by Sasha Siclait
It’s a historic year to be at Whitworth University as the university celebrating the 125th anniversary. Throughout the year there will be events held in honor of the 125th anniversary, not just in Spokane, but also in two other major cities; Portland, Ore. and Seattle.
An exhibit called “Torchbearers” featured in the library and put together by senior Brandon Emerson and librarian Janet Hauck. This exhibit features 125 stories about 125 Whitworth people, events and history.
These stories featured in the exhibit as well as online at the Whitworth website are stories about people and events that have made Whitworth University what it is today, emphasizing an education of a 125 -year-long mission of “Mind and Heart.” The creation of the exhibit began in mid-May and lasted until the last week of August.
Further, the exhibit has categories that discuss different areas of impact on Whitworth over the years. Those categories include builders, believers, competitors, revelers, scholars, creatives and visionaries.
Famous alumni, including relatives of George Whitworth, are covered in those stories as well as a multitude of distinguished alumni who have made a mark on Whitworth history. Missionaries, civil rights activists, athletes and more are all people who have walked the paths of Whitworth University and made an impact on the Whitworth experience today.
“My favorite part of the exhibit has to be Leonard Oakland’s typewriter and glasses,” Emerson said. “They are just a great showcase of his personality and the glasses just especially capture just how iconic he is in Whitworth’s history.”
Before the school was called Whitworth University, it was called Whitworth College with routered wood signs, which gave Whitworth the nickname “Camp Whitworth.” Interesting facts such as this can be found in the exhibit in the library open every day during library hours.
On Whitworth University’s 125th anniversary, students are reminded of all the Whitworthians who came before. Amy Johns Ryan, who was a co-editor of student newspapers, The Gleanor and The New Era, left a quote to pass on to future generations of Whitworth students: “And with hearts filled with emotion, we now thank them one and all, for the start in life we’ve found here, in the Whitworth College Hall.”
Contact Sasha Siclait at ssiclait16@my.whitworth.edu