Yang headlines Virtual Days of Common Learning
The Days of Common Learning,
a five-day virtual event in
October, engaged students,
faculty, staff, alumni, and the
outside community in deep
thought and conversation
around a topic, “The Future of Work in the
Age of a Pandemic, Sociopolitical Disruption, and Rapid
Technological Change.” Daily thematic sessions explored
an aspect of the future of work, with a culminating
keynote address by Andrew Yang, American entrepreneur
and former presidential candidate.
Social venture competition thrives online for second year
The School of Business, Government, and
Economics held its 15th annual Social Venture
Plan Competition virtually in April. The online
format welcomed 20 teams from SPU and
eight other universities, totaling approximately
70 students. Student teams developed
solutions to real-world problems, while pitching
their ideas through documents, slide decks,
videos, and live video conferences. A four-student
team, Souk, was the $5,000 winner
of the Herbert B. Jones Grand Prize. The
team proposed opening the global market to
merchants and citizens in developing countries
by increasing employment opportunities and
revenue using an e-commerce platform that
allows the sale of handcrafted, artisan goods
on a global scale.
BioCORE welcomes largest-ever cohort
SPU’s BioCore Scholars program welcomed its largest ever
cohort of 17 new first-year students. This innovative
program supports first-generation students and those
traditionally underrepresented in biological and biomedical
sciences, working to build community, promote
academic success, and create mentoring networks.
Scholars participate in weekly study workshops, perform
research in summer internships, work with peer and
faculty mentors, and network with professional scientists.
Music Department pivots to virtual performances
When the pandemic limited opportunities to make music
in person, music faculty and students found ways to
continue performing. For instance, the SPU Orchestra’s
Concert of Hope featured pieces submitted by SPU
students and over 50 musicians from five states and two
countries, mixed and mastered by SPU’s music technology
program to produce a virtual performance. And instead of
the annual Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert in Seattle,
student and alumni musicians created the Behold! virtual
experience to celebrate the season and share personal
stories of God’s hand in the lives of the SPU community.