Whitworth, Gonzaga and Spokane Public Schools receive $500,000 grant to improve teacher education

Grant will also help support Whitworth’s collaboration with Holmes Elementary

Whitworth University, Gonzaga University and Spokane Public Schools have received a $500,000 state grant, which will be used to design ways to improve teacher education at both universities and to help Holmes Elementary School students. Washington State University will provide an initial needs-assessment.

Whitworth once again named a Kiplinger’s best value among private universities

Whitworth jumps 24 spots, remains one of the highest-ranked schools in the Pacific Northwest 

In an economic environment that makes a college education even more essential than in the past, yet also more difficult to afford, Whitworth University was included for the sixth straight year on Kiplinger's annual rankings of the 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 2012-13 rankings. Whitworth is one of the smallest universities to appear on the list, yet it is the second-highest-ranked school in the Pacific Northwest and ranks ahead of all but a handful of other private universities on the West Coast.

Whitworth senior awarded full-tuition scholarship from Woodrow Foundation

Each academic year, the Woodrow Foundation awards a scholarship to one Whitworth student based on academic excellence, leadership skills and financial need. This year’s recipient is Nichole Webber, a double-major in health science and psychology from Spokane. Webber’s $34,464 Woodrow Foundation Scholarship covers full tuition, books and fees for the 2012-13 academic year.

Expert to present Nov. 7 Whitworth lecture on virtues of the mind

Jason Baehr, an associate professor of philosophy at Loyola Marymount University and an expert in the field of virtue theory, will deliver a lecture, “Virtues of the Mind: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?,” on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in Whitworth’s Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-4939.

Whitworth business professor named an ambassador for critical language program by U.S. government

Last summer, Todd Friends, an assistant professor of business at Whitworth, was one of 20 people nationwide to be selected a 2012 Critical Language Scholarship Ambassador by the U.S. State Department. Friends’ ambassadorship will allow him to share with regional college students the increasing importance of language and cultural knowledge development as business markets become increasingly globalized.

Nine-time Grammy nominee Kenny Barron to perform Nov. 3 with Whitworth Jazz Ensemble

Barron also to present free jazz clinic Nov. 2 at Whitworth

Nine-time Grammy nominee Kenny Barron, hailed by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the top jazz pianists in the world,” will perform in concert with the award-winning Whitworth Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, Nov. 3, 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 online at www.whitworth.edu/musictickets or www.ticketswest.com. Tickets also can be purchased at the information desk in the Hixson Union Building on campus.

Founding partner of The Simple Way ministry to present Oct. 17 Whitworth lecture on Christianity and American citizenship

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Shane Claiborne, whose ministry experience ranges from working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta to serving a mega-congregation in Chicago, will give a lecture, “Christianity and American Citizenship: Jesus for President,” on Oct. 17 at Whitworth University. His lecture will take place at Whitworth’s Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Whitworth Theatre to stage “Honk! A Musical Tale of The Ugly Duckling” Oct. 19-21

For the first time, Whitworth Theatre will stage its fall production at Spokane’s Bing Crosby Theater, at 901 W. Sprague Ave. Performances of “Honk! A Musical Tale of The Ugly Duckling” will take place Oct. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 20 and 21 at 2 p.m. General admission is $9; admission for students and senior citizens (62 and up) is $7. Tickets may be purchased at 1-800-325-7328, at www.ticketswest.com, or at the door.

Distinguished alumna, Whitworth English professors to give Oct. 6 poetry reading

Lisa Flesher

As part of Homecoming Week, alumna Lisa (Ransom) Flesher, ’81, Professor of English Laurie Lamon, ’79, and Senior English Lecturer Thom Caraway will give a poetry reading on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Whitworth University. Flesher, Lamon and Caraway will share both new and previously published works. The reading will take place at 4 p.m. in the  Lied Center for the Visual Arts Student Gallery. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-3253.

Renowned professor, author to give Oct. 4 Whitworth lecture on multicultural education

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Geneva Gay, a professor of education at the University of Washington who is internationally known for her scholarship in multiculturalism, will present a lecture, “Choosing Course Content for an Inclusive Mind and Heart Education,” on Oct. 4 at Whitworth University. Gay is the recipient of several scholastic awards, including the first Multicultural Educator Award presented by the National Association of Multicultural Education. Her lecture will take place at Whitworth’s Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-3203.