Mind & Heart

A note from Whitworth University President Beck A. Taylor in our February installment of the Mind & Heart newsletter:

February 2011

¡Pura vida! That's Costa Rican for "Life's good!" Amidst other travels in January to California, Texas and Washington, D.C., I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Whitworth's newest campus, just north of San José, Costa Rica. I was thrilled to spend three days with students who were studying there for Jan Term (see Academics, below), and to tour the facilities and surrounding areas. The Costa Rica campus (or "Whitworth South," as director Lindy Scott likes to call it) is Whitworth's latest effort to provide the best international and cross-cultural experiences for our students and faculty. Building on Whitworth's decades-old Central America Studies Program, the Costa Rica Center provides a home base in one of the region's most dynamic economic and cultural centers. I am so proud that Whitworth has taken a bold and innovative step to provide life-changing experiences for students who are studying Spanish and who are interested in issues such as economic development, conservation, social entrepreneurship and political affairs. The students and I had fun sharing some local experiences together and playing games to get to know each other. Special thanks to directors Lindy and Dinorah Scott (both Modern Languages), and staff members Lara Lichten, '10, Kristina Kielbon, '09, and Emily Dufault, '10, for their leadership and service. Life is good at Whitworth South!

+ Academics

The Costa Rica Center welcomed freshmen admitted with honors (and a "freshman president") for Jan Term. The month was filled with travel, exploration, study of rural communities and small cooperatives, a tour of a coffee plantation, guest lectures from Michael Le Roy, '89 (Academic Affairs), and me, beaches, homestays – all part of the coursework. Joshue Orozco (Philosophy) and Rick Hornor, '70 (Theatre), led the academic course Philosophy of Forgiveness, which culminated in the presentation of dramatic monologues that showcased the "voice of the other."

http://www.whitworth.edu/administration/PresidentsOffice/Mind&Heart/2011/February11.htm