Whitworth’s “res life” program is pretty special – see “Priming Students for Life” on P. 28.
A NOTE FROM SCOTT
In October 2008, when our oldest daughter was one month into her first year at Whitworth, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Forrest Baird stopped me just outside the front doors of Weyerhaeuser Hall. Forrest asked, “Scott, have you figured it out yet?” I replied, “What, Forrest?” He told me that once his own children had attended Whitworth, he realized, “Life happens between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. in our residence halls.”
It’s there, among friends and residence life staff, in lounges, dorm rooms and hallways, where our students talk about important matters they encounter and experience across campus – ideas, politics, current issues, faith, hopes and aspirations, heartaches and failures, and relationships. That was true for me in McMillan Hall. I was shaped in the classroom by stellar professors, but my life was also deeply enriched by the hours I spent with hall mates, with whom I remain close even now, 40 years later.
I can sound like that guy wishing for days long past –when Tom Bowerman ’84 owned the only television, with three channels, in Mac, where we gathered to watch NFL games or Clint Eastwood Westerns, all of us awed by his movie-star cool. Commotion, laughter and conversation drew us into community.
While there are many things to attract the attention of our students today, I am deeply encouraged by how our student life program fosters supportive staff and campus spaces that call out, “Welcome home! Join the conversation. Your presence adds so much!”
When I visit with prospective students, I am quick to share about the residence hall experience to be had here. “In many instances,” I say, “you will remain attached to Whitworth friends for the rest of your lives because of what happens between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.”
At Whitworth, life happens well into the night. But fear not, parents – only after students have done their homework!
Scott McQuilkin ’84, President
THE COVER
Professional calligrapher Spencer Ansett ’15 hand-crafted this original work on traditional sheepskin parchment for Whitworth Today. “I find the endless pursuit of excellence in this art form extremely captivating,” he says. “Words have profound significance to our lives. I strive to write beautifully to give words more glory – to give The Word [Jesus Christ] more glory.”
FEATURED STORIES
STAFF Julie Riddle ’92 (Editor), Heidi Jantz (Art Director), Megan Jonas (Assistant Editor), Garrett Riddle (Project Manager), Cameron Todd ’21 (Photography Coordinator)
CONTRIBUTORS Spencer Ansett ’15, Patricia Bruininks, Nancy Bunker, Shari Clarke, Macie Cowan ’27, Genevieve Gromlich, Marli Krantz
EDITORIAL BOARD Danika Hatcher ’10, MBA ’20, Heidi Jantz, Megan Jonas, Garrett Riddle, Julie Riddle ’92, Cameron Todd ’21, Tad Wisenor ’89
ADMINISTRATION Scott McQuilkin ’84 (President), Stacey Kamm Smith ’86 (Vice President for Institutional Advancement), Joe Hughes (Associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications)
Carlson Collection a Thing of ‘Provocative Beauty’
BY JULIE RIDDLE ’92
Composition with Sculptural Forms, 1957 | Oil on canvas, 25 by 30 inches
| By Pacific Northwest artist Wendell Brazeau
Dorothy (Leavens) Carlson ’49 and Gordon Carlson ’50 were visionary and generous alumni. In the early 1970s, the longtime art lovers and collectors began donating artworks to Whitworth. They knew that exposing students to a variety of works by artists of diverse backgrounds – some with controversial ideas and styles – would broaden students’ worldviews and cultivate empathy and creativity.
The Carlsons, who met at Whitworth as biology students, were instrumental in establishing Whitworth’s permanent art collection and providing the core of the university’s Pacific Northwest collection. Throughout their lifetimes, they donated more than 65 artworks to Whitworth. Today, these vivid expressions of the human experience are displayed throughout campus and are used for
instruction in classes across academic disciplines.
The couple’s children, Paul Carlson and Helen Carlson, have continued their parents’ legacy of donating art to Whitworth. The siblings are commemorating their parents’ 75th graduation anniversaries from Whitworth with the yearlong Carlson Commemoration. Events include an exhibit, “Provocative Beauty,” featuring selections from the Carlson Collection; a contemporary Indigenous prints exhibit; and an Indigenous artist residency.
Learn more about the Carlsons and Carlson Commemoration events (fall 2024 through fall 2025) and view an online gallery of the Carlson Collection at whitworth.edu/carlson-collection
Gordon Carlson ’50 and Dorothy (Leavens) Carlson ’49
What do you love?
Opportunities abound to share what matters to you and make a meaningful impact at Whitworth. Explore ways to give by contacting Tad Wisenor ’89 at 509.777.4401 or twisenor@whitworth.edu.
Whitworthian ho Changed My Life
You know who they are: the Whitworth faculty and staff (and even their spouses) who came to mean so much to us. They reflected back to us the strengths and abilities we couldn’t see in ourselves and helped us imagine who we could become. They guided us forward, to meaningful work, service, faith and relationships.
Here, alumni share about the Whitworthians who made a lasting imprint.
Don Liebert (sociology) saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet discovered in myself. One afternoon after class, he invited me to discuss my interests and goals. He encouraged me to consider the impact I could have by pursuing sociology and guided me toward focusing on research methodologies and statistics, a field I not only excelled in but also grew to love. Through his guidance, I pursued a master’s degree in sociology, and that foundation led to a fulfilling career where I could contribute to creating positive change. Dr. Liebert’s legacy is not just in the lessons he taught but in the lives he transformed – mine included.
TAMMY JONES ’84, SOCIOLOGY
Ron Pyle’s communication studies classes have paid dividends in our roles in healthcare, education and teaching the Bible. Ron and his late wife, Julie, welcomed us into their home, helped us work through conflict, and performed our premarital counseling. We were tremendously blessed to be mentored by them.
DAVID POMMER ’96, CHEMISTRY, AND HEIDI (SCHMIDT) POMMER ’94, ENGLISH
Harry Dixon (business & economics) was my professor, advisor, landlord (!), mentor and friend. He and his wife, Marj, changed the way I do so many things, from marriage to reaching out to others to my aspirations in life. I quote them both frequently, remember our times together with fondness, and hope I am mentoring others with the same love that Harry and Marj did.
LORI (CLONINGER) SWEENEY ’83, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
As a sophomore, I started a work-study job with the MBA program. Mary Alberts (director) showed me it was possible to be an ambitious businesswoman and follow your values. When it was time to graduate and apply for jobs, I sheepishly asked Mary for a letter of recommendation. I remember reading Mary’s letter and feeling stunned. It was glowing and full of rich details. It made me feel she had seen my unconventional strengths and that I had real potential. Thank you, Mary. You changed my life.
ELIZABETH (EADS) REISNER ’06, THEATRE
EDITOR’S NOTE: My special Whitworthian is Dale Soden (history). Who’s yours? Give thanks for them today.
HANDS -
F AIT H ON
Students Plunge into Summer Ministry
BY JULIE RIDDLE ’92
The goals are ambitious; the outcomes profound. Ten years ago, Whitworth’s new Office of Church Engagement launched the Summer Fellowship Program. Its aim? To build up young leaders, invest in the future of the church, and join in the work God is doing in the world. Students undergo training on campus and are matched with an array of ministry partners that align with their area of study or sense of calling. Throughout the summer, students help meet the ministries’ practical needs. They also observe closely, think deeply, persevere through discomfort, and grow, grow, grow. By summer’s end, they often describe their experiences as life-changing. Here, three 2024 summer fellows share excerpts from their journals.
Summer Fellowship Spotlight
> Provided more than $275,000 in scholarships to students – thanks to generous donors!
> Placed 276 students with more than 80 ministry partners in 12 states and Scotland
M Michael
Takudzwa “Michael” Majojo ’25
Major: Biology
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Michael assisted with streetcorner medical clinics, serving San Diego’s homeless community through Ladle Fellowship ministry.
Catherine (left) visited the pop-up medical clinic at the train station in downtown San Diego. “She shared beautiful stories about her life,” says Michael (right), “including her past experiences singing in church.”
“This experience has profoundly deepened my understanding of what it means to be a doctor. It is about more than medical treatment – it’s about fostering connections and providing holistic support to those in need. You can heal people spiritually by sharing the gospel and engaging in meaningful conversations. The daily interactions with people living on the streets have left an indelible mark on me, teaching me about resilience, optimism and the power of human connection.
“I’m learning how to engage more people in helping others. The Ladle Fellowship community is filled with individuals who demonstrate the power of collective action and shared purpose. When people see the impact of our work and feel included in the mission, they are more likely to join in and contribute to the cause.”
While volunteering, Michael met Johnny (right) who shared that he had recently secured a job and was rebuilding his life. “I invited him to attend church, and he accepted,” Michael says.
RRyland
Ryland Gabriel ’26
Major: Psychology Spokane
Ryland supervised and cared for teens from disrupted adoptions at Hope House, a Christian nonprofit in Marsing, Idaho.
“My expectation was to be a major influence on the kids, but I was soon met with Christ’s reminder of patience. Why patience? Well, trying to be the proper influence when met with disruptive, often angry, back-talk behavior requires lots of patience. I have been reminded by God that I’m here to fill a role but also to learn from those who have worked here a long time – they are the ones with the patience and knowledge.
“I recently arrived back from the Oregon Coast with the five boys. We spent countless hours on the beach, hiking, playing games and sharing silly music, and we walked to Dollar General to buy sunscreen and shampoo we forgot to bring. It was a brutal nine-hour car drive to get there, though the brotherhood we now share opened gateways to learn from one another. Here’s to a wild three months in Idaho!”
Top: Ryland (third from right) connects with the boys living at Hope House during an eventful trip to the Oregon Coast. Bottom: Ryland (foreground) crashes a splash party near the girls’ dorm at Hope House. “I couldn’t help but join in,” he says.
AAshley
Ashley Crawford ’26 Majors: Secondary education, history/social studies and theology Seattle
Ashley worked in youth and young adult outreach at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, Wyo.
““This fellowship is extra special because my site supervisor, Megan Walker ’22, was a summer fellow here when she was a student at Whitworth. I have learned immensely from Megan and others about what it means to not let productivity be the fuel for ministry. It can be easy to be so focused on getting tasks done so ministry events can happen, but my fellowship has taught me so much about being slower and more thoughtful in ministry and with my faith.
“I am learning to be more open to God’s timing versus my schedule and to be intentional with the present moment and the fellowship with others that God is guiding me to. With ministry, we have this incredible opportunity to join in what God is doing, being able to share our gifts and talents. With that, we also have to surrender our ideas of ‘being successful’ and instead remain faithful to Christ and our community.”
HAPPY first decade to the OCE!
The Whitworth Office of Church Engagement, founded in 2014, partners with churches and other Christian ministries as they discern how to be the church and do ministry in our rapidly changing culture.
Sampling of Programs:
> Summer Fellowship Program
> Academy of Christian Discipleship
> Whitworth Ministry Summit
> Resilient Church
> Compelling Preaching Initiative
> Spiritual Direction Certificate
Handful of Highlights
The OCE has…
> Put to work more than $8 million in grant funding
> Partnered with more than 170 churches and ministries representing 15 denominations
> Trained more than 600 people in the Academy of Christian Discipleship
> Provided more than $450,000 to churches to strengthen their congregational life and invest in their communities
Learn more about the OCE – and join in – at whitworth.edu/oce
Ashley (right) and her fellowship supervisor Megan Walker ’22 (left) celebrate middle school graduation with a student involved in the youth program at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole. Megan, a former summer fellow, is the youth and young adult coordinator for the church.
10 for 10
BY MEGAN JONAS
Since 2008, there has never been a time when a Calderón sibling wasn’t attending Whitworth. That incredible streak will end when Elena Calderón, the youngest of 10, graduates in 2026. All but one of the siblings majored in at least one STEM discipline.
“Education has always been a priority in my family,” says Elena, an applied mathematics and physics double major. “My parents taught us kids that we were going to be used in significant ways to further the kingdom of God. We all had tools that needed to be developed, and the go-to way to develop those skills was to pursue higher education.”
In the Calderón family, that pursuit goes beyond bachelor’s degrees. All of the children plan to or have pursued graduate education, including doctors of philosophy in the sciences and doctors of medicine. All are focused on serving God and humanity through their vocations.
The children’s love for learning was instilled in them by their parents, Lorena and Carlos Calderón, immigrants from El Salvador who themselves hold advanced degrees. The couple, who serve the church through global missions, home-educated each of their kids starting in the third grade.
“We wanted to equip our kids to be more effective in the world by giving them a holistic foundation – mind, heart, body, soul and spirit,” Carlos says.
Lorena says the family’s schooldays were long and highly structured, starting at 5:30 a.m. with devotionals, followed by Bible study, school and extracurriculars.
“We wanted our kids to rejoice in learning,” she says.
When the family moved to Spokane from Texas in 2007, they felt God’s calling for the children to attend Whitworth following community college.
“My family’s house was a hub of support for learning since before I was born,” Elena says. “My parents would support us kids, the older kids would support the
Meet the Calderóns
Brisa Calderón Davis ’12
Physics, math, computer science
Ph.D. in applied math, University of Washington
Adjunct professor of mathematics and engineering, LeTourneau University
Monica Calderón Madrigal ’12
Psychology, communication
M.S. in education, Johns Hopkins University
Trauma and marriage counselor in Istanbul, Turkey
Josué Calderón ’12
Engineering physics, math
M.S. in aeronautics & astronautics, University of Washington
Controls engineer, Ag Leader Technology
younger kids, and occasionally the younger kids would even support the older. This support included helping each other study for quizzes, being a shoulder to cry on and praying for each other.”
This nurturing hub extended beyond the family, as the Calderóns opened their home to countless Whitworth students for meals and study sessions (their kitchen features a fullsize whiteboard).
For Carlos and Lorena, Whitworth has been a testament to God’s faithfulness.
“We are most grateful to Whitworth and to the many professors, parents, foundations, donors, supporters, and people who pray that make Whitworth possible, of which we are beneficiaries,” Carlos says. “We take Whitworth as God’s provision for us.”
Briana Calderón Parker ’15
Biology, chemistry
M.D., Michigan State University
Flight surgeon, U.S. Air Force
Adriana Calderón ’16
Biology, chemistry
M.D., Central Michigan University
Resident doctor, CHRISTUS Health
Debora Calderón Williams ’19
Biology, psychology
Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience, The University of Texas at Dallas
Carla Calderón ’21
Biophysics
M.S. in biomedical engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Field services engineer, Omnicell
Previous page: Carlos and Lorena Calderón delight in their children’s Whitworth diplomas, which fill a wall of their Spokane home. Above left: The Calderón family poses for an affectionate photo at their home in 2011, when the three oldest children were finishing their degrees at Whitworth.
visit with their youngest daughter, Elena Calderón ’26, at the coffee bar in Robinson
“We
wanted our kids to rejoice in learning.”
Evelyn Calderón Fowlkes ’22 Biology, sociology Medical assistant, Shriners Children’s; starting MEDEX Northwest PA Program in summer 2025
Lydia Calderón Aceituno ’23 Physics, math
Ph.D. candidate in
Calderón ’26
Calderón siblings
Above right: Lorena and Carlos Calderón
Science Hall.
great teaching,
Beyond being experts in their fields, Whitworth professors are dynamic teachers who take on relevant topics that resonate with students. Following, newer faculty members share how they inform and equip students in a selection of Whitworth’s compelling courses.
BY MEGAN JONAS
great classes
Matt
Rains, Assistant Professor United Nations Simulation (Political Science 296)
United Nations Simulation (known as Model U.N.) is a Jan Term course driven by student interests and focus. Students research and develop solutions to the most pressing issues our global community is facing. Some topics covered this Jan Term include the climate crisis, fighting human trafficking, and memory politics of mass atrocities.
Working as delegates of countries meeting at the United Nations, students guide debates and discussions into areas that resonate with them. It’s my experience that students learn the most about international relations in this format, as holding power over the structure of the class really gets them to buy in. The class builds skills like policy writing, public speaking and cooperative problem-solving.
Mao, Assistant Professor Great Teaching, Great Classes
if you want to generate ai instead of just use ai, you have to put in a lot of work and the learning curve is long.
Some topics covered... include the climate crisis, fighting human trafficking, and memory politics of mass atrocities.
Artificial
Intelligence (Computer Science 457)
Qian
My areas of research and specialization include deep learning, cybersecurity and using artificial intelligence to optimize network communication. This course discusses the basics of AI, such as searching algorithms and reinforcement learning algorithms. Students learn these algorithms and implement them using programming languages such as Python.
Students make many AI projects in this class. For their final projects in the spring 2024 class, students created amazing programs that used AI to play chess, race car games, snake games and so on. Some students also explored how to utilize AI to enhance cybersecurity in their projects.
The class is challenging. People like using AI because it’s cool, but if you want to generate AI instead of just use AI, you have to put in a lot of work and the learning curve is long. Many students put a lot of time and effort into their programming, and I feel very proud of them.
Writing & Design (English 110)
Peter Moe, Associate Professor
Writing is foundational for how we think and move about within the academy and beyond. But there’s a problem: A growing body of research shows most students do not carry what they learn in their first-year writing courses into their other coursework.
This spring, alongside my colleague [Associate Professor] Nicole Sheets, I piloted a new curriculum for EL 110 based on current research into best practices for teaching writing. This English course is built to help students transfer what they learn to the writing they’ll do in their (for example) biology, history, economics or sociology courses.
EL 110 introduces students to the kinds of writing valued in the academy, writing that does serious work on the page, asks hard questions and then works hard to find possible answers. It also gives students practice composing in various media, because once they enter the workforce, it’s unlikely they’ll be writing thesis-driven papers. They’ll be writing in various forms, genres and styles.
this english course is built to help students transfer what they learn to the writing they’ll do in their [other] courses.
i always incorporate... the media portrayal of different crimes, offenders and criminal justice actors.
Deviance, Crime & Criminal Justice (Sociology 283)
Mary Miller, Assistant Professor
Deviance, Crime & Criminal Justice acquaints students with the basics of the criminal justice system: its structures and functions, the processing of the accused, and implementing punishment and its alternatives. This class also notes how crimes are classified, explains why they occur, and examines what we perceive as justice for victims and their families.
This course is relevant to societal issues such as racial and socioeconomic disparities. Specifically, racial profiling, biased policing and sentencing inequalities are a few of the topics that intersect within the criminal justice system and allow for extraordinary conversations in the classroom.
My research examines the media portrayal of intimate partner violence, specifically within the television show Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Therefore, I always incorporate in my teaching the media portrayal of different crimes, offenders and criminal justice actors. Examining the differences between media portrayal and the truth is critical.
take this c lass!
A peek at Whitworth’s academic catalog reveals enriching opportunities across disciplines.
Biology 362: Biotechnology Entrepreneurship
Work with a team of biology and business majors to create an original biotech solution and pitch it to a panel of industry experts.
Philosophy 299: The Meaning of Life
Delve into some of the big, essential questions: What’s the meaning of life? Does human existence have an overarching goal? What should I care most about?
Financial Planning 548: Biblical Financial Stewardship
Examine a biblical view of managing money and resources in the context of providing financial-planning services for faith-based clients.
Physics 154L: Near Space Research Project
In this lab, design, implement, test and analyze an experiment in near space.
Theology 322: Faith, Fear & Fragility
Understand and begin to transform our longing for, yet fear of, authentic relationships – in the context of Christian discipleship.
Music 265:
Applied Music Production
Learn and practice the technical, creative and aural skills that foster professional music production.
theseed of an idea
Grow Hope Joy and
BY JULIE RIDDLE ’92
In spring 2024, Whitworth Grounds
Manager Brandon Pyle ’05, MBL ’25 had an idea: What if his summer student grounds crew spruced up yards for West Central neighborhood residents in need of a helping hand? The students could give back to the community and build their skills too.
But Pyle’s enthusiasm soon gave way to doubts: What if no one in West Central nominated deserving neighbors? What if area businesses didn’t volunteer needed supplies? What if the students didn’t buy in?
Instead of scrapping the idea, Pyle partnered with Whitworth’s Dornsife Center for Community Engagement team and got to work. By mid-July his doubts, along with a lot of yard debris, hit the dumpster. “Human beings,” Pyle says, “are just cool.”
Across three days, 17 grounds-crew students and six staff members overhauled five yards in Spokane. They mulched, weeded, trimmed bushes, planted trees and flowers, installed a sprinkler system, laid sod, mowed, hauled out debris, repaved a walkway and more.
Katelyn Demant ’27 fits new sod along a sidewalk. “There’s a different type of feeling you get when you’re serving people,” she says. “It’s a feeling of just joy and passion, and it’s not about getting something in return.”
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will be watered.”
Lane Watkins ’26 trims grass around the Little Free Pantry in the yard of Larry Barringer, 70. Barringer, who struggled with food insecurity as a child, is co-founder of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, a group that packs 400 lunches weekly for people in need. “Hunger and thirst never take a day off,” he says. Barringer provided the crew drinks in the 100-plus-degree heat and served them lunch. “These students give me hope that when I’m gone, they’ll take over and make this a better world,” he says. The crew also overhauled the yard of a neighbor Barringer nominated who had recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
Grounds Manager Brandon Pyle ’05, MBL ’25 (left) and homeowner Nicci Gooch (right) connect during her yard makeover. “Seeing how well this worked,” Pyle later reflected, “there’s a real opportunity to build community while teaching [yard care] skills that people can use in their neighborhood, as opposed to us making a big change in one day and then leaving.” In summer 2025 Pyle and his crew are applying this approach – known as asset-based community development – as they team up with their growing West Central neighbors.
BY JULIE RIDDLE ’92
THE DAWN OF A NEW GENERATION:
Faculty Guide Gen Z Through the Rise of GenAI
WHAT IS AI?
WHITWORTH COMPOSITION COMMONS EXPLAINS:
“Artificial intelligence is technology that can simulate human intelligence through algorithms, repetitive learning and data.
‘Generative AI’ refers to computer systems that can generate traditionally human expression in digital form, including language, image, video and music.”
Excerpt from “The WCC Supports Critical AI Literacy,” a guide researched, created and used by Whitworth’s writing center student-consultants.
The sudden rise of generative AI in 2023 and its subsequent embeddedness across the technological landscape may seem akin to an invasion for some people. But for professors Jessica Clements (English) and Pete Tucker ’92 and Scott Griffith (computer science), “GenAI” is just the latest evolution in their respective academic disciplines.
Unlike many earlier technological evolutions, however, GenAI “has hit hard and fast and is easily accessible,” says Clements, whose specializations include technology and digital writing.
Across campus, faculty and students are grappling with GenAI – its opportunities, pitfalls and complexities – thoughtfully and deeply. Here, Clements, Tucker and Griffith share some of their perspectives on using – and not using – this (r)evolutionary technology in class.
AI GOES TO COLLEGE
At Whitworth, decisions about whether and how to engage with GenAI in the classroom are up to each professor. Clements and Tucker advocate that faculty members take a proactive and nuanced approach that helps students critically evaluate GenAI’s benefits and limitations and equips them to use the technology effectively and ethically.
Both professors practice what they promote. Clements allows her English students to use GenAI selectively in all course levels. Appropriate uses include defining terms, explaining concepts and assisting with generating ideas. In fall 2024, Clements themed her EL 110 writing class around GenAI. Her first-year students analyzed an AI interface, crafted research-based arguments on ethics and other AI-related issues, and composed an AI digital literacy autobiography.
“We need graduates who can go out and say, ‘Wait a sec – where did that information come from?’ and who understand the larger context and implications of AI systems.”
“Critical engagement with generative AI may be even more important for my first-year students,” Clements says. “Why let potentially problematic habits get ingrained when you can help guide and establish guardrails early on?”
In contrast, Tucker says computer science students should not use GenAI during their first three semesters. “In our first-year coding course, [students] could put each assignment prompt in ChatGPT and get a fine answer,” he says. “But we need students to learn that foundation. If they don’t, they’re not going to be able to go out and take on any field in computer science.”
For now, GenAI isn’t intelligent enough to produce entirely accurate advanced code. For Tucker’s upper-division Software Quality Assurance course, he assigns students to have GenAI build a complex code, test the results, and identify the bugs and how to fix them.
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY
As GenAI rapidly advances, Whitworth’s computer science faculty meets every six months to update the department’s academic honesty policy and discuss its application to individual classes. “We’re learning alongside the students and adjusting as we go,” Griffith says. “It’s a really liminal space to be in.”
The department’s current policy references a model from Stanford University, which treats GenAI as if students are working with another person. Just as students must cite collaborations with others on assignments, they must cite the use of GenAI.
At the start of each semester, Tucker reviews the policy with his students and tells them, “I don’t want to give AI feedback. I want to help you get better.” If faculty suspect a student has turned in AI-generated code, Tucker says, “we use it as a formative opportunity and say, ‘Let’s have a conversation about this so I make sure you understand the concepts I need you to learn.’”
ESSENTIAL INTERSECTIONS
Whitworth is vital in equipping students to understand and critically evaluate the applications of GenAI in different fields, Clements says. “Our Christian, liberal arts professors from varying disciplinary perspectives are uniquely situated to come alongside our students to help them think about generative AI in rich, multifaceted ways.”
The university’s new B.A. degree in interdisciplinary computer science advances this kind of multifaceted thinking: Majors are required to earn nine upper-division credits in another
discipline, such as psychology or education. “Just staying in computer science isn’t enough anymore,” Tucker says. “Our solutions are being applied in a lot of different fields, and students should know how those fields speak.”
IT ’S A WHOLE NEW (WORK) WORLD
The critical thinking, problem-solving and contextual understanding skills students gain at Whitworth are differentiators when it comes to working in fields being revolutionized by GenAI. “We need graduates who can go out and say, ‘Wait a sec – where did that information come from?’ and who understand the larger context and implications of AI systems,” Griffith says. “Whitworth challenges students to think deeper about the ‘why’ behind things.”
Even as GenAI transforms a spectrum of career fields, “We’ll always need human beings to add that element of creativity and to mold what AI puts out,” Clements says. “AI can be integrated well into editing, publishing and other English studies-related fields without usurping the human value in that work.”
See how students are learning to generate AI in Assistant Professor of Math & Computer Science Qian Mao’s Artificial Intelligence class on P. 17.
priming students for life
BY MEGAN JONAS
Previous page: Associate Dean of Student Life Krista Maroni (center) and resident assistants Ismael Perez ’25 (left) and Elise Schaaij ’26 (right) enjoy a card game of Uno in Oliver Hall.
Left: Krista Maroni visits the dining hall during lunchtime. Maroni began her Whitworth career in 2016 as a resident director.
An essential part of the Whitworth educational experience happens in the residence halls. In these communal living spaces rich with tradition, intentional strategies and opportunities help students develop relational skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Krista Maroni, associate dean of student life, has led Whitworth Residence Life & Housing since 2021. Here, she shares about some of the program’s special aspects, along with how “res life” supports students’ mental health.
Q. What is the mission of Whitworth’s residence life program?
A. Our mission boils down to three things: We want all of our students to respect differences, think critically and develop meaningful relationships.
Q. Tell us about the program you started, Two Friends and Something You Care About.
A. When I was a resident director, I would casually say, “If all of my residents have two meaningful friends and something they care about, then we are doing well.” So, when I became director of residence life, there was a cool opportunity to actually make that a program. It reminds students that one of the foundational things you can do to have a meaningful life is to establish meaningful friendships. And having something you’re passionate about or interested in is also a tool for connecting with people. We have a strategy to carry this out that involves events and conversations between residents and RAs. My vision is that when students get their degree, Whitworth is
launching them both with the competencies they need to be successful in their field and to go into a new community, create community and have a well-rounded life.
Q. How have students’ mental health needs changed in recent years?
A. The change that’s happened in the past five to 10 years is that students now have no stigmas around mental health. They are getting diagnosed younger, so they’re usually coming to Whitworth knowing about their mental health diagnoses; they’re not discovering them in college. And so that has shifted how we respond. We have a lot more students going straight into mental healthcare on their own without our interventions, which is great. That’s personal responsibility.
We’re also seeing all levels of social anxiety. That is the number one reason from students as to why they feel they can’t do a variety of things. So, we’ve had to think a lot about how to help students understand that certain things might be harder for them based on their mental health, but they’re still essential parts of life.
Q. How are student leaders trained to respond to mental health crises?
A. All of our student leaders, including RAs, are trained in QPR, which is Question, Persuade and Refer. That training gives them the basic skills to ask hard questions about whether someone is thinking about hurting themselves. It helps student leaders practice role-playing, gives them good language to use and dispels myths about mental health. We also do more than that in residence life, but we know every student leader across campus has QPR as a foundational skill set. That means there are a lot of students trained in mental health triage.
come home to PrimeTime
Q. Why are you proud of Whitworth’s resident assistant program?
A. I think Whitworth has the hardest-working RAs of any institution. As a result, there’s a high trust among faculty, staff and students for the RA role. Also, being an institution that says “We are Christian, and we’re open to all students” means we really value that everyone can belong. I think our RAs are equipped with a skill set of inclusion that is beyond what most RAs get as work experience. I’m really proud of that.
From fun-filled games and how-to sessions to relaxing hangouts, PrimeTimes offer something for every student. These nightly activities are hosted by RAs in the larger, traditional residence halls. “PrimeTime was born of the idea that residence life wants every student to be called by their name and feel like they are coming home at night,” Associate Dean of Student Life Krista Maroni says. “RAs are the ones who facilitate this sense of belonging.”
crowd-Pleasers
CLASS NOTES
Let us know what you’re up to! Update us at whitworth.edu/alumni-update, email us at alumni@whitworth.edu, or write us at Alumni & Parent Engagement Team, Whitworth University, 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99251.
Submissions received Oct. 1, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025, appear in the spring issue of Whitworth Today. All cities listed are located in Washington state unless otherwise noted.
2020s-10s
2023
Derrick Platt is a realtor at Keller Williams and will become president of the Rotary Club of Yelm in July. He also coaches for the Yelm High School seven-on-seven football team.
2022
Annika Bjornson is a legal practice assistant at Foster Garvey PC in Seattle. Abby Robb is a Ph.D. student in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering’s Nuclear and Radiological Engineering and Medical Physics program at Georgia Tech and recently received the Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarship. Aaron Slape is a high school teacher at Olympic Academy, Capital Region ESD 113, in Chehalis.
2021
Carla Calderon is a field services engineer at Omnicell in Fairfax, Va.
2020
Calli Wayenberg and Peter Foersch were married on Aug. 5, 2023. Calli is an associate attorney at Goldberg Law Office in Houston. She received her JD degree from South Texas College of Law and passed the bar exam in 2024.
2019
Nick Healey is a software account executive for HP Inc. in Seattle. Katie (Sherick) Inocencio and Gavin Inocencio were married on Oct. 7, 2024. Katie earned her master’s in
English language learning through Western Governors University in July 2024 and teaches multilingual learners in Waialua, Hawaii. John Macias is a project manager for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Port Angeles. Jake Nelson is an attorney at Shapiro Law Team in Scottsdale, Ariz.
2018
Victoria (Leichner) McGinnis is a physician assistant at Multicare Rockwood Pediatrics in Spokane. Peter Underhill is earning his DMA in composition and serves as the graduate assistant for the Dancz Center for New Music at the University of Georgia in Athens.
2017
Riley Moreen ’17 and Megan (Milholland) Moreen ’18 were married on July 14, 2021. The couple lives in Phoenix, where Megan is senior manager of people operations at Carrot Fertility.
2016
Bobby Blair and Zoe Blair were married on June 26, 2021. They live in Spokane, where Bobby is a physician assistant with Providence Health & Services. The couple enjoys paddle boarding, mountain biking, snowboarding and backpacking. Julianne (Kubes) Gent is an analytics developer for Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, where she supports the development of healthcare policy across multiple hospitals and clinics and collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2015
Carson Blumenthal and Lisa (Lagos) Blumenthal ’18, of Spokane, were married on Dec. 15, 2021. Lisa is the associate director of admissions at Whitworth University. Connie (Lighty) Vidger M.A. in theology is a board-certified chaplain and director of spiritual care at the Rockwood Retirement Community on Spokane’s South Hill. In her free time, she and her spouse, Michael Vidger, enjoy creative pursuits.
2014
Sarah Gambell is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom.
2013
Mary (Torres) Garcia is a case manager for Consejo Counseling & Referral Services in Mount Vernon. Jordan McCandless is a field director at Grand Canyon Council, Scouting Arizona, in Scottsdale. John Taylor’s debut poetry collection, To Let the Sun, is a 2025 Miller Williams Poetry Prize finalist and was published in March by the University of Arkansas Press. He coordinates the writing center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
2012
Anita (Austin) Guidry is a fiscal analyst at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, a job she loves to go to every day.
2011
Ayobami Adedeji is a launch program manager II at Amazon in Seattle. Keith
Harris is a casting technologist at Novelis in Spokane. Jared Lollar earned his master of public health from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2024. He works with Medical Teams International and lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2010
Bailey Cavender is an adjunct English professor at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen.
DEBUTS
Adeline, to Brooke (Adell) Macias ’19 and John Macias ’19, May 1, 2024
Oaklee, to Mykaela (Hendrix) Faulconer ’17 and Austin Faulconer, Aug. 20, 2024
Kannon, to Alyssa (Crabtree) Clausen ’13, M.Ed ’19 and Drew Clausen ’15, Nov. 22, 2024
2000s
2009
Deidra (Stands) Murphy won USOA’s Mrs. Washington 2025. She and her spouse, Dr. Chris Murphy, own a holistic health and wellness clinic in Kennewick, and Deidra owns Regal Pageant Coaching and Style by Deidra, a personal styling service.
2007
Laurel (Tanza) Maxwell, of Santa Cruz, Calif., is an intervention teacher with the Happy Valley Unified School District. Her poetry collection, All the Pretty Things Are Dying, was published by Finishing Line Press in February.
2006
Aubrey (Wanner) Bishai is the chief innovation officer at Vinson & Elkins law firm in New York City.
2005
Valin (Simonsen) Wells is the registrar at Valor Education, a classical charter school in Georgetown, Texas. Last summer, she and her family traveled through Europe for three weeks.
2004
Carla Reyes DePriest is an associate professor of law at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas. She’s an elected member of the American Law Institute and a fellow of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and is a leading expert in cryptocurrency policy.
2003
Matt Cole is the mayor of Ridgefield.
2001
Sherry (Lemmons) Schmidt is a licensed social worker and runs a private practice in Spokane. She loves working with people, traveling and volunteering with her church. Her spouse, Darrell Schmidt, died from COVID-related causes in 2021. Jason Simonds is a major account executive at Datadog in Seattle.
1990s
1999
Tim Mitrovich is the founder and CEO of Ten Capital Wealth Advisors, the largest registered investment advisory firm headquartered in Spokane, and was named among the 2025 People of Influence by the Spokane Journal of Business
1998
The Rev. Danae Ashley left parish ministry after 15 years to focus on consulting for the Episcopal Church, writing a book and speaking internationally on St. Hildegard von Bingen and psychotherapy, and expanding her private therapy practice.
1997
Jeff Bennett is a professor and soccer coach at Pacific Northwest Christian College; a soccer coach at Kamiakin High School; and a pastor at WyldFyre Ministries in Kennewick. Joanne (Gruenes) Moore is a program manager at Amazon Web Services in Seattle. Derek Smith, of Durham, N.C., is director of technology at FSI, which provides facilities management software and services to hospitals nationwide.
1996
Kevin Parker earned his Ph.D. from Gonzaga University’s School of Leadership Studies in 2024. He chairs Whitworth’s Institute of Leadership and is a visiting instructor in the School of Business. He also oversees 230 employees within his Dutch Bros Coffee franchise.
1992
Matt Freeman, of Boise, Idaho, is the executive director of relations at the Albion Center for Professional Development at Idaho State University. He is also serving his third term as a commissioner on the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
1991
Merri (Wapstra) Hanson was promoted to regional vice president of local
(See next page.)
Save the Date OCT. 10-12, 2025
Calling all alumni and families of current students! Join us for One Big Whitworth Weekend –full of family-friendly activities, opportunities to connect with one another, and the fun of an autumn weekend at Whitworth. Milestone reunions will be held for the classes of 2015, ’05, 1995, ’85, ’75 and ’65. RSVP now at whitworth.edu/obww-25.
See you in October!
ALUMNI PROFILE
NAOMI (BARKLEY) EDWARDS ’03, MIT ’06
Naomi (Barkley) Edwards (above, second from left) is shaping the future of STEM education as a senior education experience engineer with PTC, a leading software company. Her inspiring work has earned recognition from Washington STEM, which recently named Edwards a Notable Woman in STEM.
After 15 years of teaching high school math, computer science and robotics in Kettle Falls, Wash., Edwards moved into education product management with a mission to expand students’ access to engineering and product design tools. She’s currently focused on Onshape, a cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) program that guides students through creating their own product and 3D printing it. “Kids from all backgrounds can get a free license and start designing,” Edwards says.
Having grown up in a rural community, Edwards says she never imagined the career she has today. She majored in music at Whitworth until she took a computer science course. Former professor Howard Gage soon encouraged her to pursue the field. “He sat down one day and said, ‘You’re actually pretty good at this.’ That one conversation gave me the backbone to get into it and stick with it,” she says.
Today, Edwards is passionate about mentoring, particularly for women in STEM. She mentors the robotics team at Kettle Falls High School and advocates for diversity in the field. “It’s so incredibly important to bring different points of view into design and engineering,” she says. Through her dedication to fostering an inclusive and innovative environment for students, Edwards is empowering the next generation of engineers to create the changes they want to see in the world.
media for E.W. Scripps Company. In addition to serving as general manager of KSTU television station in Salt Lake City, she now oversees a regional group of Scripps stations. Barbara (Klava) Wilson and Rob Wilson ’91 welcomed their first grandchild, Annie Grace, on May 15, 2024. Barbara is Whitworth’s associate director of admissions for the Seattle area, and Rob is lead pastor at Northpoint Church in Poulsbo.
1990
Lynn (Sievers) Kennaly is an English language development aide with the Carlisle Area School District in Carlisle, Pa. George Pappas is director of the Division of Subsistence at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Anchorage. David Samara, of Coronado, Calif., works remotely for Redapt Inc., supporting its data center/cloud clients with cybersecurity requirements.
1980s
1989
Michael Barram is a professor of theology & religious studies at Saint Mary’s College of California, in Moraga, where he has been on the faculty since 2001. He has authored and co-authored multiple books including Liberating Scripture: An Invitation to Missional Hermeneutics (2024).
1988
Kara Briggs, of Tulalip, is vice president of Tribal Lands and Waters at Ecotrust. She earned her second master’s degree, an MFA in creative writing, from the Institute of American Indian Art in 2024. She also published Rivers in My Veins, her first collection of poetry, and received the 2024 James Welch Prize from Poetry Northwest. Evelyn (Fridley) Hemming earned her master’s in counseling psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology in June 2024. She is a child and youth mental health therapist at Hope, Growth and Healing in Silverdale.
1987
The Rev. Tim Boggess is pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota, in Florida.
1984
Tammy Jones is a management analyst at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry.
1983
Jeri (Hansen) Gentry is in her third year of teaching at Portland Christian Schools, in Oregon, where her sons attend. Her spouse, Todd Gentry, has taught in the public school system for nearly 20 years. Lori (Cloninger) Sweeney, of High Prairie, retired from Providence Foundations in January after a 30-year fundraising career in Oregon. In 2024, she received the Allan Price Award for Distinguished Service from the Association for Fundraising Professionals Oregon and SW Washington.
1982
Mike Carstensen, of Almira, was elected as the U.S. Wheat Associates’ next secretary-treasurer and will begin his term for the 2025-26 fiscal year in July.
1970s
1978
Tim Anderson is a writer in Seattle.
1973
Dennie Carter retired from Key Bank in 2020 and enjoys living on Orcas Island. Ted Mattie and Marilyn (Moffitt) Mattie, of Spokane, marked 50 years of marriage on July 6, 2024. They celebrated with a family trip to Disneyland with all the kids and grandkids and a party in Spokane.
1970
David Strachan, of San Francisco, Calif., co-wrote a book published in February. Memoir of a Reluctant Giant recounts their journey from Whitworth to living and teaching overseas and becoming an activist within the LGBTQIA+ communities.
1960s
1961
Ron Turner and Vernice (Wendt) Hunnicutt M.Ed. ’83 were married on June 10, 2024. The couple are retired from their careers at Whitworth and live at Rockwood at Whitworth, where they enjoy the company of many fellow Whitworthians.
1950s
1958
Lyman Benshoof celebrated his 90th birthday in October 2024, surrounded by family and friends. He and his spouse, Geri, spend the winters in Liberty Lake and the summers in Alaska.
IN MEMORIAM
Obituaries received Oct. 1, 2024-Feb. 28, 2025, appear in this issue of Whitworth Today. Bolded names without class years indicate those who attended Whitworth but did not graduate. All cities listed are located in Washington state unless otherwise noted.
2010s
Morgan Hamrick ’15, of Aurora, Colo., died Oct. 22, 2024. Ronald “Ron” Piper II M.Ed. ’11, of Spokane, died in January.
2000s
Marques Molett ’04, of Las Vegas, Nev., died Oct. 2, 2024.
1990s
Peggy McCartney ’92, of Spokane, died Nov. 18, 2024. Survivors include her spouse, Ronald Irwin.
1980s
Peter Steffen ’89, of Riverside, died Aug. 11, 2023. Ronald “Ron” Fink M.Ed. ’85, of Spokane, died Sept. 16, 2024. Survivors include his son Richard Fink ’86 Scott Miller ’85, of Snohomish, died Dec. 10, 2024. Survivors include his spouse, Heather Miller, and his cousin Cindy (Gilliland) Chilingerian ’80. He was predeceased by his uncle Harlan Gilliland ’59 and aunt Shirley (Miller) Gilliland ’58 Maj. Garry Ratliff MAT
’85, of Spokane, died Jan. 4. Lt. Col. William “Bill” King, of Spokane, died Nov. 26, 2024. Survivors include his spouse, Phyllis King. Margaret “Peggy” (Groth) Ostness ’81, of Spokane, died in 2024. Survivors include her grandsons Andrew Akins ’21 and Evan Boschma ’21
1970s
Carol (Judd) Belton ’79, master of health sciences ’82, of Spokane, died Nov. 24, 2024. Nancy (Woods) Fisher M.Ed. ’78, of Spokane, died Dec. 16, 2024. Timothy “Tim” Reardon, of Walla Walla, died Nov. 13, 2023. Survivors include his spouse, Shelley Reardon; parents Kenneth Reardon ’54 and Shirley (Knobel) Reardon ’54; and daughter Victoria Reardon ’14. He was predeceased by his aunts Geraldine (Knobel) Eccles ’51 and Betty Knobel ’53 Catherine “Jean” (Brown) Lawson M.Ed. ’77, of Spokane, died Oct. 14, 2024. (See Employees & Friends, P. 36.) The Rev. Teresa Roberts ’77, of Eden Prairie, Minn., died Sept. 27, 2024. Survivors include her spouse, Jim Secord. Jacque (Frazier) Brown ’76, of Chandler, Ariz., died Sept. 14, 2024. Survivors include her spouse, Lonnie Brown. Marye (Skelly) Cooper ’76, of Brewster, died Sept. 17, 2024. Survivors include her daughter-in-law Rebecca (Conner) Cooper ’93 Peter “Pete” Hunner ’75, of Gudhjem, Denmark, died Dec. 16, 2024. Survivors include his spouse, Maibritt Jonsson. Lawrence “Larry” Erickson ’74, of Olympia, died Nov. 7, 2024. Survivors include his spouse, Peggy Erickson. Katheryn (Ayres) Donahoe, of Spokane, died Nov. 20, 2024. Survivors include her spouse, Dan Donahoe. Robert Greene Jr. ’70, of Spokane, died Oct. 28, 2024. Survivors include his brother Jon Greene ’77 and nephew Jon Guenther Jr. ’01 Alfred Ungaro, of Spokane, died Jan. 29.
1960s
Allen “Al” Haffner ’68, of Richland, died Jan. 4. He was predeceased by his brother Ronald Haffner ’62 JoAnne (Fluman) Peden, of Reno, Nev., died Dec. 16, 2023. David Hansen ’67, of Edmonds, died Feb. 9, 2024. David Shick ’67, of Carefree, Ariz., died June 7, 2024. Survivors include his spouse, Kathryn Shick. Conn Wittwer ’67, of Spokane, died Nov. 29, 2024. Survivors
include his spouse, Julie Wittwer, and children Debra (Wittwer) Makar ’76 and Randall Wittwer Sharon (Lee) Davis ’66, of Bloomington, Minn., died Jan. 18. Survivors include her brothers David Lee ’70 and Mark Lee Jr. ’69; daughter-in-law Beth (Stien) Davis; niece Kyrsten (Lee) Weber ’93 and granddaughter Abbie Davis ’08. She was predeceased by her mother, Fern Lee Joyce (Porret) Jones ’66, M.Ed. ’70, of Burien, died Nov. 2, 2024. Survivors include her sister Mary Jane (Porret) Balsiger ’58. She was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth (Porret) Carroll ’61, MAT ’66. Claude Robinson ’65, of Vancouver, died Jan. 31. Survivors include his spouse, Janet (Scott) Robinson ’68; sisters the Rev. Mary Robinson Mohr ’80 and Lenore (Robinson) Chambers ’69; brotherin-law Randy Mohr ’78; children Molly Robinson ’07 and Peter Robinson; and niece Robyn (Chambers) Johnson ’96. He was predeceased by his parents, Dougald Robinson ’41 and Mary (Trevitt) Robinson ’39; uncle James Peterson ’51; and cousins Dale Macomber ’98 and Sandra Peterson ’67 Miriam (Schutt) Weldin ’65, of Snohomish, died Oct. 6, 2024. Survivors include her spouse, Kenneth Weldin; sisters Karla (Schutt) Gates ’74, Cheryl (Schutt) Allan ’70 and Gwen Schutt ’69; brother-in-law Thomas Gates ’85; and niece Emily Gates ’17. Walter “Paul” Whittaker Jr. ’65, of Rockville, Md., died Oct. 11. Martin Neyman ’63, of Hermiston, Ore., died Feb. 2. Survivors include his niece Jennifer Neyman ’01 Joanne “Jo” (Burkhart) Cole, of Tempe, Ariz., died Jan. 30. Survivors include her spouse, Dr. William Cole ’60, and sister Marilyn (Burkhart) Van Der Werff ’58. She was predeceased by her sister Janette (Burkhart) Mills and brother-in-law Duane Van Der Werff ’58 Charles “Gary” Tewinkel ’61, of Spokane, died Jan. 31. Survivors include his spouse, Nancy (Sekava) Tewinkel ’62, and brother Joseph Tewinkel ’55. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Rae Ann Tewinkel Beverly (Anderson) Washburn ’61, of Seattle, died Feb. 5. Survivors include her spouse, Ray Washburn ’60, and granddaughter Holly Gale ’14 Norma (Anderson) Van Patten, of Billings, Mont., died Jan. 4. Survivors include her spouse, James Van Patten.
1950s
J. Shannon Sweatte ’58, of Redmond, died Oct. 4. Survivors include his daughter Patti (Sweatte) Anderson ’82, son-in-law Mike Anderson ’82 and grandson Jacob Anderson ’02 William “Bill” Lutz ’57, of Spokane, died Oct. 17, 2024. He was predeceased by his spouse, Mary (Morgan) Lutz ’56 Survivors include his son Christopher Lutz ’87; daughter-in-law Cindy (Pilcher) Lutz ’82; grandchildren Rachel Lutz ’17, Jamie Lutz Jahnke ’11 and Isaac Lutz ’09; and grandsonin-law Mason Jahnke ’11 Karolyn (Knuckles) Kinley ’56, of Spokane, died Feb. 4. She was predeceased by her spouse, Ronald Kinley ’56 Virginia (Henricksen) Zurfluh ’56, of Liberty Lake, died Feb. 9. She was predeceased by her siblings Helen (Henricksen) Good, Joyce (Henricksen) Erickson ’51, Grace (Henricksen) Park and John Henricksen ’45; and brother-in-law Allen Good ’50. Her sister Virginia (Henricksen) Zurfluh ’56 died Feb. 9. Survivors include her niece Jennifer (Good) Wolff ’81 Barney Beeksma ’54, of Oak Harbor, died Nov. 30, 2024. (See Employees & Friends.) Carole Ann (Seeley) Wade, of Madrid, Ind., died Sept. 2, 2024. Survivors include her spouse, William Wade. Robert “Bob” Ainley ’53, of Yorba Linda, Calif., died Oct. 29, 2024. He was predeceased by his spouse, Shirley Ainley; sisters-in-law Ginny (Warren) Ainley ’49 and Nancy (Osborne) Ainley; brothers Charles Ainley ’51 and the Rev. William Ainley ’49; and cousins Hope (Ainley) Burris ’51 and Mary Ainley ’47. Survivors include his sister Bette (Ainley) Grier ’57, brother-in-law William Grier ’57, nephew Warren Ainley ’85 and niece Carolyn (Ainley) Pinke ’71. Ethelwyn “Wendy” (Russell) Couch ’53, of Palmer, Alaska, died Nov. 22, 2024. Ardith (Moberly) Klein ’53, of Medical Lake, died Nov. 6, 2024. Joyce (Henricksen) Erickson ’51, of Vacaville, Calif., died Nov. 7, 2023. Survivors include her spouse, Kenneth Erickson, and niece Jennifer (Good) Wolff ’81. She was predeceased by her siblings Helen (Henricksen) Good, Grace (Henricksen) Park and John Henricksen ’45; and brother-in-law Allen Good ’50 Ray Richards ’51, of Woodland, Calif., died Aug. 8. Survivors include his spouse, Lilian Richards. The Rev. Richard Klein ’50, of Medical Lake, died Feb. 3. He was predeceased by his spouse, Ardith (Moberly) Klein ’53
EMPLOYEES & FRIENDS
Barney Beeksma ’54, of Oak Harbor, died Nov. 30, 2024; generous donor to the construction of the Beeksma Family Theology Center and the tennis bubble. He was predeceased by his spouse, Joyce (Dudeck) Beeksma ’54, sister Bev (Beeksma) Kingma and brother-in-law Ralph Kingma ’58. Survivors include his sister-in-law Delene DeForest-Dale ’85; cousins Bill Nienhuis ’54 and Gwendolyn (Upp) Nienhuis ’58; and grandsons Andrew Beeksma ’20, Thomas Dale ’19, Stuart Beeksma ’18, Bradley Beeksma ’17, Joshua Beeksma ’14 and Scott Donnell ’08
Carol (Judd) Belton ’79, of Spokane, died Nov. 24, 2024; adjunct professor, School of Continuing Studies, 2013-14.
Elisabeth H. Buxton, of Spokane, died April 27; assistant professor emerita of German, 1994-2011.
Francis Cheyney, of Spokane, died Dec. 8, 2024; adjunct professor of mathematics, School of Continuing Studies, 1999-2014. Survivors include his spouse, Rosemary Cheyney.
Richard “Rick” Cloutier, of Spokane, died March 15; assistant professor of finance, 2021-25. Survivors include his spouse, Patricia Cloutier.
Robert Iller, of Spokane, died Oct. 18, 2024; adjunct professor, School of Education, 1999-2001. Survivors include his spouse, Lois Iller.
Catherine “Jean” (Brown) Lawson M.Ed. ’77, of Spokane, died Oct. 14, 2024; adjunct professor, School of Business, 2010-11.
Marcia (Miller) Magnuson, of Cheney, died Dec. 8, 2024; adjunct professor, School of Education, 2003-07. Survivors include her spouse, John Magnuson.
Donn Moomaw, of Pasadena, Calif., died Feb. 10; trustee, 1985-1991. Survivors include his children Jonn Moomaw ’91, Nancy (Moomaw) Goodwin ’88, Shelley (Moomaw) Le Beau ’83 and Dann Moomaw ’81
John Harold “Hal” Swenson, of Spokane, died Dec. 24, 2024; adjunct professor, School of Education, 1999-2013.
CHRISTIE ANDERSON
SCHOOL
OF CONTINUING STUDIES | 2001-21
Christie Anderson died Jan. 15 in Spokane. She was a cherished educator who served the Whitworth community as a teacher and as associate dean of the evening business program for adult students. Anderson was instrumental in developing this program and raising the profile of the degree by involving area business partners in ongoing curriculum development and inviting them to teach courses.
Anderson lived out her faith authentically, investing deeply in relationships with her students, colleagues and the broader community. A natural-born teacher, she mentored adjunct instructors and was passionate about nurturing her students’ growth. She was known to spend hours scouting for job opportunities for adult students searching for employment. Her dedication and care have made a lasting impact at Whitworth and on the many lives she touched.
Survivors include her spouse, Mark Anderson, two children, two grandchildren and two sisters.
If you would like to honor Anderson’s legacy, you can donate to the Christie Anderson Endowed Scholarship fund at whitworth.edu/support-anderson-endowment.
2024-25 RETIREES
Whitworth bids a fond farewell to the staff and faculty members who retired in 2024-25. Their faithful care and significant contributions have made a lasting impact on our campus community and well beyond.
ROBERT BUCKHAM
Assistant Professor of Business & Economics Years of Service: 13
FRANK CACCAVO
Professor of Biology
Years of Service: 25
KARIN HELLER
Professor of Theology Years of Service: 22
DOUG JONES
Associate Professor of Education and Marriage & Family Therapy Program Director Years of Service: 12
MAXINE LAMMERS
Director of Development, Major Gifts
Institutional Advancement Years of Service: 14
PATRICK LORDAN
Instructional Designer
Instructional Resources Years of Service: 10
LYUBOV PUSTOVIT
Custodian
Facilities Services Years of Service: 8
CORLISS SLACK
Professor of History Years of Service: 36
JULIA STRONKS
Professor of Political Science
Years of Service: 31
BY PATRICIA BRUININKS
THE GIFT –AND NECESSITY –OF HOPE
When it comes to emotions, hope is unique: It is a positive emotion that occurs in the midst of uncertain or difficult times. When events take a favorable turn, it is experienced as hopefulness, that sudden buoying of the chest we feel when what we long for might actually occur.
Vincent McNabb (1868-1943), an Irish Dominican priest and scholar, described hope as “some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them.”
This hope – or hoping – is less a feeling and more a willful determination to remain engaged with our desired outcome despite a low probability of that outcome occurring. Hoping sidles up right beside fear and anxiety and wards off despair.
Hoping is hard work; it is not just believing that everything will be OK. But hoping is easier when done alongside other people. This is especially true when hoping for solutions to immense problems such as climate change and other social justice issues. For example, my research has shown that being
involved in formal religious institutions, such as attending worship services, is a stronger predictor of hoping for such solutions than engaging in private religious practices such as meditating or listening to religious podcasts.
Engaging with others provides opportunities to imagine the world we want to live in. Conversations reveal ideas not previously considered that can be implemented. Social support keeps us engaged when justice seems far away. And reminders that God is in control (really, he is!) can help us keep our earthly hopes in perspective.
Hope is a gift that enables us to endure adversity while striving to improve the lives of others. It is also a necessary tool, providing just enough light in the darkness for us to see a way forward.
Professor of Psychology Patricia Bruininks, Ph.D., specializes in areas including the difference between hope and optimism; the experience of hope over time; the psychology of poverty; and the psychology of consumerism.
BE A WHITWORTH HERO!
YOU make a mighty impact. Whether you support the Whitworth Scholarship Fund or a program that matters to you, your gift transforms students’ futures.
Make your gift of any amount at whitworth.edu/give-today or use the QR code.