Whitworth University

Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Our community celebrated Juneteenth earlier this spring while students were still on campus. Hosted by the Black Student Union, the Associated Students of Whitworth University and campus ministry, our gathering included a cookout, music, and reflection on the meaning of Juneteenth by incoming ASWU President Vernon Glass ’28. Attendees also viewed the documentary “Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom,” co-produced by the Rev. Rasool Berry.

“I am very grateful that we could come together again to celebrate this important holiday at Whitworth,” says the Rev. Forrest Buckner, Storm Family Dean of Spiritual Life & campus pastor. “Since the God we serve is a God who hates evil and loves good, it seems very fitting for us to gather to rejoice over the end of the evil of slavery in our country and live into the goodness of community together."

May today be a day of continued celebration and reflection!

Learn more about Juneteenth by viewing the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmjuDxKTzzg

What Is It Like? | English

Samuel Wisenor ’28 shares about majoring in English at Whitworth:

“I decided to study English because I’ve always been fond of literature and enjoyed reading and writing beyond what was taught in my typical classes. The opportunity to engage with the subject even further and grow as a critical thinker and creative individual was incredibly appealing to me. It’s also a strong background for entering into the publishing industry, which is a field I’m incredibly passionate about and one I will be pursuing a job in postgrad.

“Taking Creative Writing with Thom Caraway my first semester at Whitworth was very impactful for me. It definitely got me out of my comfort zone in many ways and got me to think about writing differently. Similarly, American Literature After 1865 with Fred Johnson and 20th Century Modern British Literature with Casey Andrews have both significantly expanded my awareness of literature and tested my critical analysis.

“Starting in my second semester on campus, I began involving myself in ‘Rock & Sling,’ the editing & publishing minor’s in-house literary magazine, and that experience has been quite meaningful. Getting to engage with that type of work as an undergrad is rare, and to have the opportunity to get so much hands-on experience with the backend work of running a publication is informative in ways that other classes can’t be.

“The primary thing I would suggest to anyone studying English at Whitworth is just to explore the opportunities available to you. Outside of classes, there are so many ways to interact with the community the department creates as well as the subject itself, be that through consulting in the WCC (Whitworth Composition Commons), joining our chapter of Sigma Tau Delta (the international English honors society), reading for ‘Rock & Sling,’ workshopping creative work in Storytellers Club, or even just something as simple as showing up for lounge hour and chatting with other people in the program. Finding a way to get more out of the major than just the classes is so astonishingly easy, especially with so many opportunities available.

“I’d love to work my way into developmental editing. The opportunity to work closely with a writer with the goal of honing their book to its best form is one that I find both fascinating and deeply meaningful. That said, any chance I might have to engage with the print publication medium and that would allow me to protect and nurture that art form in the modern media landscape is one that I would gladly pursue.”

So incredibly proud of our colleagues Steve Flegel and Cody Wright, who've been named the 2025-26 recipients of the Northwest Conference Jack Sareault Award!

Chosen by their peers, this honor reflects their outstanding work, passion and leadership in sports communication. We’re lucky to work alongside such talented, dedicated professionals. Congratulations to Steve and Cody!

Whitworth's Flegel and Wright Recognized with NWC Jack Sareault Award Spokane, Wash.– Steve Flegel and Cody Wright of Whitworth University have earned the honor of being the 2025-26 recipients of the Northwest Conference Jack Sareault Award. This honor serves as a recognition from their peers and a testament to the duo's outstanding contributions and commitment to e...

What does “the good life” really look like – and could it also lead to a longer one? Students studying abroad in Greece on the May Term program “Mediterranean Culture and the Good Life” explored these questions as they immersed themselves in Mediterranean traditions, habits and values on the small, quiet island of Ikaria. This interdisciplinary course integrates health science and psychology and was led by faculty members Elizabeth Abbey ’04 and Joelle Czirr ’06.

With less than 10,000 residents, Ikaria is designated as a "blue zone,” an area believed to have a high rate of longevity. Our students explored hypotheses about why its residents live longer on average than other populations and concluded that a slow pace of life that fosters community connections combined with daily movement and a plant-forward diet appeared to be the primary drivers.

By stepping into the daily rhythms of local Ikarians, students didn’t just study the “good life” – they lived it. And they returned home with practical insights and inspiration for creating healthier, more connected lives of their own.

The LEGO replica of Spokane’s historic Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on display at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture was a labor of love for Whitworth alum Christian Gill ’20. This is the lifelong LEGO enthusiast's largest and first public creation. Read about the work and research Gill put into this project and the discovery he made along the way in an article by Caleb McGever ’25.

The “We Built This City” exhibit continues through June 28 at the MAC.

LEGO builder discovers hidden window at Spokane’s St. John’s Cathedral When Christian Gill began working on his Lego model of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, he made the strange realization: the inside of the church has fewer windows than the outside.

As President Scott McQuilkin writes in “Mind & Heart,” the Whitworth student experience is like prolonged spring – a time of evident growth in rich soil.

From standout performances in the arts to meaningful academic experiences and impressive athletic achievements, our students embraced countless opportunities for growth last semester. Explore just a few of the highlights here: https://bit.ly/4edeojA

Whitworth University is proud to launch a groundbreaking Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Social Emotional Learning (SEL) created for educators who are ready to deepen their impact while strengthening their own resilience.

Blending trauma-informed practices, embodied SEL, and faith-centered reflection, this one-of-a-kind in-person program equips teachers to care for students and themselves in powerful new ways. It is one of the few programs like it in the nation, built for already certified educators and focused on transformation from the inside out. The application deadline is July 1, 2026.

Whitworth Introduces Groundbreaking In-Person Master’s Program Addressing Educator Burnout and Student Well-Being Whitworth University is redefining graduate education FOR educators with the launch of its Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Social Emo...

What Is It Like? | Political Science

Sophie St. Jacques ’27 shares about majoring in political science at Whitworth:

“I’ve always been fascinated by political institutions, from childhood dreams of being president to wanting to understand how the electoral college actually works. As I grew older, that curiosity became a deeper interest in how politics shapes our everyday lives and who does (and doesn’t) get included in decision-making. I study political science because I believe understanding our systems matters, not just academically, but to understand how that knowledge can be used to support others, engage meaningfully in civic life, and help make government and democracy more equitable and accessible in practice for those they serve.

“I’ve been really lucky to have some amazing experiences, from having my image printed on city buses as part of Portland’s voter education campaign to studying abroad in France! As a voter education intern with the City of Portland during its transition to ranked-choice voting, I helped with community outreach and presentations, which showed me how important it is to make information accessible and civic processes approachable. While studying abroad, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about European institutions firsthand, including visiting the European Parliament and meeting the Irish ambassador, which has been an incredible way to see how governance and diplomacy work beyond the U.S.

“My dream is to work in law and public service, starting with in-house counsel while also taking on pro bono cases to support communities that need legal advocacy. Long term, I hope to serve in elected office and potentially run for the Senate one day, using policy and law to help shape more equitable systems.

“The political science faculty has made a lasting impact on me. Being part of a small department means professors truly know their students not just by name, but by strengths, interests and potential. They challenge us academically and encourage us personally. They don’t try to fit you into a mold; instead, they help you build your own. That level of mentorship is rare, and I feel incredibly fortunate to learn in an environment where professors invest so much in us.”

Calling all Whitworthians! Join us for Whitworth Night at the Spokane Indians baseball game on Wednesday, June 17, at Avista Stadium.

Tickets cost $14 per person and can be purchased at https://www.whitworth.edu/baseball-game. Be one of the first 1,000 attendees to arrive to receive a free Spokane Indians baseball hat!