Academics
Academics at Whitworth University are 鈥渃hallenging to the point that [students are] kept engaged, but not so hard [to make them] feel helpless.鈥 Many find 鈥渙ne of Whitworth鈥檚 greatest strengths [to be] its small class sizes,鈥 but overall the university simply provides a 鈥渧ery supportive community with a positive attitude.鈥 They also appreciate that the community places an 鈥渆mphasis on Christianity in the classroom and among professors鈥 as well. As for those professors, one Whitworth Pirate notes 鈥淚 really couldn鈥檛 ask for a better, more supportive group.鈥 Others agree, describing the faculty as 鈥渨onderful,鈥 鈥減ersonable,鈥 and 鈥渆xtremely knowledgeable.鈥 Teachers are seemingly 鈥渁lways available for extra help鈥 and will 鈥渨ork independently to 鈥 create meaningful relationships [with students] that prove to last beyond college.鈥 Outside of the classroom, 鈥淲hitworth also offers a large number of off-campus opportunities, both within the United States and around the world.鈥 Do note, however, that many of these are 鈥渟piritual opportunities for the Christian student,鈥 though the school does not force students to participate. While some students feel that the school鈥檚 strong Christian background can hinder their growth, many acknowledge the university鈥檚 openness and acceptance of others. One declares, 鈥淣o one is forcing you to attend chapel.鈥 Another adds, 鈥淭his school lets us have an opinion and somewhere to share it.鈥
Student Body
At Whitworth, you鈥檒l find students who are 鈥渧ery into helping one another succeed in any and every way they possibly can.鈥 To that end, attendees tend to be 鈥渙pen-minded,鈥 鈥渟ocial,鈥 and 鈥渃aring鈥 to the extent that 鈥測ou won鈥檛 be able to walk through campus without receiving several warm smiles and greetings.鈥 While they鈥檙e all driven to learn and succeed, 鈥渋nstead of focusing on competition, most 鈥 are just interested in helping themselves and others.鈥 This establishes 鈥渁 very kind and fun community to be a part of.鈥 There鈥檚 also a variety and depth to what you鈥檒l encounter in the company of fellow students, much of which 鈥渄erives from the international student body, as it adds a lot of cultural benefits and awareness.鈥 One student adds, 鈥淲e all come from different backgrounds and it is very interesting to see how diverse the campus is.鈥 As another sums it up: 鈥淓veryone [here] is unique in their own way, and that just seems to draw people closer.鈥
Campus Life
While many here 鈥渢end to fill their days with studying,鈥 Whitworth features a very 鈥渄own-to-earth campus, so it鈥檚 common to see students lounging in tree hammocks or just lying in the grass.鈥 However, anyone seeking a little more activity will find plenty of opportunities here as well. When it鈥檚 sunny, hammocking is popular, as are outdoor sports like Frisbee Golf and Spike Ball. During the winter, 鈥渕any people go up to the [nearby] mountains鈥 to hike, mountain bike, or ski. Other popular spots during the colder months include nearby coffee shops and friends鈥 dorms where students will watch movies or finish schoolwork. As for school-sponsored happenings, 鈥渢here are usually different events going on every weekend hosted by clubs.鈥 Many of those organizations also 鈥渢ake into account [differences in] ethnicity, hobbies, and political backgrounds,鈥 which those at Whitworth view as evidence that administration is 鈥渨orking hard to bring more diversity on campus.鈥