Homecoming and Family Weekend
Seattle Pacific University’s biggest weekend for alumni and families is just weeks away! Come to campus February 7–8 and experience some of the best of SPU, join your student and be wowed at the Talent Show, enjoy the hilarious production Urinetown: The Musical, cheer on the Falcon men's and women's basketball teams, and much more.
Save money and purchase a Family All-Access Pass ($45 for up to 6 family members) or Individual All-Access Pass ($20 per person) and get into all of Homecoming’s paid events for one low price (tickets sold separately for the Alumni Awards Dinner). For more details and to register for events, visit spu.edu/homecoming.
SPU Stories: The Restoration of an Island
Alumni of the Year Jamie Shattenberg ’99 and Alissa Wuertz Shattenberg ’00 have sparked a restoration in Madagascar, the second largest island country located off the coast of East Africa. Together, they founded the ministry Red Island Restoration with the goals of bringing health and healing to impoverished areas of Madagascar and supporting Malagasy leaders. Read their story and meet them at Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Commencement: Timing change benefits students
Beginning with the June 2020 graduation ceremonies, Seattle Pacific University will recognize eligible graduates within a calendar year (i.e., Winter Quarter through Autumn Quarter) rather than an academic year (i.e., Autumn Quarter through Spring Quarter). During this transition year, the 2020 ceremonies will include graduates from Autumn 2019 through Autumn 2020.
In the past, only students who had completed their degrees by Spring Quarter could participate in that spring’s Commencement ceremony. With this change, examples of students who may benefit from this change include nursing students in cohorts; international students who complete degrees in Autumn Quarter but are unable to extend their visas until the following June; and students completing internships outside of Washington. As always, students will be awarded their degree once all academic requirements have been fulfilled, but this change will allow them to walk in the Commencement ceremony with their class.
Is your student graduating? If you haven’t already, please mark your calendar for high ceremonies and events. All undergraduate events will take place over the weekend of June 13–14, 2020.
Jazz great Joseph Daley coming to campus
Seattle Pacific music students will soon hear, and learn from, one of America’s jazz elders — the 2020 Schoenhals Visiting Artist, Joseph Daley.
A composer, teacher, and musician, Daley will be SPU’s composer in residence during the final week of January, which will culminate in a free concert Friday, January 31, at First Free Methodist Church.
Prior to that and during the week, Daley will be mentoring and working directly with SPU music students, with a sampling of the students’ new works opening the Friday evening event. At a Thursday afternoon event, he’ll speak on integrating his faith into his music and work. “Joe Daley’s tremendous positive spirit is palpable in his music and contagious when you meet him,” said Brian Chin, professor of music and chair of the Music Department. “We are eager to spend this week to engage with his music and this inspiring man.”
After nearly 50 years of recognition as one of the consummate sidemen with artists such as Sam Rivers, Taj Mahal, and many more, Daley emerged as one of jazz’s and contemporary music’s most extraordinary composers and leaders. “I am also taken by his dedication to young musicians and his sincere mission to make the world a better place through music,” added Chin. “With 20 years of public school teaching as well, he is a master musician, composer, and teacher!”
Friday’s concert will feature music from Daley’s acclaimed CD, The Seven Deadly Sins, which mined the same rich vein of musical expression as that of Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, and George Russell. When first released in 2011, it made several Best of Year lists.
The Schoenhals Visiting Artist Series is made possible by the Lawrence R. and Ruth E. Schoenhals Christian Lectureship in the Fine and Performing Arts Endowment, which is “to promote the integration of the fine arts and the Christian Faith by bringing to campus outstanding Christian artists and scholars who have achieved stature in their respective fields without compromising either their artistic integrity or their Christian commitment.”
Schoenhals Visiting Artist Free Public Events
Joseph Daley Lecture
Thursday, January 30, 11 a.m.
Nickerson Studios
Concert: The Seven Deadly Sins
Friday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
First Free Methodist Church, adjacent to SPU campus
Upcoming events
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20
No daytime classes. Evening classes meet.
ODEI Diversity Lecture: Jemar Tisby
Wednesday, January 22
5–6:15 p.m.
Upper Gwinn Commons
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion welcomes author, historian, and speaker Jemar Tisby to campus. Tisby will draw on his acclaimed book The Color of Compromise (2019) to explore the connection between the church and racism throughout American history, and he will also offer practical steps for Christians to understand and fight their own complicity. This event is free and wheelchair accessible. Visit the website for more information.
Men’s Basketball vs. Simon Fraser (B.C.)
Saturday, January 25
4 p.m.
Royal Brougham Pavilion
For more information, including the complete schedule, tickets, and link to the livestream, visit the Athletics website.
Joseph Daley Lecture
Thursday, January 30
11 a.m.
Nickerson Studios, 340 Nickerson Street
In this first of two public events as part of the Schoenhals Visiting Artist series, jazz great, Joseph Daley, will speak on integrating his faith with his work. This event is free and wheelchair accessible. Visit the website for more information.
2020 Study Abroad Fair
Friday, January 31
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Weter Hall Student Lounge
Students can learn about the SPU faculty-led programs and semester-long options for the 2020–21 academic year. Representatives include SPU faculty leaders from SPU’s 10 programs, as well as SPU’s study abroad partner organizations.
Women’s gymnastics vs. Sacramento State and Alaska Anchorage
Friday, January 31
7 p.m.
Royal Brougham Pavilion
A new era for SPU gymnastics begins this year as new head coach Sarah Jean Marshall replaces Laurel Tindall, who retired after 44 years. See the full schedule, ticket information, and more at the Athletics website.
Joseph Daley Concert: The Seven Deadly Sins
Friday, January 31
7:30 p.m.
First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W.
In this second of two public events as part of the Schoenhals Visiting Artist series, jazz great, Joseph Daley, will perform music from his acclaimed CD, “The Seven Deadly Sins.” The concert will open with new music by students who had worked with Daley during the week. This event is free and wheelchair accessible. Visit the website for more information
Homecoming and Family Weekend
Friday–Saturday, February 7–8
Join your student to attend the Talent Show, the comedy theatre production Urinetown: The Musical, men’s and women’s basketball games, and much more. See the complete schedule.
Presidents Day
Monday, February 17
All classes meet as scheduled, and offices are open.
Summer Tech Camps at SPU
High school students can jump start a tech career at hands-on programs where STEM meets fun. SPU’s Department of Engineering and Computer Science offers on-campus summer day camps for 9th–12th graders (as of autumn 2020). Students can earn college credit and a $1,000 SPU scholarship. Watch for more information in the February In the Loop newsletter.
Game Creation Studio
June 22–26, 2020
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
$525 by March 1, then $675
Students design and create their own video game, including storylines and graphics, with game-creation software.
Introduction to Mechatronics and 3D Printing
June 22–26, 2020
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
$685 by March 1, then $835
Students learn mechanical and electronics elements and 3D modeling, and design and print a 3D project (plus, take home their own 3D printer).
Fundamentals of Programming
July 13–24, 2020
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
$800 by March 1, then $950
Students learn programming basics and dabble in AI, data analytics, and more.
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.