Whitworth University

09/05/2026

The newest Pirates have arrived!

Today, we welcomed more than 550 first-year and transfer students to campus for Move-In and Orientation Day. Coming from 21 different states, these students are already beginning to find "their space", meet new friends, and discover new opportunities at Whitworth.

Welcome to the Class of 2030 and all our residential students! We are excited to support you every step of the way. Get ready, the adventure is just beginning!

09/04/2026

A new year. New leadership. The same commitment to faith and excellence!

On Thursday, Whitworth University installed our new faculty members, program directors and the dean of the School of Business.

As educators, mentors and leaders, they will help guide students through one of the most important seasons of their lives. The faculty-student relationship is at the heart of the Whitworth experience, and we are excited to welcome these outstanding individuals as they inspire, challenge and support our students in the years ahead.

Join us in congratulating them all!

09/02/2026

Looks like this former Pirates baseball star still has it. Tyler Coopman ’14 was in Boston last night watching the Mariners take on the Red Sox. With little effort, he snagged a foul ball and then look at what he did next! He handed the ball to a little fan in the stands. That’s the Whitworth way! Great job, Tyler!

09/02/2026

We are so excited to officially welcome our first-year and transfer students to Whitworth as they begin a new chapter of their academic journey.

Saturday marks Orientation and Move-In Day, and campus will be buzzing with opportunities to connect, explore, and discover what it means to "Find Your Space" at Whitworth.

For our returning students, we have some surprises and new experiences waiting for you as well. While each year brings fresh opportunities for growth and discovery, one thing remains constant: the genuine care and appreciation of our faculty and staff.

We are so grateful to have you back and look forward to welcoming you home to campus in just a few short days!

Whitworth is proud to welcome the Class of 2030, new transfer students and returning students to a campus enhanced by new academic initiativ...

09/01/2026

Something beautiful has risen at Whitworth.

The university has installed a new pinecone arch sculpture, a gift from Whitworth trustee Gary Hopkins '77 and his wife, Mary, and the Classes of ’24 and ’25. The stunning work is by artist Sarah Thompson Moore (seen here in pink) and was inspired by designs created by Whitworth students in Professor Katie Creyts’ Community Arts in Practice class.

The landmark features arches of weathering steel, the tallest at 15 feet high, and polished triangles made of stainless steel. The arch is anchored by basalt stone pillars, with welcoming benches designed as spaces for rest, reflection and gratitude. More than a work of art, it invites all who pass beneath it to pause, consider God’s faithfulness, and look ahead with hope.

We eagerly anticipate the moment when new students walk under the arch for the first time during the Crossover Ceremony this Sunday, marking the beginning of their own Whitworth journeys!

08/31/2026

What Is It Like? | Chemistry

Madilyn Danaraj ’27 shares about majoring in chemistry at Whitworth:

“My favorite classes so far have been Calculus and Biochemistry. I struggled a lot in Pre-Calculus in high school, so I accepted I was not cut out for math. However, taking Calc I and II with Anne Trefry rekindled my love for math and showed me to keep an open mind about subjects. I have also been enjoying Biochemistry this year as it feels like the culmination of many of the STEM classes I have taken so far, combining topics from general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology and more. It has been rewarding to take all my chemistry knowledge and learn how to apply it to the human body and the biological world.

“I have had the privilege to work in the Deanna Dahlke Ojennus Lab doing biochemistry research on a prolyl aminodipeptidase from Lb. helveticus. Working in research has enhanced my ability to think critically and troubleshoot. It has significantly improved my ability to read and comprehend scientific literature and given me a deeper understanding of how the scientific method is really carried out. Additionally, I got to go to the American Chemical Society conference in Atlanta to present a poster on my research. It was a full-circle experience to teach others about the project and to hear new perspectives and ideas on where we could go next. I also got to hear Jennifer Doudna (winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) give a talk; I have admired her work since high school, so it was an awe-inspiring moment to see her in person and hear her speech.

“I was initially interested in Whitworth because it was close to home and I was offered the opportunity to run track and cross country here. When I visited Whitworth for the Honors Scholarship Weekend, I immediately knew that Whitworth was the right place for me. I also appreciate that Whitworth is a small, community-driven school. This has enabled me to get to know my professors and peers better than I could have at a large school.

“Associate Professor Trisha Russell, my advisor and professor for Organic Chemistry I and II and Biochemistry I, has made a difference for me at Whitworth. She helped make scary courses approachable and built my confidence in difficult classes. Coach Toby Schwarz, my track and cross country coach, has also made a difference by always pushing me to be my best academically, athletically, socially and spiritually. Also, Anne Trefry, my instructor for Calculus I and II, made a difference by making calculus fun and approachable but also by supporting me athletically by coming to meets and cheering me on.”

08/29/2026

ONE WEEK until New Student Orientation begins! If you’re an incoming student wondering what Orientation events like “Traditiation” and “Loop-a-palooza” mean, we've got you covered. Visit the Pirate Life blog for a guide to the experiences that help turn new students into Pirates!

https://bit.ly/4cTxR90

08/27/2026

Flying 2,000 miles to a math and engineering conference with your professors? Absolutely worth it.

This summer, Whitworth University engineering major Sam Parker ’27 traveled with professors Kelsey Marcinko (math & computer science) and Markus Ong (engineering & physics) to a joint conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences and the Christian Engineering Society.

Held at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich., Ong presented his paper, “Diversity by Design for the Benefit of the Body,” while Marcinko presented “Mathematics, Virtues and Flourishing: Integrating Worldview Reflections in a Complex Variables Course.”

One unexpected highlight? At the opening dinner, Parker found himself seated next to Whitworth alumnus Cameron Sweet ’10, now an assistant professor of mathematics at St. Martin’s University.

Four days, countless conversations, shared ideas and new insights, and one more example of how a Whitworth education extends far beyond campus.

08/26/2026

Ready to get a head start on your college application?

The Fall 2027 application is officially LIVE! Your future at Whitworth starts with this first step.

👉 https://whitworth.edu/apply

08/25/2026

A garden flourishes through faithful care and a vision for what it can become.

At Whitworth, students are part of a community that helps them grow in wisdom, faith and purpose. The growth that takes root on campus continues long after graduation.

Through the generosity and support of the Whitworth community, these formative experiences continue to shape students' lives.