Looking for something to do?

If you live within driving distance of Whitworth, then there’s really no excuse to be bored. Check out these upcoming events: Sept. 25:A lecture by Juan Melendez, who spent more than 17 years on Florida’s death row for a crime he did not commit. He was released in 2002. Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at Whitworth. Free admission. Call(509) 777-3275. Sept. 28-30:Faith, Film and Philosophy Conference: “Faith, Philosophy & Mystery in Film,” a series of public lectures presented by Gonzaga and Whitworth universities. Call(509) 777-3275. Oct. 3:A dean’s dialogue, “The 10^thAnniversary of 9/11,” in which Whitworth Academic Dean Michael Le Roy will engage members of Whitworth’s faculty in a panel discussion. Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Hixson Union Building’s Multipurpose Room. Free admission. Call(509) 777-3702. Oct. 6:A lecture, “Why Care for Creation? An Apology for Earthkeeping,” by Steven Bouma-Prediger, who teaches theology and ethics and directs and teaches in the environmental studies program at Hope College, in Michigan. Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at Whitworth University. Free admission. Call(509) 777-3275.

Tracy Simmons

Tracy Simmons is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting and digital entrepreneurship. In her approximate 20 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti. Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington. She is the executive director of SpokaneFāVS.com, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes for The Spokesman-Review and national publications. She is a Scholarly Assistant Professor of Journalism at Washington State University.