The 2021 Homecoming and Family Hub
Check out this year’s Homecoming and Family Hub, with fun and engaging opportunities to connect you with the SPU community on a whole new level.
Re-imagined and accessible anywhere in the world, the Homecoming and Family Hub includes a prayer meeting with fellow SPU parents, streamed concerts and YouTube videos, an art show by current students, presentations by knowledgeable speakers, and much more. Visit this new Homecoming experience right here.
Spring Break student housing options
If students currently live on campus in a residence hall and want to stay in their residential space over Spring Break (March 19–27), they can do so by registering for Spring Break Housing. Students will be billed a $450 fee to cover the cost of housing and a Spring Break meal plan, regardless of the amount of time a student is present during the break. Students who are interested in this option must register by Thursday, March 11 at midnight.
Students who live in a campus house or apartment and also plan to stay on campus during Spring Break must register the dates they are staying in order to remain in their apartment over the break. This information allows SPU to be aware of occupancy in the case of emergency while the institution is closed. Apartment and campus housing residents will not be charged to stay in their spaces over the break, provided they have registered by Thursday, March 18 at midnight. Read the Feb. 9 email to undergraduate students for more info.
Video: SoulCare’s impact
While all incoming freshmen students are required to be part of SoulCare in their UFDN 1000 courses, the benefits of this alternative learning opportunity also touch sophomores, juniors, seniors, and Seattle Pacific Seminary students. This video explains how.
Study abroad programs recruiting for 2021–22
Although COVID-19 put a halt to study abroad programs in 2020, SPU’s Study Abroad office is optimistically preparing to send SPU students overseas during the 2021–22 academic year.
Beginning with a 5-credit Coral Reef Restoration fall seminar to Bali, Indonesia, with biology professors Tim Nelson and Janet Bester-Meredith, a dozen study programs with SPU faculty members are now in the planning and recruiting stages. Students will have options to earn theology credits in France, psychology credits in South Korea, history credits in Prague, education credits in Japan, and more.
In addition to SPU faculty-led programs, SPU allows 50 students per year to choose from a wide selection of semester-long programs in China, Italy, England, the Czech Republic, and elsewhere.
Typically, students may apply for financial aid (including loans, grants, and scholarships) toward the cost of study abroad programs, whether or not it is sponsored by SPU. For more information about upcoming faculty-led study abroad programs, visit SPU’s Study Abroad website.
New programs beginning in 2021–22
When Autumn Quarter 2021 begins on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, undergraduate and graduate students will find a few new programs from which to choose as they make their academic plans.
In a few cases, an academic emphasis is becoming a stand-alone major (e.g., Journalism) while other programs are showing up for the first time (e.g., Appropriate and Sustainable Engineering). The new graduate programs are ideal for working adults or new SPU alums.
SPU undergraduate students interested in one of the new majors or minors should speak to their academic advisors prior to registering in May 2021 for their Autumn Quarter 2021 classes. Here’s a quick look:
Undergraduate programs
New majors
- Art: Emphasis in Visual Arts (BA)
- Communication Studies (BA)
- Early Childhood Education (BA)
- Journalism (BA)
- Illustration (BA)
New minors
- Appropriate and Sustainable Engineering
- Costume Design
- Mechanical Engineering
Graduate programs
- MS in Research Psychology (one year)
- MA in Theology: Christian Ministry (low residency)
- Cybersecurity Certificate (12 credits)
Notes from Student Financial Services
Upcoming FAFSA deadlines
March 1 is the deadline for priority consideration for financial aid for first-time freshmen students. April 1 is the priority deadline for continuing students. Find out more at SFS's File FASA web page.
Financial aid award letters
Enrolled first-time freshmen are already receiving their financial aid award letters. Continuing students can watch their student portals for their 2021–22 award letters beginning in mid-May.
Outside scholarships
Now is a good time for students to apply for outside scholarships. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. SFS lists a host of scholarships, including the $1,500 Boeing Co. STEM Scholarship, the $2,500 Terry Bryant College Scholarship, and the $1,000 WIN-WIN-WIN Scholarship. Check out scholarships on the Outside Scholarships web page.
Falcons competing again
Student-athletes are once again having an opportunity to compete against other college athletes, while continuing to follow strict safety protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are slowly but surely returning to play and we could not be more excited!” said Stefanie Kosco, fan engagement and corporate sponsorship manager. “Our student-athletes and coaches have been patiently waiting to safely take the field, court, track, and water.”
Already this winter, men’s and women’s basketball teams have competed both home and away (in Washington only) against teams from universities such as Pacific Lutheran, Saint Martin’s, and Whitworth. Volleyball will soon take the court and Men’s and Women’s Soccer will begin competition at the end of February and compete through May. Track and Field will likely host its annual Doris Heritage Meet on March 20 at West Seattle Stadium. Rowing will host Western Washington and University of Central Oklahoma at home on The Montlake Cut on March 27.
Check SPUFalcons.com to find the latest schedules and streaming info.
SPU Voices Podcasts
The SPU Voices Podcast is a bimonthly interview show dedicated to telling inspiring and compelling stories about the greater SPU community.
- The Feb. 4 episode, “The DRY Revolution,” featured Sharelle Klaus ’92, founder and CEO of DRY Botanical Bubbly (formerly DRY Soda) and author of The Guide to Zero-Proof Cocktails.
- SPU Provost Laura Hartley was the guest for the Feb. 18 episode, “It’s All About the Students.”
Visit the podcast website to listen to the episodes, view transcripts, and explore past shows. Subscribe on all streaming platforms.
Upcoming events
Women’s Basketball: Falcons vs. Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks
Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20
6 p.m. and 2 p.m.
SPU Sports YouTube channel
The SPU Falcon women’s basketball team takes on the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks at Brougham Pavilion on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Due to COVID-19, no fans are permitted in the stands, but you can watch the game live on the SPU Sports YouTube channel.
Men’s Basketball: Falcons vs. Central Washington Wildcats
Saturday, Feb. 20
7 p.m.
SPU Sports YouTube channel
The SPU Falcon men’s basketball team takes on the Central Washington Wildcats at Brougham Pavilion. Due to COVID-19, no fans are permitted in the stands, but you can watch the game live on the SPU Sports YouTube channel.
Joint Virtual Career Fair
Wednesday, Feb. 24
12–4 p.m.
Students can find jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and networking at this virtual job fair, a joint venture of SPU, Whitman College, University of Puget Sound, and Lewis & Clark College. Information is available to students on Engage and on the Center for Career and Calling Events web page.
2021 Palmer Lecture: “Reading While Black”
Wednesday, Feb. 24
7 p.m.
On Zoom
The 2021 annual Palmer Lecture, “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope,” will be given by the Rev. Canon Esau McCaulley, PhD, a New Testament scholar and Anglican priest. For more information and to register, visit the Palmer Lecture web page.
Working While Black: A Candid Conversation
Tuesday, Feb. 25
11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Students are invited to join this year’s Black History Month discussion with panelists Alex Booker, minister of worship at SPU, and Crystal Stanfield, global senior manager, Talent Acquisition at Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), about their experiences working while black. Information is available to students on the Center for Career and Calling Events web page.
Student reading/faculty in-service day
Monday, March 15
No classes meet. Offices are open.
Winter Quarter final exams
Tuesday–Thursday, March 16–18
Students can find the finals schedule online.
Residence halls close for Spring Break
Friday, March 19
10 a.m.
Students must be out of their residence hall by 10 a.m. Due to COVID-19, however, students who registered by March 11 will be able to remain in their residential spaces over Spring Break. For more information, see the story “Spring Break student housing options” in this newsletter.
Spring Break
March 19–28
Campus offices are open.
Academic calendars
SPU academic calendars, including important deadlines, final exam schedules, holidays, and academic highlights for 2020–21.