Whitworth’s School of Global Commerce internship coordinator brings a world of experience to campus

Whitworth’s School of Global Commerce & Management (SGCM) recently hired Sinead Harris as its internship coordinator. In her new role, Harris aids students in finding meaningful internships and interacts with the business community to increase awareness of Whitworth’s SGCM program as well as to foster relationships with the Spokane community.

Harris works directly with students, combing through résumés and cover letters and equipping potential job applicants with interview preparation.

Whitworth to host academic research conference April 27

Whitworth will host the 2013 Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference (SIRC) on April 27, beginning at 9 a.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre. Keynote speaker Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor will deliver a message on “The Opportunities and Challenges of Interdisciplinary Scholarship” in the teaching theatre before presentations begin. The SIRC is open to the public and will conclude at 4:30 p.m.  Sessions will be held in the Hixson Union Building, the Robinson Science Hall and Weyerhaeuser Hall.

Rep. Kevin Parker to give keynote speech at May 19 Whitworth commencement ceremony

State Representative and Whitworth alumnus Kevin Parker will address graduates at Whitworth University’s 123rd undergraduate commencement ceremony May 19. Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor will be the speaker at the graduate commencement ceremony May 18.

Parker will give his address, “Tomorrow,” during the undergraduate ceremony, which will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, at the Spokane Arena, located at 720 W. Mallon Ave. About 637 Whitworth undergraduates will receive their degrees.

Whitworth professor and senior to present lecture on “China in Africa” April 25

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Whitworth Assistant Professor of Economics and Business Eugene Bempong Nyantaki and Whitworth senior Ryan Knight will present “China in Africa” in Whitworth’s 56th annual Great Decisions Lecture Series. The lecture will take place Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Whitworth’s Weyerhaeuser Hall. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Nyantaki, who hails from Ghana, is an expert in development and international trade and finance. Knight, an international and peace studies double-major, has studied in both China and Tanzania. He was a delegate to a West Point conference dealing with Sino-American relations.

Whitworth alumnus shares with and inspires in others a passion for history

After graduating from Whitworth, Jason Hogstad, ’09, began working at the High Desert Museum, in Bend, Ore., as a part-time custodian, while searching for a career in public history. By fall of 2009, Hogstad was hired as the museum’s living history interpreter. After continuing his climb through the ranks, he is currently assistant curator of living history.

“It’s not every day that you get paid to share your passion with others, and I count myself very fortunate,” says Hogstad.

Whitworth alumna inspires the love of language in students through teaching

Whitworth alumna Peggy Hardt, ’96, is currently a senior lecturer at the University of North Texas. Hardt not only teaches Japanese courses, but she also coordinates the Japanese program at the university. After graduating from Whitworth, Hardt went on to teach English in Japan for two years; she later earned her master’s degree in foreign languages from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

“I love sharing my passion for Japanese language and culture with college students,” says Hardt. “I especially enjoy my job because it’s a unique blend of structure and creativity, independence and working with people.”

Whitworth University Affirms, Expands Its Presbyterian Partnerships

Trustees adopt actions that uphold and advance the university’s mission amid changing church landscape 

The Whitworth University Board of Trustees today adopted a statement that affirms and expands Whitworth’s historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church and elevates the university’s theological identities. The statement is the culmination of a yearlong inquiry a board-appointed Task Force on Denominational Relationships conducted in anticipation of the June 2013 expiration of the university’s current covenant agreement with the Synod of Alaska-Northwest and the concurrent cessation of the synod’s functions. The synod is a regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Whitworth Athletic Training students beat 10 accredited programs in annual Northwest Athletic Trainer’s Association Quiz Bowl

The Whitworth Quiz Bowl team took first place at the annual District 10 Northwest Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA) Quiz Bowl in Boise, Idaho, March 15-16. The team beat the 10 other accredited athletic training programs that competed, including Boise State University, University of Idaho, George Fox, Linfield College, and Oregon State University. Whitworth’s team members were seniors Lauren Dickey, Andrew Knox, Heidi Hendrickson, and William Decker.

Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor elected to Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities Board of Directors

Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor has been elected to the board of directors of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities (APCU).

APCU is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to strengthen the mission of colleges and universities related to the Presbyterian Church (USA). The organization also serves as a resource for presidents and staffs of member institutions, and helps enhance diverse partnerships with governing bodies within the PC (USA).

Whitworth students explore the world of finance through investment group

The Whitworth Student Investment Group (WSIG) was founded in April 2012 by a small number of Whitworth students. The students designed a proposal for the investment group and presented it to the board of trustees, who, in turn, agreed to provide them with funding. WSIG received approximately $100,000 to be managed in equities and exchange-traded funds.

WSIG has now grown to around 40 students. They meet at 6:15 a.m. every Thursday. These meetings include discussions of current events, stock pitches, portfolio allocation, and learning new material. The investment group is made up of students from a variety of majors. Brian “Duff” Bergquist, executive-in-residence for the Whitworth School of Global Commerce & Management, is the club’s advisor.

Whitworth Jazz Ensemble Receives Overall Outstanding Award at Elmhurst College Jazz Festival

The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble with
jazz musician Byron Stripling

The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble was honored as an Outstanding Band at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, held in Chicago Feb. 21-24. The ensemble, under the direction of Dan Keberle, director of jazz studies and trumpet professor at Whitworth, performed a 30-minute set as a part of the opening act for the Saturday night concert, which featured the world-renowned Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra.

Regina Yan, ’82, will present lecture on humanitarian intervention and counter-intervention

Regina Yan, ’82, will present Whitworth’s next Great Decision Lecture, “Intervention and Counter-intervention: A Game of Chess in International Development Assistance,” on Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at Whitworth. For more information, please call (509) 777-4937.

Yan is a senior advisor at Eurasia Foundation and chair of the Kyiv School of Economics. Most recently, she was chief operating officer of the Washington, D.C.-based Peterson Institute for International Economics, one of the world’s most influential think tanks in international economics. Yan is an expert in international development, nonprofit institution building, board governance, and strategic partnership. She believes that the topic of humanitarian intervention is very relevant to the Whitworth and Spokane communities.