Whitworth Today: Spring 2020 by Whitworth University

Community Voices

What’s your best memory of

CORE 250? (Happy 50th, BTW!)

Leonard Oakland and his Nietzsche rant! Lisa Bobb ’17 I was part of the first group that took Core 250 in Europe during Jan Term. It was a whirlwind ride that took us from Greece to England. We studied on the train, took tests in tiny hostel conference rooms, and walked and walked and walked. I cherish those memories every day. Kat Cole ’91 I learned the value in understanding my own worldview and the worldviews of those around me. To be peaceful and kind in the world, this knowledge is invaluable. Jessica (Shirley) Loomer ’12 I will never forget Forrest [Baird] marching around, pretending to be Greek armies. Or the time a student asked Leonard [Oakland] what Plato had to say about Jesus, and Leonard’s hair shaking as he said, “Nothing, since he wasn’t a time traveler.” Priceless. Jennifer Pullen ’08 Dr. [Clarence] Simpson was a mesmerizing professor. I loved the range of authors and philosophers we read, and the way we were helped to integrate their ideas into our lives and thinking. I took this class 45 years ago and I still think about it. I still have a couple of papers I wrote for it. Lawrence Lynch ’77 Everything I am today as an artist and a musician was radically formed through the Core 250 tour in Europe. Philosophy was the missing backbone that I needed to be a thoughtful, purposeful and engaged artist. Beth (Webster) Lemme ’05 Leonard Oakland hotly contesting the essence of “chair-ness” in my breakout group. Matt Jeffries ’08 Spending my 22nd birthday attending Sunday Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, exploring the city, and enjoying a traditional French dinner with classmates. Mark Jackson ’97

FOR THE NEXT COMMUNITY VOICES: Who at Whitworth helped you through a tough time? Email us at today@whitworth.edu. 2

ON THE COVER

Well, hello there. After campus closed in March and instruction shifted online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students, staff and faculty members shared selfies representing Whitworth’s temporary virtual community. How heartening to see your smiling, resilient faces. We miss you.

Above: President Beck A. Taylor visits an online class during the first day of remote classes after Spring Break.

STAFF Julie Riddle ’92 (Editor), Heidi Jantz (Art Director), Elizabeth Strauch ’04 (Photography Coordinator and Writer), Garrett Riddle (Project Manager and Writer), Trisha Coder (Writer), Megan Jonas (Writer), Katie Lacayo ’19 (Writer), Anthony Davenport (Digital Media Specialist), Kathryn Wagner ’10 (Photographer), Nate Lewis ’11 (Videographer) CONTRIBUTORS Dale Bruner, Josh Cleveland, Danika Diediker, H.E. Butt Foundation, Leighton Kittleman ’23, Matson O’Neill ’23, U.S. Department of Defense, Carol Simon, David Sloan ’05, Julie Taylor

WHITWORTH TODAY whitworth.edu/whitworthtoday Spring 2020

EDITORIAL BOARD Josh Cleveland ’01, Trisha Coder, Dale Hammond ’98, Nancy Hines, Haley Jacob, Heidi Jantz, Megan Jonas, Scott McQuilkin ’84, Greg Orwig ’91, Garrett Riddle, Julie Riddle ’92, Nicole Sheets, Matt Silvers, Elizabeth Strauch ’04, Shawn Washington ’04, Tad Wisenor ’89

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US! Email us at today@whitworth. edu, or write us at Whitworth Today, University Marketing & Communications Office, Whitworth University, 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99251.

ADMINISTRATION Beck A. Taylor (President), Scott McQuilkin ’84 (Vice President for Institutional Advancement), Nancy Hines (Associate Vice President of University Marketing & Communications)

ADDRESS CHANGES: Please submit address changes at whitworth.edu/ alumniupdate or send to University Marketing & Communications Office, 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99251.

Gratitude for the Gift

In marking the 10-year anniversary of Beck and Julie Taylor’s service to Whitworth, we asked Julie to take over the President’s Message section.

As presidential spouse, I have loved my partnership in work with Beck and what I call my “all access pass” to Whitworth’s dynamic campus life. After 10 years, I am still excited about serving Whitworth. Our former pastor, Dr. Gary Fenton in Birmingham, Ala., liked to say, “Every gift comes with responsibility.” Ten years ago, God gave Beck and me the gift of a calling to serve both the mission of Whitworth and its community with love and passion. It is easy for us to see that our calling to love the mission and people of Whitworth is a gift to us. And we agree with Dr. Fenton: Every gift does come with responsibility. One of those responsibilities is gratitude. I am grateful for my all access pass to

Whitworth, and to the people and opportunities that give me hope, inspiration and purpose. I am grateful for the privilege of knowing students who put wonder to words in creative writing workshops, delighted in sharing their home cultures at the International Festival, gifted to me new understanding through their artwork, have shown true character in hard-fought athletics victories, and have been fun-loving and creative with their zany Halloween costumes. Students have stretched my mind through tackling philosophical conundrums and persuasive arguments in ethics and debate competitions. I have gasped in amazement as they demonstrated their use of X-ray

From left: Chloe, Beck, Lauren ’20, Julie and Zach Taylor in 2019

diffractometer technology in the crystallography center. And I have joined them in prayer and worship one-on-one, in a Life Group and in community chapel. Whether encountering change and progress at Whitworth or at home, Beck has been a leader who faces both opportunities and challenges with competence and courage. When life gets difficult, Beck leans in. He sometimes refers to his job title as “Whitworth’s Chief Optimist.” I like that a faculty colleague of his named him “Our Happy Warrior.” While many may see complex situations and difficult circumstances as dangerous pitfalls or at least as barriers to progress, Beck sees potential in himself and in others to learn, grow, contribute, and create a path forward. I am so grateful that my all access pass has allowed me a front-row seat to watch Beck lead at Whitworth. Over the past 10 years he has learned and grown, and he has contributed and created a path forward for Whitworth and the community we love.

Julie Taylor

Choosing Gems, Not Costume Jewelry

BY BECK A. TAYLOR The significant challenges resulting from the COVID-19 virus are affecting all of us, and it’s clear that our lives and institutions will take time to recover. But I remain confident that Whitworth’s future is bright, and by God’s grace this institution we love will serve students with a mind-and-heart education for generations to come.

be among the most important and formative times in Whitworth’s storied history. So let me give you a framework from which to consider Whitworth’s future.

Next June will be a notable time for the Whitworth community: We will close out and celebrate the successes of the Whitworth 2021 strategic plan and the record-setting Campaign for Whitworth, which, thanks to generous support from so many of you, have empowered and funded our ambitious goals for the university.

This framework starts with a parable by philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who wrote of two robbers who broke into a jewelry store. But instead of stealing valuables, they exchanged the tags on high-priced gems with low prices and placed high prices on mere costume jewelry. For weeks afterward, customers unwittingly paid too much for cheap jewelry and very little for gems of great worth. Kierkegaard’s point? “The people of my day have no ability to tell the truly valuable from the virtually worthless.”

As I reflect on my first 10 years serving as Whitworth’s president, I am deeply grateful for the Lord’s blessings over the past decade and for God’s faithfulness throughout Whitworth’s 130-year history. Even as I look back, I am also looking ahead to the next decade, which may

Sadly, this parable reflects today’s culture. As St. Augustine reminds us, human beings are hard-wired to love. But our world’s fallen state and our own sinful nature cause us to give priority to what we shouldn’t love and to despise what is worthy.

One role of a Christian liberal arts education, perhaps even the central role as we consider Whitworth’s future, is to call us back to those things worthy of our love – the good things that align with God’s priorities. But, you might wonder, what role does academic excellence play in this future? Or professional preparation? Or leadership training? These have always been the elements of a Whitworth education, and they always will be. But in what context, with what worldview,

through what lens will we pursue these important priorities? When a Whitworth epidemiologist finds a rare but expensive medical treatment for a debilitating illness, how will she navigate justice issues as treatments are priced to various socioeconomic populations in the marketplace? Or how will a Whitworth historian analyze and articulate volatile and complex social issues in a way that contributes an accurate, nuanced and unbiased account? 7

Or how will a Whitworth business graduate honor his company’s stakeholders with a healthy profit margin and also contribute to the common good of his community without taking advantage of natural resources and public trust? Here’s my point: We want to produce scientists and engineers and teachers and politicians who are not only good at what they do, but who also think critically and choose wisely as they honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity. As we chart a path into Whitworth’s future and evaluate the kind of education our students need to address the world’s complexities, we will start by seeking answers to questions that are both ancient and modern. They are so fundamental and so important that ancient philosophers called them the “transcendental” questions of life. What is good? What is true? What is beautiful? By seeking what is good, true and beautiful, Whitworth’s graduates will not only be skilled at what

they do, but they will lead and serve with moral courage, intellectual competence and heartfelt compassion. The answers to “What is good?” lie within a deep understanding and grasp of the virtues we elevate – the moral, ethical, intellectual and spiritual virtues we expect our graduates to embody. The answers to “What is true?” will address academic preparation and opportunities for our students to explore and understand God’s creation through the transformation of the mind. And the answers to “What is beautiful?” will allow us to define what compels, inspires and motivates us through the arts and through service to others. Beauty is at the intersection of goodness and truth. This nexus can shape the lives and interests of our graduates and through them transform culture and society. By seeking what is worthy of our love – the good, the true and the beautiful – Whitworth will continue to provide students with a genuinely valuable education. One that combines a rigorous and open intellectual experience within a community that chooses the person, the work and the priorities of Jesus Christ.

Join Beck in a city near you! This fall, Beck will kick off a nationwide tour, hosting free alumni gatherings where he will reflect on Whitworth’s past and future and will interview a local alum. For details go to whitworth.edu/beckandcallingtour. 9

three things on my desk Faculty and staff members provide a glimpse into their workspaces. (Compiled in early March 2020, before campus closed due to COVID-19.)

MEGAN HERSHEY associate professor of political science 1. Photos of my adorable nephew and niece 2. The excellent film Africa United 3. An anarchist duck (a plastic toy with the anarchist symbol on its chest) that a former student got from one of those vending machines at the grocery store. He gave it to me because I cover anarchist ideology in Comparative Politics. ELIZABETH ABBEY ’03 associate professor of health sciences 1. Mandarin oranges 2. One dozen origami yellow tulips 3. Broccoli- and lemon-shaped stress balls MARIA SORCE theatre technical director & auditorium events manager 1. A climbing harness for working at heights 2. A new circuit board to replace the broken board on the fourth electrical batten 3. Fifteen pounds of brown rice to be used as a prop in the spring show BRANDON PYLE ’05 grounds manager 1. The book Transportation & Sustainable Campus Communities (a little light reading so I can figure out how we can avoid building more parking lots) 2. A giant Bluetooth speaker, mostly used for playing ’90s rap while raking leaves 3. The color palette and plant order for the annual flowers on campus RACHEL ALDRIDGE ’10 women’s tennis coach & assistant director for indoor tennis 1. A photo flipbook of my tennis team from last year 2. A developmental aid children’s book created and designed by some of my students 3. Lots of snacks: pecans, grapes, iced green tea JASON CHAPMAN director of student activities 1. Contracts for

Springfest performers 2. A picture of my dog, Chewie 3. The updated New Student Orientation schedule for fall 2020 LARA RAMSAY ’06 director of admissions 1. Upcoming visit event schedules for MVP and Bucs Bound 2. Always a cup of coffee, no matter the time of day 3. A colorful potted cactus from my previous recruiting trips to Arizona, to remind me of sunshine in the middle of winter… which I watered for a while before I realized it was fake RICHARD STEVENS professor of engineering & physics 1. A laser 2. A vintage cellphone from 1999 3. A scorpion embedded in epoxy MARK KILLIAN associate professor of sociology 1. A Buffalo Bills mug that I received for my 14th birthday 2. A Whitworth University stress ball 3. A whole bunch of Post-it Notes I’m trying to ignore AYAKA DOHI director of student diversity, equity & inclusion 1. A photo of Kaito, my orange tabby cat who acts like a puppy 2. A “Pass the Mic” sticker from the Student of Color Conference at Willamette University, where I took 11 student leaders in the fall 3. A canvas with the quote, “Don’t forget where you came from, but never lose sight of where you are going.” TODD SANDBERG director of the University Recreation Center 1. A water bottle; I love coffee but understand the need to drink water 2. Miscellaneous parts from broken equipment and replacement equipment 3. A picture of my kids, a good reminder of what matters

Health Science with a Soul BY MEGAN JONAS

Just over a decade ago, two Whitworth students asked Mike Ediger if they could share an idea with him. The kinesiology major and biology major explained that they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel Whitworth offered an academic home for students who wanted to go into health professions. They desired a new major that would better help them achieve their goals of becoming a physical therapist and a physician assistant. With a doctorate in health sciences, Ediger, then a professor in the kinesiology department, was just the person for the students to approach. He and other professors had long been dreaming about creating a health science program at Whitworth. His conversation with the students helped him know the timing was right. Ediger researched similar programs across the country and found that most were pre-professional programs whose sole purpose was to fulfill prerequisites for graduate studies. Ediger realized that Whitworth, as a Christian liberal arts

university, had an opportunity to create a different kind of program, one based on a holistic understanding of health. “I wanted to make a health science major with a soul,” says Ediger, now chair of the health sciences department. “This major is an expression of Whitworth’s mission to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity.” Today, health science is Whitworth’s most popular major. Students study both the natural sciences and social sciences, preparing them to care for the whole patient. This varied but rigorous curriculum sets students up to succeed in graduate and professional programs in every area of healthcare, from physical therapy and occupational therapy to medicine and nursing. “We offer a holistic approach to health science that includes physical, mental, social and spiritual health,” says Associate Professor Elizabeth Abbey ’03.

Abbey teaches Nutrition, which, along with other required courses like Personal Health and Community Health, imparts students with a broad view of health that goes beyond requirements for graduate programs. Throughout the major, students learn about how socioeconomic differences affect health. “In the same way that students understand physiology and how the human body works,” Ediger says, “we want them to understand social justice and how poverty and race impact health.” In addition to the health science curriculum, Whitworth’s liberal arts emphasis provides distinct advantages for both students and their future patients.

“...we want [students] to understand social justice and how poverty and race impact health.”

The health sciences faculty believes that the skills developed through a liberal arts education, like critical thinking and communication, are essential to providing healthcare. 13

“Our students are going to encounter in their fields people from all walks of life, and being able to interact with them is as valuable as anything,” Abbey says. “Taking a literature class and learning to critically analyze a text builds the sort of critical thought that can be used in things like diagnosis.” Ediger says courses in art, music and literature help future healthcare professionals learn about the human condition. Abbey notes that these courses also give students creative

outlets to lean on as they enter professions with high burnout rates. Whitworth’s liberal arts education is about helping students become educated citizens who can contribute to the good of society, Ediger says. “Having that training and mindset,” he says, “is so valuable before students go into professional training.”

Health Sciences at Whitworth Health sciences department is formed, comprising new health science major and nursing and athletic training programs.

Health science becomes Whitworth’s most popular major.

Completion of new health sciences building expected.

2009

2015

2021

2014

2019-20

Department creates community health major.

Inaugural directors hired to develop two new doctoral programs in health sciences.

Reflections from the Field A glimpse at how Whitworth’s liberal arts education shapes our health science graduates’ work.

Jalana White ’14 and Justin Liu ’14

Jessica Hill ’15

Chiropractors and founders of Built to Move Chiropractic & Sports Rehabilitation in Spokane

Pediatric oncology nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Pictured above: Liu (foreground) and White (background)

“My liberal arts education really rounded out my learning and made me a healthcare provider who can do more than just treat my patients medically. I got a background in ethics, communication, writing, psychology and sociology in addition to all of my incredible health science classes.”

Jalana White and Justin Liu wanted to bring a new kind of chiropractic care to the community – one rooted in compassion and relationships. White says classes outside of the health science major allowed her and Liu to connect with students with different backgrounds, worldviews and interests. This prepared them to interact with all kinds of patients. “Understanding where a patient comes from, what they believe and how they best heal really changes how we provide care from patient to patient,” White says. “Our goal is to connect with patients and provide them a sense of community and empowerment in their health, while also providing them with high-quality care.”

Graeme Lauer ’14 Occupational therapist working in mental health and substance use in Vancouver, B.C. “I have been equipped to listen well, seek understanding and respond to the limitations of my own perspective by studying outside of health sciences in order to inform health sciences. I work with clients who experience hallucinations and delusions, which feel very real but are not in our shared reality. I have to remember they have a different, valid perspective due to their experiences.” 15

My Kids Have a Future

BY JULIE RIDDLE ’92 Bietlehem Fantahon wanted to complete her schooling, but she had no family or other support in her home country of Ethiopia. “I wanted to work,” she says, “but nobody gave me a chance because I didn’t finish school. So I got out.” Fantahon, then 19, lived in Sudan for a year, then traveled for six days across the Sahara in a small truck loaded with 35 people, arriving in Libya. When fighting erupted there, she relocated to Egypt. Finally, after five years as a refugee, Fantahon landed in Spokane in 2014 through the assistance of World Relief. Just after graduating from Whitworth, Brent Hendricks ’06 worked as a refugee resettlement caseworker at World Relief. “It threw me into the deep end of understanding 16

what the refugee experience is like,” he says, “and left me wanting to do more.” Brent, a theology major, and his wife Amy (Johnson) ’09, a sociology major, founded the nonprofit Global Neighborhood in 2007. “We didn’t have a lot of specific plans,” Brent says, “just a desire to provide ongoing support and to be driven by the needs of the community we were serving.” The couple soon discovered that what many former refugees needed most were jobs. “The very experience of being a refugee means you don’t have stability and security,” Brent says, “and that’s where things start to break down.” In response, Brent and Amy opened Global Neighborhood Thrift in 2011. Since then they have provided job training to 128

former refugees from 30 countries and have hired 38 permanent employees. “They have the tenacity, the work ethic, the smarts,” Brent says. “All we’re doing is giving them an opportunity. Welcoming someone and giving them a job can make a difference for many generations.” Trainees who have completed GNT’s job-readiness program have gone on to work in the community as business owners, truck drivers, teachers, skilled tradespeople and more.

“The very experience of being a refugee means you don’t have stability and security.”

Along with gaining the knowledge and skills of a liberal arts education from Whitworth, Brent says he gained the foundation and confidence to start and run a nonprofit. “A lot of our initiatives have failed,” he says, “but that’s how it goes. We learn from our failures and keep moving forward. That could be a summary of Core 350 – learn from your failures.” The Hendrickses’ faith deeply informs their work. “All of us, at our core, are good, holy and blessed,” Brent says. “There is a lot of work each of us must do to unearth and accept that goodness. We believe this hard work is best done in a supportive community that helps relieve the stress and suffering people so often experience. We are trying to create that community here.” Fantahon, now a mother of two girls, works full time at Global Neighborhood Thrift. Her English is steadily improving, and she plans to finish school and apply for citizenship. But her eyes shine because of her daughters. “I see a good future for them because I am working now,” she says. “My kids are safe. They have school and a home. They have a future.”

FOR TODAY

TOMORROW When you support Whitworth, you send out passionate graduates who dedicate their lives to the causes you care about in communities worldwide. Make a gift, make a difference. For today and tomorrow.

whitworth.edu/tandt

First-Person Krystal Roberts ’20

Major: Elementary Education Cross Country, Track & Field Athlete TEACHING IS SOMETHING I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO. I would ask my elementary school teacher if I could have extra copies of the slides from the old overhead projectors, and I would play teacher at home. I COME FROM A FAMILY OF EDUCATORS. My grandpa came to Whitworth and got his education degree here. He was a longtime teacher and principal. My mom is originally from Mexico, so that’s part of my heritage. GETTING TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE AND THE CULTURE HAS BEEN A REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE OF MY LIFE AND SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO DO. I have a minor in Spanish education, and one of my dreams is to teach in a dual language program or to incorporate Spanish and multicultural aspects into my classroom. DURING THE SUMMERS I WORKED AS A GRAIN ELEVATOR OPERATOR for Northwest Grain Growers in Walla Walla [Wash.]. Once harvest started, I worked seven days a week and at least 13 to 14 hours a day for four to five weeks. I learned a lot about myself through that experience. I can challenge my limits. I HAVE A PASSION FOR RUNNING, BUT THE TEAM PART OF IT IS WHY I KEPT COMING BACK EVERY YEAR. We’re all working toward a common goal. Even though running is an individual sport, you want to do your best so your team can do its best. I WANT TO GO INTO COACHING and try to give back what a lot of my coaches have shared with me. Coach [Toby] Schwarz has been one of my biggest mentors here. I’ve learned so much from him athletically, spiritually, academically. AFTER I GET MY UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE, I’M GOING TO STAY HERE FOR WHITWORTH’S M.ED. IN TEACHING & LEARNING PROGRAM. I’m graduating in three years, and since I have that fourth year when I would have been in school anyway, I’d like to get started on a master’s. IT DOESN’T NECESSARILY MATTER WHAT YOU DO AS LONG AS YOU GIVE GLORY TO GOD. That’s one of the things that really motivates me – to use the passions and talents God has given me to give back to others and to glorify him.

On Sundays, Roberts enjoyed walking in the Back 40, the wooded acreage on the north side of campus.

BY DAVID SLOAN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS While forgiveness is such an important part of the Christian faith, Christians have few formal conversations on how to actually seek forgiveness. Through Whitworth’s Vocations of the Christian Professor workshop last summer, I developed an exercise that helps my business students learn what I call a “framework of forgiveness.” In our society, acknowledgment of harm and movement toward healing are uncommon. The practice of a forgiveness framework is countercultural, especially in leadership contexts where power differences add another layer of complexity. Practicing forgiveness in business demonstrates a more redeemed, Christlike culture. I have found that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to other people. This approach provided the inspiration for the class assignment in which I teach forgiveness through the following four-step framework I learned from a mentor.

1 2 3 4

State what you did (the behavior).

Ask how your behavior impacted the other person. Ask for forgiveness for the behavior and its impact.

For example, if I raised my voice at a loved one, I would first say, “I am sorry for raising my voice at you. That does not show you the dignity you deserve, and I don’t want to treat you that way.” Second, I would ask, “How did it make you feel when I raised my voice at you?” Hearing how I have hurt another person is often difficult. For example, my loved one might say she felt belittled when I spoke to her that way. Third, I would ask, “Will you forgive me for raising my voice (the behavior), and in doing that, belittling you (the impact)?” The fourth step of change would involve anything from being more mindful about the behavior to incorporating systems of accountability to help support me as I grow in that area. My students teach this framework to at least five other people such as friends, family members and co-workers, and then they begin practicing forgiveness themselves using the four steps. Through written reflection, students examine their experience using the framework, the conversations that resulted when teaching the framework and practicing it, and their view on the role of forgiveness in leadership. We can apply this practical framework in all of our relationships. When we use it in our professional relationships, it is a way to be a light in the darkness, since it is rare for colleagues, managers and employees to humbly ask for forgiveness.

Change the behavior.

22 Above: Light shines in the chapel just after campus closed due to COVID-19. Right: A frame built by Campus Ministry Artist Emily Coy â&#x20AC;&#x2122;20 displays studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; messages of hope.

Bearing Witness in Unique Ways BY JULIE RIDDLE ’92 More than 40 years separate Dale Bruner and Adam Neder, but the theologians share an unshakable conviction that “Jesus Christ is historically real and alive and makes a huge difference in a person’s life,” Bruner says. “Dale and I both prize scholarly rigor,” Neder says, “but also clear writing and teaching that, without dumbing down the material, hopefully make it come alive within people. That’s really the only way one can know theological truth.” Bruner, professor emeritus of theology, taught Church History, Scripture and Christian Doctrine at Whitworth from 1975-97. “It was paradise,” he says. Now 87, he has slowed his speaking engagements but continues to write and to teach a weekly Sunday school class at his home church in Los Angeles. Neder joined the theology department in 2004; he is the current Bruner-Welch Chair in Theology, established by Bill and Peggy Welch in gratitude for Bruner’s approach to theological teaching. The position provides Neder dedicated time for research, writing and speaking. One outcome is his 2019 book, Theology as a Way of Life: On Teaching and Learning the Christian Faith. As passionate as Bruner and Neder are about teaching the gospel, they both struggled to reach

students in their early forays in the classroom. Bruner began his teaching career as a missionary at Union Theological Seminary of the Philippines, just outside Manila. “I was stupid enough to start with the far-too-Western Church Dogmatics by Karl Barth,” he says. During those first months, students would fall asleep in class. “As every teacher knows, that’s the death knell.” Those uninspired students inspired Bruner to develop his memorable teaching style that later kept more than two decades of Whitworth students wide awake and engaged. He began teaching Christian doctrine via the more earthy and accessible stories in the Gospel of Matthew (which eventually led to Bruner’s landmark two-volume Matthew: A Commentary). He also began moving around the classroom, playing music on a tape recorder, and drawing stick figures on a chalkboard. “At the end of my 11 years there I was more of a song-and-dance actor than a professional lector,” he says, laughing. “But the students went from boredom to enjoyment and give and take.” During Neder’s first few years at Whitworth, he would launch immediately into the history of the church’s doctrinal reflection when teaching about Jesus. “The material was so unfamiliar to students,”

We are who we are because of who Jesus is. In his life, death and resurrection he has determined our essential identity. The goal of our lives is to become who we already are in Christ. Adam Neder

he says, “that they struggled to understand it and to see what difference it makes for their own lives.” Neder realized he needed to find a new way for students to think about the identity of Jesus. He landed on devising a list of unusual discussion questions (one of which involves LeBron James and a time machine). The questions, Neder says, help students realize that, yes, they know Jesus, but he’s also a stranger to them in many ways. “I often hear from students that they continue talking about these questions outside of class, with their friends and parents and anyone who will listen,” he says. “That’s the best part.” The goal for Bruner and Neder, through their thoughtful, responsive teaching, is to include students in the extended conversation about the meaning and implications of Scripture. This conversation, Neder says, has been ongoing since the beginning of Christian theology. “Our role as teachers,” he says, “is not simply to tell students what things mean. It’s rather to help them imagine themselves as participants in the church’s reflection on who God is and to bear witness to him in their own unique ways.”

Who Is Jesus? Discussion Questions by Adam Neder, BrunerWelch Chair in Theology

Governing criteria: How does Scripture and the church’s history of reflection on Scripture lead you to answer these questions? 1. If LeBron James stepped into a time machine, traveled back to the year 30 A.D., and played Jesus in a game of one-on-one basketball, who do you think would have won? And why? 2. Is Jesus Christ still a human being? If so, where is he? 3. What does Jesus look like? (Not what did he look like, but what does he look like?) 4. When God became human, did that involve a change in God’s being? If not, why not, when the very idea of becoming seems to imply change? If so, what kind of change are we talking about here? 5. Does Jesus Christ have two minds? (Hint: Check the Sixth Ecumenical Council.)

The resurrection is historically dependable and fabulously relevant. There really is hope of life after death, and the problems of our sin and unworthiness of God have been met at the cross. Dale Bruner

Color photos courtesy of the H.E. Butt Foundation. Illustrations by Dale Bruner.

FOND FAREWELLS BY KATIE LACAYO ’19

WHITWORTH BIDS GOODBYE TO THESE FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS WHO RETIRED IN 2019-20.

Carol Simon PROVOST & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT YEARS OF SERVICE: 7 COLLEAGUE REMEMBRANCE:

“Carol is a dear friend and trusted colleague, not just to me, but to so many in the Whitworth community. People who work with Carol first notice her deep love for and passion directed toward strengthening the vitality of Whitworth’s educational programs. She has been a huge champion for our dedicated faculty members who are called to be on the front lines of Whitworth’s mind-and-heart education. Carol’s unwavering commitment to the Christian liberal arts has helped strengthen Whitworth’s reputation across Christian higher education, and her significant impact will be felt long after she leaves us.” BECK A. TAYLOR | President, Whitworth University

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Presented and facilitated several Council of Independent Colleges events including national meetings for chief academic officers and summer workshops for department chairs and deans. Served on the national board of directors of the Lilly Network for Humanities and the Arts; directed the Lilly Mentoring Initiative; and helped to write and publish Mentoring for Mission: Nurturing New Faculty at Church-Related Colleges, 2003. Authored books including Bringing Sex into Focus: The Quest for Sexual Integrity and The Disciplined Heart: Love, Destiny and Imagination.

Lindy Scott PROFESSOR OF WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES YEARS OF SERVICE: 13 ALUMNUS REMEMBRANCE:

“I got to know Lindy when I participated in Whitworth’s Central America Study & Service Program. That man can teach anywhere: in a living room or café, while hiking a volcano or paddling a canoe. Wherever Lindy’s lectures took place, they challenged me and gave me a fresh interest in learning. The remarkable thing about Lindy is that he is the same person wherever he goes. Whether taking students to get ice cream (‘Life is good!’) or holding office hours in Westminster, he seeks to be a faithful follower of Christ.” MICAH ALLRED ’17 | J.D. Candidate, Notre Dame Law School

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Founder and editor of the Journal of Latin American Theology: Christian Reflections from the Latino South, 2006-20. Co-author of Challenged and Changed: Living and Learning in Central America, 2019. Delivered the keynote address, “Let Justice Flow Like a Mighty River,” at the Christian Association of World Languages annual conference at Dordt College. Editor of Christians, the Care of Creation and Global Climate Change, 2008. Co-author of Terrorism and the War in Iraq: A Christian Word from Latin America, 2004.

Steven Smedley ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION & DIRECTOR OF PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM YEARS OF SERVICE: 6 ALUMNA REMEMBRANCE:

“Steven’s principal certification family greatly appreciates the investment of his time in preparing us to be tomorrow’s best educational leaders. He has modeled exemplary leadership qualities by showing love, compassion and unprecedented dedication to quality teaching and learning. We are so thankful for the blessing that Steven is to so many. He is the real ‘superstar,’ and his Whitworth family will forever be grateful for his friendship and servant leadership.” TRACIE (KAYSEN) HUSTED ’09, M.Ed. ’18 | Adjunct Faculty, Principal Certification Program, Whitworth University 29

Jerry Sittser PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY & SENIOR FELLOW, OFFICE OF CHURCH ENGAGEMENT YEARS OF SERVICE: 31 ALUMNA REMEMBRANCE:

“Jerry is quirky, and he glories in it. He says that to become like Christ is to become more ourselves – more particular. He has taught me to see God’s delight over me, I think because he listens so well, and with such love. Once he pulled me aside to say, ‘I didn’t listen well enough during our last conversation. Can we try again?’ He’s honest in conversation but with an un-fragile love that invites people in to an underlying sense of joy that he has. Jerry knows God’s goodness, and he invites us to taste it, too. I couldn’t ask for a better abbot.” KATIE WALTAR ’16 | Adjunct Theology Faculty, Whitworth University

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: Authored books including Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian “Third Way” Changed the World; Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries; A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss; and The Will of God as a Way of Life: How to Make Every Decision with Peace and Confidence. Chosen 10 times by the senior class as a Most Influential Professor. Chosen three times to speak at baccalaureate. Alumnus of the Year at Hope College.

STAFF RETIREMENTS SHARON ALEXANDER

HOLLY NORTON

Gift Accounting Database Specialist, Institutional Advancement | Years of Service: 8

Director, Whitworth Foundation & Planned Giving, Institutional Advancement | Years of Service: 19

VICKI DAFFE

JO ANN WAGSTAFF

Publications Specialist, University Marketing & Communications | Years of Service: 11

Associate Athletics Director and Former Women’s Tennis Coach | Years of Service: 34

MIKE SHANKS

Men’s Tennis Coach | Years of Service: 20

Donors Set the Stage for Cowles Auditorium After six decades of service, hardworking Cowles Auditorium began to crack under pressure: The antiquated rigging system caused hairline cracks in the block walls backstage. After a recent overhaul, the following additions and replacements have ushered the auditorium’s theatre components into modern times.

» A $2.8 million main stage » Stage spotlights (thank you, crowdfunding donors!) » A motorized rigging system to hoist curtains, lights, scenery and stage effects, giving Peter Pan 6 more feet of fly space and allowing more flexibility in set design » A 1,000-square-foot scene shop (sets were previously constructed on the stage) » A loading door and ramp off the shop » A three-story tower housing a costume shop and a future sound and lighting design studio

These significant upgrades were made possible in part because of three families that put Whitworth in their estate plans and designated their bequests to support Whitworth’s highest current need. Unrestricted bequests allow the university the most flexibility to address emergent concerns and to close the gap on priority projects. Thanks to the forethought and planning of these generous donor families, generations of students will learn, work and perform in a topquality facility. The auditorium’s recent renovation is the first of the facility’s two phases of new construction to meet the long-term needs of Whitworth’s theatre program and campus. An eventual second phase will provide a state-of-the-art black box theatre, classrooms and gathering spaces. This second phase will make the auditorium available for additional campus programs as well as rental to local organizations and concert promoters, further strengthening Whitworth’s ties to, and engagement with, the Spokane community.

CAMPAIGN GIVING UPDATE | TOTAL: $133.7 MILLION

$30.4M

$36.5M

$41.7M

$25.1M

ENDOWMENTS

FACILITIES

PROGRAMS

BEQUESTS

31 Learn more about campaign projects at whitworth.edu/campaign.

CLASS NOTES Let us know what you’re up to! Update us at whitworth.edu/alumniupdate, email us at alumni@whitworth.edu, or write us at Alumni & Parent Relations Office, Whitworth University, 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99251. Submissions received Oct. 1-Feb. 20 appear in the spring issue of Whitworth Today. Submissions received Feb. 21-Sept. 30 appear in the fall issue.

2010s 2019 Brittany (Justham) Healey is earning a master’s in teaching degree and plans to teach kindergarten. Her husband, Nick Healey, is an assistant manager at Sherwin-Williams. Dalaney Goodyear and Joshua Seideman were married Sept. 2, 2019, in Boulder, Colo. Tatyana (Stites) Hunter and her husband, Curtis Hunter ’16, live in Nashville, Tenn., where Tatyana attends an accelerated nursing program at Belmont University. The couple plan to move back to the Pacific Northwest in 2021. Emily Huston teaches choir and performing arts at Post Falls Middle School in Idaho. She is grateful for the school’s supportive teaching staff and for the support she received from Whitworth in preparing her for her work. Lauren Townson plans to attend Creighton University School of Medicine this fall and is preparing for her first big out-of-state move, to Omaha, Neb. Ashton Trautman and Levi Detrich were married June 30, 2019. The couple live in San Diego, where Levi works in accounting at Moss Adams and Ashton is a lead barista at Mostra Coffee. Morgan Vanderwall started the biochemistry Ph.D. program at Yale University last fall. Heidi Ziebarth married Damian Gross, and they welcomed the arrival of their first child. 2018 Rachael Eaton is the AmeriCorps employment specialist for 1951 Coffee Company. Terah Garcia works for Women Helping Women Fund in Spokane. She helps other women finish school and live vibrant and 32

successful lives. Mike Ong is a district loss prevention specialist for Amazon in Portland, Ore. Kyndra Sherman and Mark Hanson were married April 13, 2019. Jacob Sturtevant and Annie Samuelson ’19 were married May 31, 2019. They are living in St. Louis, where Jacob is earning a doctorate in occupational therapy and Annie teaches middle school math. Annika Barrett and Josh Wagner were married Oct. 26, 2019. 2017 Rache (Strand) Barranco is a middle school counselor. David Jackman coached for Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro, N.H., for a year. He now provides contract security for Redd International Inc., in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Caleb Mathena graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and accepted a position with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, in Seattle. Anne Noll was accepted into the Emerson National Hunger Fellowship Program. She works with the Native American Agriculture Fund in Fayetteville, Ark., and also with organizations focused on policy in Washington, D.C. Adell (McAlpine) Whitehead is a family services support manager for the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center in Spokane and is a lifestyle coach for the YMCA Inland Northwest Branch. 2016 Tiffany (Greer) Leggett teaches at Shelton High School in a wonderfully supportive English department while her husband, Nick Leggett, continues his career in the armed forces. The

couple welcomed their first child in June 2019. Abigail (Allen) Tobin is a project manager at Habitat for HumanitySpokane. 2015 Kelley Boblick married George Olson on Oct. 12, 2019. Cathy Bronson is in her fourth year of teaching in Cashmere, Wash. She thanks the Whitworth School of Education and the music department for preparing her to teach in diverse and difficult situations. Kyler Lacey married his wife, Audry, on July 6, 2019. The couple live in Littleton, Colo., where Kyler works as an industrial engineer with Lockheed Martin Space in a rotational leadership development program. Maggie Meiners is an MBA candidate at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Alec Moore and Isabelle Broussard ’19 were married Feb. 16 in Salt Lake City. Katelyn Tassan married Ward Howard on Oct. 12, 2019. They are both Ph.D. candidates hoping to graduate in the next two years. 2014 Kristine Kardell graduated from the University of Colorado Law School and practices law in Colorado. Kayla (Harris) Viveiros is a freelance graphic designer for Jema Lane Boutique, TRECpro LLC and the Deer Park Gazette. 2013 The Rev. James Ahasay M.A. in Theology ’13, D.Min, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation at George Fox University, Portland Seminary, and was ordained in April 2018. He works as an associate pastor and commissioned chaplain at Hospice of Spokane. Lena Negrete is

a community information and referral services coordinator in Missoula, Mont. Kami (Eastman) Winfrey MBA ’20 is the director of technical services for PotlatchDeltic. Her time at Whitworth taught her invaluable leadership and management skills. 2012 Heather Kennison married Patrick Miesen on July 6, 2019, and moved to Boise, Idaho. Benjamin Jones has lived and worked in France since graduation. He puts his French degree to use in the international relations department of an engineering school in Lyon. 2011 Kalen Darling earned an MBA from California State University, Monterey Bay in August 2019. Philip Labrie, a U.S. Air Force veteran, is the assistant director for military and veteran outreach at Whitworth University. Julie Caruso married Joe Plahuta Dec. 17, 2019. 2010 Bailey Cavender is a high school English teacher and an author. Tonya Henjum MAT ’13 married Andy Franklin Dec. 29, 2017. Stacie Snyder married Jeff McFadden on Dec. 20, 2019. Merideth (Cutright) Jeffries is the staff writer at Union Gospel Mission Spokane and volunteer editor of The Kinnikinnick, a quarterly newsletter for Spokane Mountaineers. Danielle King teaches English at Mercer Island High School in Washington. In the summers she hikes and backpacks in the mountains with her family. Nicole (Howell) Mackle is a missionary with Youth With A Mission in Central America. Next year Nicole and her family will launch a new YWAM ministry in the Middle East. Mariesa Stombaugh lives in Salem, Ore., attending nursing school and working toward a bachelor’s degree with hopes to use her nursing capabilities to follow wherever the Lord leads. DEBUTS 2019 Damian, to Heidi (Ziebarth) Gross and Damian Gross, Dec. 5, 2019 2018 Franklin, to Terah Garcia, Oct. 9, 2018 2016 Lorelei, to Tiffany (Greer) Leggett and Nick Leggett, June 4, 2018 2014 Aurelia, to Katie Chase and Steven Munson, March 19, 2019

2013 Kinsley, to Ashley (LaFayette) Leasiolagi M.Ed. ’17 and Moses Leasiolagi, April 25, 2019

Sadie, to Haley (Nelson) Thompson and Cory Thompson, Sept. 2, 2019 2011 Nora, to Morgan (Feddes) Satre and Josh Satre, Sept. 20, 2019

Abigail, to Christina (Wiese) Thain and Bryce Thain, July 3, 2019 Eleanor, to Elizabeth (Wall) Thompson and Andrew Thompson, May 22, 2019 2010 Noah, to Nicole (Howell) Mackle and Ryan Mackle, Nov. 11, 2018

Charlotte, to Emily (Royal) Schilperoort and Alex Schilperoort, Aug. 15, 2018 2000s 2009 Tyler Blake plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis this fall to pursue a doctor of physical therapy. He received a Merit Scholarship and the Moving On Scholarship. Ty Brown teaches English and history at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley, Wash. He recently published a book, Wandermere: Legacy on the Little Spokane River. Kelly McCrillis is a screenplay writer in the film industry. Skyberg Thoreson is the choral director at Whitefish High School and Whitefish Middle School in Montana. 2008 Jennifer Pullen is an assistant professor of creative writing at Ohio Northern University. Her first book, A Bead of Amber on Her Tongue, was published last spring. Her husband, Chris Caldwell ’09, works in academic affairs at ONU. 2007 Carolina Maldonado and Paulo Navarro were married Dec. 28, 2019. Carolina works for Beyond Threads in Seattle and plans to relocate to Costa Rica, where Paulo works, within the year. 2006 Andrew “Marcus” Corder is the assistant pastor at Christ Community Fellowship in Walla Walla, Wash. Pamela (Taylor) Lake retired from her position of regional director of clinical operations and market integration at Group Health in 2016. She golfs and enjoys the sunshine. 2005 Alyssa (Neel) Agee lives in Spokane and

is serving as interim board president of Terrain this year. She is also the director of communications and events for Volunteers of America and a board member for Vytal Movement Dance. Katie Linder and her husband, Ben Winter ’04, moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Katie is the executive director for program development with Kansas State University Global Campus. 2004 Lars Olson moved from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Ore., with his wife, Jane, and their children. He works as a structured finance manager for Avangrid Renewables. Julia Smucker translates and interprets for the francophone African community in southern Maine, and she serves on the board of the Consistent Life Network, which promotes nonviolence. Jesse Stevick teaches chemistry and physical science at Olympia High School and is the head coach of the track & field teams. His wife, Jennifer (Peters) Stevick ’05, homeschools their older three children. Tod Weber specializes in project work for sites that are unable to evolve from past cultures or that have complex culture mixes in Canada. Tod worked in Germany and Indonesia before he settled in Canada. 2003 Rebecca (Hannon) Blanchette taught history and English at the Portland Waldorf High School for five years. She is now pursuing a master’s in family therapy. 2002 Matthew Colley MIT ’02 was appointed to the board of directors for Catholic Charities of Oregon. He is a business and litigation lawyer at Black Helterline LLP in Portland, where he lives with his wife, Jessica, and their three children. Denise Rose received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Montana in 2019. Liz (Rich) Schrieber graduated from Valdosta State University with a B.S. in American Sign Language/English interpreting. 2001 Daniel Conrad retired from public affairs with the U.S. Air Force. 2000 Carrie (Grillo) Kuhl is now National Board Certified in early to middle childhood literacy. Marshall Ochi has joined Wildwood Family Practice and is an attending physician at the University 33

of Toledo Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship. He is team physician for several UT athletics teams. DEBUTS 2009 Dawson, to MaryKate (Anderson) DeBoer and Andrew DeBoer, July 19, 2019

Annie, to Abby (Horner) Johnson and Steven Johnson, Dec. 20, 2019 Poppy, to Amy (Edsall) Thoreson and Skyberg Thoreson, Aug. 15, 2019 2008 Onyx, to Jalina (Acevedo) Zinn and Merrit Zinn, June 18, 2016 2007 Brooklyn, to Michael Allan and Jillian Allan, July 31, 2019 2006 Theodore, to Chris Brown and Rachel Brown, Dec. 11, 2019 2005 Edith, to Anna (Hansen) Corder and Andrew “Marcus” Corder ’06, March 18

Renata, to Miranda (Zapor) Cruz and Jonathan Cruz, Oct. 19, 2019 2004 Camila, to Shanda (Lasconia) Sanchez and Joseph Sanchez, May 23, 2019

Ada, to Jacob McCoy and Erin (Hays) McCoy ’05, April 15, 2017 Gilda, to Jesse Stevick and Jennifer (Peters) Stevick ’05, Feb. 2 2002 Patrick, to Lyndsey (Downs) Stewart and John Stewart, Feb. 1, 2019 1990s 1999 Graciela Tiscareno-Sato MIM ’07 was asked to host a TV show and share her military service story for Veterans Day. The show aired on Community Access stations and can be viewed online. 1998 Rusty Barnett M.Ed. was promoted to clinical supervisor for Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Spokane. Jeremy Watson owns and operates Davidson & Watson Financial in Lake Oswego, Ore., after serving as a youth director and pastor. 1997 Jessica (Mongeau) Bain was promoted to the rank of captain in the United States Navy and is the executive officer 34

at Naval Health Clinic Hawaii. She and Jason Bain ’96 recently celebrated 20 years of marriage. Heather Parish organizes and promotes library services and programming at California State University, Fresno and is executive director of the Rogue Performance Festival in Fresno, Calif. She married writer and stand-up comedian Jaguar Bennett. Cheryl (Cook) Thomas MSN retired from Providence Health Care in Spokane. 1996 Christian Johnson is the associate pastor at Presbyterian Church of Toms River, in New Jersey. 1995 George Brewington’s novel for young readers, The Monster Catchers, was published in March 2019; he is contracted to write a second novel slated to come out next spring. 1994 Toby Holdridge is a captain in the U.S. Coast Guard and currently serving in New Orleans. He oversees Coast Guard natural disaster response in the Midwest. He served in Puerto Rico throughout hurricanes Irma and Maria. Heidi (Schmidt) Pommer lives in Yakima, where she teaches about the Bible. She is thankful that Whitworth instilled in her a love for reading, and she hopes one of her kids will be a future Whitworth Pirate. 1993 Crystal King’s first historical novel, Feast of Sorrow, was awarded a Must Read by the Mass Book Awards. Her second novel, The Chef’s Secret, was published in 2019. Darrin Dennis left teaching high school in 2015 to pursue a master’s degree in clinical counseling. He now works for Psych Serves and plans to sit for his licensing exam in 2020. 1991 Lynn (Walker) Aley works as a physical therapist in Spokane and uses her English degree for documentation. She and her husband, Russ Aley ’03, are raising four adopted teenagers. Jon Dueck lives in Ohio, where he teaches science at a Christian high school. He and his wife, Emily, worked with the nonprofit aXcess from 2001-19. Chrystal (Cook) Helmcke is in her fourth year of teaching theatre and communication studies at Northwest University. Chrystal and her husband, Kurt Helmcke ’90, are “shoulder-season empty-nesters” as their daughters have graduated and will

graduate from college. 1990 Charles McCrone directs Kaleidoscope School of Music and Kaleidoscope Rock Academy in Issaquah, Wash. He wrote an unpublished fantasy trilogy and was a Pacific Northwest Writers Science Fiction/Fantasy contest finalist in 2016. George Pappas is a liaison between federal agencies and the state of Alaska for fishing and hunting issues that occur on federal public lands. DEBUTS 1995 James, to George Brewington and Rebecca Brewington, June 15, 2019 1980s 1989 Jason Durall lives in Berlin, Germany, and is a full-time tabletop game designer. Lorinda (Funk) Newton writes a monthly blog for Academy Northwest, a hybrid home education/private school program. Her son graduated from this program and her daughter is enrolled. Susan (Knapton) Supola retired from teaching in 2014 and now lives in Longview, Wash. She paints often and volunteers with Project Road and the Longview Public Library Board of Trustees. Theodore Wilson directs teaching and learning support for the district office of the Juneau School District, in Alaska. He and his wife, Deborah (Miller) Wilson ’89, celebrated 30 years of marriage. 1988 Laurie (Ross) Allen and her husband, James Allen, own and operate Lifestyle Real Estate Group in Spokane. Rich Miller retired from his position as a reverend. Jerry Turner teaches English at a high school in Las Vegas and plans to retire fully in four years. 1987 Mark Eaton’s monograph Religion and American Literature Since 1950 was published by Bloomsbury Academic. 1986 Grace (Alexander) Schofield retired after 32 years as a pediatric nurse. She has two grandchildren whom she gets to babysit often. 1985 Rebecca Douglass and her husband, Dave Dempsey, have retired and moved to Chico, Calif., to be closer to Dave’s family. Rebecca continues to write

murder mysteries and other fiction. Her ninth book was published in late 2019. 1983 Gavin Peacock and his wife, Debbie, celebrated their 30th anniversary last summer. Gavin is a principal scientist at Adobe on Lightroom and the Content Authenticity Initiative and is a robotics coach at Berean Christian High School. Brian Prior serves as bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota in the Episcopal Church. 1982 Cheryl (Akerson) Forbes and her daughter Beth visited China in July 2019 with a group of teen adoptees and parents on a heritage tour. Cheryl serves on the board of Hospitality House in Burien, Wash. The Rev. Charlie Lewis and his wife, the Rev. Ann Lewis, completed 20 years as co-pastors of First Presbyterian Church of Snohomish. Their sons Daniel Lewis ’10 and Andrew Lewis ’12 live nearby. Madeline Waid retired as chief of anesthesiology at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, Vt. She and her husband, James Owens, live in Valencia, Spain, where Madeline studies Spanish, takes piano lessons, and plans to volunteer with the Spanish Red Cross. Gregory Wright retired in 2019 as fire chief in Olympia, Wash., with 35 years in fire service. 1981 Bob Graham was awarded the Luxembourg Film Prize in 2009 for dialogue in House of Boys. He retired from teaching at the University of Cologne and lives in Germany with his sons. He republished his book, Gulf in the War Story. 1980 Cathie Bremer works for the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Shops. 1970s 1979 Don “Bear” Gregory retired after 25 years as an NFL scout and personnel executive with multiple NFL teams. Bear and his wife, Tonya, now live in Charlotte, N.C. Kathleen McGinnis has been on faculty at the University of Washington School of Law since 1997. She was promoted to principal lecturer and is serving as co-director of the Legal Analysis, Research and Writing program. Joni Sherman M.Ed. ’79 works in the education field to make a difference. Leigh (Becker) Snodgrass loves putting her Christian faith, writing skills and

ALUMNI PROFILE NATHAN NEWBERG

On Sept. 8, 2019, a 600-foot carrier with 24 crew members on board capsized while sailing out of Brunswick, Ga. The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah responded as the ship sank, listing heavily on its left side. Nathan Newberg ’07 saved the captain and harbor pilot by repelling down into the bridge, using a fire hose as a rope and a ladder. “It’s something we could have never trained for,” Newberg says. Newberg was named the USO Coast Guardsman of the Year for his ingenuity and bravery during the rescue and was promoted to aviation survival technician first class. But Newberg says, “The most rewarding thing about my job is the fact that I get to help people.” As a sociology major at Whitworth, Newberg focused on criminal justice, considering law enforcement as a vocation. After talking to a rescue swimmer his junior year, he enlisted in the Coast Guard after graduation. “Haven’t looked back since,” he says. Rescue swimming requires physical fitness, sound decisionmaking, comfortability in water and teamwork. Four years competing on Whitworth’s swimming team helped Newberg push his body to the limit with the support and encouragement of his teammates. Newberg says his experience with the Coast Guard is similar. “Everyone looks out for each other and pushes each other a little harder each day,” he says. Whitworth gave Newberg the space to understand his faith and calling in the world. “It provided a starting point to serve others,” he says, “and [taught] me to realize how important that is.”

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

ALUMNI

CONNECTION

FIND FOLLOW LIKE Get alumni updates and fun Whitworth content in your news feed. Follow us on the Whitworth University Alumni Facebook page!

CAMPUS AWAITS All alumni and their families are invited to Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 9-11. The classes of 1960, ’70, ’80, ’90, ’00, ’10 and ’15 will celebrate their milestone reunions. We’ll also celebrate our alumni award honorees and the 10th anniversary of the Intercultural Student Center. Register at connect.whitworth.edu. Families of current students, come to campus Oct. 16-18 for a weekend of connection. We’ll provide plenty of programmed opportunities as well as space for you to explore Spokane and enjoy time with your Whitworthian. Register for Family Weekend at connect.whitworth.edu.

critical thinking skills (all three of which she learned at Whitworth) to work in writing and producing an international Christian discipleship program. JoAnn (Fernandes) Yamaguchi retired after 27 years as an elementary school teacher in Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i. She has two children and two grandchildren. She enjoys watching her grandchildren, taking walks and spending time with friends. 1977 Diane Muller retired from all forms of paid employment. She enjoys time with her children, grandchildren and friends in the Pacific Northwest. Ruth Peterson-Morrow and her husband, Michael Morrow, retired from education in 2011. They enjoy traveling, gardening, remodeling their homes, and keeping up-to-date on the world. 1975 Carolyn (Curley) McNeil retired after 40 years of teaching in Coulee Dam, Wash. Her husband of 41 years, John McNeil, passed away from cancer in April 2019. 1974 Kathleen Ingles retired after 25 years of teaching. She lives in Sun City, Ariz., and hopes to travel the world. 1973 Renni (Rodman) Anderson and her husband, Richard Anderson, retired and enjoy exercising daily. Timothy Lickness retired as an adjunct professor of law at Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, Calif. He was awarded Rotary International’s highest award, the Paul Harris Fellow, for service above self. Janice (Masters) Young is a pediatric speech language pathologist. 1972 Carol (Reineck) Huebner was named a Visionary Leader at the 50th anniversary of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Nursing. Sally (Wade) Magnussen and her husband, Rick Magnussen, celebrated 47 years of marriage. They divide their time between Maple Valley, Wash., and Sun City West, Ariz. Joe Robertson retired as president and CEO of Our Community Credit Union in Shelton, Wash., in 2010. His wife of 43 years, Peggy Robertson, passed away in 2018. 1971 Benita (Ward) Hyder retired two years ago. She worked previously as a union representative for a Theatrical Wardrobe Union and for a union that

represents workers in various nonprofit organizations. Susan (Holsinger) Ulrich-Angell retired in 2015 to care for her granddaughters. 1970 Merrie (Wallace) McIvor retired in 2014 and now helps adult learners of English in Seattle. She has traveled the world teaching. Merrie and her husband, Bill McIvor ’70, will celebrate 50 years of marriage in June. 1960s 1969 Douglas Anderson M.Ed. ’76 retired as a high school principal. Rose Clark returned to Eastern Washington after living for 50 years in Western Washington and teaching in the White River School District for 31 years. 1968 Donald Baldwin retired and lives in Bellingham, Wash. He has posted two books on wattpad.com. Packard Brown coaches part-time pastors on how to manage bivocational ministry. He has been published in two national magazines and interviewed by Christianity Today, and has spoken at two national conferences hosted by the Association of Theological Schools. Catherine (Krieg) Conner and her husband, Dennis Conner, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a monthlong odyssey in the Greek Isles. Upon their return, they celebrated at home with friends and family. Elizabeth (Merkle) Coppock and her husband, Robert Coppock ’67, retired in 2012. The couple now live in a suburb of Portland, Ore., where they spend time with family and are involved at Good Shepherd Community Church. Barry Kirkeeng retired as an educator in 2010. 1967 The Rev. Glen Thorp completed a year as the transitional pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Covina, Calif. He has served as a transitional pastor in four churches since his honorable retirement 10 years ago. Kim Warner finished the first of his two or three years as interim president of Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas. 1965 Carolyn (Nelson) Clark has been traveling the world since 2016 and records her observations, integrated with literature and history, on her blog.

Sue Ward plans to travel to Bosnia, Montenegro and Croatia this year. She first visited these countries 20 years ago as an international election supervisor. Michael Young serves on the editorial board of Quabbin Quills for its second anthology, Valley Voices. He won first place in the Robert Collen Poetry Competition for his pantoum Early March.

ALUMNI PROFILE THE WILLIAMS FAMILY

1961 Judy (Boppell) Peace presents lectures on the women mystics from the medieval era. Her book, The Boy-Child Is Dying: A South African Experience, recounts her time in South Africa and includes a foreword by Alan Paton. 1960 M. Patricia (Wilde) Braten is retired and spends her time keeping up with house and yard work, family, some entertaining, occasionally playing piano, political action and the Grandview Community Church of God. JoAnne (Greene) French is retired and lives in Utah to be near her family. She has published her third book, Petals Upon My Path, and would love to share autographed copies with friends who contact her. Dorothy (Maloof) Garton and her husband, the Rev. Ronn Garton, are helping to raise their 7-yearold twin granddaughters. They are now a three-generation household. 1950s 1959 Joyce (Anderson) Miller MBS ’82 serves as a volunteer and as the board chair at Our Place Community Outreach in West Central Spokane. She quilts, knits, plays mahjongg and is a member of the Whitworth Auxiliary. 1958 Maggie (Arildson) Reed lost her husband, Peter Reed, in November 2018. She anticipates moving to Seattle this year to be closer to family. 1957 The Rev. William “Bill” Lutz lives independently at the Rockwood at Whitworth retirement community following his service as a reverend and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. Bill is proud to say his son and grandchildren are Whitworth graduates. David Reed and his wife, Teresa Reed, work parttime custodial jobs at Lynden Christian Elementary School. David reconnected with a childhood friend, Alan Villesvik ’56, and his wife, Dorothy (Bovee) Villesvik ’56.

During Jan Term of his senior year, Tim Williams ’85, a physics and math double major, signed on as the teaching assistant for a physics class. Renee (Whitney) Williams ’86, a religion major, simply needed a lab credit. “Turns out we had a really cute TA,” she says. Choosing Whitworth was an easy decision for both Tim and Renee. Tim’s father, Wilfred Williams ’55, and his older sister, Jennifer Upchurch ’83, graduated from and recommended Whitworth. Renee says Whitworth was “the only place I ever wanted to attend.” Tim works as a technical fellow in research and development at Boeing in the Seattle area, where he has been able to strike a balance between faith and science because of his Whitworth education. “Having professors who cared enough to pray for us before class made them tremendous role models,” he says. Renee is an affiliate professor of biblical languages at Fuller Seminary Northwest, a calling she came to mainly through the guidance and encouragement of her Whitworth professors. “We were supported by faculty who had wrestled with similar questions and issues and cared deeply about our own faith journey,” she says. The Williams family’s Whitworth legacy continues as the couple’s children both attend Whitworth. Nathaniel ’20 will graduate as a triple major in math, physics and computer science, while Naomi ’22 is a sociology major and serves as a student ambassador. Renee recalls the first time she and Tim helped each child move to campus. “We were confident our kids would thrive here,” she says, “so when we drove away the tears were mostly joyful.”

IN MEMORIAM Obituaries received Oct. 1-Feb. 20 appear in the spring issue of Whitworth Today. Obituaries received Feb. 21-Sept. 30 appear in the fall issue. Bolded names without class years indicate those who attended Whitworth but did not graduate.

1990s Alice Herman MAT ’90, of Spokane, died Dec. 20, 2019. George Steele McGarry M.Ed. ’90, of Spokane, died Nov. 26, 2019. Jeffrey Steele ’90 died Dec. 27, 2017. Survivors include his wife, Tacy (Bullock) Steele ’91, and his mother-in-law, Judith (Althauser) Bullock ’63. Katy (McBride) Owsley ’97, M.Ed. ’99, of Spokane, died Feb. 2.

1980s Lew M. Williams, of Ketchikan, Alaska, died Jan. 4. Survivors include his wife, Vicki Williams. John Wells ’81, of Hemet, Calif., died Nov. 3, 2019. Dennis Salisbury ’84, of Butte, Mont., died Oct. 1, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Jessie Salisbury. Pam (Young) Ziegler ’86 died Dec. 22, 2019. Susan (Ponting) Kim ’89, of Spokane, died Nov. 9, 2019.

1970s Gary Fuller ’70, of Sun City, Ariz., died Jan. 9. Survivors include his wife, Johanna Burton-Fuller. Thomas Harris ’70, of Spokane, died Nov. 1, 2019. James MacKay died earlier this year. Survivors include his wife, Lori MacKay. Doris (Green) Pierce MAT ’70, of Redmond, Wash., died Feb. 7. Gail (Matthews) Kotzian ’71, of Stevenson, Wash., died Nov. 17, 2019. Survivors include her husband, John Kotzian, and her nephew Dallas Crocket ’08. The Rev. Marvin (Paul) Nelson ’73, of Woodstock, Ill., died Jan. 20. Survivors include his wife, Sally Nelson ’74; his son Timothy Nelson ’00; his sister Martha Gady, Whitworth associate professor of mathematics & computer science; and his niece Sarah (Gady) Castle ’16. Marilyn Matulich M.Ed. ’73, of Spokane, died Feb. 10, 2018. Survivors include her husband, Mark Matulich. Donald Winters ’73, of Terre Haute, Ind., died Sept. 6, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Winters. Danielle (Wyman) Chappelle ’73, of Payette, Idaho, died Jan. 2. Survivors include her husband, Mark Chappelle. Buddy Gibson M.Ed. ’74, of Oakesdale, Wash., died Dec. 23, 2019. Willis Mohney ’76, of Davenport, Wash., died Jan. 27. William Hudson M.A. ’77, of Eagan, Minn., died June 28, 2019. Marybelle (Passmore) Savage M.Ed. ’77, of Walla Walla, Wash., died Aug. 29, 2019. 38

1960s Jon W. Adams ’60 died Dec. 20, 2018. Survivors include his husband, Greg Bray. Janet Bradeen ’61, of Grantham, N.H., died Aug. 8, 2018. Nina (Niles) Elo ’62, of Spokane, died Oct. 10, 2019. Howard Newell ’62, of Aurora, Colo., died Sept. 9, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Pat Newell, and his sister Mary (Newell) Steams ’60. Susan Lee ’62, of Raleigh, N.C., died Jan. 31. Stephen Grover ’63, of Sun City West, Ariz., died Nov. 8, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Grover. Margaret “Peggy” (Kim) Burrough ’64, of Puyallup, Wash., died Dec. 17, 2019. Joseph Hadley ’64, of Denver, died Nov. 16, 2018. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Petterson Hadley. Gary Kelly ’64, of Indio, Calif., died Jan. 3. Survivors include his wife, Julie Brandt. Barbara (Dick) Mitchell ’64, of Bakersfield, Calif., died Oct. 28, 2019. Survivors include her husband, Jerry Mitchell. Mary “Teddy” (Mungovan) Morse ’64, of Moses Lake, Wash., died Oct. 14, 2019. Michael Bulley ’65, of Spokane, died Dec. 18, 2019. Randall “Randy” Hearne ’65, of Spokane, died Jan. 21. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Hearne. Graham Stewart ’65, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., died April 24, 2019. Donald Leebrick ’66, M.Ed. ’71, of Tacoma, Wash., died Sept. 5, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Iris Fudell. Richard Totten ’66, of Spokane, died Nov. 11, 2019. Marvin Brugh ’67, of Spokane, died Jan. 10. Survivors include his wife, Sandy Brugh. James Blake Johnson ’67, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died Dec. 22, 2019. Loren McKnight ’67, of San Diego, died Aug. 30, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen (Good) McKnight ’71. Robert Stewart, of Bellevue, Wash., died Sept. 12, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Stewart. MaryLee (Marshall) Webber ’67, of Stratford, N.J., died Jan. 9. Gail (Davenport) Gray ’68 died Nov. 17, 2019. Laura Bloxham ’69, of Spokane, died Nov. 18, 2019. See obituary on P. 41. Richard “Dick” Pelkie MAT ’69, of Ione, Wash., died Jan. 23. Survivors include his wife, Joanie Pelkie. Robert Waite ’69, of Spokane, died May 4, 2018. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Waite.

1950s Lois (Dietz) Calkins ’50, of Aptos, Calif., died Nov. 9, 2019. Catharine (Seabloom) Gloth, of Boise, Idaho, died Jan. 25. The Rev. Stanton McClenny ’50, of Newport, Wash., died Oct. 21, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Faith (Clark) McClenny ’49. Dorine (Paul) Weber, of Spokane, died Jan. 13. She was preceded in death by her husband, George E. Weber ’54, Whitworth professor emeritus of business & accounting. Survivors include her daughters Shari (Weber) Anderson

’81, Kathleen (Weber) Deibler ’74 and Colleen (Weber) Hanenburg; her son Daniel Weber ’90 and his wife, Kyrsten (Lee) Weber ’93; and grandchildren A.J. Hanenburg ’07 and Leah Hanenburg ’10. Richard “Dick” Cole ’51, of Pasadena, Calif., died Dec. 7, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Olds) Cole ’53; survivors include his daughters Marilyn (Cole) Hann ’77 and Linda (Cole) Kelly ’79 and her husband, John Kelly ’77; and his grandchildren Kristin Hann ’08, Joshua Hann and Brian Hann ’19. See obituary at right. Harvey Polley ’51, of Spokane, died April 30, 2019. Survivors include his daughter, Catherine (Polley) Lawton. David Yeaworth ’51, of Des Moines, Wash., died Nov. 15, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Grace (Clark) Yeaworth ’52, and his daughter Christine (Yeaworth) Bollinger. The Rev. Paul Johnson ’52 died Jan. 23. Survivors include his wife, Ginny Humes. Robert Johnson, of Fullerton, Calif., died Jan. 19. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Sue. Ramona (Aeschliman) Kretz, of Spokane, died Nov. 22, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Kretz ’52. John Vifian ’54, of Ellensburg, Wash., died Oct. 12, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Vifian. Shirley (Miller) Gilliland ’58, of Longview, Wash., died Dec. 12, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Harlan Gilliland, Jr. ’59; survivors include her nephew Scott Miller ’85. Alvin (Al) Koetje ’58, of Oak Harbor, Wash., died Oct. 28, 2019. Survivors include his wife, Cherita Koetje. Barbara (Monteith) Spellman ’58, of Redding, Calif., died Nov. 5, 2019. Survivors include her husband, Donald Spellman ’59.

1940s Margarette (Scharff) Unruh ’49, of Richland, Wash., died Dec. 6, 2019. Patricia (Bishop) Burnett, of Warm Beach, Wash., died Jan. 4. Mary Carol Schnell died Dec. 22, 2019. Gerald Klein, of Edwall, Wash., died Jan. 31.

1930s Dr. Grant Rodkey ’39, of Boston, died Jan. 22. Survivors include his wife, Suzanne (Seckel) Rodkey, and his brother George Rodkey ’45. He was preceded in death by his brothers Lee Rodkey ’42 and John Rodkey ’47.

RICHARD “DICK” COLE

Trustee Emeritus and Reverend Richard “Dick” Cole ’51 died Dec. 7, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. He was 90. Dick grew up in Southern California, where he played football, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and committed his life to Christ. Dick majored in psychology at Whitworth, where he also won the favor of his future wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Olds ’53, pictured above with Dick. Dick graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1955 and served at churches in Washington and Oregon; he also attended the School of Divinity at University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, for a year. Dick returned to Whitworth in 1972 as director of church relations, significantly helping Whitworth build its financial foundation. Dick described these

six years as “a happy and productive time,” and his passion for fundraising led him to roles with the Presbyterian Church (USA). At the time of his retirement, Dick had raised more than $20 million for the denomination. Dick served on the Whitworth University Board of Trustees from 1992-2006. Whitworth awarded him the George F. Whitworth Medal in 2018 for his dedication to the mission, ministry and financial health of the university. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Liz Cole. He is survived by his children David Cole, Marilyn Hann ’77, and Linda Kelly ’79 and her husband, John Kelly ’77; his grandchildren including Kristin Hann ’08, Joshua Hann and Brian Hann ’19; and his great-grandchildren.

THOMAS “TOM” TAVENER

Professor Emeritus of Music Thomas “Tom” Tavener died Dec. 24, 2019, in Spokane. He was 88. Tom served for four years in the U.S. Navy, and he sang in various choirs in the Presbyterian church. He then enrolled at Seattle Pacific College to study music. He married Jean Carper in 1956, and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Washington. Tom joined the Whitworth music faculty in 1959 and taught voice and music for 35 years, leading several study abroad programs to San Francisco, London and Paris. During this time, he also directed local church choirs, sang with the Spokane Symphony Chorale and performed in area vocal groups. “Tom was not only an extremely talented musician,” says Professor of Music Dan Keberle, “but his always warm and friendly people skills made him a favorite professor and friend to all.” Supporting Whitworth voice students through the Tavener Music Scholarship and assisting with construction of Cowles Music Center gave Tom tremendous joy. Tom is survived by his wife, Jean Tavener ’73; three children; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

LAURA BLOXHAM

Professor Emerita of English Laura Bloxham ’69 died Nov. 18, 2019, in Spokane. She was 72. A native of Seattle, Laura earned a B.A. in English from Whitworth and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English from Washington State University. In 1975, she returned to Whitworth where, over the next four decades, she devoted her teaching, mentorship, leadership and service to Whitworth, the English department, her faculty colleagues and thousands of students. Laura’s deep love of British Romantic poets and Jane Austen shaped her influence on Whitworth’s curriculum. She was integral in developing the women’s & gender studies minor, and she created numerous courses that expanded offerings in multicultural American

and global literature. “Laura was a deeply influential mentor and support for me in my teaching life,” said Laurie Lamon ’78, Amy M. Ryan Endowed Professor of English, at the memorial service for Laura. “Her energy and investment and joy in her teaching and in her students did not alter or tire, when her body did.” Laura was named the 1988 State of Washington Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education, and she received the Alumni Service to Whitworth Award in 2018. For 43 years she created a summer reading list that was eagerly anticipated by many. Laura is survived by her two siblings; her nephews and niece; and her grandnephews and grandnieces.

academic minute

MEGAN WYNECOOP ’20 MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY

Megan Wynecoop ’20 is passionate about her family and her culture, and she desires to make a difference in communities like her own. Wynecoop grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation; her father is Native American and her mother is Filipino. “I chose to study psychology because, from a cultural perspective, I noticed there were gaps in mental health and an overall understanding of wellbeing,” Wynecoop says. “I discovered those gaps when I entered psychology at Whitworth and found answers to the questions I had.” Wynecoop credits Whitworth psychology professors Melissa Rogers and Patricia Bruininks for giving her the freedom to explore her heritage. “For my second lab with Dr. Bruininks, she let me look at the relationship between Native Americans and hope and how [this relationship] looks different across cultures and time.” Wynecoop was able to expand on that research during her internship at Northern Arizona University in summer 2019. 42

“I was interested in whether different cultural values would predict compassion toward others and oneself,” she says. Wynecoop analyzed online surveys in which participants rated statements such as When it comes to social responsibility, blood really is thicker than water. “This was right at home with what I’m interested in,” she says. Wynecoop has applied to several doctoral programs and plans to study social psychology. She hopes to work to improve the well-being of marginalized populations through psychological research and policy intervention. “The United Nations and the World Health Organization need researchers, and they play such an important global role,” she says. Or, she may research issues through a local or state government. “I want to identify what the problems are,” she says, “and then let’s do something about them.”

HOW TO FULFILL YOUR DESTINY BY CAROL SIMON PROVOST & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT As a philosopher, I sort through issues that I find puzzling. More than 20 years ago I published my first book, The Disciplined Heart: Love, Destiny and Imagination (still in print from Eerdmans). Our destiny is our true selfhood, given to us by God as a task to be faithfully pursued. Our destiny is what God intends us to become. How can each of us fulfill our destiny (or even know what it is)?

CULTIVATE IMAGINATION. A healthy imagination keeps us connected to reality and open to new possibilities. A healthy imagination is different from the all-toohuman tendency to distort our perceptions in self-serving and destructive ways. A liberal arts education is a great resource in cultivating imagination. Read widely. Surround yourselves with beauty. Spend time in nature. Play with a child. Steep yourself in Scripture and prayer. LISTEN TO WISE FRIENDS. Wise friends can help us see ourselves as we, at our best, would aspire to be and become. Friends can shake us up and call us back to reality when our perceptions of ourselves and our choices have gotten out of whack. Friendship expands our horizons as we engage in helping one another pursue our destinies. DO NOT FEAR DETOURS. A destiny is not a blueprint or a straight-line road map. What God intends us to become can be achieved in multiple ways and often through painful frustration – even failure and tragedy. Roadblocks and losses can, in hindsight, be seen as rueful blessing. They can be used by God in surprising ways. DEPEND ON GRACE. Without God’s grace we are incapable of fulfilling – or sometimes even glimpsing – our destinies. Now we see in a mirror dimly; through God’s grace we will come to know ourselves even as we are known by God.

Carol Simon has served as Whitworth’s provost & executive vice president since 2013; she will retire in July (see P. 28).

WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY 300 W. Hawthorne Road Spokane, WA 99251

ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK WE STAND. 44