College Avenue The latest from across campus
Two new degrees offered in computer science
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and security. Game design majors will be prepared to enter a growing field with huge educational and evangelistic potential. While it is acutely evident that computer games can negatively influence college students, WWU believes the industry and students interested in this field would benefit from the solid Christian ethical framework offered by WWU. “Students interested in these fields will gain a combination of critical-thinking and technical skills, and be
Center for Health Professions
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new center
Cybersecurity and game development offer faith-focused foundation EGINNING THIS FALL, Walla Walla University became the first Seventh-day Adventist college to offer degrees in both cybersecurity and game development. These new programs aim to prepare students for these quickly growing fields with a strong foundation in Adventist values. Cybersecurity majors will gain skills to manage systems in health care, business, and other industries to protect them against attacks on privacy
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well-prepared to earn industry recognized certifications,” said Ben Jackson, chair of computer science and math departments. “We’re excited to offer a strong foundation for those pursuing these in-demand careers from a perspective of faith.”
Learn more about computer science programs offered at WWU by visiting
wallawalla.edu/cs.
supports well-rounded preparation for a variety of health professions under the direction of a former dentist with personal experience in health care.
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health programs guide students on paths to medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, nursing, and more.
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Supporting art in education
Early this year, Pedrito MaynardReid, professor of biblical studies and missiology, narrated two symphonic fairy tales in partnership with the Walla Walla Symphony. Alongside the longest continually
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Westwind Fall 2023
operating symphony west of the Mississippi, Maynard-Reid recorded both “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev and “The Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns. “We did both recordings in the same day; it was an intense session, but we did them both in one take,” said Maynard-Reid. The recordings were made available for free to Walla Walla elementary school students in support of local education.
Guiding safe media use
Lynelle Ellis, associate professor of communication at Walla Walla University, led a three-session seminar titled “The Power of Media: Healthy Choices for Families!” at the Spokane Valley Seventh-day Adventist church this fall.
Ellis explained that this topic is of great importance in today’s world because people are inundated with media and messages on a daily basis, from the movie theater to social media feeds. “Our brains actually change in response to the things we see or do online,” Ellis said. In her seminar, she stressed the importance of using discernment with regard to media choices and following Christian principles that can help guide media use.
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specialized advisors give personalized guidance on careers that match students’ interests, courses to take, and more. Want to support students pursuing a health career with advice or shadowing opportunities? Contact Jeremy Wiggins, D.D.S., at
jeremy.wiggins@ wallawalla.edu.
FIND MORE NEWS AT WALLAWALLA.EDU/NEWS.
PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE
Beyond the classroom
use resources of the center to make connections with alumni, find job shadowing opportunities, and prepare to pass entrance exams.
