Jerry Sittser joins Office of Church Engagement as Senior Fellow, launches new Academy of Christian Discipleship

Jerry Sittser, professor of theology at Whitworth University, recently joined the Whitworth Office of Church Engagement (OCE) as part-time senior fellow. In addition to teaching part time, Sittser works with the OCE team to create, sustain, and cultivate a deeper relationship between Whitworth and the larger Christian movement on the West Coast. The OCE provides outreach and learning programs as a way to begin building those relationships in programs such as the Ekklesia Fellows Program, the Gospel Conference, the Whitworth Institute of Ministry, and, most recently, the Academy of Christian Discipleship.

Randy Woodley to present Nov.10 Native American Heritage Month Lecture at Whitworth University

The Rev. Randy Woodley, Ph.D., will present a Native American Heritage Month lecture, “America Before Columbus and Now,” on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre at Whitworth University. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-4215. Woodley’s books will be available for sale during the evening, and a short book signing with Woodley will follow his lecture.

Whitworth University to present winter art exhibit, "John Holmgren: Selected Works"

Man Camp, 2015, archival inkjet,
screen print and transfer, 17x22 inches

Whitworth University’s winter art exhibit, John Holmgren: Selected Works, will run Nov. 10, 2015-Jan. 29, 2016, in the Lied Center for the Visual Arts’ Bryan Oliver Gallery at Whitworth. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays.

Whitworth University receives $2.05-million gift from the Hugh Johnston estate to endow chemistry professorship and research fund

Whitworth University has received a $2.05-million donation from the estate of long-time Whitworth professor and library archivist Hugh Johnston. Whitworth President Beck A. Taylor announced that with this gift, the university will establish the Hugh W. Johnston Endowed Professorship of Chemistry and will initiate an interdisciplinary research fund. Because of Johnston’s generosity, the university will place $550,000 into this endowed fund, moving Whitworth more than halfway toward a $1-million goal for this fund.

Blood:Water Executive Director Jena Lee Nardella to present Oct. 27 lecture at Whitworth

Jena Lee Nardella, ’04, cofounder and executive director of Blood:Water and author of One Thousand Wells, will present a lecture, “One Thousand Wells: How an Audacious Goal of Bringing Water to Africa Taught Me to Love the World, Instead of Save It,” on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre at Whitworth University. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-3834.

Decorated jazz guitarist Pat Metheny to perform Nov. 7 with Whitworth Jazz Ensemble

Metheny to lead free jazz clinic Nov. 6; all elementary, middle and high school students in attendance will receive free concert tickets

Pat Metheny, one of the world’s most prominent and celebrated jazz guitarists and a 20-time Grammy Award winner, will hit Spokane Nov. 6 and 7 for a jazz clinic and concert. Metheny will lead a free jazz clinic at Whitworth University on Nov. 6, and he will perform in concert Nov. 7 with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble at the historical Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, in downtown Spokane.

Whitworth University to host “Faith, Fiction and Film, with Ron Hansen” Oct. 19-20

Ron Hansen, a celebrated American novelist, essayist and screenwriter, will be on the Whitworth campus Oct. 19-20 for a movie screening, Q&A, lecture and reading. Hansen, an ordained Roman Catholic deacon, is an articulate speaker on the intersections of faith and art.

Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu to present Oct. 16 lecture on breaking barriers

Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu will present a lecture, “Breaking the Barriers: Being the First Latina, Asian, LGBT Justice on the Washington State Supreme Court,” on Friday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m. in the Hixson Union Building’s ABC Conference Room (second floor) at Whitworth University. Admission is free. For more information, please call (509) 777-3834.