Two Whitworth Students Win Awards at Murdock College Science Research Conference

Whitworth University is pleased to announce two Whitworth students received honors at the 2020 Murdock College Science Research Conference, which was held online Nov. 6-7.

Whitworth’s Ethics Bowl Team Qualifies for the National Bowl

Whitworth’s Ethics Bowl team, the Philosoraptors, has qualified for the national bowl again. The team took second place at the Northwest Regional Ethics Bowl on Nov. 7, competing in an online format.   

Whitworth University to Hold Virtual Ceremony to Honor Veterans

Whitworth University will honor veterans during its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11:45 a.m. This year, the event will be livestreamed on YouTube: https://bit.ly/2U3sKdQ.

Whitworth has a long history of support for our nation’s military. Beginning with World War I in 1917, Whitworth students both volunteered and were drafted in the military. One student, Harry Olson, was killed in action. Since then, Whitworth students have served in World War II, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. Several have paid the ultimate price in defense of the United States.

Today, Whitworth supports veterans as well as collaborates with Gonzaga University as part of the ROTC program. Each year, Whitworth pays homage to those who have served the United States by holding a Veterans Day ceremony on campus.

“It’s an honor to participate in this ceremony and work for an institution that places so much value on our military,” says Phil Labrie, assistant director of veterans outreach. “The fact that Whitworth has been holding a ceremony every year for the past 29 years is a testament to the importance this institution places on our veterans.” 

The presentation of colors will be made by the Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard. Whitworth student and U.S. Air Force veteran Kevin Partridge ’22 will sing the national anthem. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., will attend.

The keynote speaker will be Mark Baird, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and U.S. Army veteran. 

President Beck A. Taylor will present special Whitworth coins to these students and alumni:

• Renee Barton ’07, U.S. Army, ROTC collegiate advisor for Whitworth

• Peter Borg ’19, U.S. Army, Vets Corp Navigator for Whitworth

• Scott Cole, U.S. Army

• Tyler Eudy, U.S. Army, current Army ROTC cadet

• Mark Flippen, U.S. Navy

• Gregory Harmon, U.S. Marine Corps

• Stuart Henry, U.S. Navy

• Loyd Patton, U.S. Air Force

• Kevin Partridge ’22, U.S. Air Force

• Collin Visser, U.S. Marine Corps

• Christopher Warren, U.S. Air Force, current Army ROTC cadet

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Phil Labrie, assistant director of veterans outreach, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3302 or plabrie@whitworth.edu 

Whitworth’s Arguing Bucs Take First Place in Pacific University’s Online Tournament

The Whitworth University Forensics team is celebrating its first online victory. 

The Arguing Bucs took first place, defeating 17 schools from 11 states in combined speech and debate during the Pacific University online tournament on Oct. 24 and 25. 

Whitworth defeated regional and national rivals including Arizona State University, Lewis & Clark College, Mississippi State University, the University of Alaska and Weber State University. 

The Arguing Bucs brought home 12 speech awards and 19 debate awards. Jericho Simone ’22 tied for the third best competitor at the tournament out of 111 competitors.  

“All college speech and debate programs are having to adapt to an online format, and examine speeches from a mass media perspective, paying attention to technical sound and lighting in addition to good argumentation,” says Mike Ingram, director of forensics and professor of communication studies. “I’m proud of the team’s hard work making this transition a success. COVID can hinder us, but it cannot stop us.”

In speech awards, AhLana Ames ’22 took second place in programmed oral interpretation, Nathan Cooper ’24 took third in novice extemporaneous, and Chauncella Koulibali ’22 took third in programmed oral interpretation and in poetry.

Aidan Hollister ’23 was the top speaker in the debate category, with Sanjay Philip ’21 taking third place.

Guest judges for Whitworth included Elizabeth Jacobs Bone ’17, Kat Duarte ’17, James Eccles ’17, Jacob Farrell ’19, Rebecca Korf ’15 and Travis Walker ’12.  

The team’s next online tournament is sponsored by Linfield College on Nov. 13-15. 

The Arguing Bucs are coached by Ingram, Stephanie Gibbons ’15 and Lori Welch ’90. 

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu