The Blessing of Great Student and Faculty Leaders
Over the last week or so, I had the opportunity to meet with incoming Associated Students of Whitworth University (ASWU) President Eric Fullerton as well as with mathematics professor Donna Pierce, who was just elected to a two-year 
term as faculty president. Whitworth long has been blessed by great student and faculty leadership, and Eric and Donna will certainly carry on that tradition.
Eric, a junior international studies major from Roseburg, Ore., has been active in student leadership and brings a commitment to making the work of ASWU more transparent and accessible to students. He told me he is committed to engaging students where they are – in the residence halls, in the coffee shop or in the loop – to get their input on issues facing student government.
Likewise, Donna emphasized her role in being a communication liaison between the faculty and the 
administration but also in creating more opportunities for faculty to interact with one another across departments. As the university has grown, it has become more difficult for faculty and staff to know their colleagues in other departments around campus and to see how they collectively are advancing Whitworth’s mission. A strong desire to preserve and strengthen that sense of common cause is one of the drivers behind the goal in the Whitworth 2021 vision and strategic plan to stabilize undergraduate enrollment.
We were able to reach a clear and strong consensus about campus size and other elements in the Whitworth 2021 plan thanks in large part to the outstanding leadership of our outgoing ASWU and faculty presidents, Josh Boyden and Richard Strauch. Josh facilitated several rich discussions among students about the future of the university and served as an important student voice on University Council. Rich engaged faculty in small- and large-group discussions and a survey that provided invaluable input to the strategic planning process and was a great representative for faculty on University Council.
After all, we are united by a compelling mission to provide an education of mind and heart that equips our students honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity. The unity and purpose we find in that mission is especially clear as we enter commencement weekend and celebrate the amazing achievements of our graduates. God is good!
There are plenty of things that can make it difficult for a college president to connect with the students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends he or she serves – schedules, distance, even the office itself. We can't afford to let that happen. This blog is but one way I hope to engage with the larger Whitworth University community and with all those who value an education of mind and heart. 
