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Whitworth University

Coordinates: 47°45′13″N 117°25′02″W / 47.753665°N 117.417197°W / 47.753665; -117.417197
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47°45′13″N 117°25′02″W / 47.753665°N 117.417197°W / 47.753665; -117.417197

Whitworth University
Whitworth University Logo
Former names
Whitworth College (1942-2006)
MottoEducation of Mind and Heart
TypePrivate
Established1890
AffiliationPresbyterian Church
Endowment$98.9 million[1]
PresidentBeck A. Taylor
Academic staff
127 (full-time)[2]
Students2,886[3]
Undergraduates2,628[4]
Postgraduates258[5]
Location
Spokane
,
Washington
,
United States
CampusSuburban
200 acres (809,371 m²)
ColorsCrimson and black            
NicknamePirates
AffiliationsAPCU
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
WebsiteWhitworth.edu
George F. Whitworth around the time he founded the college

Whitworth University is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Spokane, Washington, United States, that offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees in a variety of academic disciplines. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate programs.[6]

For more than a century, Whitworth’s vision has been the pursuit of intellectual and spiritual development.

As a university affiliated with the Presbyterian church, Whitworth stands within the historic reformed tradition. Believing that God is the ultimate source of all truth and is to be loved with “all our mind and heart,” Whitworth embraces freedom of inquiry and the unhindered pursuit of truth.

Therefore, we equip our diverse student body to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity, working for redemption and healing in a broken world. Whitworth’s educational principles are grouped broadly into three categories: the knowledge that students will gain, the skills they will need to work effectively in the world, and the faith and values that our community seeks to reflect.

These principles are interdependent; together they reflect an institution-wide commitment to providing a Whitworth education in which faith, learning and living are purposefully integrated.

History

In 1853, George Whitworth, a minister in the Ohio Valley, set off for the Western Frontier to establish a college that would provide “learning of the highest grade.” Of the 50 families who joined this mission trek to the Northwest, only Whitworth’s made it to Oregon. It was 30 years before he was able to revive his dream of establishing a college. In 1883, Whitworth founded Sumner Academy in a village of the same name in Washington Territory. Seven years later, the school was incorporated as Whitworth College. The catalog from that year further defined George Whitworth's vision: “It is intended to give both sexes a thorough course of education equal to that of our best eastern colleges, guarding well the moral and religious life of the students, ever directing them in pursuit of that learning and culture of mind and heart that make the finished scholar," he wrote. "This institution is well fitted for this, being under the control and direction of the Presbyterian Church. While [the college] is denominational, it does not aim to be sectarian, opening its doors to all lovers of truth and learning.” By 1899, the college had outgrown the rural community of Sumner, and during that year the school moved to Tacoma.

Fifteen years later, when Spokane developer Jay P. Graves offered land in his Country Homes Estates, Whitworth moved once more. In September 1914, classes began in Spokane, at the current site of Whitworth University.Years of uncertainty followed, until President Ward Sullivan brought needed stability in the 1930s. He was succeeded in 1940 by Frank F. Warren, who, during his 23-year presidency, brought Whitworth to its present-day size and scope. Whitworth’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrated in 1965 during the administration of Mark L. Koehler, gave rise to innovative programs — the 4-1-4 calendar, Jan Term and the Core curriculum.Edward B. Lindaman, president during the '70s, was a futurist. His leadership team focused on new programs that gained national recognition. Lindaman’s successors, Robert H. Mounce and Arthur De Jong, added clarity of mission and an increase in international programs.

William P. Robinson, who led Whitworth from 1993-2010, brought the university to unprecedented strength and prominence, with record levels of enrollment and retention, expanded facilities and financial resources, and increased national visibility. President Beck A. Taylor, inaugurated in October 2010, has launched a bold new strategic plan, Whitworth 2021: Courage at the Crossroads, which calls for enhancing the depth and quality of Whitworth students' academic experience through expanded learning opportunities, new facilities and resources, and a broader base of constituents and supporters.Throughout its history, Whitworth has held fast to its founding mission: to provide an education of mind and heart through rigorous and open intellectual inquiry guided by dedicated Christian scholars.

Student life

Taking seriously the vision of George Whitworth to provide “an education of mind and heart,” the Whitworth Student Life Division participates in the educational mission of the university by viewing all aspects of life on campus as a laboratory for learning. We continue this tradition because we believe that this commitment to building character and cognitive skills reflects scriptural principles and community values; we also believe that this “whole-person” approach to learning is educationally effective. The student life division offers numerous services designed to support learning in all areas of life. Health center and counseling programs are available, as are career/life advising services and support networks for students from around the world and for multicultural students who represent diverse U.S. ethnic backgrounds. In addition, an active student activities program is offered to enhance learning, to encourage fun, and to build connections within the Whitworth community.

The Chapel Program

Whitworth enthusiastically embraces its call to equip students to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. Chapel programs and activities are designed to help students deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and their understanding of the Christian faith. It is the special responsibility of the Whitworth Chaplain's Office to provide students with opportunities for worship, personal growth, the building of Christian community, mission and service. Each semester the student leadership team of small-group coordinators are trained and equipped to coordinate groups within each of their dorm communities. Our team also designs a weekly worship service each semester in which a biblical theme is explored. These are some of the many opportunities extended to the Whitworth community to encourage a growing commitment to Christ; they are open to all students.

Campus Housing

All students are required to live on campus if it's been less than two years since their high school graduation.

  • Boppell Hall (an upperclassmen dorm)
  • Ballard Hall (all women's dorm)
  • Cornerstone (an all freshman women's dorm)
  • Duvall Hall (this dorm has pod-style living quarters, and is arguably the best dorm)
  • East Hall (the newest dorm and the only dorm not named after a former Whitworth involved in the school)
  • McMillan Hall (an all men's dorm)
  • Stewart Hall (this dorm has suite-style living quarters)
  • The Village (this offers apartment-style living where you do not have a roommate)
  • Warren Hall (the largest dorm on campus)

In addition to its 11 residence halls, Whitworth sponsors a variety of theme houses each year.[7]

Dorm life

The Resident Assistants hold a "primetime" from 8pm to 10pm each night in each dorm — a free opportunity for students to escape the books and relax, play games or partake in some other activity.[citation needed]

Additionally, Whitworth students are given the opportunity to set their own rules regarding their dorms.[citation needed] In the beginning of the year, every student has the chance to meet in their dorm lounge and decide on the rules for their dorm for the year. Decisions include but are not limited to deciding if students from other dorms can always enter the dorm; if there will be specific times when the dorm will be closed off to others; choosing the dorms' quiet hours, etc.

Athletics

Whitworth Athletics, affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) at the Division III level and a member of the Northwest Conference (NWC), offers 20 varsity sports. Men can participate in football, tennis, soccer, baseball, cross-country, indoor/outdoor track & field, basketball, swimming, and golf. Women’s sports include volleyball, tennis, soccer, softball, cross-country, indoor/outdoor track & field, basketball, swimming, and golf. Whitworth also offers a strong intramurals program, which is available to the entire student body.A commitment to excellence is the hallmark of Whitworth Athletics.

In the last eight years, 22 Whitworth athletes have been named Academic All-Americans and more than 40 have received All-America recognition. Since 2000, six Pirate teams have achieved the highest average GPA in NCAA Division III for their respective sports, and since 2005, 44 teams have captured Northwest Conference championships. The Pirates won the Northwest Conference McIlroy-Lewis Trophy for the best combined standings across all sports six times since 2005.Whitworth’s mission as a Christian liberal arts university is emphasized in its athletics program. Student-athletes are encouraged to participate fully in the academic, spiritual and social life of the campus, and Whitworth coaches are chosen for their effectiveness as teachers and mentors as well as for their knowledge and ability in athletics.

Men's basketball

The Whitworth men's basketball team has a history of successful seasons since Warren Friedrichs was hired as the head coach in 1986.[citation needed] In his tenure as the coach he led the school to five conference titles and was named Coach of the Year five times. During his 16 seasons, the Pirates made the NAIA national tournament three times—including an overtime loss in the 1996 NAIA Div. II National Championship game. At the conclusion of the 1995-96 season, Friedrichs was named NAIA Div. II National Coach of the Year.

Upon Friedrichs' retirement from coaching basketball, Whitworth hired Jim Hayford who built the Pirates into a Northwest Conference power. Since 2000, Hayford has led the Pirates to eight 20-win seasons, six appearances in the NCAA Div. III Tournament (2007–2011), five Northwest Conference titles (2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011), three NCAA Div. III Sweet 16 appearances (2008, 2010, 2011) and one Elite Eight appearance (2011).[citation needed] The 2011 team reached No. 1 in the national polls twice, including the final poll of the regular season, but still were not selected as a campus host for the NCAA Div. III tournament past the second round. Instead the Pirates had to travel to Ohio where they were eventually beaten in the Elite Eight. The 2010-11 team also featured Michael Taylor, who was named the NCAA Div. III National Player of the Year.

Hayford was named Northwest Conference Coach of the Year five times and was named National Association of Basketball Coaches as the West Region Coach of the Year twice (2009–10, 2010–11) and coached two West Region Players of the Year (2009–10: Nate Montgomery, 2010–11: Michael Taylor). During Hayford's tenure, Whitworth also accumulated a 217-57 record (.792 winning percentage) and was home to six NWC MVP's during the 2000s (2003: Bryan DePew, 2006: Lance Pecht, 2007: Bryan Williams, 2008: Ryan Symes, 2010: Nate Montgomery, and 2011: Michael Taylor).

After the 2011 season Hayford left Whitworth to coach at NCAA Div. I Eastern Washington University. He has been replaced by Matt Logie, who grew up in Mercer Island, Wash., before attending Lehigh University where he played and eventually coached as the top assistant.

In 2012, they were once again Northwest Conference Champions with a 15-1 record (26-4 overall) and went to the NCAA Div. III Tournament where they made a good showing.[citation needed] In the first three games they beat McMurry and Trinity before losing to Virginal Wesleyan 74-71. Senior Felix Friedt from Germany received honors as the All-West third team center of the year.

Football

The Pirates were 2006 and 2007 NWC champions.[8] Head coach John Tully was named NWC Coach of the Year in 2001, 2006, 2007.[9]

The 2006 Pirate football team had an 11-1 record, its best ever[10] finished the season ranked 9th in the nation, and made it to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. Tight end Michael Allan was a top scorer in the year and later was drafted to the NFL Kansas City Chiefs.

Men's Track and Field

Dr. Toby Schwarz, the head coach of the Men's Track and Field program has transformed the Whitworth Track & Field team into one of the top programs in the nation. In 2012 the Pirates captured the Northwest Conference men’s team title with 270 points, the squad’s fourth title in five years. The Pirates qualified their largest group ever to the 2010 indoor and outdoor national championships and came back in 2011 to surpass that number with 26 individual national qualifying marks, seven All-Americans, and five coach of the year awards. The Pirates have finished in the top fifteen in the nation four of the last five years, including a third place finish at the 2008 outdoor national championships, third place at the 2009 indoor national championships, and sixth place at the 2009 outdoor national championships. Schwarz was awarded as the national head men’s track and field coach in 2009.

Whitworth has been a powerhouse program in the last several years, winning the Northwest Conference men's and women's title in 2001 and the men's title in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Over the last ten seasons more than 60 athletes per year (over 75% of the team) have qualified for the NWC championship meet. And over the last ten years Schwarz has coached 50 athletes to NCAA Division III All-American honors, including two time national champions Emmanuel Bofa (800 meters) and Cody Stelzer (High Jump) in 2008 and 2009. In 2011 and 2012 Coach Schwarz added his sixth national champion with Carter Comito winning back to back national titles in the men’s discus.

Following the 2006 season, a decision was made by the coaching staff to cease the continuous growth of the program and move to a philosophy of a smaller, more focused and committed group of student-athletes. Through a process of tryouts and cuts, a more streamlined group of student-athletes make up the current and future Whitworth program.

With a smaller, more committed group of student-athletes, the level of excitement at practice is high, leading to a national championship caliber program. Whitworth finished fourth in the inaugural Al Carius Men’s Program of the Year award that was based on the team’s overall finish at the NCAA DIII cross country, indoor and outdoor Track & Field national championships in 2008-09. The men’s team finished 9th in the Al Carius Program of the Year standings in 2011. The Pirate program was also honored as the Scholar Team of the Year in 2008 and 2009 which is based on team overall GPA and national team finishes.[11]

Other

  • Men's golf: 2008 tied for first, NWC North Tournament; 2008 second place, NWC. 2005, 2006, 2007 NWC champions, 2007 NCAA DIII tournament participants. Coach Warren Friedrichs named NWC Coach of the Year 2005, 2006, 2007.
  • Men's soccer: The Pirates have dominated the decade, winning NWC seven titles in 10 years (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Head coach Sean Bushey has been named NWC Coach of the Year four times (2001, 2004, 2007, 2008). In 2005, they were NCAA Div. III Final Four participants and finished third in the nation.[12]
  • Women's soccer: 2008 15-4-1 record, second place in NWC behind undefeated UPS; 2007 17-2 record, competed in first round of NCAA Div. III playoffs; Head coach Sean Bushey named 2007 NSCAA West Region Coach of the Year and NWC Coach of the Year [11].
  • Men's swimming: The men's team has dominated the NWC, winning nine-straight titles (2003–2011). In 2006 and 2011, head coach Steve Schadt was named NWC Coach of the Year, and in 2011 Rory Buck was named NCAA Div. III Swimmer of the Year in only his junior season. Buck went on to compete for a spot on the South African national swim team.
  • Women's swimming: 2008 finish 10th at NCAA DIII championships; head coach Steve Schadt has been named NWC Coach of the Year twice (2007, 2008). In 2006, swimmer Samantha Kephart won two national championships – in the 100- and 200-yard (180 m) butterfly events, respectively – at the 2006 NCAA Division III swim tournament, setting a Division III record in the 200 butterfly. They won the 2008, 2010 and 2011 NWC championships.
  • Women's indoor track & field: Head coach Toby Schwarz named 2007 DIII Regional Coach of the Year. In 2004, track-and-field standout Kristen Shields was named U.S. College-Division Academic All-American of the Year (along with the University of Connecticut's Emeka Okafor).
  • Men's Cross Country: 2008 NWC Champions and 2008 NCAA West Region Champions. Toby Schwarz named 2008 NWC and DIII West Regional Coach of the Year. Emmanuel Bofa was named DIII West Region Athlete of the Year.
  • Women's Tennis: 2009 NWC Champions after going 18-0 in conference play. Jo Wagstaff was named 2009 NWC and DIII West Regional Coach of the Year. The Pirates repeated in 2010 and 2011, going 29-1 in regular season conference play during that stretch.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ As of June 30, 2011. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2011 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2010 to FY 2011" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  2. ^ [1] Facts About Whitworth University page provides full-time faculty numbers
  3. ^ [2] Facts About Whitworth University page provides enrollment numbers
  4. ^ [3] Facts About Whitworth University page provides undergraduate enrollment numbers
  5. ^ [4] Facts About Whitworth University page provides graduate enrollment numbers
  6. ^ [5] Fall 2011 press releases boilerplates identifying enrollment, program numbers
  7. ^ Whitworth residence halls http://www.whitworth.edu/administration/studentlife/residencelife&housing/livingoncampus/residencehalls/index.htm
  8. ^ [6] Facts About Whitworth University page details football championships
  9. ^ [7] Facts About Whitworth University page details Tully's coaching awards
  10. ^ [8] Athletics department press release details 2006 season
  11. ^ [9]
  12. ^ [10] Athletics department release details 2005 season
  13. ^ "The 2008 Time 100". Time. April 30, 2009.
  14. ^ Additional Whitworth Facts: http://www.whitworth.edu/GeneralInformation/WhitworthFacts/AdditionalFacts.htm#Alumni
  15. ^ Maben, Scott (2013-06-17). "Ray Stone, former Coeur d'Alene mayor, dies". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
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