In the Loop

The 2019 GOLD Alumni of the Year, Natalie Closner Schepman ’09 (right), and her sisters, twins Meegan ’11 and Allison ’11 Closner, are the band Joseph.

Videos: The 2019 alumni award recipients

From a Boeing vice president to the emerging band Joseph; and from a hip-hop artist/author to a foster mom serving hundreds of foster children, the 2019 alumni award recipients are a unique group of alumni, making a difference in their spheres of influence. Hear what they had to say in these brief videos about why they do what they do, and how Seattle Pacific helped play a role in their calling.

Commencement 2019

For parents and family members of soon-to-be graduating students:

Congratulations! We commend your students for all of their hard work and perseverance. We commend you, too, for your support of your students along the way.

Details about the June 7–8 graduation events — including the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, Ivy Cutting, Baccalaureate, and the Falcons Forever BBQ — are available online at spu.edu/commencement. This is a one-stop shop for event dates, times, and locations, and where students can find information on ordering caps and gowns, tickets, and announcements.

If you still have questions after visiting spu.edu/commencement, please do not hesitate to contact us at graduationinfo@spu.edu or 206-281-2125.

We look forward to seeing you in June!

The SPU Commencement Team

SPU Voices: Black History Month career-networking events brainchild of international student

Junior Danielle Widjaya stands between Mara Carenas, acting diversity and inclusion manager for King County, and Lewis Rudd, CEO of Ezell's Chicken.

As an intern in the Center for Career and Calling, junior Danielle Widjaya does everything from setting up display tables to helping with campus “mega meet-ups” and accompanying students on career treks to Boeing, Costco, and the like.

But over the past year, she noticed many fellow ethnically diverse students didn’t attend CCC events. She suspected it was because they didn’t relate to the majority of guests, participants, and speakers. Read the story. 

2019–20 ICW scholarship applications due March 15

Scholarship applications are now open for multiple scholarships through the Independent Colleges of Washington organization, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Each scholarship has unique requirements and the applications are open only to current undergraduate students at ICW member colleges such as Seattle Pacific University. Encourage your student to apply!

Visit the ICW Scholarships web page for scholarship details, application checklists, and contact information.

SPU responds to Seattle Promise with transfer promise

Beginning in 2020, Seattle Pacific University will offer 50 percent off tuition for eligible community college students in the City of Seattle’s new Seattle Promise program.

SPU is the first university in the city to announce a direct pathway from community colleges to enrollment. Discover what this Transfer Promise will offer.

You're invited to join Switchboard

Have you signed up for Switchboard yet? Join SPU’s online community of 1600+ alumni, students, faculty and staff, parents, and friends. To participate, log in and simply make an “ask” or an “offer.” You can “ask” the community if anyone can give your student a ride to the airport or “offer” a place for a fellow parent to stay while they’re visiting campus. It’s free and easy to sign up, plus you’ll have lifetime access to the SPU network. Sign up today.

Game Creation Studio for beginners

July 15–19, 2019 | Seattle Pacific University campus

Offered by SPU’s Engineering and Computer Science department, this one-week summer camp introduces ninth to 11th graders to the world of game development. No coding experience necessary! Participants will learn basic development techniques, explore computer science as a career, and hear from professionals in the entertainment software development industry. Each camper will create a game of their own guided by SPU students and professors.

Participants who enroll at SPU will qualify for a $1,000 tuition scholarship and one University credit ($753 value). Register by March 1 for early-bird discount. Find out more and register.

Advance your business career

If you’re looking to advance your career in business, check out the wide variety of graduate degrees and certificate programs offered in SPU’s School of Business, Government, and Economics. The school’s curriculum is grounded on our Christian heritage, emphasizing ethics, integrity, and a socially responsible approach to business. Our graduate business programs are known for high quality, flexibility, one-on-one mentoring with business professionals, and career counseling.

New this year is an online webinar on Tuesday, April 2, to learn more about the Data Analytics Certificate program.

Also coming up are open house events where you can meet faculty, current students, and admission representatives.

Tuesday, February 26:

• MBA in Human Resource Management

Wednesday, March 6, and Wednesday, May 22:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Science in Information Systems (MS-IS)
• Master of Arts in Management (MAM)

If you’re still not sure about going back to college, schedule a class visit. You’ll have an opportunity to sit in on a class and mingle with faculty and current students. Most of the graduate courses meet Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings.

You can always meet anytime with Graduate Director Jackqueline Miller at DrJ@spu.edu for one-on-one sessions, or during weekly information sessions on Wednesdays, 1–2 p.m. in McKenna Hall on campus.