Read President Porterfield's inaugural address or watch the inauguration ceremony online.

Mar 18, 2024

Dr. Deana L. Porterfield was inaugurated as Seattle Pacific University's 12th president, and the University's first female president, on Feb. 23, 2024. Her inaugural address was delivered at the First Free Methodist in Seattle, Washington.

Read the address or watch the inauguration ceremony.

School of Education Professor Nalline Baliram and doctoral student Connor Desai received a grant from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Mar 7, 2024

Connor Desai, doctoral student, and Nalline Baliram, associate professor of teacher education, were awarded the Mathematics Education Trust Classroom Research Grants PreK-6 through the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics. This award grant came with a $6,000 budget. The funds will be used for Connor's dissertation research and beyond. Part of the grant requirement is to publish the work in one of the NCTM journals.

Congratulations to Connor and Professor Baliram!

The men's and women's basketball teams are in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference playoffs, Mar. 7-9. Go Falcons!

Mar 5, 2024

The Seattle Pacific men's and women's basketball teams have qualified for this weekend's Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournaments! Here is everything you need to know before the tournament tip-off on Thursday.

Tyler Copp has been named the inaugural SPU women’s golf head coach. The program is set to begin competing in the fall of 2024.

Mar 1, 2024

Tyler Copp has been named the inaugural women’s golf head coach at Seattle Pacific University; Director of Athletics Dan Lepse announced Friday. The program is set to begin competing in the fall of 2024.

Women’s golf becomes the SPU's 13th varsity sport in the fall of 2024. The Falcons join the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in the fall of 2024. They’ll compete against familiar foes in Montana State University Billings, Northwest Nazarene, Saint Martin's, Simon Fraser, and Western Washington. Since women's golf was added to the conference in 2010-11, six GNAC teams have achieved top-10 regional finishes.

“We are thrilled to announce Tyler Copp as the inaugural women’s golf coach at Seattle Pacific University,” Lepse said. “His coaching experience, enthusiasm, and connections to the Northwest golf community will help form a fantastic foundation for this first-year Falcons team.

Learn more.

Seattle Pacific’s School of Education hosts its annual DEI conference for P-12 educators on Mar. 9. The virtual event is free and clock hours are available.

Feb 28, 2024

Seattle Pacific’s School of Education hosts "Fostering Educational Justice: Promoting a Sense of Belonging for Each and Every Individual," a virtual conference for P-12 educators on Saturday, Mar. 9, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The conference features researchers and practitioners addressing and enhancing the learning for educators as they support their students. The event is free and clock hours are available for Washington state educators.

Three special exhibits in honor of President Porterfield's inauguration are on display in the SPU Library.

Feb 27, 2024

The SPU Library has created three exhibits in honor of President Porterfield’s inauguration. Items on exhibit have been selected from the University Archives and Special Collections.

Don't miss the upcoming concerts by the String Orchestra and the Chamber, Wind, and Percussion Ensembles this week.

Feb 26, 2024

The SPU String Orchestra, directed by Professor Christopher Hanson, and the Wind Ensemble, directed by Corey Jahlas, will perform in concert on Wednesday, Mar. 6, 7:30 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church, adjacent to campus. The concert is free and wheelchair accessible.

The Seattle Pacific University Percussion Ensemble presents its Winter Concert on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in E.E. Bach Theater in McKinley Hall. The repertoire includes works by Joel Smales, Mark Ford, Kyle H. Peters, Earl Hatch, Mitchel Peters and Jim Casella, and features solo performances by SPU students Spencer Long, James Loffink and Olivia Callen. Admission is free.

The Chamber Ensemble, featuring small group ensembles performing a wide variety of musical styles, will perform in concert on Wednesday, Mar. 13, 7:30 p.m. in Nickerson Studios, 340 West Nickerson Street. The concert is free and wheelchair accessible.

The Mar. 6 and Mar. 13 concerts will be livestreamed at LIVE! from SPU Music.

Alumnus and Spokane Public Schools’ Adam Swinyard Med ’08, EdD ‘15 was named 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators.

Feb 20, 2024

Spokane Public Schools’ Adam Swinyard Med ’08, EdD ‘15 was named 2023 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators.

The award recognizes the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents and pays tribute to those who lead Washington’s public schools.

“Dr. Swinyard is a champion for equity, as he brings a consistent and unwavering commitment to achieving more equitable outcomes for all students in the Spokane Public Schools,” said WASA Executive Director Joel Aune.

Read more.

The campus community is invited to an Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 14, 12-12:30 p.m. in Upper Gwinn.

Feb 12, 2024

The SPU community will observe Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14 with a short service sponsored by the Associated Students of Seattle Pacific and the School of Theology. A reflection on Lent will be provided by ASSP Officer of Ministries Kyler Granados, followed by the reading of one of the seven penitential psalms and an accompanying reflection by Professor of Biblical Studies Sara Koenig. The service will conclude with the imposition of ashes by students. The first 100 people will receive a "Lent in a Bag" with aids for prayer and devotional time during this Lenten season.

Alumna and founder of the award-winning Perfectly Post Events says her SPU business classes were invaluable. "I use what I learned there on a daily basis."

Feb 9, 2024

Weddings are magical events. Guests arrive to a beautiful setting, impeccably decorated with stunning floral arrangements. Music plays in the background. The bride sweeps down the aisle in a dazzling gown and joins hands with the groom. Vows are exchanged; love is promised; and a new family is formed. Then the party starts. Each detail is flawless. The whole evening is perfect. And behind it all? A wedding planner like Holly Patton Olsen ’08, founder and creative director of Perfectly Posh Events, and one of Seattle’s premier wedding planners.

Read more at SPU Stories.