“Stretching” in an SPU education
By Jeffrey Jordan, Vice President for Student Life
Photo: Vice President of Student Life Jeffrey Jordan gathers with students in the “Leadership Studies Minor Capstone” course. Front row, left to right: Spencer Ceballos ’19, Jireh Reduque ’19, Christie Pak ’19, Monica Moeng ’19, Serina Dawa ’20, and Nate Canny ’21. Back row, left to right: Jeffrey Jordan; Board of Trustees chair Cedric Davis; and Chuck Strawn, dean of students for community life.
I love saltwater taffy! As a kid, I grew up going to the Jersey Shore every summer. We strolled down the boardwalk, always stopping at the candy store, watching the taffy being pulled, and getting a pound to take home. It wasn’t until years later that I understood that the stretching of the taffy was extremely important, because it allowed air to go into the sugary mixture, making the candy lighter and more flexible — and that this process took hours to complete. Read more.
Autumn Quarter’s emergency drill
Photo: Students “drop, cover, and hold on” under tables and desks to practice their earthquake response in a recent campus drill.
In October, Seattle Pacific’s annual evacuation drill included an earthquake preparedness exercise. The first part of the drill alerted students, faculty, and staff to “drop, cover, and hold on,” which is the first response in an earthquake. Everyone was then told to evacuate campus buildings. This 15-minute evacuation drill and a lockdown drill during Winter Quarter are held every year.
The drill was in conjunction with the nationwide Great Shakeout exercise to practice earthquake preparedness. The Great Shakeout is held every third Thursday of October, and is the largest earthquake drill in Washington state.
Seattle Pacific continues to develop a variety of policies and resources to guide the campus in preparing for and responding to emergencies. Learn more about SPU’s Emergency Preparedness.
Video: The meaning of diversity at Seattle Pacific
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sandy Mayo explains why diversity means something more at Seattle Pacific University.
Apply now for 2020–21 financial aid
Did you know that now is a great time to apply for 2020–21 scholarships?
Incoming and current students can find outside scholarship information 24/7 through the Virtual Scholarship Notebook. You’ll find scholarship opportunities for particular majors or areas of interest, for military veterans, for students who have been in foster care, for first-in-the-family college students, and more. Just search through available scholarship opportunities by using keywords. You can also find a list of scholarship search websites on Student Financial Services.
FAFSA reminder
Families can already file a 2020–21 FAFSA — free application for federal student aid — using their last year’s tax return information.
Once your student’s FAFSA has been processed, your student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) and learn how much your family can expect to contribute financially in the next academic year. Federally mandated allowances are taken into account, as well as reported income and assets.
Send a tasty gift to your Falcon
Final exams are just a few weeks away. With them come late-night study sessions and missed meals. But you can give your student an energy boost. Choose from healthy snacks and treats such as the Exam Pack, Finals Fuel-Up, Healthy Snack Pack, and more.
Visit the Sodexo online store to check out options and order. When the care package is ready, your student will be notified.
Upcoming events
Autumn Mainstage: Men on Boats
Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 21–23, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m. matinee
$15 adults; $12 students w/valid ID, and ages 60+
McKinley Hall, James Leon Chapman Mainstage
Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. Men on Boats tells the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition to chart the course of the Colorado River. Purchase tickets online, or by calling 206-281-2959, or at the box office.
Sodexo Tip-Off Classic: Women’s Basketball
Friday–Saturday, Nov. 22–23
$10 reserved; $5/$7 general admission
Royal Brougham Pavilion
Day 1: 4 p.m., Condordia Portland vs. Regis University
6:15 p.m., SPU vs. Colorado School of Mines.
Day 2: 1 p.m., Condordia Portland vs. Colorado School of Mines
3:15 p.m., SPU vs. Regis University
For more information, tickets, or to watch live, visit the Women’s Basketball schedule page.
Celebrating 20 years: Sacred Sounds of Christmas
Sunday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m.
Benaroya Hall, 200 University Street, Seattle
Tickets: $22 and $25.
Featuring the best of sacred Advent music from around the world, Sacred Sounds includes traditional Advent and Christmas carols, performed by the Music Department’s nationally recognized student and faculty musicians. Limited tickets are still available. Visit the website for more information.
Thanksgiving weekend
Nov. 28–30
No classes or food services. Offices closed.
Final exams
Tuesday–Thursday, Dec. 10–12
Gwinn Commons closes for Christmas Break on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Residence halls close for Christmas Break
Friday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.
Christmas Break
Dec. 13–Jan. 5
Academic calendars
SPU academic calendars include important deadlines, final exam schedules, holidays, and academic highlights for 2020–21.
Engage Events
Renowned national and international speakers, some of Seattle’s most engaging theatre performances, memorable concerts, outstanding athletic competitions. Explore upcoming events and get involved.