Walla Walla University

WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY // NEWS

DAVE THOMAS NAMED DISTINGUISHED FACULTY LECTURER

Dave Thomas, prothe needs fessor of practical of many theology and apologetics students who and former dean of the are exploring Walla Walla University questions of School of Theology, has faith. The been named as the DistinDistinguished guished Faculty Lecturer Faculty for the 2020–21 academic year. Thomas was chosen for Dave Thomas Lecturer is a WWU faculty this honor based on his long member who is distinguished and distinguished career in in leadership, teaching and teaching at WWU and his scholarship; who is involved positive influence on the lives in governance, church and and careers of WWU theology community service; and who and religion majors and the has something important to overall student population. say. Thomas will address the

Thomas’ classes in university community publicly systematic theology and issues during his Distinguished of God and faith have helped Faculty Lecture on Sunday, students grapple with some of Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. the most challenging questions about God and have reached Kim Strobel CLAUSEN-BROWN RECEIVES AWARD FROM MILTON SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Karen Clausendrama Samson Brown, associate Agonistes professor of English, has responds to been selected to receive debates about the James Holly Hanford SabbathArticle Award from the keeping in Milton Society of Amerearly modern ica for her article “‘Not England. She in their idol-worship, but by labor’: The Sabbath and Karen ClausenBrown argues Milton draws his the Book of Isaiah in Samson understanding Agonistes.” of the Sabbath chiefly from

The James Holly Hanford the final chapters of Isaiah and Article Award recognizes a therefore his drama depicts the published article or multiauthor Sabbath as a day to liberate the collection of essays on the oppressed. subject of the 17th-century Visit wallawalla.edu/ poet John Milton. The award English to learn more about is the highest honor presented studying English at WWU. by the society for an article.

Clausen-Brown’s article Kim Strobel examines how Milton’s

WWU CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE IN THOUGHT DURING ONLINE COMMUNITY PROGRAM T he Walla Walla University campus family tended via Zoom by students, faculty, staff, alumni and other friends of the university. As a result of the generous contributions of WWU alumni and friends, $723,013.15 in scholarship funds were awarded to 632 WWU students through 213 scholarship funds for the gathered online on May 19 to 2020–21 academic year. celebrate student and faculty During the program, academic achievements and McVay interviewed faculty and scholarships awarded for the students about academic proj2020–21 academic year. John ects and presentations on topics McVay, WWU president, led ranging from glass recycling to the celebration, which was atsalsa gardens and from telling Bible stories in French in Chad to the impact of diet on neurotransmitter production.

You’re invited to watch the recorded program on YouTube and to browse the Awards Celebration booklet, which lists all scholarships awarded and the recipients of those scholarships. Access links to both resources at wallawalla.edu/awards.

Kim Strobel, WWU university relations supervisor

WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY NEWS // UNIVERSITY

WWU LOOKS FORWARD TO CLASSES ON CAMPUS IN THE FALL

Walla Walla WHAT WILL FALL ON WWU University will CAMPUSES LOOK LIKE? welcome students To ensure careful planning, back to its camMcVay appointed a Repuses in fall for the 2020–2021 turn-to-Campus Taskforce academic school year, prioritizcomprised of faculty, staff and ing safety and quality education, announced John McVay, WWU president, on May 21. “We believe that a strong, active community is absolutely central to the education provided here at Walla Walla University,” he says. student representation that is identifying, developing and deploying strategies to facilitate instruction on WWU campuses for fall quarter. McVay says the work of the taskforce is guided by the following principles: to express care for one another and our local communities. Hope — Together we can create an experience that will be meaningful and strengthen CLASSES ON OUR COLLEGE PLACE CAMPUS will begin Sept. 14, two weeks earlier than normal, and will conclude Nov. 24. Students on our College Place campus will be invited University officials Academic strength and WWU students, both now and to move into residence halls are working diligently on integrity — Teaching is at the for the future. in phases by appointment strategies to facilitate on-campus instruction, says McVay. Significant emphasis will be placed on illness prevention and community health. heart of WWU. Whether faceto-face, online or in hybrid formats, WWU faculty are committed to building engaging learning experiences that As the Return-to-Campus Taskforce addresses everything from residence hall occupancy and distancing in classrooms and offices to tracking and according to class standing starting Sept. 4. JumpStart, our new student orientation on the College Place campus, will begin Sept. 8. “Meanwhile, we remain fully focused on Walla Walla University’s mission, and I’m heartened by our students’ strong intent to come back and continue building their lives in community with each other,” says McVay. support student success. Attention from faculty and staff — Regardless of format, WWU remains committed to being accessible and establishing personal connections with students. testing plans — they anticipate changes to the normal WWU classroom experiences, living routines and social activities. Local health officials will help identify prevention measures as well as routine testing and treatment options. CLASSES ON OUR PORTLAND CAMPUS will begin Sept. 28 and will continue through Nov. 24. Portland campus students will finish the rest of the quarter online, concluding with online final exams Dec. 7 to 9. After an unprecedented end to winter quarter with final exams held online, classes for spring and summer Community — Engagement with one another is essential to quality education, and WWU Watch for regular updates from McVay at wallawalla. edu/coronavirus, where you can also share your comments CLASSES FOR OUR MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS on our College Place and Montana campuses will begin quarters were also held online. will continue to nurture the and questions. Sept. 21 and will conclude “Students, faculty and staff kind of robust, close-knit comNov. 24. tell me they dearly miss our munity it is known for. Kim Strobel, WWU university close-knit community, and relations supervisor FOR ALL CAMPUSES, we they are working hard to stay Responsibility — Safety is expect winter quarter to begin connected with one another,” not just a mandate. WWU as currently scheduled on Jan. says McVay. recognizes it as an opportunity 4, 2021.