A Century of Success How the bold move to Spokane - and a host of believers - changed Whitworth's history - Whitworth University
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TODAY
Spring/Summer 2014
A Century of Success
How the bold move to Spokane – and a host
of believers – changed Whitworth’s history
Answering the Call A Patriarch’s Dream Fulfilled Million Meals Campaign
Message from President Beck A. Taylor Spring/Summer 2014
Vol. 83, No. 1
Editor
Terry Rayburn Mitchell, ’93
Associate Editor
Julie Riddle, ’92
God Showed Up Assistant Editor
Lucas Beechinor, ’09 TODAY
One of the things Our students reminded me of three important lessons at this Art Director
Tamara Burkhead
I love most about event. First, we should never hesitate to set big goals. When
Project Manager
Whitworth is that our students announced their desire to raise $250,000 to
Garrett Riddle
our students know package one million meals in one day, we all knew that would
Contributors
they need not be a stretch – and it was. But without such an ambitious goal, Lydia Buchanan, ’13
wait to cross the students would have never raised $150,000 and packaged more Josie Camarillo, ’14
stage at graduation than 600,000 meals. I was reminded that we should never let Josh Cleveland, ’01
Julia Feeser, ’13
to begin lives of the possibility of not reaching big goals dissuade us from setting Sarah Gambell, ’14
service. From their them in the first place. Janet Hauck
Kirk Hirota
first Community Second, our students’ efforts affirmed one of Whitworth’s core Rebecca Korf, ’15
Building Day to values: to give students responsibility. I will admit that there Maggie Montague, ’15
Greg Moser, ’14
service-learning were moments during the year when I wanted to step in and Lauren NuDelman, ’14
courses during their direct traffic. But I resisted the temptation because I know that Joseph Parker, ’17
Becky Prior, ’04
senior year, our students must learn to handle responsibility, even if they have to Emily Proffitt, ’05
students find many learn from failure. I was also reminded that when Whitworth’s Lyle Rauh, ’10
opportunities to students set their minds to something, they usually succeed. Garrett Riddle
Tanner Scholten, ’14
serve others. Finally, as the day began, one of our student leaders said to Dale Soden
Just a few days ago I had the awesome privilege of watching me, “We’re expecting God to show up today!” At the time, I was Annie Stillar
our students organize and lead a campaign to purchase, package worrying about logistics, safety, coordination and the weather. Editorial Board
Lucas Beechinor, ’09
and ship more than 600,000 meals to the hungry and food- This student reminded me that despite all of the uncertainties, Kerry Breno
insecure in our region and around the globe. Dubbed “The the only resource we could count on, and ultimately the only Josh Cleveland, ’01
Million Meals Campaign,” this effort by our students began in thing we would need, was God’s presence and blessing. Well, Dale Hammond, ’98
Nancy Hines
September with fund-raising and organizing volunteers. On God showed up in miraculous ways that day. Brooke Kiener, ’99
Melinda Larson, ’92
Features
May 3, more than 1,000 students, staff, faculty and local I’m so thankful for our students’ passion for serving others and 6 A PATRIARCH’S DREAM FULFILLED
Esther Louie
volunteers descended upon the fieldhouse in an amazing show for a university that equips them to do so. Jim McPherson Long ago, a little boy picked cotton in Texas and dreamed of sending
of community and solidarity. As always, please keep Whitworth in your prayers. Scott McQuilkin, ’84 his children to school. Today, five young members of his family are
Terry Rayburn Mitchell, ’93
Jonathan Moo Whitworth students. Meet the Martinez and Garza cousins.
Greg Orwig, ’91
Garrett Riddle 8 ANSWERING THE CALL
Julie Riddle, ’92 The Whitworth M.A. in Theology Program reflects the university’s
Elizabeth Strauch, ’04 deepest convictions about how theological education should
Cheryl Florea Vawter, ’94 be done. With a focus on practical application, the program is
Tad Wisenor, ’89
transforming its students’ work in ministry.
Administration
President 12 A CENTURY OF SUCCESS
Beck A. Taylor In 1914, Whitworth was on the brink of closing. A bold move from
Vice President Tacoma to Spokane and a host of determined believers changed the
for Institutional Advancement course of the university’s history.
Scott McQuilkin, ’84
Director of University Departments On the cover: Whitworth shortly
Communications 2 President’s Message after its arrival in Spokane, in
Nancy Hines 4 Editor’s Note/Letters the early 1900s, and today: a
Whitworth Today magazine is juxtaposition of the university’s
published twice annually by
14 Whitworth News proud past and present (photo:
Whitworth University. 22 My Favorite Professor Whitworth Archive and Kirk Hirota)
Send address changes to 23 Faculty Focus
Whitworth Office of Communications 24 Class Notes
300 West Hawthorne Road
Spokane, WA 99251 34 AfterWord
or updates@whitworth.edu. 35 This Is Whitworth
2 TODAY
www.whitwor th.edu/whitwor thtoday TODAY 3
[Editor’s NOTE] [Letters to the EDITOR]
O ne of my tasks as senior editor at Whitworth is to proof
the course catalog – a great, lumbering thing that has
more parts than The Lego Movie. We print up just a few catalogs
I just read your Editor’s Note in Whitworth Today, and it made
me really homesick for Whitworth. I loved Whitworth as a student,
but now I wish I had appreciated even more what an incredible
Speakers & Artists Spring 2014 Edition
these days, for faculty and for use in offices. Our students, who privilege it was for me to be there. I suspect at the time I just took it
can navigate a website much more quickly than a person my for granted. Now I wish I could do it all over again! It’s a treat to be Feb. 6 Lecture: Peggy McIntosh, “Unpacking the
age can flip from a table of contents to the desired page, get able to get back for class reunions. I’m looking forward to our 55th Invisible Knapsack: Privilege, Education, and the
their information online, and that’s where our catalog lives. in 2016. Vision of Achieving Inclusion”
And despite the almost wholesale shift from a print catalog to Blessings to you all!
an online version, the editing process remains much the same. Priscilla Small, ’61 Feb. 13 Great Decisions Lecture: Florence Reed,
It’s easy to get lost in the sheer blizzard of words in the
“Feeding the Planet and Its People: Sustainable
catalog – to stop seeing words as elements of thoughts and to [Tad Wisenor’s] Farming as Key”
begin to isolate them into editable chunks. How many times article in Whitworth
today did I read the words “mind and heart”? How many times Today, on the
did I catch snippets of “honor God, follow Christ, and serve Feb. 18-April 4 Art Exhibit: Ceramics Invitational,
Whitworth Choir, featuring the works of Terry Gieber, Gina Freuen, Lisa
humanity” and “integration of faith and learning”? Let’s leave was informative
it at “quite a few.” Yet every once in a while, a thought, rather Nappa and Chris Tyllia
and inspiring, and it
than a missing period or a jumbled sentence, jumped off the made me wish that
page and pierced my tired old editor’s brain. Feb. 20 Great Decisions Lecture: Bradley J. Ward,
I were near enough to return for the reunion in October. But when I “Virtually There: A Pilot’s Perspective on the Growth of
Because I realized that though this is boilerplate language opened the 2013-14 calendar, I was shocked to find myself staring at
for Whitworth, it’s certainly not the kind of rhetoric you Drones after 9/11”
myself! The insert picture for October 2013 shows the 1936 choir with
find in most college/university catalogs. Whitworth’s catalog Ms. Winifred McNair Hopkins (“Hoppie”) in the middle of the front row.
makes it clear from the President’s Welcome to the last page Feb. 25 Simpson-Duvall Reading: Poet Julia Kasdorf
In the next row and to the left as you face the picture, between Mary
that this is a place where a program like the Master of Arts in Koper and Lowell Poore, stands Grant Rodkey! I think the end man on
Theology (Page 8), a celebration like the one commemorating that row may be Leonard Richardson. March 6 Great Decisions Lecture: Robert Hamilton, “The
our first 100 years in Spokane (Page 12), and a family like the Mary was a beautiful soul. Daughter of a Presbyterian minister in International Trading System and Washington State”
Martinez/Garza clan (Page 6) can find a home and contribute Eastern Washington and younger sister of Paul Koper of Whitworth
their essence to make everyone’s Whitworth experience better. College and Princeton Divinity School, she had a gorgeous soprano March 12 & April 23 President Beck A. Taylor’s
It’s a place where the mission is more than a bunch of discrete voice and a beautiful spirit. Her favorite scripture was Galatians 5:22- Colloquies on Whitworth’s Theological Identities
words. And it’s a place where faculty like My Favorite Professor 23. Later she married Clifford Chaffee, and they spent a lifetime as
John Yoder and new Spokane Poet Laureate Thom Caraway, Presbyterian missionaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Lowell Poore had March 15 30th Annual Whitworth Writing Rally: Featured
students like the ones who worked overtime to pull off the a gifted high tenor voice and a great love for music. He devoted his author, Jerry Pallotta
Million Meals Campaign, and alums like Karen Andrues, career to high-school teaching in Eastern Washington.
Ben Spaun and Shannon Johnson remember and practice the The pictures of Ballard and McMillan halls are highly significant. April 1 Endowed English Reading: Poet Kevin Goodan Whitworth Spring Theatre Production: Pride and Prejudice
mission in their workday and everyday lives. Though I don’t In 1936 they were the only buildings on campus, aside from the March 7, 8, 9, 14 & 15
recommend the catalog as light reading, I do recommend it president’s house. The student body was only 200, and many lived April 3 Great Decisions Lecture: Neal Sealock, “Dealing Freshman Weston Whitener, ’17, ably filled the boots of the estimable
as yet another reminder of what it is to be a Whitworthian. If off campus. This was a critical time in the survival of Whitworth; the with the Dragon: China’s Foreign Policy” Mr. Darcy in Whitworth Theatre’s spring production, Pride and Prejudice,
you’re looking for something that’s a little more fun to read, I institution was preserved through the Depression by the devotion of
hope that this magazine draws you in and makes you feel like a based on the classic novel by Jane Austen. The plot centers on Elizabeth
its tiny faculty and the skill and foresight of its leaders – chief among April 13 Lecture: Author Timothy Egan, “Voices of the
cherished member of the Whitworth community. Because that’s Bennet, played by Emily Shick, ’14, who must deal with issues related to
them Dean Francis Tiley Hardwick, native of England and schooled Dust Bowl”
what you are. marriage, manners and prejudice between the classes in 19th-century
in Switzerland. By his academic leadership and his skill in recruiting
England.
support among the business leaders in Spokane, he brought the April 15 Whitworth President’s Leadership Forum: Mark
institution through those perilous times [when it was] on the brink of Since its publication in 1813, this iconic love story has been adapted
J. Sullivan, former director of the U.S. Secret Service
institutional extinction! So thank you for warming the coals of memory, for film, television and theatre numerous times. Whitworth’s production,
now 77 years past, but still sharp in appreciation of and for the great directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Brooke Kiener, ’99, relied on
April 24 Great Decisions Lecture: Ralph P. Cavalieri, the 2005 adaptation by Jon Jory and featured student actors from a
gifts of the institution and all those wonderful friends!
“Energy Independence for a Sustainable Future” variety of academic majors.
P.S. If you’re going to make a mistake in the spelling of Grant Rodkey, M.D., ’39
someone’s name, try not to make it the name of the beloved In addition to the theatre production, Whitworth hosted “Austen, Ardent
son-in-law of a beloved former president. Yes, we misspelled the Love and Adaptation,” an afternoon tea at Hardwick Alumni House that
name of photographer Mike Wootton, ’04, a valued member of
Bill Robinson’s family, in the fall issue. Yes, we feel like idiots.
[Write US!] Podcast Video
featured Kiener and Professor of English Laura Bloxham, ’69. The pair
led a conversation about courtship and marriage in Austen’s novel and
Yes, we ask for Mike’s forgiveness (and for that of his wife, We want to know what you think – about Whitworth Today, and about explored the challenges of adapting 19th-century literature for a con-
Bailley Robinson Wootton, and maybe even that of his father- Whitworth in general. Send us an e-mail (tmitchell@whitworth.edu) For podcasts and videos, visit temporary theatre audience.
in-law). Whitworth Today regrets the error. or write us at Whitworth Today, University Communications Office, www.whitworth.edu/whitworthtoday.
Whitworth University, 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99251.
Whitworth Today reserves the right to edit letters for length and/or content.
4 TODAY TODAY 5
cousins, all about the same age and in with one another. “Everything we did, we a light for him.” However, the cost of
the same class, attend the same college were competing with each other,” Arnold tuition was an immediate barrier. One
at the same time. Such is the case for the says. “It didn’t matter what we were of her sisters and then-Vice President for
five Martinez and Garza cousins, who are doing.” Some of that competitive spirit Student Life Kathy Storm intervened on
now sophomores at Whitworth. Athletics drives the family members at Whitworth, her behalf, and the financial aid office
was a major attraction for the group; Saul as well. came up with a package that ultimately
played golf for Whitworth, and Samson It isn’t all competition, however. allowed her to attend. “It still brings me
(who was an RA in McMillan Hall last Alyssa, a psychology major, says they to tears thinking about it,” says Angelica,
semester) is currently on the team. Caleb often find themselves sharing similar who is now married with one daughter.
Garza, ’16, is a running back for Pirate challenges, goals and frustrations as each “It was something God was showing me,
football, and Alyssa Martinez, ’16, plays season begins. She relies on her cousins an example of his faithfulness to me
catcher/infield on the softball team. for support as much as she does her and our family.” Angelica’s father is
Arnold Garza, ’16, isn’t on a varsity team teammates and coaches. “It’s that family Samson and Saul’s grandpa, the boy who
at Whitworth, but he plays intramurals, aspect that is so nice to have,” she says. watched the school bus drive by the field
as do his cousins. Kristynn (Garza) Lind, each morning.
’16, limits her involvement in athletics to Angelica’s positive Whitworth
joining her cousins as often as possible for But I could feel where experience was something that led her
some rounds of urban golf. This sport is nephew, Zenaido Martinez III, to check
especially popular among the group right God was calling me. out the school. Zenaido says he wasn’t
now, and they play together as often as
they can. I knew God would use me necessarily looking for a Christian
school; he was more interested in high
Athletics was a major draw for the
cousins, but a strong, small and welcoming at Whitworth to be a academic standards.
He studied in Mexico one summer,
academic community steeped in faith
was the main driver for all of them, and light for Him. and re-dedicated his life to God on that
trip. “One weekend we were parasailing
Whitworth filled the bill. As a high school Angelica (Martinez) Varga, ’04 together, and they couldn’t bring me down
Left to right: Samson Martinez, ’16; Kristynn Garza Lind, ’16; Caleb Garza, ’16; Arnold Garza, ’16; Alyssa Martinez, ’16 senior, Saul saw that Whitworth had the for whatever reason,” Zenaido says. “So I
A Patriarch’s
l e d
academic programs he was looking for and was up there for an hour and 15 minutes.
u
F l fi l
respected faculty members to study under; “Those people push you in ways beyond It was during this period that I dedicated
he knew it would be a great place to athletics and you don’t want to be the myself to God. Something happened up
attend, and his cousins followed suit not person who is not doing your best all there that just changed me, and I saw God
Dream
long after he made his decision. the time.” in a whole new light. When I came back
“I would describe my relationship with The small-community aspect was also down they looked at me and they said,
my first cousins as comparable to the an important factor for each of them ‘You look different.’ My life changed from
relationship between brothers and sisters,” as they chose to attend Whitworth. that moment on.”
Saul says. “In our culture, a cousin could “Whitworth keeps us connected,” says Zenaido played football for the Pirates,
By Lucas Beechinor, ’09 be anybody who comes from the same Kristynn, who married Pirates wide but transferred to Evangel University
bloodline, not limited to any number of receiver Devon Lind, ’14, also from after his sophomore year. He earned a
Samson Martinez, ’16, recalls a story his Whitworth days and dealing with his generations back, as long as you can track Othello, in 2011. Kristynn says this helped bachelor’s degree in business and went on
his grandpa repeated to him when he was younger brother’s gentle ridicule. “He said it. This is why we end up having a lot her make the transition from a bigger to earn an MBA from Colorado Christian
younger. A little boy picks cotton with I was becoming more of a nerd each time of cousins, and there is a sense of pride city like Seattle, because in some ways University. Today he is married, with four
his family in a field in Texas. A school bus I visited home,” says Saul, who currently throughout the whole family to see the it felt like coming home. Both Kristynn children, and he works as an operations
passes the field every morning, and the works as an administrative assistant at others succeed in life.” and Alyssa compare the Whitworth engineer at the Hanford nuclear site.
boy stares after it, wishing he were riding Baker Boyer Wealth Management, in This close relationship helps keep community to Othello. “Not only do I After admitting, laughing, that
along, determined his kids will be on it Kennewick, Wash. He earned B.A. in family members accountable to and for have family members here, but I’ve made “Unfortunately, I beat up on them [the
someday. business management at Whitworth. each other, he says. Saul, who graduated family members here. Community is a pesky younger cousins] quite a bit!”,
Although Zenaido Martinez, Sr., the The little brother “claimed to not be the last May, says he loves seeing his little huge thing for us,” Alyssa says. Zenaido says the three words that betray
young boy in the field, attended school Whitworth type,” Saul says, with a smile, brother involved with student body But how did the family discover his love for them and his pride in their
only through the third grade, he made “but after he attended a Why Whitworth leadership. “It also makes me happy to Whitworth in the first place? Samson and accomplishments. It might be the
sure his kids were on that bus. All nine of Zenaido Martinez III, with his wife, Meagan event and stayed with me in my dorm, he know my family is safe, having a good Saul’s aunt Angelica (Martinez) Vargas, unofficial motto of the Martinezes and
his children graduated high school, and was hooked. Now I get to tease him.” time, and working hard to be successful in ’04, was the first family member to visit Garzas: “Family is everything,” he says.
five cousins from the family are currently Samson’s older brother, Saul Martinez, It isn’t uncommon for siblings to follow life after college,” he says. the campus and apply. “I could feel where He, his aunts and cousins have fulfilled
attending Whitworth; Samson is the third ’13, fondly remembers going home to in each other’s footsteps when choosing While the cousins were growing up God was calling me,” she says. “I knew the dream of an education that Zenaido,
grandchild to attend. Pasco, Wash., for the weekend during a college. It is less common when five together, they were fiercely competitive God would use me at Whitworth to be Sr., had for their family.
6 TODAY TODAY 7
O
O ne a seasoned minister and the other
just beginning her career in ministry,
both Wittwer and Dufault felt God calling
them to receive additional theological
education in order to serve those under
their care most effectively. And both
“We don’t want students dropping out
of ministry to get an education, when part
of their education should be their deep
discovered that the Whitworth Master sense of involvement in and commitment
of Arts in Theology Program could help to the church or to parachurch
J
them answer that call. organizations or local ministries,” Sittser
“This program was a perfect fit for says. “We wanted to offer a graduate
me, and I loved it,” says Wittwer, who theological education that was more
J oe Wittwer has shepherded thousands
of people over nearly four decades as
lead pastor of Life Center Foursquare
graduated in 2011. “It helped my thinking,
which has bled into my leadership and the
way I work with people, and I’ve had a lot
like a medical residency program, which
prepares students for practice, than a
typical humanities Ph.D. program that
of people comment that they’ve noticed a prepares scholars.”
Church, one of Spokane’s largest new depth, theologically and historically, The program draws applicants from
congregations. For much of that time, he to my preaching.” a wide range of denominations and
wanted to go back to school and get an Launched in 2008, Whitworth’s professional backgrounds. Students hail
M.A. in theology program is intended from all parts of the Inland Northwest,
advanced theology degree. But leading
for lifelong learners who want to deepen and graduates have gone on to plant
a busy ministry and raising five children their faith and enrich their Christian churches, to assume higher positions of
had meant putting those educational goals vocation. The program equips men and leadership at their home churches, and
on hold – until a few years ago, when he women to serve the church and society to earn D.Min. degrees, among other
by integrating theological education, pursuits. Whitworth has articulation
learned that Whitworth was launching a
practical application and spiritual agreements with both Princeton and
graduate program in theology. formation. It is designed for people Fuller theological seminaries, which
M
who work full time, so it’s offered in ensure that M.A. in theology program
a convenient, part-time schedule, students’ credits will transfer to those
M eanwhile, Emily Dufault, who
graduated from Whitworth in 2010
with a degree in cross-cultural and peace
allowing students to set their own date
for completion.
“We wanted to deliver graduate
institutions. The university will form
partnerships with additional seminaries as
the need arises, Sittser says.
theological education in a way that was Students in the program meet on
studies, had found herself several years true to our mission and sensitive to the campus one weekend a month and
later working at her church in Spokane’s needs of the church,” says Whitworth take additional week-long intensive
nswering
West Central neighborhood. She was Professor of Theology and Master of courses on campus in the summer. They
gradually discerning a call to pastoral Arts in Theology Program Director Jerry complete supplemental coursework
Sittser. “We saw an opportunity to start online, as well. Whitworth’s full-time
ministry and knew that she would need a new program that reflected our deepest theology faculty teach the core courses,
more advanced theological training. But
the
convictions about how theological with electives offered by adjuncts in
she didn’t know how she would be able education should be done.” students’ specific areas of interest, such
all
to get a master’s degree while working full Sittser says those convictions called as pastoral care and counseling, public
M.A. in theology time – until last summer, when Dufault
for a part-time program that focused on theology, and Christian culture.
both applied learning and classroom work. The program is built around a cohort
program equips discovered the road to her future vocation Program courses are rooted in classical model, in which a group of students
was leading her back to her alma mater. theological disciplines, but they also have completes core courses together,
ministry leaders to a required practical component so that following the program sequentially. Every
students can apply their classical learning new class begins with a banquet, and
serve their churches, to concrete ministry situations, he says. students eat several meals together over
communities the course of a class. Each course also has
built-in worship times.
“We are a Christian community living
By Emily Brandler Proffitt, ’05 out faith together, not just sitting in a
Opposite, left to right: Jerry Sittser, classroom,” Sittser says.
Jeremy Wynne, ’99, and Emily Dufault, ’10
8 TODAY TODAY 9
Whitworth Launches
The Ekklesia Project
In addition to its master of arts in
theology program, Whitworth is also
In the beginning Building the seeking to meet the needs of churches
The idea for the program
grew out of a reading group network and congregations in the Northwest
through The Ekklesia Project. The goal of
for local senior pastors that Another key to building
Sittser started about a decade the program will be bolstering the new church-engagement initiative,
ago. He says they had such a its connections to Christian which launched earlier this year, is to
rich experience reading and communities across the Inland enlarge and develop Whitworth’s ability
discussing classic Christian Northwest, says Whitworth Lecturer
to function as a catalyst, center and
literature together that he in Theology Jeremy Wynne, ’99,
then started a reading group the program’s new assistant director. resource for conversing, envisioning,
with young church planters in Wynne is working on networking with planning and programming. It seeks
the area. Reading the classics Christian leaders in the region to raise to assist churches and other Christian
exposed members of both groups to a awareness about the program and to
organizations in the region as they
NAME: Emily Dufault previously unknown world, and many help them see how it can be a valuable
wanted to dive deeper. partner in their various ministries. discern ways in which they can be the
AGE: 26 One of those pastors was Wittwer. “It’s really the only program of its church and do ministry in the cultural
He had helped start the senior pastors’ kind in this area, but at this point there setting of the 21st-century Pacific
HOMETOWN: Moses Lake, Wash. reading group, and he became the first are still many people who don’t know
Northwest.
person to sign up for the MAT program. we’re here and aren’t aware of how
EDUCATION: Earned a bachelor’s “I love to learn, and this program accessible this program is to people with
The Ekklesia Project is being funded
degree in cross-cultural studies made it possible for someone like me to families and full-time jobs,” Wynne says.
continue doing my job and still get an In addition to relationship-building, initially through a $1-million grant
and peace studies from Whitworth
in 2010
excellent education,” Wittwer says.
Wittwer says he appreciated the way The road home Wynne is also focusing on increasing
the program’s diversity with regard to
from the Lilly Endowment; it is being
administered by the new Whitworth Office
the program was at once academically For Dufault, returning to Whitworth the Christian & Missionary Alliance the ministry interests of its students,
for Church Engagement, headed by Terry
CAREER ASPIRATIONS: Hopes to rigorous, spiritually refreshing, and to earn her master’s degree was an denomination. Once licensed, she will the areas of expertise of its faculty,
directly applicable to his ministry. He unexpected next step in her vocational begin a two- to three-year training track and the types of electives it offers. McGonigal, the university’s former dean of
become consecrated as a pastor
particularly enjoyed his professors and journey. within the denomination, culminating in For instance, he says, the program spiritual life. In addition to administering
within the Christian & Missionary
the way the cohort model allowed him After completing her bachelor’s degree, her consecration as a pastor. recently added a master’s-thesis option The Ekklesia Project, the office for church
Alliance Church to build friendships with people from Dufault spent a year in Costa Rica Dufault says that financing her degree for students who want to focus on
engagement is pursuing opportunities to
various backgrounds and perspectives. helping establish Whitworth’s center has been a challenge, but a grant she research. The program is also adding
FAVORITE PART OF THE M.A. In fact, he has since hired one of his there. She then returned to Spokane and received through Whitworth has offset a classes focused on different aspects of develop and deepen partnerships with
IN THEOLOGY PROGRAM: The classmates to work at Life Center. started working at The Porch, a church substantial portion of her tuition costs. ministry: a course in youth ministry, a Presbyterian denominations and with
cohort model, which allows her The church also has partnered with planted by Garland Alliance Church, Whitworth’s ability to create and course focusing on worshipping within other expressions of the global church.
to get to know people from a Whitworth to create a special Life which she had attended as an undergrad. maintain such scholarships will be key to Christian communities, and classes
The project is also looking to expand
Center track within Whitworth’s Lay Diving deeper into pastoral ministry, she building the program, because so many focused on mission, particularly the
wide range of denominational Ministry Certificate Program, which saw all the different pieces of her passions of its students are financially challenged global Christian movement. local and regional ministries. Additionally,
backgrounds, life experiences, is designed to help train, equip and come together. She began looking for a due to their involvement or planned “We’re finding opportunities to be the office works with churches to assess
and ministry areas support men and women to serve more part-time graduate theology program that involvement in ministry and nonprofit- stronger and applying ourselves to that,” needs in the local community and to
effectively in a variety of paid and she could complete at her own pace, in related professions, says Cheryl Vawter, Wynne says. “This is a community
develop strategies and programs to meet
QUOTE: “This is the right program unpaid leadership positions in local her own city. For the second time in her ’94, associate vice president for graduate that is passionate about learning and
congregations. So far, dozens of Life life, her search for the right educational admissions and continuing studies. studying the gospel. They love what those needs.
for me. I’m getting high-level
Center’s members have completed the fit brought her to Whitworth. “Unlike many students in our other they do, and that’s why they’re doing
academic theological studies in a non-degree program. “When I came back to campus I graduate and continuing education this program: We want to support them Both The Ekklesia Project and the
way that’s directly applied to how “Our involvement with Whitworth thought, ‘Well, hey there, Whitworth, programs, students aren’t choosing the in that.” Whitworth Office for Church Engagement
I’m doing ministry, so I’m able to has elevated the value of continuing I didn’t think I’d get to see you again so program based on the expectation that are consistent with the university’s
put it to use immediately.” education for our entire congregation,” soon,’” she says. “It is the perfect program they will one day get a financial return Whitworth 2021 Courage at the
Wittwer says. for what I need, plus the classes are on their educational investment,”
blowing my mind and changing how I Vawter says. “While everything we do Crossroads strategic plan, which calls
look at my faith and how I do ministry.” at Whitworth is directly tied to our for deepening Whitworth’s position as
Dufault hopes to finish her degree mission, the M.A. in theology is a valued resource to the church and
within three years. She’s currently particularly close to the heart of who society.
working on being licensed within we are as an institution.”
10 TODAY TODAY 11
Tacoma, Whitworth’s new campus had to be carved into a dense Whitworth suffered a major setback in 1917, when the U.S.
forest more than two miles north of the city limits. Whitworth’s entered WWI. Thirty male students had enlisted, and the college
groundbreaking took place in May; that August, 200 people was in debt; the trustees decided to close the campus for the
attended the dedication of the Young Ladies’ Dormitory (now 1918-19 academic year, releasing the president and faculty to find
McMillan Hall). To satisfy accreditation requirements, trustee work elsewhere. The trustees leased the campus to the Army, to
Aubrey White orchestrated a campaign to add 8,000 volumes to be used as an auto and tractor school.
Whitworth’s library, housed in McMillan. By the end of the year, the buildings were in shambles and
When classes began, in September, the college welcomed 40 the football field’s turf had been destroyed; Whitworth College
students and 14 faculty existed in name only. But
members, four of whom the trustees rallied: They
had relocated from raised funds and named a
Tacoma with President president, the Rev. Arthur
Donald MacKay. At Y. Beatie, who began
the time, World War recruiting faculty from
I, which had erupted the East Coast. Classes
in July, loomed in restarted on Sept. 16,
the background; The 1919, with 98 students
Spokesman-Review’s daily enrolled, the new student
headlines shouted about body fueled in part by
the fierce fighting. Five war veterans eager to
days after classes began, earn degrees.
trustee J. Grier Long, who We often have the
had been instrumental in sense that history is
Whitworth’s relocation inevitable, that events
and had provided much-needed vision and leadership, died after and institutions turn out the way they do because unseen forces
a sudden illness. propel them. But that view obscures the many people – and
Long’s fellow trustees were so uncertain the college would the choices they make and the actions they take – who largely
survive that they decided to merge with another Protestant determine the outcome.
In 1914, Whitworth was on the brink of closing. A bold move college in Spokane. It appears they had approved the merger, but As we celebrate Whitworth’s 100th anniversary in Spokane,
it fell apart at the last minute. let’s raise a toast to the committed community leaders, citizens,
and a host of believers changed the course of history. Students and faculty pressed on to fight for Whitworth’s students, faculty and trustees who believed Whitworth was worth
By Dale Soden success. School spirit helped sustain the fledgling campus through fighting for. They changed the course of history for Whitworth,
tough times, as students brought with them traditions from and for the countless believers who followed.
Tacoma, including Mayfest, the Colonial Party, and Campus Day,
Next year we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Everything appeared to be so good in Tacoma, but by 1912 Dale Soden, Ph.D., is a professor of history, the campus historian,
which is now Community Building Day. Faculty not only taught
Whitworth’s founding. But this year, in 2014, we are celebrating student enrollment had stalled. Not enough people believed in and director of the Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith &
classes; they also filled multiple other roles. One such professor
Whitworth’s 100th year in Spokane. Whitworth; not enough students and donors stepped forward. Learning at Whitworth.
was David Guy. A 1909 alumnus, Guy was a true believer in
In a simple sense, Whitworth’s move from Tacoma in 1914 The college began sinking fast.
Whitworth. He taught math and civil engineering, coached the To read Soden’s spring 2014 Convocation presentation about
allowed the institution to survive. At first glance, this was Jay P. Graves, one of Spokane’s leading entrepreneurs,
athletics teams, was campus surveyor and dean of men, and sang Whitworth’s move to Spokane and to view accompanying photos,
because people in Spokane donated land and raised money. But became aware of Whitworth’s financial difficulties. He, along
second tenor in Whitworth’s quartet. visit www.whitworth.edu/whitworthtoday.
the college also survived because students, faculty and trustees with Presbyterian leaders, city officials, and Whitworth trustees
fought for Whitworth. J. Grier Long and the Rev. Hugh McMillan, put together an
Tacoma, nicknamed the City of Destiny, seemed a perfect attractive offer. Long and McMillan agreed to spearhead a
fit for Whitworth. The school undoubtedly enjoyed the most $100,000 building fund: Spokane’s citizens launched a campaign
beautiful setting of any college in the Northwest: the campus that netted $70,000, and the Synod of Washington pitched in
overlooked Mount Rainier, the Olympic and Cascade ranges, $30,000. Graves set aside 640 acres he owned, designating 40 More than 300 guests gathered at the Lincoln Center on March 15 to
and Puget Sound. The Ladies Residence Hall occupied the acres for a campus; 40 acres to be sold to support the building celebrate Whitworth’s 100 years in Spokane. The evening included a
grandest mansion in fund; and the remaining performance by the Whitworth Choir, citations by community leaders,
the city; Whitworth acreage platted and sold, a presentation of the 2014 Alumni Awards, and a toast in honor of
had a new gymnasium; with roughly 50 percent the university’s enduring mission and those who have supported and
the baseball team had of the proceeds going to sustained Whitworth across 100 successful years.
defeated the University of the college.
Washington; the football Whitworth trustees
team had defeated the accepted the offer and
University of Oregon; and moved the college
Above left: Groundbreaking for McMillan Hall, May 22, 1914
Whitworth had produced nearly 300 miles. Unlike
a Rhodes Scholar. the idyllic location in Left: Members of the Class of 1915, Whitworth’s first graduating
seniors in Spokane: Ora Lee Landis, George Takaku, Ruth Lee
Above: Ballard Hall, left, and McMillan Hall, 1915
12 TODAY TODAY 13
[Whitworth NEWS]
Yeo Yeo! Wind Symphony Hosts Boston Trombonist In May, the Whitworth Wind Symphony performed at the Martin Woldson
The Bread of Life x 600,000 Theater at the Fox, in downtown Spokane, with guest artist Douglas Yeo, who was bass trombonist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra
This spring, as Whitworth celebrated a century in Spokane, the and Boston Pops for 27 years. Earlier this spring, the wind symphony toured California, performing from the Bay Area to San Diego.
Associated Students of Whitworth University gave back to our city
and our region, and to hungry people far beyond our borders through
a program they christened the Million Meals Campaign. Over the Whitworth Auxiliary Endows
course of the 2013-14 academic year, ASWU devoted countless
person-hours, considerable shoe-leather, a strong desire to help Scholarship to Celebrate 100 Years
others, and boundless enthusiasm to raising $150,000 for people who
Next year, on the occasion of and Dorothy
are hungry and in need. ASWU partnered with the local nonprofit
the Whitworth Auxiliary’s 100th Farr-Dixon, the
Generation Alive and its founder, San Francisco Giants pitcher
anniversary, its members will present daughter of the
Jeremy Affeldt, to see this project through. Though the effort fell a
the first Whitworth Auxiliary Endowed auxiliary’s founder,
bit short of the one million meals Whitworth hoped to prepare, more
Scholarship to a deserving Whitworth asked me to.
than 1,000 Whitworthians – students, faculty, staff, alums, friends and
student. Over the years, the auxiliary has Dorothy was a
community volunteers – showed up on Saturday, May 3, to package
raised nearly $200,000 to assist Whitworth grand lady. She said
more than 600,000 meals, which were then distributed by Second
students. Members raise funds through ‘Let’s do it!’ and we
Harvest of the Inland Northwest to hungry people here in the Inland
their annual Fall Luncheon & Bazaar, did it.”
Northwest, as well as to Nicaraguans in need.
their Winter Bazaar & Bake Sale, and Mary Lee
their Spring Tea & Style Show. Nickoloff, ’64, the
In 1915, the group began meeting in current president
the living rooms of its members’ homes. of the auxiliary, says that one of her students’ financial needs, through gifts to
The women followed the core tenet “to favorite aspects of the auxiliary is “being the President’s Discretionary Fund, travel
pray, to plan, and to promote.” They made able to give back to Whitworth money for Hawaiian and international
curtains and pillows for residence halls and all of the great things that I received students, and the new endowed
acted as dorm mothers for hall residents. during my time there.” Nickoloff sees scholarship.
And they continued, throughout the the auxiliary as an opportunity for The Whitworth Auxiliary also raises
20th century – and now into the 21st – to fellowship “with a really neat group funds through the sale of cutlery and its new
make students comfortable at Whitworth. of Christian ladies who support and cookbook, Tasty Treasures: Tried and True
“We wallpapered, we painted, and we care for each other.” Recipes from the Whitworth Auxiliary
had all the pianos tuned every summer,” In its 100th year, in addition to its (available through the Whitworth Bookstore).
says Marilyn Stedman, a member of the original goal of making residence halls If you are interested in joining the auxiliary,
auxiliary since 1975. “I joined because homes-away-from-home for Whitworth please contact member Beth Davis at
my daughter was a Whitworth student, students, the auxiliary also addresses 509.777.4268.
14 TODAY TODAY 15
[Whitworth NEWS]
Q & A with Carol POTUS Protector Is Spring Speaker
at President’s Leadership Forum
What was appealing about taking on the role of
Mark Sullivan, former director of the United States Secret
provost at Whitworth?
Service and co-founder of Global Security & Intelligence
Being provost at Whitworth means working with Strategies, keynoted Whitworth’s spring President’s
talented, dedicated faculty and staff to educate students Leadership Forum. “He brings an insider’s view to issues
in mind and heart. What could be more important and of global and national security based on his work for
satisfying than that? presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama,” says
Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. “Mark served the
Why do big ideas matter in a world where higher country, its citizens, and its political leadership with honor
education often seems to be all about training and distinction, and he led admirably through moments
of crisis at the agency.” Rounding out the event, Sullivan
graduates for jobs? and Taylor conversed onstage about the responsibilities
Big ideas matter because, no matter what we are of the Secret Service and the issues that arose during
doing for a living, we want to live lives that make a Sullivan’s tenure as its director.
difference for good in the world. We need to continually
ask ourselves how to honor God, follow Christ and
genuinely serve humanity. Those things don’t happen
automatically. We need to be lifelong learners and
reflective human beings in order to live lives that A Season of Change
honor God.
Board’s evolution evokes thanks, anticipation, sadness
Meet the Provost How have you balanced your family and social The Whitworth Board of Trustees saw helped solidify the institution as an mourned the loss
Carol Simon leads implementation of life with your successful professional life and a number of changes this spring as the integral figure in Christian liberal arts of longtime trustee
Whitworth’s academic goals its demands? chair stepped down, his successor stepped education in the U.S.” Dave Robblee,
up, and the trustees – and the entire Jason Thackston, ’62, who died of
Caroline Simon, Ph.D., joined Whitworth last July as provost I often haven’t balanced these very well. I am fortunate Whitworth community – bade farewell ’92, senior vice cancer in April,
and executive vice president. She succeeds Michael Le Roy, ’89, to have a wonderful husband, fantastic children and to one of the board’s most popular president for Avista leaving a legacy of
who is now president of Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Mich. great friends. I am also fortunate to love my work. longtime members. Corp., was elected involvement, effort,
Prior to joining Whitworth, Simon, who prefers to be called Walt Oliver, chair of the board and sheer joy at his
Carol, served as associate dean for teaching and learning at What would you like to be your No. 1 ’67, says it was a and will assume alma mater. He was
Hope College, in Holland, Mich. She previously held numerous accomplishment at Whitworth? pleasure for him his new role July 1. a business owner, a community volunteer,
administrative leadership roles at Hope and served on the to serve as board “Jason is stepping and a loving husband and father. He and
college’s board of trustees. As a faculty member, she held the I would like to help Whitworth grow into its own ideals.
chair (for six stellar in as board chair his wife, Anne, had three children, all
John and Jeanne Jacobson Endowed Professorship, a rotating, If it turns out that Whitworth is better equipped to be its
years), and he is at the perfect time,” Taylor says. “His Whitworth alums.
four-year appointment, and chaired the philosophy department best self than it was before I became its provost, I will be
looking forward experience in business leadership and his Robblee earned his B.A. in music
for six years. satisfied with what I’ve accomplished.
to continuing his passion for the Whitworth community education from Whitworth in 1962
While engaged in administrative leadership, Simon has service as a trustee. will be invaluable as we enter into an and joined its board of trustees in 1983,
continued to write about virtue and human affection. She Are you (secretly or otherwise) rooting for the Hope Under his leadership, the university exciting chapter in the institution’s serving on the Buildings and Grounds
has authored, co-authored and edited five books, including women in the NCAA Division III tournament? transitioned to a new president, and history.” As Avista’s senior vice president, Subcommittee, the Endowment
Can Hope Endure? A Historical Case Study in Christian Higher (Note: Simon answered this question in March, when the Oliver helped shape an ambitious 10-year Thackston is responsible for overseeing Subcommittee, and the Finance and
Education (Eerdmans, 2005), and Mentoring for Mission: women’s DIII championship was still up in the air. Unfortunately, strategic plan, oversaw major additions to the utility’s gas and electric transmission Administration Committee during his 31-
Nurturing New Faculty at Church-Related Colleges (Eerdmans, neither Whitworth nor Hope won the national championship.) the campus, and, with the board, ensured and distribution operations. He previously year tenure. “Dave reminded all who were
2003). She has also published more than two dozen articles. Whitworth’s continuity by extending served as Avista’s vice president of near him of the joy of life,” Taylor says.
Simon holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in philosophy from the When the Whitworth women beat Whitman in
President Beck A. Taylor’s contract finance, overseeing financing and capital “We will miss him terribly, but we rejoice
University of Washington, and a B.S. in philosophy from the basketball, I had two reasons for rejoicing: That got
through the 2019-20 academic year. activities and being involved in corporate that he has found eternal rest with his
University of Oregon. Whitworth into the NCAA tournament and it may
“Whitworth has prospered tremendously development, investor relations, risk Savior. Our prayers extend to the entire
By way of introduction to her new community, Simon help Hope College women move up in their rankings.
under Walt’s careful leadership,” management, and planning and analysis. Robblee family, and to all who knew and
answered a few questions for Whitworth Today about her new If Whitworth meets Hope in a playoff game, I’ll root for
Taylor says. “His tireless and generous In the wake of these personnel changes loved Dave.”
position and the ways in which she approaches her work and Whitworth, of course.
dedication to Whitworth’s mission has on the board, the Whitworth community
her life.
16 TODAY TODAY 17
[Whitworth NEWS]
Lucky Seven, Plus 300 Click!
Reformed, Evangelical, Ecumenical
Whitworth wins all-sports trophy, Higgs reaches milestone Business-plan competition The President’s Colloquy on Theological Identities (Reformed and
For the seventh for all of our coaches, student-athletes
launches Whitworthian, partner Presbyterian, evangelical, and ecumenical) took place over three evenings
consecutive and staff, as well as a tribute to the Devon Lind, ’14, and Michael Fisk of conversation and reflection this academic year. Each two-hour event
year, Whitworth support that we receive from the entire are two creative guys with one common focused on one of the three identities. On Nov. 20, Associate Provost
Athletics has campus community.” vision: “We just want to do remarkable for Faculty Development Kathy Storm spoke on the Reformed and
claimed the The Northwest Conference comprises things,” says Fisk, who first met Lind at Presbyterian identity. On March 12, Communication Studies Professor
McIlroy-Lewis nine private, independent colleges and True Hope Church, in Spokane. Their Ron Pyle presented his thoughts on Whitworth’s evangelical identity. And
All-Sports universities in Washington and Oregon. most recent collaboration, Photoboxx, on April 23, Associate Professor of Psychology Adrian Teo addressed
Trophy, bestowed The Pirates earned their first NWC All- took first place in the open category at Whitworth’s ecumenical identity. Each evening conversation also
upon the most Sports Trophy in 2005. Pacific Lutheran the 2014 Inland Northwest Business included three members of the Whitworth community who presented
successful won six times in a row, from 1995-2000, Plan Competition, hosted at Whitworth brief responses to the keynote presentation. To view videos or download
Higgs podcasts of these events, visit www.whitworth.edu/presidentscolloquy.
athletics program and also won the first eight trophies, from in April.
in the Northwest Conference. And 1986-93. Whitworth has now won the Photoboxx is a social-media printing Pyle
Women’s Head Basketball Coach Helen NWC All-Sports Trophy eight times. station used at events to print images
Higgs won her 300th game, becoming the Higgs’ accomplishment is singular: taken with mobile devices. Not only
Bucs’ “winningest” and longest-tenured She has now coached – and won – more does it provide users with a fun way to Spaun Makes Impressive Publishing Debut
basketball coach. basketball games than anyone else in remember or commemorate an event, it
Whitworth won the McIlroy-Lewis Whitworth history. Having just completed also requires that users utilize the event Grad’s co-authored study lands Science cover
over runner-up Pacific Lutheran by a final her 20th season at the helm of the Bucs, hashtag to receive their photo. This is the Ben Spaun, significant (or important) issue to study,
tally of 248 points to 201. The Pirates Higgs and her teams have put together the key element in Photoboxx’s usefulness, ’08, a bright star but it has a profound implication on the
won championships in men’s swimming, best stretch of records in school history. turning it into an organic marketing tool in Whitworth’s nature of matter.”
men’s basketball and men’s track & field; Whitworth went 124-53 (.700) in seven that pushes out the name of the event, alumni Spaun’s intellectual bona fides have
Whitworth earned additional points seasons, from 1999-2005. In 2002-03, business or brand hosting the event. constellation, never been in question at Whitworth.
toward the trophy with excellent finishes Higgs led the Pirates to a NWC title and Lind and Fisk first collaborated at True has distinguished In his junior year, he won a competitive
in a number of other varsity sports. an overall record of Hope. The duo built a website called “Ask himself throughout Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship,
The all-sports trophy recognizes 19-7, including a win over eventual a Pastor Anything,” which became a city- his career as an
excellence among Northwest Conference NCAA Division III finalist Eastern wide campaign that encouraged visitors to undergraduate
awarded annually to top math, science
and engineering students nationwide. National Champs –
institutions across all fields of competition. Connecticut State. ask any question about Christianity that
It is named in honor of John Lewis, who In 2004-05 Higgs led the Pirates to they wanted answered. Over the course of
physics and math double-major, as a
doctoral student at Harvard, and, now,
In 2005, Spaun and Sankaran
conducted research on plasma rockets
Again!
coached baseball and basketball and a 22-3 record, the best single-season a couple months, questions piled into the as co-author of a study published in (and at the NASA Marshall Space Flight For the second year in a row,
served as athletics director at Willamette mark ever at Whitworth. This season, site and were voted on by users. Top-rated featured on the cover of) Science, one Center. The following summer, Spaun Whitworth’s forensics team, with program
University in the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and early Whitworth repeated as NWC tournament questions were then answered in a seven- of his field’s most prestigious scholarly conducted nuclear research at Duke director Mike Ingram at the helm, took
’70s; and Jane McIlroy, Linfield College’s champion, earned its second straight week pastoring series at True Hope. journals. University. And in 2007 he completed first in the overall sweepstakes at the
women’s athletics director and physical automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, The idea for Photoboxx popped up a “Ben is a member of a large team of a research project in condensed-matter National Christian College Forensics
education professor, who also coached and won the program’s first NCAA little more than a year ago. Fisk originally researchers at Harvard and Yale who are physics at the University of Colorado Association Tournament. The tournament
field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball tournament game. The Pirates also beat thought it would be a good extension investigating the shape of an electron,” at Boulder. featured 28 Christian schools that are
and tennis during her 31-year tenure No. 1 ranked Whitman, whose only other of his photography and photo-booth says Whitworth Associate Professor Before graduating from Whitworth members of the Council for Christian
(1950-81) at the college. 2013-14 loss was to Fairleigh-Dickinson business. Lind joined as lead developer, of Physics Kamesh Sankaran. “The (as a President’s Cup honoree, with a Colleges & Universities. Whitworth
Interim Athletics Director Melinda Florham (Madison, N.J.) in the national and the duo decided to launch Photoboxx significance of their result is attested 4.0 grade-point average), Spaun landed finished ahead of schools including Azusa
Larson, ’92, says of the university’s championship game. as a stand-alone company after they to by the front-page publicity that a full scholarship for a six-year doctoral Pacific, Biola, Colorado Christian, Dordt,
seventh consecutive McIroy-Lewis win, “Helen also wins in the lives of her received enormous interest from potential Science has accorded to it.” The article, research program at Harvard (and Liberty and Wheaton. The team also
“Whitworth’s mission and athletics players,” says interim A.D. Larson. “She clients, including the Spokane Arena, “Order of Magnitude Smaller Limit turned down another such offer from brought home 23 individual speech and
philosophy serve as a strong foundation has coached, taught and mentored CenturyLink Field, in Seattle, and Circus on the Electric Dipole Moment of the Yale). The scholarship covered two 12 individual debate awards, including
for the collective vision and dedication student-athletes throughout her career as a Circus Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas. Electron,” appears in the Dec. 13, 2013, years of schooling, four of research, and three national speech champions and five
to excellence required to compete for servant-leader with a big heart and a love To learn more about Photoboxx, visit issue of the magazine. “This article a living stipend. Spaun has made the national debate champions. “To win this
this award each year. This is an honor for her players.” photoboxx.me. touches on a fundamental question most of this extraordinary opportunity; tournament again illustrates the breadth
regarding the nature of the physical Harvard will award him his Ph.D. this and depth of our team, and our staying
world,” Sankaran says. “The shape of spring, right on schedule. power in both individual speech events
an electron might not seem to be a and debate,” Ingram says. “Our March
Madness wins are no fluke – our team is
here to stay!”
18 TODAY TODAY 19You can also read
