Whitworth University

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.

08/25/2026

This is a wonderful article by Emma Maple ’24 about how the Whitworth and Gonzaga communities rallied to care for those who were displaced or lost their homes during the Spokane wildfires.

We are incredibly grateful to Gonzaga University for housing our students who needed assistance at the peak of the crisis! We thank God for Gonzaga’s generosity and its dedication to promoting service for the common good.

Gonzaga and Whitworth universities opened their doors, provided aid and raised funds after wildfires displaced students, staff and families.

08/24/2026

A fuller story on how the Tobeck family housed a dozen Whitworth students during the wildfires is now available. Director of Admissions Jason Tobeck remarks on the students' resilience in this interview with KHQ Local News.

Whitworth University students forced to leave during the Spokane Complex fires found a temporary place to stay with a family tied closely to campus.

08/24/2026

This summer, three students cared for people in need of hope and renewal here in Spokane by interning at Family Promise through the Office of Church Engagement’s Summer Fellowship Program. Family Promise of Spokane, a nonprofit with a mission to end family homelessness in Spokane County, employs several Whitworth alums, including Lucy Pearson ’24. After serving as an OCE Summer Fellow at Family Promise herself a few summers ago, Pearson served as the site supervisor for this year’s fellows, Annah Wibel ’27, Celeste Depew ’27 and Vivyetta Hirschfelder ’26.

Wibel, a theology major, assisted on the organization’s Get Housing team. “One of the most rewarding parts of working at Family Promise has been having my heart and my eyes opened to the reality of homelessness in our city in a way that feels so incredibly personal, human, unique and hopeful in the sense that there is a way out and there is a way forward,” she says. “The Lord is making it abundantly clear to me through my time and the people at Family Promise how close he is to those who are going through really difficult things.”

Depew, a double major in psychology and English, served on Family Promise’s Keep Housing team. “I’m learning many things that I think will apply later wherever I go – trauma-informed responses, navigating the stresses of a nonprofit, working with a team…” Depew says. “The experience in group meetings with Lucy has influenced my faith walk through talking about justice and God’s abundance.”

For 12 years, the Summer Fellowship Program has offered an opportunity for Whitworth students to consider connections between faith and vocation while serving at ministries and nonprofits locally and regionally. This summer, 18 students in total participated in the program at a dozen sites in Washington, Idaho and California. We thank the donors to the Summer Fellowship Program who continue to help make these fellowship positions sustainable!

08/22/2026

Whether you want a quick bite between classes, a meal with friends, or an inviting spot to study and sip coffee or tea, Whitworth has you covered. Learn about our many campus dining options on the Pirate Life blog! https://bit.ly/4bK0e92

🍽️ Tell us: What’s your favorite place to dine on campus?

08/21/2026

We love how much the story of the Tobeck family housing students during the wildfires resonated with our Whitworth community! At Whitworth, we compassionately tend to each other’s well-being.

Now KHQ Local News has shared this story representing what we’re all about with the broader Spokane community, too. Hear from Ayanna Tobeck ’28 and a couple of the many students her family housed in this video.

The Spokane complex fires impacted students at Whitworth University...