An opinion piece in the Seattle Times by Psychology Professor Paul Youngbin Kim introduces the Korean concept of "jeong" as a way for better interpersonal connections.

Apr 22, 2024

Let me introduce the Korean concept of jeong as a counterpart to the Seattle Freeze. Although jeong has no English equivalent, it can be experienced and expressed outside of the Korean context. Jeong captures the tight interpersonal connection between people. It is the energy that underlies friendships. It can also describe the emotional bond between a parent and child.

SPU President Deana Porterfield is featured in Light + Life magazine, published by the Free Methodist Church-USA.

Apr 18, 2024

After nine years as the president of both Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary near Rochester, New York, Dr. Deana L. Porterfield was inaugurated Feb. 23 as the 12th president of Seattle Pacific University in its 133-year history and its first female president. In an interview with Light + Life magazine a month after her inauguration, she emphasized that Seattle Pacific remains faithful to its Christian commitment even as the university attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and connects with its city.

Dr. Kathy Lustyk has been named the next vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Seattle Pacific University.

Apr 17, 2024

After an extensive nationwide search, Dr. Kathy Lustyk has been named the next vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Seattle Pacific University. Lustyk currently serves as vice chancellor and associate chief academic officer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Prescott. She will assume her new role at SPU in the next few months.

SPU Theatre presents this true story of 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, who explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries.

Apr 9, 2024

"Silent Sky" is a true story of 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, who explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries. With music and math bursting forth onstage, Henrietta and her female peers change the way we understand both the heavens and the Earth. It is the poignant tale of a woman’s dedication to the stars, and the human touch that makes life under the vast sky beautiful and timeless.

"Redeeming Korean Constructs of Han, Nunchi, and Jeong: Lessons for Interpersonal and Communal Flourishing" is the title of a lecture on April 9 by Prof. of Psychology Paul Youngbin Kim.

Apr 3, 2024

Han (한), nunchi (눈치), and jeong (정) are Korean constructs that profoundly shape Korean people’s lives. How might the understanding of these constructs offer lessons that generalize beyond the Korean setting, as we pursue intrapersonal, interpersonal, and communal flourishing?

In the annual Winifred E. Weter Faculty Award Lecture for Meritorious Scholarship, Professor of Psychology Paul Youngbin Kim will explore the features of these constructs, drawing from his academic field of psychology but also Korean media and arts. He will articulate the strengths and pitfalls associated with han, jeong, and nunchi. Whenever relevant, Prof. Kim will describe how the three constructs can be reimagined for faithful Christian living.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024
7 p.m. 
Upper Gwinn Commons

 

Professor Ben Hartley receives research grant to continue his work on a biography of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Mar 25, 2024

Ben Hartley, associate professor of mission and world Christianity, recently received a $6,000 Franklin Research Grant from the American Philosophical Society. He will use the grant to defray the costs of archival trips to Columbia University, Yale University, and the University of Minnesota to complete research for a biography of Nobel Peace Prize laureate John R. Mott (1865-1955).

JoAnn Flett, executive director of the Center for Faithful Business, received a Fulbright Specialist Program Award to complete a project at The Entrepreneurship Hub in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mar 22, 2024

JoAnn Flett, executive director of the Center for Faithful Business, received a Fulbright Specialist Program Award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. She will complete a project at The Entrepreneurship Hub in Trinidad and Tobago that aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within business administration.

Professor Emeritus Ed Smyth died on March 9. During 32 years of faithful service, he led yearly student discipleship groups and served in many local ministry positions.

Mar 19, 2024

Professor Emeritus of Educational Ministry Ed Smyth died at his home in Lexington, Kentucky, on March 9, 2024, after a lengthy illness. Ed came to SPU in 1976 and taught educational ministry (Christian education) until 1985, and then again from 2000 to 2016, when he retired. He was the director of Church Relations at SPU from 1985 to 1992 and served in ministry positions outside of SPU from 1992 to 2000.

Read more on Professor Smyth's legacy.

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!