Whitworth University News

Whitworth offers new degree-completion program in Moses Lake

2013-05-16T10:14:00.003-07:00

Whitworth is offering a new degree-completion program at Big Bend Community College, in Moses Lake, Wash. The program is aimed at students who have already earned their A.A. transfer degree, or have completed two years of general education requirements. Students completing these courses will earn a B.A. in organizational management.

The courses being offered in Moses Lake are taught by Whitworth instructors who are gearing the curriculum toward business-based management courses that are applicable to both public and private organizations. Coursework will involve a blend of theory and practical application in a business setting. The class schedule is made up of six-week, accelerated hybrid courses, which are formatted so that students have limited time in the classroom, engaging with the instructor and their classmates online between class sessions. Students attend classes two evenings and one Saturday during the six-week period. Classes are set to begin in August.

“An organizational management degree provides current and practical business education that is applicable to all levels of management in organizations of any size,” says Cheryl Vawter, associate vice president of enrollment management for graduate and continuing studies at Whitworth University.

Vawter says the new program is a valuable option for non-traditional students in the Moses Lake area because it provides them with the opportunity for in-person engagement with actual Whitworth faculty. She says that the program is also convenient for non-traditional students because classes are held just two weekday evenings and one Saturday throughout the six-week course. “Most people can complete their degree in just over two years,” Vawter says.

For more information on how to apply or to speak with an advisor, call (509) 777-3222, or visit www.whitworth.edu/evening.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Christie Anderson, director of evening business programs, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3222 or canderson@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth accounting students surpass expectations

2013-05-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ashley Sievers, '15, is one of four Whitworth students
selected to attend 2013 Navigate Your Career

Four Whitworth accounting students were selected for the 2013 Navigate Your Career (NYC) Summer Leadership Conference. The conference, run by Moss Adams, an accounting firm, is highly selective, with only 30 spots available throughout the Inland Northwest.

“Receiving four of those spots this year is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to the hard work, commitment, and exceptional performance being demonstrated by students during this process,” says Heather Rogers, associate professor of accounting and chair of the business and economics department at Whitworth.

Hunter Arno, ’15, Whitney Madden, ’15, Gerhard Muelheims, ’15, and Ashley Sievers, ’15, were chosen for the NYC leadership conference, which will take place July 10-12 in San Francisco.

“I was very impressed with many of my interviews on Whitworth’s campus for our 2013 NYC Summer Leadership Conference, says Ali Marshall, human resources and campus recruiter for Moss Adams. “To see such high caliber sophomore-level students come through the accounting program is very exciting.” In addition to being selected for the NYC conference, Sievers, a sophomore majoring in accounting and economics with a minor in mathematics, was also chosen as the recipient of the Moss Adams Foundation Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship is for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in accounting.

“I am very excited to receive this scholarship,” says Sievers. “I have worked hard in my classes and outside groups over the last two years, and it is nice to see a reward for that. It is thrilling to know that businesses are interested in what we are doing here at Whitworth.”

Sievers says that at the conference, she is looking forward to meeting other students from other schools, comparing experiences and learning from each other. She also sees this conference as an opportunity to figure out what area of accounting she wants to specialize in, such as public or private accounting, and if she chooses private accounting, what kind of industry to work in.

“Whitworth’s accounting professors are fantastic,” says Sievers. “They are always willing to help and are genuinely interested in how we are doing.”

Founded in 1913, Moss Adams is a nationwide organization of certified public accountants and business consultants. It employs more than 2,000 personnel and has more than 260 partners.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Whitworth biology professor receives $30,000 grant from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

2013-05-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

Whitworth University Assistant Professor of Biology Grant Casady, Ph.D., recently received a $30,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to fund two summers of research at Whitworth’s Verbrugge Environmental Center (VEC).

The VEC occupies 605 forested acres about 35 miles northeast of Spokane. The land, which has been entrusted to the university, serves as an educational resource for environmental research and allows students to have field experiences.

“There are three reasons that I am especially excited to receive the grant,” Casady says. “First, it is an acknowledgement by the external scientific community that the work we are doing here at Whitworth is valuable. Second, it provides at least two years of funding to pursue a really interesting area of research. This is nice because in ecological research a single year of data is rarely enough to describe ecological processes adequately. Finally, it will allow several students to participate in my research, which is something that I really enjoy, and that is very valuable for them as they pursue their future career goals.”

Casady plans to work alongside students at the VEC, evaluating the differences in the seasonal growth of trees and the vegetation beneath the forest’s canopy. They will monitor the changes of the vegetation by placing cameras throughout the VEC, taking field measures of vegetation structure, and using satellite images.

Casady’s hope for this research is to better understand how climate changes influence different parts of an ecosystem. This understanding will educate people on how to manage natural resources to prepare for potential future conditions. For more information about the center and its resources, please visit Verbrugge Environmental Center.

Casady joined the Whitworth faculty in 2011. His areas of expertise are landscape and disturbance ecology, natural resource conservation, and remote sensing science.

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust provides grants and enrichment programs to organizations that seek to strengthen and enrich the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Whitworth physics department launches seniors into prestigious graduate programs

2013-05-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

This May, Whitworth’s physics department is sending 8 graduating seniors and two alumni to prestigious graduate programs around the country. The students listed below have been accepted into the following programs:

Dennis Goulet, University of Washington, for Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry
Brayden Hollis, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, for Ph.D. in robotics and computer science
Peter Landgren, Princeton University, for Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering
Alvin Le, University of Utah, for M.S. in biomedical engineering
Nicholas Meisner, Oregon State University, for M.Eng. in mechanical, industrial, and manufacturing engineering
Katie Olleman, University of Washington, for M.S. in mechanical engineering
Andrew Ritchie, University of California, Los Angeles, for Ph.D. in theoretical physics
Micah Spaun, University of California, San Diego, for Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering

In addition, these recent alumni will also be entering graduate programs this year:

Elly Bulega,’10, Washington State University, for M.S. in geotechnical & transportation engineering
Brisa Calderon,’12, University of Washington, for Ph.D. in applied mathematics

The six listed above who are pursuing doctorates have received full-tuition financial aid and living stipends for the duration of their programs.

Whitworth’s physics department offers majors in applied physics, biophysics, engineering physics, and physics, with courses that are designed with high academic expectations and hands-on experiences to equip students for future education and careers.

“The major-specific classes have provided me with the skills necessary for a career in research, while the liberal arts framework has forced me to integrate my learning,” says Goulet, a double-major in biophysics and chemistry. “As a result, I feel more comfortable engaging in interdisciplinary research, especially in the realms of physics, chemistry and biology.” Goulet plans to enter the pharmaceutical industry after graduate school and to work in the area of drug discovery, delivery or metabolism.

Whitworth’s physics department also provides students with the opportunity to participate in many notable summer internships, including programs at NASA and at leading research institutions across the nation.

“Our purpose is to provide our students with an academically rigorous education in physics and engineering,” says Kamesh Sankaran, associate professor of physics. “We do that in the context of committed Christian faith, rigorous intellectual challenge, and holistic mentoring. We seek to prepare students for careers in which they will explore the laws of the natural world that God has made, share the details of that creation with others, and apply technology to serve the needs of the world.”

In 2007, Whitworth’s physics department was awarded the Presidential Citation from the American Association of Physics Teachers; in 2004, the Council of Independent Colleges honored the department with its Heuer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Undergraduate Science Education.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Whitworth teams take first, second, and third places at regional business plan competition

2013-05-03T09:49:00.002-07:00

Perspectives: Clothing & Apparel with judges

Whitworth placed first and second, and second and third place in two separate categories in the 2013 Inland Northwest Business Plan Competition, winning a total of $9,500 in prize money.

Nine teams of students, from Whitworth University, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Spokane Falls Community College, and Spokane Community College captured a total of $22,500 in cash awards for proposals they submitted for the competition, which is open to graduate and undergraduate students from throughout the region. Three Spokane High Schools also competed for $3500 in cash awards in their respective division.

This year, 89 teams submitted plans in four project categories: social-enterprise, community-based, student-generated, and the new High School division. Twenty teams were chosen to present their plans during the finals, on Thursday, April 25, in Whitworth's Weyerhaeuser Hall. The presentation was followed by an awards ceremony and reception.

Whitworth students Devon DeJardin, ’16, and Cody DeJardin, ’14 (brothers from Beaverton, Ore.), took home $5,000 for placing first in the student-generated category. Their business plan, Perspectives: Clothing & Apparel, is a clothing line sold from an online store. Cody says the mission of Perspectives is to sell quality clothing and apparel, and at the same time to share stories through the website that have the potential for positive impact in the world. Visit their website here: http://perspectivesapparel.com/

Whitworth students John Baxley, ’13, and Patrick Stewart, ’13, won $2,000 for taking second place in the student-generated category. The team's business plan, Errandipity, is a free grocery list application designed for iOS and Android mobile devices. Errandipity provides users with access to price and inventory information through partnerships with retailers. By tracking user shopping habits, the app also creates market data which is used to generate revenue through analytics, personalized coupon delivery, and mobile advertising.

Whitworth students Spencer Joice, 13, Aleksandr Solodyankin, 14, and Felix Buatsi, '12 took second place in the social enterprise category for their plan, WUFASA, and Whitworth students Peter Landgren and Makayla Palmer, ’13, took third in the social-enterprise category for their plan, Scooter Friends.

Following are all the winning teams for each category:

Student-generated category: Perspectives: Clothing & Apparel, Whitworth (1st place); Errandipity, Whitworth (2nd); Nutritionary, Gonzaga University (3rd)
Community-based category: Beauty & Barber, Spokane Community College (1st);Barters Closet, Spokane Falls Community College (2nd); Howling Hamlet, Eastern Washington University (3rd)
Social-enterprise category: Bolsos de Vida, Gonzaga (1st); WUFASA, Whitworth (2nd); Scooter Friends, Whitworth (3rd)
High School category: One Stone Photography, Mead HS (1st); Re3: ReCharge, ReAmp, ReVolt, Riverpoint Academy (2nd); Bridge Builders Club, Lewis & Clark HS (3rd)
Faculty members from the Whitworth School of Global Commerce & Management assisted the Whitworth teams by providing academic and practical insight in areas including marketing, finance, e-commerce, legal issues and patents.

Major funding for the competition was provided by the Herbert B. Jones Foundation, Avista, STCU, and Technet.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Tate White, assistant director, graduate studies in business, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4606 or twhite@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth history students and faculty present research in Portland

2013-05-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

University of Portland

Six Whitworth students presented research papers at the regional Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society Conference at the University of Portland, April 4-6. After a long drive with professors of history Arlin Migliazzo and Dale Soden, who gave presentations at another conference in Portland, these six students represented Whitworth’s history department with a wide range of paper topics.

The six selected Whitworth students and the titles of their presented papers are as follows:

Brandon Campbell, ’14: “Shadows of Babi Yar: The Conscience Behind Dmitri Shostakovich’s 13th Symphony”
Sarah Cochrane, ’14: “Ragged Ridge: The Financial Failure of an Environmental Education Center”
Sarah Gumm, ’14: “Education, Enrichment, and Enrollment: Women in Lifelong Learning Programs”
Sarah Kenney, ’14: “Reformation: A Tool for the Fulfillment of Dynastic and Personal Goals”
Sarah O’Bernier, ’13: “Fascist Art and Aesthetics: Questioning the Homogeneity in Artistic Perspectives in Mussolini’s ‘New Italy’”
Andrew Tkach, ’13: “Online and On the Attack: The Effects of Technology and the Internet on the Ideology of the White Power Movement”

“I had never presented at a conference before, and I did not know that there would be a commentator who provided constructive criticism,” says O’Bernier, a senior history major. “While that terrified me initially, ultimately it was a great opportunity to hear thoughts from a faculty member from a different university. The overall experience was informative and wonderful.”

O’Bernier’s paper was a study on fascist art and aesthetics in Mussolini’s Italy. She became interested in this subject while studying abroad in Milan, Italy, for a semester and taking a contemporary art class.

After graduating from Whitworth, O’Bernier plans to teach English abroad for a few years before attending law school, where she would like to focus on immigration or family law with an emphasis on children.

“Being surrounded by so many people who shared a passion for similar interests was invigorating,” says Tkach, senior history major. “My fellow panelists put the same amount of time and energy into their research as I did. I would strongly encourage others to take the opportunity to present their research if they have the chance. The experience is invaluable, and it helps you recognize that you are part of broader scholarship on the subject.”

In his paper, Tkach examined how white supremacist groups use the Internet to recruit new members; he focused on hate music websites and discussed the historical context of past failed ideologies and how those past attempts at intergroup unity have led to the general acceptance of hate music.

After graduating, Tkach plans on taking a year off before pursuing his master’s degree in education or teaching, with the end goal of teaching high school history or biology.

Phi Alpha Theta is a national history honors society, which holds a Northwest regional conference every April. To become a member of this society, a student must have an overall strong academic record and must have completed at least 12 credits of upper-division history and maintained a grade point average of at least 3.5 in his or her history courses.

Also during the weekend of April 4-7, Migliazzo and Soden attended the American Society of Church History, in Portland. Migliazzo presented “’Hallelujah for Hollywood:’ Evangelicals and the Entertainment Industry, 1949-1959,” and Soden presented “Religious Crusades in the Pacific Northwest: The Fight for Prohibition and Civil Rights.”

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Whitworth Choir will tour Norway’s historic cathedrals in spring 2013

2013-05-01T11:28:00.001-07:00

The Whitworth Choir begins its 2013 spring tour with its “Bon Voyage” Concert Saturday, May 4. The concert will take place at 8 p.m. at the Martin Woldson Theater in the Fox at 1001 W. Sprague Ave. Admission is $7 for the general public and $5 for students and seniors (62+). Tickets are available at the Fox box office, at (509) 624-1200.

The May 4 concert is the kickoff event for the choir’s upcoming spring tour, in Norway. The Whitworth Choir will tour Norway for two weeks, beginning May 20. The students will perform at Oslo Cathedral, Røros Church, Trondheim’s Our Lady’s Church, Egersund Church, and the Stavanger Cathedral, which is the oldest cathedral in Norway, dating back to the 12th century.

Marc A. Hafsø, the director of the Whitworth Choir, joined the Whitworth faculty in 2003. He is a grandson of Norwegian immigrants who looks forward to introducing students to his ancestral home. He is especially excited to perform in Egersund Church, the home congregation for the Hafsø clan.

The music the choir will perform at Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox will also be featured during the tour in Norway. The program includes classic choral works such as J. S. Bach’s Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Motet VI), Domine ad adjuvandum me festina, by G. B. Martini, and Martin Shaw’s anthem for double chorus Sing We Merrily Unto God Our Strength, as well as works by Norwegian composers Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull, Knut Nystedt, and Ola Gjeilo. The concert will also feature works from northern countries, including Due North by Canadian Stephen Chatman, as well as traditional American song arrangements and sacred works, including Eja!, by Scott Hafsø, and Marc and Judy Hafsø’s Standing on Holy Ground.

The 45-voice Whitworth Choir is regarded as one of the premier choirs in the Pacific Northwest and has a long history of excellence. To foster and strengthen this heritage of excellence, Whitworth University plans to remodel and create an addition to the existing music building as the next major construction project on campus. This plan will triple the current square footage and include a concert hall, a larger recital hall, and new separate rehearsal spaces for choir and instrumental groups.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Joan Lack or Loree Swegle, music department program assistants, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3280 or music@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth’s School of Global Commerce internship coordinator brings a world of experience to campus

2013-04-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

Whitworth’s School of Global Commerce & Management (SGCM) recently hired Sinead Harris as its internship coordinator. In her new role, Harris aids students in finding meaningful internships and interacts with the business community to increase awareness of Whitworth’s SGCM program as well as to foster relationships with the Spokane community.

Harris works directly with students, combing through résumés and cover letters and equipping potential job applicants with interview preparation.
“The students sell themselves with their genuine personalities, thankful hearts and intelligence,” says Harris. “I just have to get them out there so the rest of the community can realize in one interview what I learned in a matter of days.”

Harris attended Gonzaga University as an undergraduate, after which she joined the Peace Corps. She was stationed in Ethiopia for one year before she was medically evacuated due to kidney failure. During this time, she worked with a Christian organization to help commercial sex workers escape prostitution and find alternative sources for income. After returning to the U.S. she settled in Spokane, where she was hired as an events manager at the Spokane Arena, Convention Center and Opera House.

After a couple of years working in Spokane, Harris was accepted into a graduate program for the master of science degree in development practice at Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland. During this two-year program, she spent two periods of six months travelling around the world. During her first six-month trip she backpacked in East Africa and researched child sexual assault cases post-genocide in Rwanda for her dissertation. Her second six-month journey took her east across Asia, where she spent time in France, Turkey, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and South Korea.

“Along the way I met God in people, moments and stunning views,” says Harris. “It is unreal how Jesus will greet you in an elderly woman who walks seven miles up a hill with you in Ethiopia, in the Himalayan Mountains as you reach base camp, or as you rest under the stars in the Ugandan sky.”

After completing her program, Harris returned to Spokane once again.

“After visiting more than 30 countries spanning four continents, I realized that Spokane is home, and I just can’t seem to pull myself away,” says Harris.

The SGCM, which encompasses Whitworth’s business and economics department, includes undergraduate programs in accounting, business management, economics, marketing and international business and a master of business administration graduate program.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Whitworth to host academic research conference April 27

2013-04-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Whitworth will host the 2013 Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference (SIRC) on April 27, beginning at 9 a.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre. Keynote speaker Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor will deliver a message on “The Opportunities and Challenges of Interdisciplinary Scholarship” in the teaching theatre before presentations begin. The SIRC is open to the public and will conclude at 4:30 p.m. Sessions will be held in the Hixson Union Building, the Robinson Science Hall and Weyerhaeuser Hall.

The conference features undergraduates and graduates from a variety of disciplines presenting faculty-advised research. The conference gives students the opportunity to participate in a professional-level academic event.

This year the event will include 224 students from Whitworth University, Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, Spokane Community College, and the Institute of Science and Technology at North Central High School. It will include 35 sessions, which will feature material from a wide range of subjects, such as business, economics, sociology, history, English, biology, and chemistry.

“The thing I look forward to the most about SIRC is the opportunity to share a topic I'm passionate about,” says Ana Quiring, ’14, who will attend her second SIRC this year and present “The Cinematic Catholic Spy Novel: Genre Fusion in Graham Greene's End of the Affair.”

“When I participated last year, I was able to consider my paper from a different perspective,” Quiring says. “Usually I think about the grade a paper will receive, but for SIRC I considered the verbal and interpersonal implications of the project, my presentation style and professional delivery, as well as how easy my paper was to understand.”

Casey Andrews, associate professor of English and a faculty moderator at this year’s SIRC, encourages all students to take advantage of this great academic opportunity and to submit abstracts and apply for the conference during their college career.

“SIRC is a rare opportunity for undergraduates to participate in a full-blown academic conference like those run by professional scholars,” says Andrews. “I see this conference as a chance for professionalization and mentoring of students who are testing a vocation for academic life.”

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Rep. Kevin Parker to give keynote speech at May 19 Whitworth commencement ceremony

2013-04-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

State Representative and Whitworth alumnus Kevin Parker will address graduates at Whitworth University’s 123rd undergraduate commencement ceremony May 19. Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor will be the speaker at the graduate commencement ceremony May 18.

Parker will give his address, “Tomorrow,” during the undergraduate ceremony, which will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, at the Spokane Arena, located at 720 W. Mallon Ave. About 637 Whitworth undergraduates will receive their degrees.

Taylor will speak at the university’s graduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. in Whitworth’s Cowles Auditorium. He will deliver his address, “Peacemaking,” to an audience including 100 graduates receiving master’s degrees in education, teaching, counseling, business administration, international management and theology.

Professor of Political Science Julia Stronks will offer the homily, “Revelation / Response,” for the baccalaureate service on May 19 at 10 a.m. in the Whitworth Fieldhouse. Stronks was named one of Whitworth’s most influential professors by the 2013 senior class. She also directed both Whitworth's initiative to serve homeless youth in Spokane and the Lives of Commitment Program.

Whitworth Commencement Weekend events begin Friday, May 17, and will include a senior communion and commissioning service, a senior reflections slideshow and showcase of senior class talent, an art exhibit, a music recital, and an English department reading featuring graduates' capstone works. For complete Commencement Weekend details, visit http://www.whitworth.edu/commencement/.

During the undergraduate commencement ceremony, Jenna Hansen will receive the President’s Cup award for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout her undergraduate education. The Whitworth Servant Leadership Award, which honors a graduating senior who has exhibited an extraordinary commitment to serving the campus and the larger community, will also be given during the ceremony.

Parker is an entrepreneur who owns Dutch Bros. Coffee, in Spokane. He is also a leadership instructor at Fairchild Air Force Base, an adjunct business professor at Whitworth, and a state representative (R) for Spokane’s Sixth District. He graduated from Whitworth with a bachelor’s degree in political science, went on to earn his MBA at George Fox University, in Newberg, Ore., and studied leadership at the Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Education Program at Harvard University. He is currently a participant in the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship for Public Leadership Program, which accepts 24 rising political stars annually from across the United States. Parker is a survivor of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, in Littleton, Colo. He has spoken internationally about his experience and has shared his views on leadership with a number of companies, nonprofits and political officials.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church.The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Mark Baker, associate registrar, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4332 or mbaker@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth professor and senior to present lecture on “China in Africa” April 25

2013-04-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

>> Listen to Podcast

Whitworth Assistant Professor of Economics and Business Eugene Bempong Nyantaki and Whitworth senior Ryan Knight will present “China in Africa” in Whitworth’s 56th annual Great Decisions Lecture Series. The lecture will take place Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Whitworth’s Weyerhaeuser Hall. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Nyantaki, who hails from Ghana, is an expert in development and international trade and finance. Knight, an international and peace studies double-major, has studied in both China and Tanzania. He was a delegate to a West Point conference dealing with Sino-American relations.

“Not a day passes without some news on the role of China in Africa,” says Nyantaki. “Many in Africa are worried about Chinese business strategies on the continent, and the West seems concerned about how China’s influence is going to affect its economic and security interests in the region.”

The lecture will focus on China’s economic interest of sourcing raw materials to feed its growing manufacturing industry, Africa’s ability to adapt to Chinese technology to feed that growth, and ways in which the West, China, and Africa can engage in what Nyantaki calls a “win-win-win” approach to economic integration on the African continent.

After studying in China and Tanzania, Knight’s view of people in both countries was deeply affected. “I originally chose to travel to China because I considered it to be the most terrifying place that Whitworth would send me,” he says. “Once I arrived in China, made friends and learned to speak some Mandarin, I learned that China was an absolutely wonderful place full of people who weren’t that different from the people back home.” By relating his experiences from abroad, Knight hopes that people who attend the lecture will walk away with a deeper respect for the human experience in China and Africa.

Great Decisions 2013 is sponsored by the Whitworth Political Science Department. The April 25 lecture will be the last in the Great Decisions 2013 series.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Kathy Fechter, academic program assistant, political science department, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4739 or kfechter@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth alumnus shares with and inspires in others a passion for history

2013-04-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

After graduating from Whitworth, Jason Hogstad, ’09, began working at the High Desert Museum, in Bend, Ore., as a part-time custodian, while searching for a career in public history. By fall of 2009, Hogstad was hired as the museum’s living history interpreter. After continuing his climb through the ranks, he is currently assistant curator of living history.

“It’s not every day that you get paid to share your passion with others, and I count myself very fortunate,” says Hogstad.

As an assistant curator of living history, Hogstad oversees and trains the museum’s cultural-history volunteers, develops and leads educational activities and programs and manages the living history department’s research efforts.

“When I first arrived at Whitworth, I was curious why we only had the ‘Big Three’ rules, and my RA explained that Whitworth wanted to help us become good decision makers, not good rule followers,” says Hogstad. “That phrase has stuck with me. In fact, it’s part of the philosophy we have adopted when training new volunteers in my department.”

While studying as a history major and a Spanish minor at Whitworth, Hogstad was deeply influenced by professors of history Arlin Migliazzo, Corliss Slack and Dale Soden, as well as Whitworth Archivist Janet Hauck.

“These individuals not only supported and encouraged me during my time at Whitworth, but they also challenged me to grow intellectually and personally,” says Hogstad. “In many ways, they saw who I might become, believed that I could actually be that person long before I did, and then helped me to get there.”

During his time at Whitworth, Hogstad worked in the archives of the Museum of Arts and Culture in downtown Spokane. He also served on a history faculty search committee and participated in the Weyerhaeuser Younger Scholars Program.

Hogstad encourages Whitworth students to use what they are learning at Whitworth and immerse themselves in their chosen disciplines.

Hogstad plans on pursuing an advanced degree and continuing his climb upward in the public history field.
The High Desert Museum was founded by Donald M. Kerr out of his passion for natural history. It began in 1974 as the Western Natural History Institute and evolved into the Oregon High Desert Museum in 1982. The museum seeks to educate and provide experiences that become the basis for thoughtful decisions and stewardship.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Whitworth alumna inspires the love of language in students through teaching

2013-04-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Whitworth alumna Peggy Hardt, ’96, is currently a senior lecturer at the University of North Texas. Hardt not only teaches Japanese courses, but she also coordinates the Japanese program at the university. After graduating from Whitworth, Hardt went on to teach English in Japan for two years; she later earned her master’s degree in foreign languages from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

“I love sharing my passion for Japanese language and culture with college students,” says Hardt. “I especially enjoy my job because it’s a unique blend of structure and creativity, independence and working with people.”

Hardt’s love for the Japanese language and culture began when she was 12 years old and her family took a trip to Japan to visit a Japanese exchange student her mother’s family had hosted years before. Beginning in high school, Hardt spent the next 10 years studying the language before she launched her career as a collegiate Japanese instructor.

While at Whitworth, Hardt was a cross-cultural studies major. This major allowed for her to take courses in a variety of departments.

“I believe Whitworth gave me a broad foundation in various subject areas, which made me a well-rounded individual and prepared me to succeed in graduate studies,” says Hardt.

She specifically identified Professor Emeritus of Political Science Daniel Sanford as extremely influential throughout her education process at Whitworth.

“Now that I work at a large university, I realize how blessed I was to be at a small school that valued and was able to foster community,” says Hardt.

During her time at Whitworth, Hardt was involved with the Conservatory Ballet Theatre, which at the time was housed on-campus. She also participated in the Whitworth production of the musical Fiddler on the Roof. For a semester, Hardt studied abroad in Japan and attended a language school in Tokyo.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Whitworth University Affirms, Expands Its Presbyterian Partnerships

2013-04-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Trustees adopt actions that uphold and advance the university’s mission amid changing church landscape

The Whitworth University Board of Trustees today adopted a statement that affirms and expands Whitworth’s historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church and elevates the university’s theological identities. The statement is the culmination of a yearlong inquiry a board-appointed Task Force on Denominational Relationships conducted in anticipation of the June 2013 expiration of the university’s current covenant agreement with the Synod of Alaska-Northwest and the concurrent cessation of the synod’s functions. The synod is a regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The task force’s charge was to assist the board in studying the range of possible relationships between Whitworth and its covenantal partner, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and to examine whether that relationship should be broadened to include other expressions of Christ’s Church.

After deliberating over the comprehensive work of the task force, the board of trustees has adopted the following actions:

Whitworth will continue in a mutual but nonexclusive partnership with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);
The university will explore and establish other Presbyterian partnerships; and
The university will emphasize its Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical identities.

“This is an important day in the life of Whitworth University,” says Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. “The board of trustees once again affirmed the importance of Whitworth’s church relatedness, and it communicated unequivocally Whitworth’s Christ-centered mission. I know the board looks forward to working closely with the university’s administration, students, faculty and staff to better clarify how these decisions will be lived out.”

To read the full background and summary of the board’s statement, please visit Board of Trustees Statement on Denominational Relationships. For answers to questions related to the statement, please visit Denominational Relationships Frequently Asked Questions.

For 123 years, Whitworth has affiliated itself formally and exclusively with the Presbyterian Church. The historic mission of the university is profoundly important, and the university’s historic relationship with the mainline Presbyterian denomination gives rise to compelling reasons to maintain a current and active partnership with the PC(USA). According to the board of trustees, those relationships will most likely continue to emphasize supportive projects with specific congregations, presbyteries and synods.

Trustees also concluded that the university should explore other ecclesiastical relationships within the broader Presbyterian tradition, and likely with other expressions of Christ’s global church. This response recognizes the current realities of the university’s growing partnerships with other Presbyterian and non-Presbyterian denominations and entities, and more and more of the university’s students, staff and faculty are identifying with other traditions within Christian orthodoxy, including a rise in unaffiliated (nondenominational) church affiliation.

Two task-force-commissioned surveys of Whitworth faculty, staff and students show that less than one in five Whitworth students claim Presbyterianism as their ecclesiastical home. Additionally, just 25 percent of Whitworth’s faculty and staff attend a Presbyterian church. (It should be noted that these percentages of students, staff and faculty do not delineate between PC(USA) congregations and other Presbyterian churches, so the percentages of students, staff and faculty who affiliate with the PC(USA) may be lower than reported here.) These percentages have been declining for years, and this decline is indicative of national trends within mainline church membership and identification.

While Whitworth has shared a deep and meaningful relationship with Presbyterianism since the institution’s founding in 1890, the university also elevates other theological identities that shape its educational mission and ethos. The board determined that Whitworth’s Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical identities are inherently more stable and potentially less ambiguous, and they more comprehensively inform how Whitworth carries out its mind-and-heart mission.

“It was important for the board to have a deliberate and effective process for examining our relationship with the current and future identities of the church,” says Walt Oliver, ’67, chair of the Whitworth Board of Trustees. “I am very pleased with the work of the task force and the outcomes decided by the board. Whitworth is in a strong position to continue to live into its mission and to serve the church.”

Whitworth is carrying out the adopted statement through the following actions:

In light of the reduced function of the Synod of Alaska-Northwest, Whitworth will enter into functional partnerships with various PC(USA) entities, including churches, presbyteries, synods and the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, an independent, non-profit organization in a covenant agreement with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that seeks to strengthen the mission of colleges and universities related to the denomination.

At the conclusion of the April 2013 board of trustees meeting, the board gave President Beck A. Taylor directional approval to draft documents establishing functional relationships with the following PC(USA) entities: the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, the North Puget Sound Presbytery, and the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest.

http://news.whitworth.edu/2013/04/whitworth-president-beck-taylor-elected.html

Whitworth will maintain its Presbyterian identity in the broadest sense through forming relationships across the Presbyterian tradition. The forms of those relationships could range from simple ad hoc projects to more formal partnerships. Such expansion in the university’s stated identity within Presbyterianism is already a reality: many of Whitworth’s most historically supportive PC(USA) congregations are moving to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO), and the university desires to maintain those relationships. Additionally, Whitworth has sponsored and continues to host a variety of supportive programs for students, staff and faculty that have connections with these other Presbyterian denominations.

The university’s identity statements will be revised to emphasize Whitworth’s other important theological identities. In fall 2013, President Taylor will facilitate conversations among the Whitworth community about the theological identities that shape the institution’s mission, in particular what it means for the university to be Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical.

“I am very pleased with both the process and outcomes of this yearlong effort to better articulate the vital ways Whitworth serves the church,” Taylor says. “I’ve told many people that these changes are as much descriptive as they are prescriptive, meaning that the trustees have captured well where the university is already with respect to its service to the church, rather than asking the university to change directions.”

Since its founding by George F. Whitworth in 1890, Whitworth has affiliated itself formally and exclusively with the Presbyterian Church. While the institution has always been denominational, according to the catalog that year, “[Whitworth] does not aim to be sectarian, opening its doors to all lovers of truth and learning.” Whitworth’s historic theological and educational commitments remain unchanged. Yet in this current era’s rapidly changing denominational landscape, we must – prayerfully, wisely and strategically – seek new ways to uphold and advance Whitworth’s mission to provide our diverse students an education of mind and heart, equipping graduates to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Rhosetta Rhodes, president’s office chief of staff, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4238 or rrhodes@whitworth.edu.

Nancy Hines, director of communications, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4638 or nhines@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth Athletic Training students beat 10 accredited programs in annual Northwest Athletic Trainer’s Association Quiz Bowl

2013-04-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Whitworth Quiz Bowl team took first place at the annual District 10 Northwest Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA) Quiz Bowl in Boise, Idaho, March 15-16. The team beat the 10 other accredited athletic training programs that competed, including Boise State University, University of Idaho, George Fox, Linfield College, and Oregon State University. Whitworth’s team members were seniors Lauren Dickey, Andrew Knox, Heidi Hendrickson, and William Decker.

The Quiz Bowl competition focuses on knowledge of the five domains of athletic training: injury and illness prevention and wellness protection, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, treatment and rehabilitation, and organizational and professional health and well-being.

“Athletic trainers love a good competition, but at the end of the day we all play on the same team,” says Cynthia Wright, assistant professor of health science and athletic program director at Whitworth. “The athletic training department benefits greatly from the knowledge and professional experience students gain by attending this meeting.”

“We had been preparing for the NATA Student Quiz Bowl every week since January, and we knew the content well,” says Dickey, who plans on attending graduate school to complete a master’s degree in athletic training.

Knox says the keys to their victory were the extensive coursework and preparatory efforts made by professors and teammates. Some of his favorite things about the Whitworth athletic training department, he says, are the relationships he’s developed with his professors and fellow students.

“Whitworth's athletic training education program has given me excellent clinical experience,” says Dickey. “Our group of athletic training majors is like a family; it's very supportive and a blast to be around. And the staff and faculty associated are topnotch. As cheesy as it sounds, it has been the best four years of my life here at Whitworth.”

This is the second year in a row that Whitworth athletics training students have won the competition. In June, the team will travel to the National Athletic Trainer’s Association symposium in Las Vegas to compete against 10 other districts in the national Quiz Bowl competition.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Cynthia Wright, Ph.D., ATC, assistant professor of health sciences, athletic training program director, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3244 or cwright@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor elected to Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities Board of Directors

2013-04-09T08:58:00.000-07:00

Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor has been elected to the board of directors of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU).

APCU is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to strengthen the mission of colleges and universities related to the Presbyterian Church (USA). The organization also serves as a resource for presidents and staffs of member institutions, and helps enhance diverse partnerships with governing bodies within the PC (USA).

“Because APCU is the PC (USA)’s primary organization of affiliated colleges and universities, I hope that my leadership will yield more meaningful relationships between Whitworth and other member institutions,” says Taylor. “I also hope that I will be able to represent Whitworth and other Presbyterian institutions to the denomination in ways that yield deeper mutual support.”

Taylor says his responsibilities as a board member will be to work with other APCU members and the executive director to ensure that the organization lives out its mission faithfully and to promote the cause of Presbyterian higher education in the United States.

“Whitworth University has been a strong supporter of APCU over the years, and President Taylor’s willingness to serve on the board helps ensure that that relationship will continue,” says APCU executive director Gary Luhr. “Dr. Taylor’s personality and the leadership he has demonstrated at Whitworth suggest he will continue the high level of engagement that other Whitworth presidents have shown.”

Taylor was nominated to join the board by a committee of college presidents at APCU member institutions. Whitworth President Emeritus Bill Robinson (the university’s president from 1993-2010) also once served on the APCU board of directors.

Robert S. Badal, Ph.D., chair of the APCU board of directors and president of Jamestown College, in Jamestown, N. D., says there will be 13 new or interim presidents at APCU colleges and universities when classes begin next fall, which is three or four times the usual number. “Having a new president on the board will help give us perspectives on the issues and challenges that new presidents face,” Badal says. Badal also led the committee that invited Taylor to join the board.

APCU has a renewable covenant with the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the PC (USA) and works closely with the church’s Collegiate Ministries Office. There are currently 61 member colleges and universities throughout the United States that belong to the organization.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Patti Green, executive assistant to the president and board secretary, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4665 or pgreen@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth students explore the world of finance through investment group

2013-04-08T09:11:00.002-07:00

The Whitworth Student Investment Group (WSIG) was founded in April 2012 by a small number of Whitworth students. The students designed a proposal for the investment group and presented it to the board of trustees, who, in turn, agreed to provide them with funding. WSIG received approximately $100,000 to be managed in equities and exchange-traded funds.

WSIG has now grown to around 40 students. They meet at 6:15 a.m. every Thursday. These meetings include discussions of current events, stock pitches, portfolio allocation, and learning new material. The investment group is made up of students from a variety of majors. Brian “Duff” Bergquist, executive-in-residence for the Whitworth School of Global Commerce & Management, is the club’s advisor.

WSIG’s mission is to “provide students with real-life investing scenarios by actively participating in the trade of securities; to give students the tools to gain exposure to markets and the investing world; and to allow students to influence the management of Whitworth’s financial resources and future.”

The club has set up a virtual trading room in search of grant money. Members are actively searching for a new space and funding to set up an actual trading room. All of their trading is currently done through online brokerages like Charles Schwab. The investment returns will be kept in the Whitworth endowment.

“I decided to become involved in the group when James King, ’12, approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping him make this group a reality,” says senior Austin Vierra, WSIG’s current president. “With a longtime passion for investing and capital markets, I felt it was a great opportunity for me, both personally and professionally.”

Vierra is an economics and international business double-major. He is considering several options after graduating Whitworth, such as accepting an offer to work at US Bank or pursuing a master’s degree in finance.

Next year’s WSIG leadership will be Josif Ilisoi, ‘16, Casey Judson, ’16, Ashley Sievers, ‘15, and Aaron Vaccaro, ‘14.

The WSIG is not chartered through ASWU or directly tied to the Whitworth School of Global Commerce & Management.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contact:

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth Jazz Ensemble Receives Overall Outstanding Award at Elmhurst College Jazz Festival

2013-04-03T16:21:00.001-07:00

The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble with
jazz musician Byron Stripling

The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble was honored as an Outstanding Band at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, held in Chicago Feb. 21-24. The ensemble, under the direction of Dan Keberle, director of jazz studies and trumpet professor at Whitworth, performed a 30-minute set as a part of the opening act for the Saturday night concert, which featured the world-renowned Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra.

This was Whitworth’s first time participating in the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, and Whitworth was one of five bands to receive an Overall Outstanding Award. Elmhurst College hosted 30 college bands at its 46th annual jazz festival. The panel of judges comprised Byron Stripling, Dennis Mackrel and Bobby Floyd; all three are prominent, professional jazz musicians, recording artists and former members of the Count Basie Band.

“Receiving this honor is very affirming for us and for our students because three of the other five university jazz bands that were named outstanding have several graduate and doctoral students in them, people who are often seasoned professionals that come back to school for a graduate degree in jazz studies,” Kerberle says.

Over the past 20 years, the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble has performed at a high-quality level that has resulted in the ensemble winning numerous awards and earning high praise.

“Whitworth attracts top musical and academic talent among high-school music students,” Kerberle says. “We also have highly accomplished jazz faculty here, people who are excellent not only as performers, but most importantly as teachers of jazz music. Our students make rapid progress compared to those at many other institutions.”

At the festival, five Whitworth soloists received individual musician awards: Kyle Moreen, alto saxophone; Adam Ohlson, piano; Ellie Tappa, vocalist; Andrew Repsold, drums; and Jansen Leggett, drums.

“It was surreal that these amazing, accomplished musicians said that our band was a highlight and that they were inspired by us,” says senior music major Ellie Tappa. “Each of them made a nice comment about my vocal solo as well, which was very encouraging for me.”

Tappa has been in the vocal jazz class for four years. She is also a member of the Whitworth Women’s Choir and is a percussionist in the Whitworth Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from Whitworth, she plans to move to Seattle to pursue a career in the music business.

“I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by how much the judges enjoyed our performance and praised our playing,” says senior music major Andrew Repsold. “It also gave me perspective on how fortunate we are to be under the direction of Dr. Keberle. Seeing how much he was respected by Byron Stripling and some of the jazz giants in Maria Schneider’s Big Band made me realize how special it is for us to have him as our director.”

Repsold has been a member of the jazz ensemble for four years. He also helps lead Hosanna, a student-led worship service on campus, and is a member of Whitworth’s wind symphony, orchestra, percussion ensemble and a jazz combo. Repsold is considering continuing his musical education after graduating from Whitworth, in hopes of becoming a music professor at a university.

The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble recently released a new CD, Sermon!, which is available for free in the Whitworth Music Building office. In January 2014 theensemble will travel to and perform in Rome for the eighth time.

The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble members are: Caleb Brown, Sarah Curry, Laura Everett, Savanna Jenkins, Ethan Johnson, Nick Kmet, Jansen Leggett, Kyle Moreen, Kyle Nash, Noah Peller, Adam Ohlson, Tom Okura, Chris O’Neal, Andrew Repsold, David Richmond, Cory Thompson, Billy Tipke, Henry VanderHouwen, Mike Williams and Ryan Worthington.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts

Joan Lack, music program assistant, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3280 or jlack@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Regina Yan, ’82, will present lecture on humanitarian intervention and counter-intervention

2013-04-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

Regina Yan, ’82, will present Whitworth’s next Great Decision Lecture, “Intervention and Counter-intervention: A Game of Chess in International Development Assistance,” on Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at Whitworth. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Yan is a senior advisor at Eurasia Foundation and chair of the Kyiv School of Economics. Most recently, she was chief operating officer of the Washington, D.C.-based Peterson Institute for International Economics, one of the world’s most influential think tanks in international economics. Yan is an expert in international development, nonprofit institution building, board governance, and strategic partnership. She believes that the topic of humanitarian intervention is very relevant to the Whitworth and Spokane communities.

“I think people care about what’s happening in the rest of the world and about how we can make valuable contributions to their lives,” she says. “We need to commit to international development with our hearts, and we need to deliver the assistance intelligently with our minds.”

Yan also says that it is important for people to understand other forces that exist to undermine intervention efforts. During her lecture, she will share information about why it is important to overcome counter-intervention, and will offer tips about how to become involved.

Yan worked for Eurasia Foundation (EF) for over a decade as executive vice president. She directed EF's general operations in more than a dozen countries and managed special projects such as its economic education and research program, media viability fund, and small-business lending program. Working with key funding and institutional partners, she spearheaded the launch of special projects in independent organizations such as the Economic Education and Research Consortium (EERC), which administers the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), and the Izmirlian-Eurasia Universal Credit Company. She also supervised the transformation of EF’s representative offices into independent local foundations. The five foundations in Russia, Central Asia, South Caucasus, Ukraine and Moldova, plus Eurasia Foundation, in the U.S., form the Eurasia Foundation Network. Yan established the first NGO Resource Center in western China, providing consultation, training and funding support for community development organizations.

From 1992 to 2000, Yan held various executive positions at IREX, an international research and education organization, where she provided management oversight to IREX’s field operations in 22 countries and launched its programs in Asia. Prior to that, she managed international programs at the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine. She has administered programs with Central/Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia and the Middle East.

Yan received her B.A. from Whitworth University, in Spokane, Wash., and graduate degrees from the University of Hawaii. Yan was an exchange student at Whitworth from Baptist University in Hong Kong.

In addition to this April 18 lecture, Great Decisions will present its final program for the year on April 25. The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in Weyerhaeuser Hall's Robinson Teaching Theatre. For information about Whitworth’s Great Decisions lectures, please call (509) 777-4937. Great Decisions 2013 is sponsored by the Whitworth Political Science Department.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Kathy Fechter, academic program assistant, political science department, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4739 or kfechter@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth students receive scholarships from Logos Bible Software

2013-03-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Whitworth's mathematics and computer science department has finalized an annual scholarship for computer science majors through a collaboration with Logos Bible Software. Last month, Whitworth juniors Joshua Starkey and Kseinya Langlois were each awarded $1,000 through the Logos Bible Software Annual Scholarship. They have also been selected to participate in the Logos Internship Program this summer.

“This year I had to take out a greater amount in loans than usual, so it is a relief to have the option to return one of those loans and use the scholarship money instead,” says Langlois, a computer science major who plans on pursuing a career in program testing.

She says that scholarships like the one awarded by Logos are very important in funding her education. “Without getting a few of these scholarships throughout the years, I would be much more in debt. Before my freshman year, I was convinced I would not be able to afford school. But I received two similar scholarships, and I was able to make up the rest of tuition through loans.”

“Scholarships don't just help financially,” says Starkey, who is double-majoring in computer science and mathematics. “They also serve as a core part of a recognition system for excellence. It means a lot more to receive a scholarship for my work in the department than to simply receive a good grade and a pat on the back. I appreciate everything that goes into this scholarship and hope that in the future I can give back in a similar manner.” Starkey plans on attending graduate school to study information assurance and computer security, focusing on defensive mechanisms.

The scholarship's recipients are selected each year by faculty in the mathematics and computer science department. Associate Professor of Math and Computer Science Susan Mabry was on the selection committee that chose Langlois and Starkey as this year's recipients.

“We selected Joshua and Kseinya because of their intellect and their extraordinary natural aptitude for computer science,” she says. “They also both express a keen interest in the mission and core strengths of Logos as a corporation.”

Mabry says Logos has one of the most organized and impressive internship programs among the many companies with which the computer science program networks. She says Whitworth's computer science faculty was also impressed with the quality of Logos' development and technology.

After a number of successful student internships through Whitworth, Jim Straatman, director of IT at Logos Bible Software, approached the university with the idea for a scholarship. Straatman says Logos seeks top colleges and universities, both regionally and nationally, for long-term scholarship and recruiting partnerships.

"Whitworth has a top-notch computer science program and has produced some great long-term talent," says Straatman.

Starkey and Langlois will work internships at Logos this summer. In addition to a third intern currently committed for summer work at the company, two Whitworth alums hold full time software development positions there. Logos has also published books by Whitworth President Emeritus Robert H. Mounce, Professor Emeritus of Theology F. Dale Bruner, and Professors of Theology Roger Mohrlang and James R. Edwards. This year, Logos' team will include one returning Whitworth senior and four new interns. Straatman says Logos is always looking for new employees and interns. To learn more, visit www.logos.com/jobs or www.logos.com/interns.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Bellingham, Wash., Logos Bible Software is the leading publisher of multilingual Bible software on Mac, Windows, and mobile platforms. Logos partners with more than 130 publishers to make nearly 17,000 electronic books available to customers in more than 180 countries. The company serves church, academic, and lay markets, bringing the best in software innovation to Christians worldwide. Logos Bible Software is headquartered in Bellingham, Wash.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Nancy Rau, associate director for donor relations and special events, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4250 or nrau@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth selects Jann Leppien as its inaugural Margo Long Chair in Gifted Education

2013-03-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

Jann Leppien, Ph.D., an internationally known expert in the field of gifted education, will join Whitworth University as its inaugural Margo Long Chair in Gifted Education, an endowed chair funded by James P. and Wanda Cowles. Leppien will join the Whitworth faculty in July.

Leppien currently serves as associate professor of education at the University of Great Falls, in Great Falls, Mont., where she teaches courses in curriculum and instruction, gifted education, assessment and learning, educational research, and methods in social sciences. Additionally, she teaches curriculum courses and thinking-skills courses online and in the Three Summers Program at the University of Connecticut.

“This is an exciting day for Whitworth,” says Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. “I am particularly thrilled for our students and for the Spokane community to have the opportunity to work with someone at the top of her field in gifted education.”

Prior to her current position as associate professor at the University of Great Falls, Leppien was a research assistant for The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT). She also worked as a classroom teacher, enrichment specialist, and coordinator of a gifted education program in Montana.

In addition to her extensive teaching experience, Leppien is co-author and editor of several published books that focus on the development of curriculum for advanced-level students.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to come to Whitworth and to help the university continue moving toward its goal of becoming even more widely recognized as one of the top professional training centers for educators in the field of gifted education,” Leppien says.

The Margo Long Endowed Chair in Gifted Education is named for Whitworth Associate Professor Emeritus Margo Long, who founded the university’s Center for Gifted Education and Professional Development in 1979 and worked as its director until her retirement, in 2011.

“We are grateful to Wanda and Jim Cowles for their generous donation to fund an endowed chair in gifted education at Whitworth,” says Taylor. “Their gift makes it possible for Whitworth to continue the legacy of Professor Margo Long.”

Whitworth's Center for Gifted Education supports and develops policies and practices that encourage and respond to the diverse expressions of gifts and talents in children and youth from all cultures, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic groups. To this end, the center supports and engages in research, staff development, advocacy, and communication and collaboration with other organizations and agencies that strive to improve the quality of education for all students.

“I have no doubt that Jann’s contributions to the education programs at Whitworth will result in enhanced educational services and teacher training that will have a positive impact upon gifted students in the Pacific Northwest and beyond,” says Kathryn Picanco, director of the Center for Gifted Education & Professional Development at Whitworth.

“We are extremely excited about having Dr. Jann Leppien join the School of Education faculty at Whitworth,” says Dennis Sterner, dean of the school. “Jann will immediately bring a national perspective and reputation to our gifted and talented preparation programs and be a guiding force in planning for the future.”

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Kathryn Ayers, assistant to the dean, School of Education, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4574 or kayers@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth students partner with local universities through Inland Northwest Business Plan Competition

2013-03-19T16:23:00.003-07:00

The 2013 Inland Northwest Business Plan Competition (BPC) is a collaboration between Whitworth University's School of Global Commerce & Management, Eastern Washington University's Center for Entrepreneurial Activities, Gonzaga University, and Spokane Community College's Avista Entrepreneurship Program. The competition allows students to take steps toward starting successful businesses by competing for prizes totaling $22,500 in three categories: student-generated, community-based and social enterprise plans.

Five finalists will be selected in each category to present their business plans for the 2013 BPC to a panel of judges by mid-April. The final night of the competition, as well as the awards ceremony, will begin at 4:30 p.m. April 25 in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre. The public is encouraged to attend.

In 2012, two Whitworth teams took first place in the Inland Northwest BPC. “Whitworth Lawn Boys, the brainchild of Kyle Jordan, ’12, placed first in the student-generated category. Whitworth graduate students Tara Lambert, Kimerlee Betts and Mandell Campbell came in first place in the community-based category for developing a plan for a local Spokane business, “MaidNaturally”.

“Over the past few years, Whitworth students have brought not only great ideas, but passion for their ideas, as well,” says Tate White, assistant director of graduate studies in business and lead coordinator for the competition. “Whitworth students understand that they can stimulate real change in the world and for themselves by competing in the Inland Northwest Business Plan Competition.”

White encourages students of all majors to apply. This year more than 120 entries were submitted from as far away as India and from universities such as Duke and Stanford.

White says that the competition is a huge opportunity for students to make a difference in the business world. He described a 2008 team that comprised Whitworth and University of Washington students who submitted an idea for a social enterprise called KrochetKids to the University of Washington Business Plan Competition. Today, more than 150 people in Uganda and Peru are working, receiving education, and being mentored toward a brighter future because of KrochetKids business model. Learn more about the company at its website: http://www.krochetkids.org/.

GreenCupboards is another successful company that has roots in the BPC. Josh Neblett, who remains the CEO of GreenCupboards, began this company with the help of adjunct professor Tom Simpson while Neblett was a senior at Gonzaga University. With the winnings from the BPC and additional fund-raising through the Spokane community, Neblett turned his business plan into a reality.

What began with Neblett’s class project has flourished into a company with 57 employees, more than 800 suppliers nationwide and more than 25,000 products. GreenCupboards sells eco-friendly products online, ranging from electronics to pet supplies, and publishes a wide variety of informative articles that provide insights into living an environmentally sustainable life. Among the GreenCupboards staff are many recent Whitworth alumni and current students. Find out more at http://www.greencupboards.com.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

The Inland Northwest Business Plan Competition is supported through generous sponsorships from Avista, Spokane Teachers Credit Union, and Technet.

Contacts:

Tate White, assistant director of graduate studies in business, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4606 or twhite@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth forensics team places first in national competition

2013-03-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Whitworth forensics team took first place in the overall sweepstakes and second place in the debate sweepstakes at the National Christian College Forensics Association (NCCFA) National Tournament. The tournament was hosted by John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., March 9-11. Whitworth finished ahead of 24 Christian colleges from 14 states, including Azusa Pacific University, Liberty University, Wheaton College and Wiley College.

The Whitworth team maintains a high level of success, having won 192 individual awards and 11 sweepstakes awards throughout seven tournaments this season. This is the second year of the re-born Whitworth Forensics Program after a 14-year hiatus, and this is the first time the team has won a sweepstakes award at every tournament in which it competed.

“Forensics is a premier liberal arts activity where students engage in academic competition with their peers,” says Mike Ingram, professor of communication studies and director of forensics. “Whitworth consistently demonstrates excellence in debating and public speaking. I hope the entire campus community will take note of their work and be proud of these students. My students are very talented, they work hard, and they work extremely well together at tournaments. It is a rich blessing to coach them.”

Ingram was named Forensics Coach of the Year by the NCCFA in recognition of his effort in the restoration of the forensics program at Whitworth and for his team’s excellence in both speech and debate.

“For NCCFA to select me as Coach of the Year is very humbling,” says Ingram. “There are some fine coaches in this association with a proven track record of winning at the national level. I am very honored by this award and pleased to be nominated by my forensics peers.”

The Whitworth forensics team has one tournament left this season. The team will return to Arkansas for the International Public Debate Association National Tournament at the University of Arkansas-Monticello, March 22-24.

At the NCCFA national tournament, the Whitworth team brought home 15 individual speech and 10 individual debate awards; Whitworth also claimed three national speech championships -- by Jonathan Kim, ’15, Hannah Tweet, ’16, and Alex Hoffman, ’16-- and five national debate championships -- by Chris Burnett, '16, Sam Director, ’15, Matt Hancock, ’15, Jonathan Kim, ’15, and Bri Miller, ’15.

Speech awardees included the following:
Chris Burnett, ’16, took 4th place in novice extemporaneous speaking and 3rd in novice persuasion. Molly Daniels, ’16, took 5th place in novice prose. Lilly Davis, ’16, was a semifinalist (top 12) in novice impromptu speaking. Sam Director, ’15, was a semifinalist (top 12) in impromptu speaking. Madison Garner, ’16, took 6th place in novice persuasion.

Alex Hoffmann took 1st place in novice persuasion and 4th in extemporaneous speaking. Jonathan Kim, ’15, took 1st place in informative speaking. Addy Koneval, ’16, took 2nd place in programmed oral interpretation and 6th in novice prose. Bri Miller, '15, took 4th place in novice persuasion. Brennan Neal, ’16, took 2nd place in novice informative speaking. Hannah Tweet, ’16, took 1st place in novice informative speaking and 7th place in novice prose.

Debate awardees included the following:
In the novice division Matt Hancock, '15, was a co-national champion. Brennan Neal, ’16, finished among the top four debaters. Norann Beidas, ’16, Lilly Davis, ’16 and Sarah Dice, ’16 were among the top eight debaters. The top four co-national champion debaters were Chris Burnett, '16, Sam Director, ’15, Jonathan Kim, ’15, and Bri Miller, '15. Madison Garner, '16, was among the top eight debaters.

On Tuesday, April 2, the Whitworth forensics team will host the national debate champions of Ireland. This international debate exhibition will be held at 7 p.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre. Whitworth will uphold the argument that “an education in the liberal arts is still important.” Call (509) 777-4739 for more information.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs

Contacts:

Mike Ingram, professor of communication studies and director of forensics, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4428 or mingram@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Whitworth Hawaiian Club presents its 43rd annual lu’au April 13

2013-03-14T10:59:00.001-07:00

The Whitworth Hawaiian Club, Na Pu’uwai o Hawai’i (The Heart of Hawai’i), will share food and culture with the Whitworth and Spokane communities during the club’s 43rd annual lu’au on Saturday, April 13. The doors will open and dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., and entertainment will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Tickets are $22 for general admission, $12 for students, seniors (65-plus) and children (6-12), $17 each for groups of ten or more and free for children 5 and under. Tickets are available for purchase at the Hixson Union Building Information Desk. There will be a 20 percent discount on ticket prices March 17-22 and a 10 percent discount April 1-12. Tickets will be sold full-price at the door. The annual event is expected to draw roughly 700 people from the local area.

This year’s theme is “Huaka'i O Na Moku" which translates as "Tour of the Islands.” The menu will include rice, chow mein, Hawaiian sweet rolls, tossed salad, macaroni salad, teriyaki beef, kalua pig, shoyu (soy sauce) chicken, lomi salmon, pineapple, pineapple upside-down cake and haupia (coconut dessert).

“The lu'au is not only a great time complete with dazzling performances and amazing food, but also a time for the Hawaiian Club to really bring its culture to the Inland Northwest,” says senior Anthony Gaspar, president of the Hawaiian Club. “I would encourage people from the Spokane and Whitworth communities to attend not just for the show and food, but also for the opportunity to broaden their horizons and witness a quality, cultural performance.”

The entertainment portion of the program will feature a pre-show fair before the performances begin. This will include a hula hoop contest, the opportunity to learn how to do basic hula moves, and the popular Hawaiian game known as 'Ulu Maika. There will also be a raffle giveaway and an opportunity to buy authentic Hawaiian goods.

Gaspar says that the Hawaiian Club hopes to provide the audience with an authentic and traditional lu’au. This year’s lu’au also will include a larger number of performers than in previous years.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts

Anthony Gaspar, Hawaiian Club president, Whitworth University, (808) 345-2465 or agaspar13@my.whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Three Whitworth athletic training students perform an impressive research study

2013-03-12T10:39:00.004-07:00

Whitworth juniors Richard Aley, Aaron Libolt, and Victoria Reardon hope to discover whether the common practice of sports massage before track events is beneficial or harmful to an athlete’s performance. These three athletic training students are specifically researching the effects of pre-participation massage on the power, speed and psychological state of the athlete.

To track the effects of pre-participation massage on lower-body explosiveness, these students will observe and record 20 meter sprints, vertical jumps and a profile of mood states. After doing a pilot study, they discovered better results from an eight-minute pre-participation massage in comparison to a four-minute massage.

This research project began as a group assignment for HS 365W, Evidence-Based Health Science, a class in which they gathered background information and developed the hypothesis. Aley, Libolt and Reardon continue to pursue and actually conduct this research outside of class.

The trio plan on attending and presenting at the American College of Sports Medicine conference in Reno, Nev., in fall 2013, as well as at the District 10 Athletic Training Conference in spring 2014. They also hope to publish their research in an academic journal.

Aley, Libolt and Reardon say that all of the professors in the health science department have been an immense help through this process.

“Having the equipment and the guidance to possibly publish research at the undergraduate level is a testament to the faculty’s work in developing the health science department,” says Libolt. “Also, the ability to do research, and possibly publish research, at the undergraduate level is something that is unique and a great experience for us. It is just another aspect of what makes Whitworth a special place.”

At Whitworth, Aley, Libolt, and Reardon are all members of the athletic training club. Aley is also a member of the Whitworth track and field team, on which he competes in the hammer throw and the discus. Reardon works alongside athletic training professors and assists them in various academic projects.

After graduating from Whitworth, Aley, who is majoring in athletic training and kinesiology, plans to attend graduate school and work as a graduate assistant. He then hopes to become an athletic trainer at a college or university for a few years before going on to a physician assistant graduate program. Libolt, majoring in athletic training, plans to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. Reardon, who is majoring in athletic training and kinesiology, wants to jump in to athletic training right after graduation. She is considering working either as a graduate assistant or at a high school as a certified athletic trainer.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.