our leaders was to boldly, respectfully, and vulnerably engage.
That’s what leaders do, and that’s what I encourage us as parents to do as our students come home. Taking that theme, I offer you some words of encouragement:
Boldly step out and into conversations with your student. Take good risks in asking questions. (Philippians 1:9–11)
Respectfully listen and consider your student’s journey. By respect, I mean to look out for the best interests of your student. (Philippians 2:1–7)
And is a word I intentionally utilize because it points to the fact that we are journeying together. (Proverbs 15:22)
Vulnerably interacting with your student means that we, as parents, need to examine and understand ourselves in this relationship. We need to know our strengths and weaknesses. (1 Timothy 4:11–16)
Engage with your students is easier said than done. It will likely mean that we need to be responsible to invite our students into the conversation. Robert Greenleaf, in Servant Leadership, states: “At the heart of every constructive action are responsible persons, those who engage ... make the choice knowing they may be wrong and suffer for it, and bear the risk bravely!”
So like our student leaders, I encourage us to risk bravely. May you boldly, respectfully, and vulnerably engage with wonderful summer interactions. Blessings to all.
Jeffrey Jordan has been vice president for student life since 2012.
SPU Voices: Kat Laveaux — playwright with purpose
At a kitchen table in Seattle, my family sat around a laptop screen watching actors from New Zealand perform a short play I’d written. Seeing my play streamed worldwide, I felt speechless. So much of my life up to this point was culminating in this moment. Read Kat’s story.
SPU to welcome new university chaplain
After a nationwide search, Rev. Lisa Ishihara was selected to become the University chaplain for SPU, beginning August 1.
Director of chapel programs at Biola University for the past 10 years, Ishihara has done extensive speaking and teaching, and she recently contributed to a new book, Leading Change Through Diversity in Spiritual Development.
Ishihara is also an ordained clergyperson in the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference of the Free Methodist Church and so, says Provost Jeffrey Van Duzer, “she understands both SPU’s Wesleyan heritage and the changing dynamic of the student body on our campus.” In her new role, Ishihara will lead University Ministries.
Ishihara received a BA from California State University at Fullerton, as well as two master’s degrees from the Talbot School of Theology.
Bo Lim, University chaplain since 2014, will be returning to his faculty role as associate professor of Old Testament in SPU’s School of Theology.
Video: Introducing SPU’s Criminal Justice major
Beginning in Autumn Quarter 2018, Criminal Justice, one of SPU’s new majors, will prepare students to examine policing, courts, and corrections, and how they are shaped by society, race, class, and gender. Watch this video to learn more.
Falcons Forever BBQ, June 8
Parents and families of graduating students are invited to celebrate graduation at the Falcons Forever BBQ on Friday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. preceding Baccalaureate.
Enjoy a summer-inspired BBQ meal and music in SPU’s iconic Tiffany Loop, and reminisce with your student about his or her time at SPU. Register your Class of 2018 family for the Falcons Forever BBQ before June 1 to be entered into a drawing for VIP seating for your family at Undergraduate Commencement in the Key Arena. Tickets are $10 per person; kids under age 10 eat free. Get more information and register now.
Notes from Student Financial Services
Handshake: Summer job postings online
Is your student looking for summer employment? Students can apply for on- and off-campus summer jobs through the online job board Handshake. If your student is hired for a summer position, he or she will need to have original documentation to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. Your student or you may contact Alyse Bradway, student employment coordinator, at ose@spu.edu with any questions.
Authorized payer signup process
Bills from Student Financial Services are now available exclusively through our payment site, QuikPAY. To receive notification when a bill is available, you must be an “Authorized Payer.” Instructions for how your student can set you up can be found at spu.edu/authorize. Once you are an authorized payer, you can set your notification preferences within the QuikPAY site to ensure you receive regular notifications of SPU bills.
I-O Psychology: Changing the world of work
What difference does leadership make? Graduate students in Seattle Pacific’s Industrial-Organizational Psychology master’s and doctoral programs become scholars, professional practitioners, and leaders who will actively engage the community and businesses around them, improving organizations and developing people as part of their jobs.
Whether students choose the 66-credit master’s program or the 168-credit doctoral program, their program will combine a strong theoretical foundation for meeting real-world challenges with field-practicum experiences for which they design and deliver interventions and conduct research. Students can also tailor their coursework to meet their vocational and professional goals.
Through the Industrial-Organizational Psychology programs, students become scholar-leaders and instruments of change in the world of work — one meaningful conversation at a time. Discover more about these programs.
Alumni benefits after graduation
Encourage your SPU alum to stay connected to SPU after she or he graduates. Graduates of SPU receive lifetime membership in the SPU Alumni Association, a network of over 45,000 Falcons worldwide. Beyond graduation, the SPU Alumni Association is dedicated to supporting alumni and maintaining their sense of pride and connection with SPU.
Here are a few ways graduates can find support and stay connected:
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Professional development: The Center for Career and Calling will always be available to alumni throughout their professional careers for résumé, career advice, and more.
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Networking: Alumni can build their personal and professional networks with LinkedIn at spu.edu/linkedinalumni (exclusively for SPU alumni), Instagram (@SPUalum), Facebook at spu.edu/alumnifacebook, and SPU Switchboard at spu.switchboardhq.com.
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Events: Alumni are invited back to campus for academic reunions, Homecoming, career development events, and more.
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SPU publications: Alumni receive SPU’s award-winning Response magazine, as well as Connections, a monthly alumni e-newsletter.
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Invest in the future generations of Falcons: Alumni are also invited to consider the ways they can give back to SPU with their time, talents, and resources.
Upcoming events
Autumn Quarter 2018 registration begins
Monday, May 1: returning students
Friday, May 18: incoming students
Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert
Thursday, May 24
7:30 p.m. | First Free Methodist Church
Live streaming available
Under the direction of Julia Tai, the Symphony Orchestra will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Flos Campi with violist Amber Archibald-Sesek, and include combined SPU choirs.
Memorial Day
Monday, May 28
No day classes. Evening classes meet.
Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 29
7:30 p.m. | E.E. Bach Theatre
Live streaming available
Under the direction of Dan Adams, the Percussion Ensemble spring concert will feature a variety of chamber ensembles from the percussion studio.
Last day for classes
Friday, June 1
Spring Quarter Finals
June 5–7
Ivy Cutting
Friday, June 8
9:30 a.m. | Tiffany Loop
Live streaming available
Since 1922, Ivy Cutting has symbolized graduating students’ tie to the University and their fellow alumni, as well as a newfound independence that comes with graduation. For complete information about 2018 graduation events, visit spu.edu/commencement.
Falcons Forever BBQ
Friday, June 8
5:30 p.m. | Tiffany Loop
$10 per person; kids under age 10 eat free
The Class of 2018 and their families, as well as Class of 2017 alumni are invited to gather for BBQ cuisine, music, and inspiration. To register, visit spu.edu/falconsforever. For complete information about 2018 graduation events, visit spu.edu/commencement.
Residence halls close for summer
Friday, June 8
4 p.m. | All campus
Graduating students may remain in their residence hall until Sunday, June 9.
Baccalaureate
Friday, June 8
7:30 p.m. | Royal Brougham Pavilion
An informal worship service shared by graduates and their families, friends, and professors. For complete information about 2018 graduation events, visit spu.edu/commencement.
Undergraduate Commencement
Saturday, June 9
1 p.m. | Key Arena, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle
Living streaming available
This year’s Commencement speaker is Bob Goff, professor, attorney, New York Times best-selling author of Love Does, and founder of Love Does, a nonprofit human-rights organization serving in Nepal, Iraq, and Somalia. Tickets are free to graduating students, and tickets are required for admittance for anyone age 3 and up. For complete information about 2018 graduation events, visit spu.edu/commencement.
2018 Special Olympics gymnastics
July 3–5
Royal Brougham Pavilion
SPU will be a host venue for the gymnastic events of the 2018 USA Special Olympics games. For more information, visit the Athletics Department.