Distinguished presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin to speak at Whitworth University President’s Leadership Forum Oct. 15

U.S. Bank to serve as title sponsor for the event

On the heels of the Academy Award-winning film Lincoln, which is based on her renowned biography Team of Rivals, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin will present “Team of Rivals: The Leadership Lessons from Abraham Lincoln,” at Whitworth University’s fall President’s Leadership Forum. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 a.m., at the Spokane Convention Center. Costs for this event are $40 per person, or $400 for a corporate table. Breakfast is included. RSVP by registering online at http://www.whitworth.edu/fallplf.

“Whitworth University benefits greatly from the considerable support of this great community so the President’s Leadership Forum is our way of giving back,” says Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor. “The twice-annual forum draws key national leaders to the Inland Northwest to provide wisdom and insight on a variety of modern-day issues.”

Dr. Barbara Sanders Appointed Whitworth’s Interim Dean for School of Education

Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor announced Feb. 12 the appointment of Interim Provost  Barbara Sanders, Ed.D., to the position of interim dean for the School of Education. Sanders will bring to the position her deep expertise in educational research and her 17 years as a Whitworth faculty member. She will begin work in her new position on July 1.

“My mantra has always been to focus on the students and how to serve them best,” says Sanders, who will oversee the addition of more graduate-level programs, such as marriage family therapy and additional special education programs, while also seeking opportunities in offering even more graduate level programs. “This has worked really well for all of our goals.”

Whitworth student studies Native American culture at a Hopi reservation

Whitworth junior and sociology major Caitlin Taylor spent her Jan Term studying Native American culture at a Hopi reservation in Kykotsmovi Village, Ariz.. As part of her study, Taylor lived in the village, which allowed for a deeper and richer understanding of Hopi culture.

Taylor designed her own curriculum and designated it Hopi Studies. She sought to understand the perspective of the Hopi and often tried to “put herself in their shoes.” Taylor says that she was surprised by how influential Western culture was upon the Hopi lifestyle. She could identify with many of the issues faced by her hosts, such as spiritual disconnectedness and broken family structures.

Whitworth professor emeritus to present lecture on “Myanmar and Southeast Asia” March 7

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Richard Schatz, a Whitworth professor emeritus of economics and business, will present “Myanmar and Southeast Asia” in Whitworth’s 56th annual Great Decisions Lecture Series on Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Whitworth’s Weyerhauser Hall. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Schatz began his career in Southeast Asia as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia. After earning a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Hawaii’s East West Center, he worked as a development economist at the Asian Development Bank in Manila and worked in an aquaculture. He has taught at Thammasaat University in Thailand, The Johns Hopkins Center in China, and the University of Malaysia, where he was a Fulbright scholar. Schatz taught economics at Whitworth from 1989 until 2011. He is currently a senior research fellow at the University of Malaysia.

Whitworth Theatre Department presents “The Laramie Project”

This year the Whitworth Theatre Department’s spring production is the docudrama “The Laramie Project.” Performances will take place March 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and March 10 at 2 p.m. at Cowles Auditorium. Admission is free to Whitworth students with valid I.D. Tickets are $8, and $6 for senior citizens (age 62+). Tickets can be purchased online at www.whitworth.edu/theatretickets.

“The Laramie Project” is based on the death of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., in October, 1998. Shepard was victimized in a hate crime because of his sexual orientation. A month after the violent tragedy, members of New York’s Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and interviewed the people of the town. From these interviews, they wrote the play “The Laramie Project.”

Whitworth alum’ furthers education at Duke University

Whitworth alumna Heather Wallace, ’11, is currently in her second year of graduate school at Duke University, pursuing her doctor of philosophy degree. Wallace is an interdisciplinary scholar, studying cognitive science and literature. Despite six years of post-secondary education, she says she still feels like a novice in the field.

“I’m just beginning to narrow down some of my research questions at the intersection of mind, epistemology and ethics,” says Wallace. “How should we characterize knowledge of other people? Does literature or science give us better tools for increasing this knowledge?”

Harvard Dean Kathleen McCartney to speak at Whitworth President’s Leadership Forum April 24

U.S. Bank to serve as title sponsor for the event

Kathleen McCartney, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a prolific writer in early childhood education, will give an address, “Investing in Education Reforms that Work,” at Whitworth University’s biannual President’s Leadership Forum. Sponsored by U.S. Bank, McCartney’s address will take place on Wednesday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center. Doors open at 4 p.m., and hors d’oeuvres will be served. A panel discussion will follow McCartney’s address. Sponsorship opportunities are available. RSVP by calling Nancy Kessler at (509) 777-3449 or online at www.whitworth.edu/leadershipforum.

Violence Prevention Strategist Dorothy Edwards to present February 13 at Whitworth

Whitworth University welcomes Executive Director of Green Dot Violence-Prevention Strategy Dorothy Edwards. The topic of her lecture will be “Ending Violence One Green Dot at a Time.” Admission is free. Edwards will present Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theater in Whitworth’s Weyerhaeuser Hall.

Whitworth alumna receives Presbyterian Leadership Award

After a year-long pastoral internship at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church, Kari Olson, ’11, received the 2012-13 Presbyterian Leadership Award. This scholarship is awarded to a few Presbyterian students entering seminary based upon their strong academic achievement and their potential for pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). This award provides funding as Olson continues her education in pursuit of an M.Div. degree at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J.

Whitworth student awarded international scholarship to study in Hong Kong

The highly competitive Gilman Scholarship Program received more than 2,600 applicants nationwide for its spring 2013 scholarships. Whitworth junior Minh Trang Nguyen was the recipient of a $3,000 Gilman International Scholarship, which she will use to study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong this spring.

“I was so surprised and, of course, so happy when I learned that I won the Gilman International Scholarship,” says Nguyen. “I know studying abroad in another country won’t be easy, but this scholarship provides a huge opportunity for me.”

While in Hong Kong, Nguyen will continue her studies in engineering and complete two of her general education requirements. She looks forward to experiencing a different culture and learning to speak Mandarin.

Eighteen diverse student leaders earn full Act Six scholarships to Whitworth, Gonzaga

Whitworth University and Gonzaga University will welcome a total of 18 new Act Six Scholars to join the entering class of 2013. Ten scholars entering Whitworth and eight entering Gonzaga are among 65 students statewide to receive full college scholarships as members of the 2013 Act Six class.

Selected through a rigorous three-month competition among more than 700 applicants, these diverse student leaders were chosen by the Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative for their distinctive leadership, academic potential, and commitment to making a difference in their communities.