Whitworth University is a tight-knit community one in which the members remain in close contact with the school and each other.
Scott McQuilkin, the vice president for institutional advancement, is a Whitworth alum.
McQuilkin's first visit to campus was in late November, he and a few friends took a brief walk around campus, but didn't talk to anyone. While his first experience with the school was not very impressive he determined Whitworth was the best fit; as he was looking for a Christian school where he could play baseball.
McQuilkin was a part of many departments before landing on his math and athletics physical education and math secondary teacher certifications major.
"When I started, I went into computer science, was going to be a pastor, a high school English teacher," he said. "I wound up with several minors and, I graduated with a true liberal arts degree."
The education available to Whitworth students is an aspect McQuilkin still treasures: "from an educational standpoint, the professors knew me. Professors and coaches took a personal interest in my well-being."
While on campus McQuilkin lived in Mac.
"I still remember the dorm song, twenty-nine years later," he said.
It was also here that McQuilkin met his wife, a Warren woman.
The most significant change on campus since McQuilkin was a student is the size.
"We're now 750 students larger," McQuiklin said. "This makes it harder to know everyone, while we have maintained the personal touch, it is different now just because it is a larder student and faculty population."
McQuilkin has been able to watch the school transform over the years.
"Campus is much prettier now, and when it rains you don't have to dodge twelve buckets on the HUB floor," he said. "Folks who haven't been on campus in twenty years are blown away by the transformation of campus."
Whitworth is a unique school in McQuilkin's experience.
"Whitworth challenges a person to think deeply about faith, it allows and encourages students to wrestle with issues of faith and justice. Whitworth is a unique blend of commitment to academic rigor and curiosity to a deep faith commitment," he said. "It has even influenced our dinner discussions. Our children are hearing a breath of opinions as we attempt to create a core-like discussion, giving a fair hearing to various points of view."
As McQuilkin joined Whitworth faculty he was amazed by the commitment the Whitworth faculty has to its students.
"Learning how invested the professors are, how student centered they are. It is a great experience to be behind the scenes, its all about the students," he said.
Professor Laura Bloxham is also a Whitworth graduate.
"I came to visit with a youth group leader, while in high school. Teachers from my high school had attended, and when I visited I liked it; it was the only school I applied to."
While on campus Bloxham spent all four years living in East Warren. She began her academic career in economics and political studies, after a year however she transitioned to English with a history minor.
Bloxham was a student at Whitworth during the Vietnam era, and remembers listening to speeches in the loop, and participating in demonstrations.
She had a friend who went to prison for draft evasion; as a Christian he could not support the war. After this experience became involved in demonstrations and draft counseling.
She said, "it is still a significant issue for me. I understand that there are other significant issues for students, and it is not my place to campaign in the classroom."
Looking back on her time at Whitworth, Bloxham has realized her time here influenced the rest of her life.
"My college years changed my life profoundly, and I would want that for other college students." She said, "I encourage students to study well, and broadly, to get involved in service opportunities, something that they believe in deeply," Bloxham said.
As Bloxham returned to Whitworth as a faculty member Whitworth seemed to be a new school.
"I never felt like a student; it felt like a different school. And it was. We were deeply concerned with the Vietnam War and racism. Students today have social concerns, but they are different. The campus is bigger, and there is a larger curriculum available to students," Bloxham said, "I like both places."
Brooke Kiener, a professor in Whitworth's theatre department, graduated from Whitworth. Kiener went to high school in California, and first heard of Whitworth via a mailer.
She was attracted to the mission, an education of mind and heart.
"I wanted a small private school with a theatre program. Whitworth stood out to me most for its student life policies, with the co-ed dorms, no curfews, and no contract for students to sign. To me these policies said that Whitworth truly respects its students as individuals, who can make their own decisions, and learn from their mistakes," Kiener said.
She came to visit campus, and was so impressed with how nice everyone was, and felt so welcomed.
Kiener entered Whitworth as a theatre major, initially coupled with education, but later decided to focus solely on theatre. While on campus she lived in Warren for two years, and Arrend for one year.
"I had a really good blend of challenging academics and a great social life. I had a lot of good friends, I was in jubilation, I was coordinator for ASWU, I was in many productions on campus, and was asked to be apart of several panels, I was also an RA. The theatre classes were fantastic I wanted to take every theatre class, and I think I did," Kiener said.
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