Thursday, August 26, 2010

Campus community invited to historic Convocation, Sept. 9 in the Fieldhouse

Dear campus community,

Every member of the Whitworth community is cordially invited to Whitworth’s 120th Fall Convocation to open this academic year. Would George Whitworth have guessed that we would convene an academic year with more than 2,900 students in 2010?

The Academic Convocation has a storied tradition in higher education. Colleges and universities in the United States and the United Kingdom for centuries have welcomed the freshman class and new faculty with the pomp and circumstance of this opening-year event. Whitworth’s Fall Convocation will be an historic occasion featuring President Beck Taylor, who will give this year’s address.

To accommodate the entire community, the ceremony will be held in the Fieldhouse at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9. Campus offices will be closed to allow staff to attend this event. All classes will end at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday and faculty will assemble in Graves Gym for the procession. We look forward to joining you for the highlight of our first week together.

Michael Le Roy
Executive Vice President
for Academic Affairs and
Dean of the Faculty

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Assistant Director of Alumni & Parent Relations Kari Dykhouse

Name: Kari Dykhouse

Job title:
Assistant Director of Alumni & Parent Relations

Department: Alumni & Parent Relations

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Four years – two in residence life, two in alumni & parent relations

What do you like best about your job? The energy of Summer Send-Offs (dessert receptions for our new students) and watching alumni from the 1950s and 1960s reconnect with their former roommates and share their stories of the trouble they got into while at Whitworth.

In what ways do you feel your job fulfills your sense of vocation? Though I’m still developing it, I think the opportunity to offer hospitality is a part of my vocation. I love welcoming new students and parents to the Whitworth I love and welcoming back alumni who haven’t been on campus in many years.

Favorite book: The Brothers K

Favorite movie: “Aladdin” – it’s my comfort movie

Favorite food: Ice cream

Favorite quote: The only one I can consistently remember is Ghandi’s “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” But I suppose “favorite” varies depending on mood.

Favorite music: It’s not a whole genre but Jack Johnson-y sort of sound

Favorite animal: Monkeys fascinate me, but pet-wise, I’ll be a dog person someday.

Guilty pleasure: A Diet Coke and walking around Michael’s craft store with no plans or time commitments.

Hobbies: Games!

Best vacation ever: Cruise to the Bahamas with my family to celebrate my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary

Birthplace: Muskegon, Mich.

We’d be surprised to know that…I played the tuba in high school and was on the bowling team

I collect…Playing cards from places I’ve visited

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Netherlands

What cartoon character best describes you? I don’t know, so I just took two online quizzes. One said Superman. One said Sponge Bob Square Pants. Maybe instead I’m the mom from “Bobby’s World.”

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Currently, it would be to open my own ice cream shop

What is your favorite sound? Water lapping up onto the beach

What is your life motto? “Go forward boldly but don’t forget humbly.”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? I would probably get so nervous that I would say something dumb like “It’s pop, not soda, people!” Later I would think of something much more inspiring or challenging.

Favorite childhood book: Tiki Tiki Tembo

Favorite childhood TV show: “Punky Brewster”

Least favorite word: The “F” word. When people say it as a part of their normal vocabulary, it’s just plain annoying.

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? I would go on a road trip to Maine with my husband. He’s nifty and I’ve never been to Maine.

Best high school class subject: Math

Monday, August 23, 2010

Human Resource Services: Health and wellness tips and info; introducing 35 new Whitworth employees

  • Human Resource Services regularly shares information provided to us by recognized organizations that promote health and wellness. Below is helpful information shared with us for September.

    Tips for Organization

    The Benefits of Exercise
  • Whitworth's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is for benefits-eligible employees and their household members. Our EAP provides professional support services to help you and your household members with personal and career related concerns. Services are confidential and accessible 24 hours a day at no out-of-pocket cost. To speak with an EAP professional or to schedule an appointment, please call 800.999.1077. A link to the Employee Assistance Program website is available on the left-hand side of the Whitworth Human Resource Services page. To access the EAP website you will be asked for a company code, which is EAPNOW.
  • Thirty-five new employees were hired and began working at Whitworth during summer 2010. We're pleased to welcome to campus and introduce to you...
Abby Langbehn, Assistant Resident Director, Residence Life

Alison Olzendam, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Education

Amber Rogan, Student Accounts Specialist, Student Accounts

Amy Rice, Librarian, Coordinator of Technology, Library

B. Duff Bergquist, Visiting, Executive in Residence, Finance

B. Ross Watts, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, History/Continuing Studies

Barrett Urness, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Office

Beck Taylor, Ph.D., President, President’s Office

Belle Barthelmess, Resident Director, Residence Life

Bob Beatty, Dean, School of Global Commerce & Management

Brytton Bjorngaard, Lecturer, Art

Carmen Felice, Lecturer, Modern Languages

Chad May, Ph.D., Lecturer, English

Conor Larkin, Admissions Counselor, Admissions

Edward Walker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Elizabeth Abbey, Ph.D., Lecturer, Health Sciences

Emily Soucinek, Resident Director, Residence Life

Janine Darragh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, MIT

Jeannie Huskisson, Assistant Director, Admissions

Jonathan Moo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Theology

Jose Rojas, Visiting Instructor, Modern Languages

Joy York, Lecturer, Communication Studies

Ken Brown, Director, Information Systems

Kristiana Holmes, Director, Student Health Services (Will begin position in late Sept.)

Marcia Lee Hopkins-Marker, Lecturer, Math/Computer Science

Markus Ong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Physics

Matt Baker, Resident Director, Residence Life

Matthew Silvers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Health Sciences

Michael Fulton, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, Modern Languages

Nathan King, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Philosophy/Continuing Studies

Nicole Sheets, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, English

Robert Buckham, Ph.D., Lecturer, Economics/Business/Continuing Studies

Ryan Peterson, Visiting Instructor, Modern Languages

Sarah Dilworth, Lecturer, English

Trisha Duffey, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor, Chemistry