Whitworth named a Kiplinger's best value among private universities

Whitworth remains one of the highest-ranked schools in the Pacific Northwest

In an economic environment that makes a college education even more essential and yet also more difficult to afford, Whitworth University was included for the fifth straight year on Kiplinger's annual rankings of the 100 best values among private liberal arts colleges and 100 best values among private universities in the United States. The university joins some of the most elite schools in the country in the magazine's 2011-12 rankings. Whitworth is one of the smallest universities to appear on the list, yet it is the third-highest-ranked school in the Pacific Northwest and ranks ahead of all but a handful of other private universities on the West Coast.

Judy Shepard to share "The Meaning of Matthew" Nov. 10 at Whitworth

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Just over 13 years ago, on Oct. 13, 1998, 21-year-old University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten and left to die in a remote area east of Laramie, Wyo. His murder sparked a national dialogue about anti-LGBT hate crimes that continues to this day. Determined to turn tragedy into a crusade for justice and to prevent others from suffering his fate, Matthew's mother, Judy Shepard, established The Matthew Shepard Foundation, which advocates for LGBT rights. Shepard, who travels the country telling her son's story, will present "The Meaning of Matthew," on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in Cowles Auditorium at Whitworth University. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-4263.

Anonymous donors pledge $3 million to endow chair in gifted education at Whitworth

Chair to honor longtime Whitworth professor, leader in gifted education Margo Long

Donors who wish to remain anonymous have pledged $3 million to fund an endowed chair in gifted education at Whitworth. The landmark gift recognizes Whitworth's commitment to preparing teachers who pursue a vocation in serving gifted and talented students and will support the university's Center for Gifted Education & Professional Development, which is the only one of its kind in Washington state.

Award-winning actress Adilah Barnes to perform Oct. 26 at Whitworth

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Who: Award-winning actress Adilah Barnes

What: A one-woman show, "I Am That I Am: Woman, Black"

When: Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.

Where: Cowles Auditorium at Whitworth University

Cost: Free admission. For more information, please call (509) 777-3253

Award-winning actress Adilah Barnes is perhaps best known for her role as "Anne Marie" on Roseanne for five seasons. She has also appeared on TV shows including Gilmore Girls, Cold Case, and The Middle, as well as the movie Erin Brockovich.

Whitworth student wins $10,000 national scholarship for adult learners

Whitworth is pleased to announce that Mary Torres, '13, has won first place in the Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) scholarship competition, receiving a prize of $10,000.

Whitworth featured by Colleges of Distinction as a leader in education excellence

For the second year in a row, Whitworth University is featured as a top school in the country for 2011-12 on CollegesofDistincton.com, an online guide that takes a fresh look at colleges and universities appealing to students' unique and varied interests. Based on the opinions of guidance counselors, educators, and admissions professionals, Colleges of Distinction honors colleges excelling in key areas of educational quality.

Three new members elected to Whitworth's board of trustees

New trustees include former Advantage IQ CEO Stu Stiles, physician Jennifer Ratcliffe and pastor Paul Cunningham

Stu Stiles

Stu Stiles, former CEO of Avista Corp. subsidiary Advantage IQ, and Jennifer Ratcliffe, a Whitworth alumna and physician working in the San Francisco Bay area, were both elected to the Whitworth University Board of Trustees on Oct. 13 during the board's fall meeting. They join fellow new trustee, the Rev. Paul Cunningham, who was elected to the board last spring.

Whitworth education alumna featured on MSNBC

Whitworth Master's in Teaching alumna, Amy Esmay, '11, recently was featured in an msnbc.com article detailing the steps being taken across the country to tackle a "classroom crisis" that is happening as the result of many children being taught my teachers who have little or no experience due to the increasing numbers of Baby Boomer teachers retiring.

Whitworth University graduates join JVC Northwest

Recent graduates dedicate a year to serving as Jesuit volunteers

Three Whitworth alumni have recently embarked on a year of full-time volunteer service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest:

• Kristin Nilsson, St. Labre Youth & Family Services, Ashland, Mont.
• Jeff Upton, L'Arche Tahoma Hope, Tacoma, Wash.
• Laura Viducich, YWCA, Missoula, Mont.

Nilsson previously served JVC in San Jose. To read more about her time there, visit http://news.whitworth.edu/2011/03/theology-and-peace-studies-alumna.html.

Two-time Grammy nominee Joshua Redman to perform Nov. 5 with Whitworth Jazz Ensemble

Redman also to present free jazz clinic Nov. 4 at Whitworth

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Jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman, an international jazz giant and two-time Grammy nominee, will perform in concert with the award-winning Whitworth Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. in Cowles Memorial Auditorium at Whitworth. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for students/senior citizens over 62. Tickets can be purchased purchase online at www.whitworth.edu/musictickets or www.ticketswest.com/. Tickets also can be purchased at the Whitworth Information Desk in the Hixson Union Building on campus.

Noted slam poet Taylor Mali to present reading Oct. 18 at Whitworth

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Mali known best for "What Teachers Make" YouTube video
What: A reading by slam poet Taylor Mali

When: Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m.

Where: Cowles Auditorium at Whitworth University

Cost: Free admission. For more information, please call (509) 777-3253.

Taylor Mali is one of the most well-known poets to have emerged from the poetry slam movement and is the author of two books, The Last Time As We Are and What Learning Leaves. Mali is perhaps best known for his poem "What Teachers Make," which has been viewed more than 4 million times on YouTube and was quoted by The New York Times' Thomas Friedman during one of his commencement addresses. View the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xuFnP5N2uA.

"Mali is a rollicking showman; he’s witty, amusing, and inspiring," says Casey Andrews, an assistant professor of English at Whitworth. "He is an electrifying performer and a YouTube sensation, and I think the audience will have a great time."

Mali studied drama at Oxford University with members of The Royal Shakespeare Company and uses those presentation skills during his performances. He also draws heavily on his nine years spent in the classroom teaching a variety of subjects. He has performed and lectured for teachers all over the world and has a goal of creating 1,000 new teachers through "poetry, persuasion, and perseverance."

Mali is currently working entirely as a spoken-word and voiceover artist, traveling around the country performing and teaching workshops.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Annie Stillar, program assistant, English, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3253 or astillar@whitworth.edu.

Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.