In the Loop

Autumn Quarter update

President Dan Martin recently updated the SPU community on what to expect for Autumn Quarter 2020*. In case you missed it, here’s a summary:

• Autumn Quarter will begin Monday, September 14, and end Tuesday, November 24, prior to the Thanksgiving break. This shift is designed to minimize on-campus presence and operations during the late fall months and also help mitigate the concerns of students traveling over holiday break and then returning.
• “SPU Plus” instruction will consist of a hybrid format using both online and in-person learning. For in-person classes, SPU will follow health and safety protocols for cleanliness and care, especially in courses that include research, experiential, and/or hands-on learning.
• Campus housing will continue to be staffed with residence life coordinators and resident assistants who will go through continued training focused on student well-being.
• Services and support includes continued student opportunities through Student Life, Athletics, and University Ministries programs. Academic success and preparation for careers are offered and enhanced, including “Help a Falcon Fly,” connecting students with alumni and friends of SPU to equip them for a challenging job environment.

For more information, visit the Resuming campus operations website. You can also check out the campus guidance related to wellness (physical, emotional, and spiritual), facility preparation (cleaning, social distancing), and safety protocols.

You can also read the president’s complete email. 

*SPU is closely monitoring the evolving information about the coronavirus outbreak; details related to scheduling, classroom strategies, and residential living may be subject to change.

Video: Zoom in with Dan

President Dan Martin spoke with three SPU students about remote learning and their future plans. These three undergraduates talk frankly about staying focused, being creative, and finding community during COVID-19.

2020 Spring Quarter Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is available for Spring Quarter 2020. These quarterly honors are awarded to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who complete at least 12 credit hours at Seattle Pacific University and attain a 3.5 or higher quarterly grade-point average. Check out the Spring Quarter Dean’s List.

Introducing the new SPU alumni!

Meet the Class of 2020. Read about these outstanding graduates, check out the videos of Commencement events and video congratulations from faculty and staff, say farewell to retiring faculty members, and explore the senior projects of seniors who majored in photography, visual design, interior design, as well as seniors’ honors projects.

Video: Concert Choir in a remote performance

Directed by Ryan Ellis, director of choral music, the Concert Choir gave a remote performance of “O Nata Lux” during Spring Quarter. Watch it here.

Falconettes: A history of service and leadership

By Julie Antilla, Karen Newbill, and Jan Higbee

In 1936, a group of Seattle Pacific students formed a women’s service club that’s still active today on campus and elsewhere in the Seattle area, and still focuses on leadership, scholarship, character, and service.

With a mission of Christlike service and community, the club was soon dubbed the “Falconettes,” because of falcon patches on the members’ club blazers. Now more than eight decades later, members serve in a myriad of ways: handing out programs at campus events, bearing the flags and banners in high ceremony events, and performing service projects in the community. In recent years, Falconettes have worked on habitat houses, had meals and fellowship with the homeless through community dinners, volunteered at CRISTA Ministries, collected food for local food banks, and hosted movie nights for children at the Ronald McDonald House.

The Falconettes also bake cookies for all the female students living in the residence halls, delivering them door-to-door right before finals week. Along with the cookies, the packages contain scripture verses to comfort and inspire women as they focus on term projects and exams.

And the club members’ bonds have proven to last. After graduation, alumnae Falconettes remain active, supporting and encouraging their undergraduate counterparts throughout the year — even blessing current Falconettes with a Thanksgiving dinner. During Homecoming Weekend, all former and current Falconettes who are able join together and celebrate with a high tea ceremony.

The Alumnae Falconettes also support Falconettes who’ve gone into active missionary service, as well as raise funds to support scholarships for current students through two endowed scholarships — The Betty Corson Falconette Scholarship Endowment and the Jan Higbee Alumnae Falconette Scholarship Endowment.

Now nearly 85 years old and the oldest continuous SPU club, the Falconettes still enable student leaders to connect, join in fellowship, and become involved in meaningful ways to serve SPU and the community. If your student is interested in joining, she can apply to Falconettes through the campus ASSP Involve-O-Rama. Faculty and staff members also nominate female students each spring.

Julie Antilla is an associate professor of educational leadership and the Falconettes faculty advisor; Karen Newbill ’67 is the Falconettes Alumnae Board president; Jan Higbee ’85 is a retired SPU staff member and former Falconettes club advisor.

Parents Prayer Network and Guide: Passing of the baton

By Karin Westeren

I was blessed to serve as the Parent Prayer Guide writer over the last three years. Two of my children attended SPU and, as of June 14, 2020, I will no longer be a parent of an SPU student — but now a proud parent of two SPU alumnae. 

Writing the SPU Parent Prayer Guide provided me the opportunity to come before God with prayer concerns not only for my own daughters, but also for the community as a whole. It provided growth in my spiritual life as I poured over Scriptures to apply to prayer. It gave me a unique experience to meet fellow parents with common concerns, similar prayer requests, and often just a deep need to be encouraged by fellow parents. It developed within me a sense of community with parents who, like me, were sensitive to their child's spiritual well-being. 

During Family/Homecoming Weekend each year, many of us met to pray over our students. SPU scheduled and publicized this meeting, providing either a faculty member or a fellow student to aid us. It was something I looked forward to each year. 

Just as I took the baton from another parent, I am passing it on, and I know the Parent Prayer Guide will continue to connect parents in an eternal way. What a joy it has been to participate in the SPU experience through prayer! Thank you for the opportunity, SPU! 

From Amanda Stubbert, director of alumni, parent, and family relations: We can’t thank Karin enough for answering the call! There is so much power in corporate prayer to bring our entire community together and lift our eyes to heaven. As a parent myself, I have been so touched by the Parent Prayer Network’s thoughtful words and insights.

And now we look forward to a new year with a new voice: Gretchen Stehr, who has graciously agreed to step in. Look forward to meeting her in our first issue this fall!

Information from Student Financial Services

SFS would like to alert you to some important upcoming dates this fall:

• Autumn Quarter statements will be prepared and delivered electronically on September 9, 2020.
• Autumn Quarter due date is now October 1, 2020. 
• Payment Plan signup will be available August 3, 2020, with due dates on the 10th of each month.

Additionally, unlike years past, there will be no August pre-bill this summer. This change was made in response to the earlier Autumn Quarter start date, September 14.

Is your student looking for a job? State work study is available in the summer! Check your SPU email for you statement of eligibility and apply for jobs at spu.edu/handshake.

• Early August will be the best time for your student to look for fall jobs, updates, and new positions will be available daily.

Upcoming events

September Session begin
Monday, August 17

Courses offered in the September Session can be found in the SPU Time Schedule. September Session’s credits are included in a student’s Autumn Quarter load. Those eligible for Autumn Quarter financial aid may apply that aid toward September Session.

Labor Day
Monday, September 7

Campus offices closed.

New Student Orientation
Thursday–Sunday, September 10–13

Find information for first-year students, transfer students, families, as well as move-in information on the Orientation website.

Autumn Quarter 2020 
Monday, September 14

Class instruction begins.

Academic calendars

SPU academic calendars, including important deadlines, final exam schedules, holidays, and academic highlights for 2020–21.