Whitworth College is an institution of higher learning located in Spokane, Washington that offers bachelor's and master's degrees in a variety of academic disciplines. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Founded in 1883 in Sumner, Washington by George Whitworth as the Sumner Academy, it became Whitworth College in 1890. In 1899, Whitworth moved from Sumner to Tacoma, and in 1914, it moved from Tacoma to Spokane.

Recognized as one of the top regional colleges and universities in the West, Whitworth offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The current president is William P. Robinson. Whitworth enjoys record levels of student enrollment and retention, the strongest financial position in the college's history, and increased external visibility.

Whitworth currently has an enrollment of 2,400 and a student-faculty ratio of 14/1. 83% of classes have fewer than 30 students and the freshman to sophomore retention rate is 87%. There is a 76% chance an incoming student will graduate in 6 years. The percentage of faculty with doctorates is 67%.

Programs offered currently include Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communications Studies, Economics & Business, Education, English, Kinesiology & Athletics, Mathematics & Computer Science, Modern Languages, Music, Physics, Politics and History, Pre-Professional Health Studies, Psychology, Theology, Philosophy, Sociology, and Theatre.

In October of 2005, Whitworth's board of directors voted to change the institution's official name to Whitworth University by 2009.

Media

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Whitworth has three major student-run media outlets that service the campus:

• KWRS Radio (90.3 FM in Spokane)
• The Natsihi (Yearbook)
• The Whitworthian (Student newspaper)

  Student Life

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  Whitworth offers students many opportunities to enjoy college life. Every Thursday at 9:30 p.m., ASWC offers free entertainment, known as "Half Past 9." Past Half Past 9s have included concerts, film showings, and comedians. Students also enjoy the many intramural sports offered, such as ultimate frisbee, basketball, indoor soccer, and volleyball. The school offers many clubs that put on various activities throughout the year. The most prominent of these is the annual spring luau put on by the Hawaiian club.

  Dorm Life

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  Whitworth offers eleven residence halls for undergraduate students:
  • Arend Hall
  • Baldwin-Jenkins Hall
  • Ballard Hall
  • Beyond Hall (to be removed in summer 2006)
  • Boppell Hall
  • Duvall Hall (opening in the fall of 2006)
  • McMillan Hall
  • Schumacher Hall
  • Stewart Hall
  • The Village
  • Warren Hall

  Students are strongly encouraged to live on campus for at least two years, and many opt to stay longer to be part of student leadership teams or to live in one of the newer buildings. In addition to the eleven residence halls, Whitworth sponsors several 'theme houses' each year. Some recurring themes include Cross-Country, Swimming, Women's Health and Wellness, and Simplicity in Living.

  Athletics

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  The Whitworth athletic teams are called the Pirates, unofficially nicknamed the Bucs, and compete in the Northwest Conference of the NCAA Division III. The school fields teams in Football, Cross-Country (coed), Men's and Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Track and Field (coed), Golf (coed), Men's and Women's Tennis, as well as Softball and Baseball. Whitworth's sole national championship came as an NAIA school in 1960, when the baseball team defeated Georgia Southern University 4-0.

  Notable alumni

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  • David Myers, social psychologist and author
  • Frank Hernandez, award winning opera singer
  • Charles Boppell, President and CEO of Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc.
  • Jen Pifer, Senior Producer, CNN Investigative Unit.
  • Gary Stebbins, President of Software Tools & Toys, Inc.
  • Mark Labberton, Author and Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley

  External links

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  • Whitworth College
  • Whitworth College Mission and Heritage
  • Mr. Whitworth Competition 2006 Video. Best-Dressed, Swimsuit, & Talent.
  • Snow Dragon Awakens; Lilacs - Mockery Kung Fu Short Filmed on location at Whitworth College in the Back 40. The actual location is presently bulldozed.

  Spokane, Washington | Universities and colleges in Washington