SPIRIT - 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Faculty and Staff Newsletter

 

November 2023 | Vol. 25 #3

Spirit is 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's monthly newsletter designed to inform faculty, staff, trustees and regents about what’s new and important at the University – to keep them in the loop.

In This Issue

 
 

Reclaiming and Retaining Joy

Addy Wissel and her colleagues
Wissel (center) was greeted by colleagues Cari Johnson and Emily Rogers following her Provost Lecture on reclaiming joy.

Associate Professor of Counseling Addy Wissel had just received promotion and tenure when a colleague said, “Now the work is just starting.” After six years of toil and tribulation, she was deflated. This story describes how she pulled herself up and learned to reclaim her joy, with tips for all of us.

 

Moving from Burnout to Wellness

The reasons for, and ways to overcome, burnout. Read about ways the University is emphasizing mental health, helping employees to move up the continuum from burnout to wellness.

 

What Are the Fastest Growing Majors at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø?

Computer science students working
Computer Science is the fastest growing major at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, and more attention is being given to technology-related fields here.

Technology and health sciences are among the fastest-growing majors at GU, but would you expect sports management to be on that list?

 

Native Alumni Community Launched

 Guests at the Native Alumni Community initiation Sept. 15 enjoyed sharing stories of some common experiences.
Guests at the Native Alumni Community initiation Sept. 15 enjoyed sharing stories of some common experiences.

While 91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s history with tribal communities of the Inland Northwest has been long and complex, a New Native Alumni Community created by Tribal and Alumni relations is aimed to cultivate meaningful and sustained connections for alumni and students.

 

91³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Basketball Teams Honoring Native Heritage and Culture

Nike N7 Logo

Nike N7 basketball games were created just after the turn of this century to recognize the accomplishments of our Native American communities. N7 is inspired by Native American wisdom of the Seven Generations: In every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation.

Both Zag teams will wear turquoise jerseys for these games. That color in Native American culture represents strength, protection and vitality to those who carry it.

  • 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Men vs. Yale | Nov. 10, 6 p.m., Kennel
  • 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Women vs. Toledo | Nov. 12, 2 p.m., Kennel

All Hands on Deck

 
No, we’re not headed out to sea. But one colleague has used her hands (and her heart) in helping craft a new discipline qualifying as foreign language credits.

READ MORE

 

Faculty Handbook Nearly Ready for a Vote

Headshot of Robin Pickering, GU's chair of public health.
 
After more than nine years of revising, editing, sharing and more revising, the Faculty Handbook is expected to be voted upon by faculty in January. Learn more about some of its improvements.

READ MORE

 

John King Named Work Values Champion for October

John King Named Work Values Champion for October
 
After 18 months of vetting the Institutional Works Values with faculty and staff across the University, they are now being put into practice. As part of the marketing campaign, employees will be recognized each month through March as a Work Values Champion, each colleague representing one of six work values.

READ MORE

 

Chair, Professor of Public Health Robin Pickering Building New Program

Robin Pickering headshot
 
Hired in June, Robin Pickering is working rapidly to craft a public health major in Health Sciences to be unveiled in fall 2024. Timing seems perfect.

READ MORE

 

Community, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Leaders Share Vision for Student Support

GU leaders meet
 
Sanya Ala (’79 M.B.A.) is a Zag, raised three children in the Spokane community and has been in business here for 50 years. He’s making the effort to better connect Spokane’s Black, Indigenous and people of color with his alma mater.

READ MORE

 

Around Campus

» Communication Studies Assistant Professor Charles Athanasopoulos earned the National Communication Association Critical and Cultural Studies Division Outstanding Article Award for “Fanonian Slips: The Rhetorical Function & Field of the White Mask.”

» Queer Classic Cinema: “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar,” Nov 13, 6 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium. Sponsored by Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center.

» Northwest Passages presents author Jonathan Evison on his book “Again and Again,” about love lost, found and redeemed, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.

» Climate and anti-oppression activist, scientist and educator Deb Morrison presents “The Future of Climate Education in the United States,” Nov. 15, 5 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium.

» Spring Awakening: A Special Collaboration of 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Theatre, Dance and Music, Nov. 16-18, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 19, 2 p.m., Woldson Performing Arts Center, $18 public, $15 GU students, staff, faculty; based on a play by Frank Wedekind. Contains mature subject matter.

» Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 28, 5 p.m., Hemmingson Rotunda.

» “Can We Solve the Climate Crisis and Protect Wild Spaces?” Nov. 29, 6 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium, free. Panel discussion co-sponsored by Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment Around Campus and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Law School’s Center for Law, Ethics, and Commerce. Register for this event

» Best-selling author of “Maid” Stephanie Land will speak about her book, “Class,” on how motherhood often converges and conflicts with personal desire and professional ambition, Nov. 29, 7 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, $5.50/$30.50 with book; tickets here.

» Jazz Christmas Concert with Jazz Choir, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. Free.

» Snowflake Showcase, student-produced show by dance and select academic classes, Dec. 1, 6 and 8 p.m., Magnuson Theatre. $8-$10.

» 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble concert, The Blue Marble, Dec. 3, 2 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. Free.

» 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Symphony concert featuring Young Artists’ Competition Winners, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. $15-$18 (free to GU students and employees)

» Candlelight Christmas Choir Concert, “A Light Through the Darkness,” Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10, 2 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.

» 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Law is a partner in creating an initiative to train law students to represent and advocate for children and parents in dependency and other law proceedings. Washington has a significant lack of qualified attorneys well-versed in working within the child-welfare system.


Noteworthy 

New Hires

Ann Marie Halsell, communications officer, Security; Charmayne Adams, asst dean, Student Affairs; Cyndi Donahue, leadership training & development director, Leadership Studies; Kelsey Gregory, compensation analyst, Human Resources; Kokanee Ellingson, case manager, Cura Personalis; Madison Seiple, purchasing manager, Controller; Monica Kope, faculty asst, Law; Paris Sarquilla, custodian, Plant; Raoul Perez, major gifts officer, University Advancement; Ridge Bynum, Pedagogy of Hope coordinator, Education; Robin Pickering, public health professor, Health Sciences; Samantha Rich, communications & marketing coordinator, Community Engagement; Sean Flynn, clerk, Mail Services; Juanessa Walsh, major gifts officer, University Advancement; Mary Hunt, asst to the dean/office manager; Engineering

Position Changes/ Promotions

Alex Reed, program asst III, Arts & Science; Amanda Rhodes, budget & personnel asst provost, Provost; Ana Chavez, graduate clinical coordinator, Health Sciences; Cheryl Flaim, budget officer & special projects coordinator, Enrollment Mgt; Clement Lye, assoc director of emerging media/production, Instructional Design & Delivery; Ivette Godwin, budget & personnel officer, Education; Jeremy Rouse, Native student recruitment & initiatives asst director, Tribal Relations; Marybeth Kuester, clinical placement coordinator, Health Sciences; Michaela Johnson, asst director, Student Involvement; Trinity Spencer, program & project specialist, Leadership Studies  

Goodbyes

Chris Macabenta, custodial lead, Plant; Eli Jenkins, counselor, Admission; Ghulam Dastieb, custodian, Plant; Jenna Larson, admissions specialist II, Graduate Enrolment Mgt; Jerianne Foy, asst to the CDO, Inclusive Excellence; Kari Sandell, operations specialist, Admission Operations; Marit Jacobs, development director, University Advancement; Michael Sittner, custodian, Plant; Mohammad Alamyar, custodian, Plant; Paul Bracke, dean, Foley; Stephanie Whitson, elder paralegal, Law; Zinzile Kellen, asst director, Community Engagement  

Anniversaries

35 Jolanta Weber, vice provost

25 Joe Poss, vice president University Advancement 

15 Bethany Prince, sr marketing specialist/ capacity manager, Marketing & Communications; Jim Ryan, instructional technologist, Instructional Design & Delivery

10 Max Sharp, HVAC technician, Plant; Brian Smith, plumber, Plant; Theresa Malarkey, supervisor, Admission Operations; Nicola Mannetter, director, New Student & Family Programs

5 Rina Clark, instructional technologist, Instructional Design and Delivery; Olivia Vaclavek, digital engagement asst, Alumni; Heather Schmitt, admission specialist II, Graduate Enrollment Mgt; Mikala Presho, residence director, Housing; Lealoni Davidson, custodian, Plant