TODAY Fall/Winter 2009 A Department of Note Music program showcases its breadth, depth Teaching in the Tropics President in Transition Whitworth Goes Downtown Message from President Bill Robinson Whitworth is in the midst of an awfully good administrative team. I’m not sure exactly what ‘The Right year. In this ailing economy, we never could my future holds, but I have agreed to be available have imagined our vital signs would be so strong. on a part-time basis to work for the new president Thing Our mission lives in the hearts and minds of our behind the scenes. At Manchester College, I students. We are grateful. Our most recent source followed a 30-year president. I learned great ways to to Do’ of thanksgiving came when construction began on support a new president without getting in the way. the new science building. We still need gift support I’ll write a little more about my departure in to complete the funding plan, but we believe the spring issue of the magazine. I have a lot to do Whitworth’s many friends will step forward. between now and June 30, so I need to stay focused. When I was in college, our basketball team To do that, my plan is to postpone all the farewell headed off in a blizzard for an away game in stuff until the end of the academic year. We’re Minnesota. None of us felt even modest surprise coiling for a pretty good party. when our bus piled into a snow bank. The next Just a brief glance at this issue of Whitworth Today day, the coach of a nationally ranked in-state rival should convince you that Whitworth continues to observed that we must have had “potatoes for prepare its students for lives of service. We are on brains to leave the university.” the move. For 120 years, God has blessed this place. In September, I announced that this would be This morning at Parents’ Weekend worship, I spoke my last year as Whitworth’s president. In the midst from the text that tells the story about a synagogue of this great year, there are days when I hear that leader named Jairus who asked Jesus to heal his coach’s words about having “potatoes for brains to daughter. The whole story turns when the servants leave the university.” But I know this is the right come to Jairus and report that it is too late for a thing to do. I don’t know how anyone could love miracle. Jesus replies, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” a place more than Bonnie and I love Whitworth. I These are always good words. Fear cripples us. will always consider Whitworth my life’s work. This Faith propels us. In times of challenge and in times university embodies our most deeply held spiritual of prosperity, our courage comes from our faith in and professional values, but we believe that the Christ. At Whitworth, we believe. time has come for me to step away. In making this decision, I am fully convinced that Whitworth will benefit from the new ideas, skills, energies and passions of a new president. The university will be able to launch its 2010-15 strategic plan with new leadership and a great 2 WT Fall 2009 Vol. 78, No. 2 Editor Terry Rayburn Mitchell, ’93 Associate Editor Julie Riddle, ’92 Assistant Editor TODAY Emily Proffitt, ’05 Art Director Tamara Hartman Contributors Jordan Beauchamp, ’12 Kari Dykhouse, ’08 M.Ed. Morgan Feddes, ’11 Kirk Hirota Robert Huggins, ’04 Andrea Idso, ’12 Aaron McMurray, ’95 Rachel O’Kelley, ’12 Greg Orwig, ’91 Garrett Riddle Jaime Warfield, ’05 MIM Tad Wisenor, ’89 Taylor Zajicek, ’11 Editorial Board Kari Dykhouse, ’08 M.Ed. Marianne Hansen, ’97 Janet Hauck Rick Hornor, ’70 Melinda Larson, ’92 Michael Le Roy, ’89 Aaron McMurray, ’95 Jim McPherson Scott McQuilkin, ’84 Terry Rayburn Mitchell, ’93 Greg Orwig, ’91 Features Fred Pfursich 6 A Department of Note Emily Proffitt, ’05 Jazz legend Lee Konitz’s performance with the Whitworth jazz Garrett Riddle ensemble this fall demonstrates the prominent place the music Julie Riddle, ’92 program has carved in the region. With an expanded faculty, more Tad Wisenor, ’89 student ensembles than ever before, and increasing recognition, Administration Whitworth provides a topnotch education for musicians and a remarkable listening experience for aficionados of all kinds of music. President William P. Robinson 10 Go East, Young Man (and Woman) East Residence Hall, Whitworth’s just-finished home-away-from-home Acting Vice President for Institutional Advancement for students, provides a sustainable environment in which residents Scott McQuilkin, ’84 from all four classes can live in comfort, build strong community, and contribute to a more livable planet. Director of Communications Greg Orwig, ’91 12 ¡Vamos a Costa Rica! Whitworth’s newest classroom building and student residence are Managing Editor of University located between an urban center and a tropical rainforest – in Costa Communications Rica, where, by fall 2010, 30 students will be enjoying the many Garrett Riddle educational benefits of cross-cultural study. Whitworth Today magazine is Departments On the cover: Saxophonist Lee published twice annually by 2 President’s Message Konitz, winner of the National Whitworth University. 4 Editor’s Note/Letters Endowment of the Arts’ 2009 Jazz Send address changes to Master Award, gets his groove on 14 Whitworth News with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble, Whitworth Office of Communications 22 Faculty Focus directed by Dan Keberle (right). 300 West Hawthorne Road Photo by Kirk Hirota Spokane, WA 99251 24 Class Notes or [email protected]. 34 AfterWord www.whitworth.edu/whitworthtoday WT 3 EDITOR’Snote If Whitworth was once thought ’84, her successor. Scott has moved over to I.A. from his of as a bucolic little college in small- previous home in the athletics department, where he’s been town America, it certainly doesn’t the go-to guy for 15 years. We’re glad Scott’s here, and we fit that description anymore. When know that he’s going to – sports metaphor alert! – take the I arrived in 1983, we might, indeed, advancement ball and run with it. have been characterized as a bit of a Along with the ebb and flow of human resources, backwater. But things move fast these Whitworth is hopping with events, visitors, programs, days. We’re bigger. Needed positions innovations – and, of course, with students and the energy are created as others become obsolete, and we must adapt that only they can provide. Read in this issue’s news the way we spread the word about Whitworth to appeal to section about our new location downtown; check out the potential students who multitask 16 hours a day in a world features on our thriving music program and our soon-to- that’s moving 900 miles an hour. Though the important stuff be-dedicated satellite center in Costa Rica; see who’s been – the mission, the heart, the essence of Whitworth – remains speaking and performing here; take a look at the photo the same, our methods, programs, and approaches evolve to essay on East Hall, our newest student residence. We have serve our students and our constituency far beyond Spokane. much good news to share. One of the goals of Whitworth Today is to keep you aware of Whitworth’s substance remains as it was when you both the immutable and the ever-changing elements of the alums were here. And the university will continue to make Whitworth experience. decisions about how best to embrace and uphold its mission Bill Robinson has announced that this will be his last year and flourish in a fast-paced, evolving world. Change is as Whitworth’s president. We’re sad about that. He’s asked constant, and sometimes disconcerting. But we’re ready to us to save our goodbyes for the spring, and that’s what we’ll deal with the changes that life throws at us – because, as do, but I’ll say now that we’ll really miss Bill. We’ve enjoyed Bill Robinson has reminded us any number of times, we telling people in the community, “I work at Whitworth,” and stand on rock-solid ground. hearing them say, “Is that Robinson guy really as great as he I hope you enjoy this issue of Whitworth Today. seems?” Yes, folks, he really is. We’ve also said a fond goodbye to Kristi Burns, our V.P. for institutional advancement, and welcomed Scott McQuilkin, Thanks for the recent issue of Whitworth Today, in particular the YOUR several pieces on Clem Simpson. I was recently asked to submit stories about integrity to a friend writing a book on leadership. Hearing that Dr. Simpson had passed led me to the computer, and letters I’ve sent off a copy. (See Paul’s stories online at www.whitworth.edu/ Letters should be under 200 words and are subject to whitworthtoday.) editing. Send letters to [email protected]. Paul Chafee, ’67 I have just learned of Dr. Simpson’s death, and have been in Though he focused with a specialist’s intensity on literature and contact with friends who also studied under him. More than any the Scriptures and history and culture, Dr. Simpson taught me to other human being Dr. Simpson epitomized for me scholarship and be a generalist. He would always subtly and suddenly leap from the spirituality. I went to Whitworth with a mind formed (and limited) by particulars to talk about big things, things that matter. rigid fundamentalism, and I left having learned to expand my outlook He knew that God could shine out of the ordinary at any moment.