Petition

Below you’ll find the petition sent to the administration on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.

We’re continually updating the petition with more and more names!  Email alumni.haven@gmail.com to get on this list.

Still no word from our school’s leaders!  We’ll keep you posted.

Photo Credit: SPU

Photo Credit: SPU

Photo Credit: SPU

Dear President Eaton, Vice President Steele and Associate Vice President Jordan:

We are writing to you today to express our deep disappointment in your recent decision to end the ongoing conversation between Seattle Pacific University and the student group Haven. We believe that this decision fundamentally conflicts with SPU’s mission statement which states that “Seattle Pacific University seeks to be a premier Christian University fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.”

We demand that SPU offer Haven official club status and award it all the rights and responsibilities of other formally-recognized student clubs within the University. We are not asking merely for “special privileges” that give Haven the opportunity to meet in common areas on campus, but rather that Haven be allowed to enjoy full club status. We believe that Haven has demonstrated a commitment to refrain from asking SPU to change its stance on homosexuality and has served to provide a necessary place of conversation and refuge for those who identify as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities as well as those students who are exploring how their own theology relates to homosexuality.

You will be receiving letters from many of us in the coming weeks. As SPU alumni and community members, we are frequently given the opportunity to support SPU financially; we feel it is necessary to communicate to you that SPU’s oppression of Haven has and will continue to prevent many of us from making these financial commitments to the university. As long as SPU refuses to offer full club status to Haven, we will refuse to donate our financial resources to SPU.

For many of us, this has not been an easy pledge to uphold. We are saddened by SPU’s treatment of Haven because this is not the SPU we knew when we were students and hoped to support following our graduation from the university. While attending SPU, we were greeted daily by the words of the prophet Micah as we entered campus: “What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” We ask SPU: Has the decision to segregate Haven been one that exemplifies the kind of justice, mercy and humility Micah referred to with these words? We think not.

We, the below mentioned, sign our names as proof that openly LGBTQ students are and were a part of the SPU community. You cannot silence our voices through the devices by which you have tried to silence Haven.

1. Grant Rehnberg, 2010
2. Brian Prunty, 2010
3. Eric Andrew Hoff, 2005
4. Emily Warr, 2009
5. Spencer Max Sutherland, 2011
6. Melissa Roberts, 2008
7. Taryn Lee, 2007
8. Megan Robinson, 2009
9. Rachel Willey, 2010
10. Randi Pedigo, 2008
11. Jennifer Gist, 2010
12. Emily Marsh, 2006
13. Aaron Roberts, 2011
14. Ian Klein, 2008
15. Mike Zetterberg, 2009
16. Eric Mill, 2007
17. W.Chase Hills, 2007
18. Christopher Hanson, 2007
19. Pierce Wade, 2007
20. Aaron Hicks (Veteran), 2014
21. Erin Walrath, 2007
22. Olivia Pryor, 2009
23. Kyle Johnson, 2009
24. Jordan Grace, 2006
25. Rick Szeto, 2002
26. Justin Rusk, 2010
27. Rob Sesser, 2008

We, the below mentioned, sign our names as proud allies to the LGBTQ students who did and continue to make our lives richer as vital members of the SPU community.

1. Kelsey Ryland, 2008
2. Mark Dailey, 2007
3. BrittaLisa Gess, 2008
4. Nate Berends, 2009
5. Mallory Maddox, 2008
6. Jessica Susan Vehorn, 2008
7. Paige Morgan, 2000
8. Kelsey Kjosness, 2010
9. Allison Demmert, 2007
10. Roy Culver
11. Michael Shriver, 2007
12. Alexander Paulsson, 2008
13. Kathleen Talbot, 2010
14. Kayla Beckman, 2009
15. Katherine Steensma, 2010
16. Marla DeKlotz, 2007
17. Brian Gregory, 2007
18. Carissa Lemos, 2009
19. Alexa Megna, 2009
20. Emily Sheldon, 2005
21. Kyle Wharton, 2007
22. Laura Easley, 2010
23. Kerri Kline, 2008
24. Elizabeth Azarow, 2009
25. Lindsey Beach, 2010
26. Alex McCauley, 2010
27. Christina Duckworth
28. Brent Miles, 2011
29. Kelsey Hoffman, 2008
30. Emily McCormick, 2014
31. Nathaniel Rogers, 2011
32. Micaella Verro, 2009
33. Tyler Anders, 2011
34. Natalie Alfaro, 2010
35. Cornelius Frantz-Deppe, 2009
36. Shauna Frantz-Deppe, 2006
37. Caitlin Wasley, 2009
38. Zachary Williams, 2008
39. Tiffany Reimergartin, 2007
40. Kyle Reimergartin, 2008
41. Cynthia Swain, parent
42. Katie Whorall, 2011
43. Katy Williams Gibson, 2011
44. Ann Bebb Scranton, 2000
45. Elizabeth Andes, 2009
46. Brad Nelson, 2010
47. Joy Béthune, 2011
48. Katharine Hall, 2011
49. Zion Greenlee, 2011
50. Michelle DeBruyn, 2006
51. Trevor Scranton, 2000
52. Giavana Margo, 2011
53. Christine Widstrom, 2009
54. Lauren Wilford, 2013
55. Laura Fitzwater, 2005
56. Jessica Henson Cagley, 2005
57. Sarah Barton, 2009
58. Alissa Walter, 2008
59. Lauren Craven, 2008
60. Jessica Miller, 2009
61. Elizabeth Martinez, 2009
62. Kathy & Gary Rehnberg  Parents, 2010
63. Brian Halcomb, 2005
64. Alicia Temple, 2009
65. Megan Giske, 2007
66. Elizabeth Brown, 2005
67. Jonathan Cook, 2004
68. Becky Crook, 2002
69. Rachel Liberto, 2008
70. Sarah Oloya, Friend of HAVEN
71. Anna Marie Milgate, 2010
72. Cynthia Spencer, 1987
73. Lauren Parke, Friend of HAVEN
74. Carly Ralston, 2007
75. Dan Caster, 2005
76. Amanda & Darick Baker, 2005
77. Laura Hoff, Friend of HAVEN
78. Torin Thomas Schaafsma, 2008
79. Tim Mathis, Friend of HAVEN
80. Patrick Nygren, 2008
81. Chris Berzac, Friend of HAVEN
82. Emjoy Gavino, 2004
83. Andrea Mullen, 2007
84. Greg Jones, 2008
85. Julianne Williams, 200
86. Carol Shisler, 1989
87. Alissabeth Newton, 2000
88. Janelle Rash, 2009
89. Chelsea Jamison, 2010
90. Heather Canby, 2012
91. Klarrisa Frank, 2009
92. Rani Ban, 2011
93. Joseph Ban, 2010
94. Matthew C. McGrath, 2010
95. Brittany Sweet, 2009
96. Casey Cagley, 2006
97. Melissa Parks, 2006
98. Megan Stearns, 2011
99. Marshall Brown, 2009
100. Hilde Holgate, 2010
101. David Rither, 2005
102. Ryan Smith, 2006
103. Jessica Linnenkohl, 2009
104. Monica Rosso, 2010
105. Kaylee DiMaggio, 2009
106. Jamie Spiro, 2006
107. Rachel Ellis Hammer, 2007
108. Courtney MacNealy, 2005
109. Josh Anway, 2009
110. Allie Fraley, 2008
111. Rev. Monica McDowell Elvig, 1987
112. Leslie Jensen, 2007
113. Alicia Hoffer, 2007
114. Abigail Stahl, 2008
115. Alisa Bradford, 2007
116. Alissa Baier, 2007
117. Kelly Almon, 2007
118. Tyler Santoro, 2010
119. Katie Dimas, 2009
120. Rachel Kincade, 2010
121. Nicolle Simon, Friend of HAVEN
122. Laura Colby, 2007
123. Tim Bauerle, 2008
124. Karen France 2005
125. Maisha Seebeck, 2009
126. Alicia Stacy, 2010
127. Alida Madany, 2010
128. Jane Stroebel Gregg , 1988
129. Autumn Clark Swihart, 2006
130. Brendan Clark Swihart, 2006
131. Holly Beckman, parent 2009
132. Nicholas Swenson, 2010
133. Calvin and Linda Hoff, parents of SPU graduate
134. Lara Musser, 2012
135. Matthew Rose, 2012
136. Ryan Closner, 2011
137. Stacey Donnell, 2008
138. Kathryn Klug, 2006 and former SPU Professor
139. Brittney Crandall, 2004
140. Kate Harris, friend of HAVEN
141. Sarah Harris Warren, 2006
142. Katie Joy Blanksma, 2010
143. Meghan Mullarkey, resident of Seattle and close friend to many SPU graduates
144. Michael Keene, 1990
145. Ben Pinneo, 2008
146. Melody Firman, 2011
147. Megan Wurster
148. Rachel Schneider Vlachos, 2006
149. Nathanael Vlachos, 2005
150. Hilary Severin, 2012
151. Hanna Oltean, 2008
152. Sabrina Chacon
153. Nathan Knapp, 2011
154. Ellen TerWisscha, 2007
155. Jonathan Bartsch, 2007
156. Megan Bartsch, 2008
157. Mandy Weiland, 2011
158. Ben Warren,  2006
159. Grace Miller, SPU student 2007-2009
160. Sarah (Fisher) Suitter, 2009
161. Tyson Conner, 2011
162. Jennifer Garcia, 2006-2008
163. Davis Winslow, 2011
164. Gwen Erickson, 2011
165. Johanna Portinga, 2009
166. Heather Sibet, 2009
167. Jennifer Olson, 2009
168. Sarah Baggs, 2011
169. Holly Harris Wood, 2010
170. Megan Peterson, 2010
171. Kayla Wilkins, 2012
172. Kelsey Hudson, 2009
173. Rachel Woodbrook, 2007
174. Aisha Dayal, 2011
175. Jackie Chaney, 2010
176. Lindsey Killebrew, 2011
177. Stephanie Wallen, 2008
178. Corbin Sheffels, 2009
179. Shane Menold, 2011
180. Daniel Kessler, 2009
181. Amanda Stevens, 2012
182. Kristina Ingles, 2011
183. Molly Tellers, 2011
184. Emily Yelencich, 2009
185. Alyssa Sutherland, 2012
186. Heidi and Peter Holdorf, parents of SPU graduate
187. Alex Park, 2010
188. Aimee Sibet, 2007
189. Kylie Bauer, 2009
190. Rebecca Malech, 2012
191. Shiho Fuyuki, 2009
192. Ayshea Swan, a supporter of the Haven group and acting President of the GSA from MMCC in Mt. Pleasant, MI
193. Karin Eklof, 1998
194. Brandon Couch, 2009
195. Heidi McElrath, 2012
196. Megan Leatherman, 2008
197. Gabe Meyer, 1999
198. Stephanie Vis, 2013
199. Allison Morgan, 2012
200. Amy Selland, 2011
201. Samuel Henager, 2012
202. Caitlin Smith, 2007
203. Hope Estes, 2013
204. Brooke Beckwith, 2009
205. Olivia Hamilton, 2011
206. Christopher Hanson, 2007
207. Dusty Henry, 2012
208. Wesley Chase Hills ,2007
209. Mary Wise, 2011
210. Kristin McGunnigle, 2009
211. Lindsay Holladay, 2008
212. Lacey Brown, 2003
213. Taylor Burgoyne, 2012, Friend of Haven
214. Ben Carson, 2009
215. Meredith Holladay
216. Jordan Grace
217. Aimi Wallberg, 2012
218. Grace Nichols, 2006
219. Ben Adam Climer, 2009
220. Ashley Sutherland, 2007, proud sister and friend
221. Elaine C. Pearce-del Rosario, 2001
222. Avery Matro, 2010
223. Jordan Bonney, 2012
224. James Wilson Williams, 2005
225. Brianna Hiser, 2003
226. Joey Gonder, 2007
227. Kate Jordan, 2008
228. Laura Marie Davis, 2004
229. Catherine C. Gipe, 2010
230. Anthony M. Trujillo
231. Charity Oremland, 2004 -GROUP and RHMC & M Ed. 2011

232.            Tami J. Askren Supporter LGBT rights
233.          Monica Wandro supporter of equal rights
234.    Leslie Leber,1991 –  ASSP Officer (1989-1991)
235.    Matt Leber, 1991 – RHMC
236.      Hailey Spencer -supporter of equal rights.
237.     Sherri (Aman) Barksdale 1989, Peer Advisor, Moyer Hall President, SPU Singer
238.     Olivia Hamilton, 2011
239.    Kyle Leitch, proud Friend of HAVEN and boyfriend of SPU student
240.    David  M. Van Hofwegen, 2009
241.           Lauren Elizabeth Willey, 2012
242.     Melissa Knudson, 2007 B.A., 2011 M.Ed.
243.    Kristin McCarthy, 2010 B.A.
244.    Alyssa Newton, 2010
245.    Carter Swanon, 2010
246.    Andrew Hays, 2010
247.    Scott Merilatt, 2010
248.    Nicholas Jacobson, 2007
249.           Jarrett Mylander, 2008
250.           Angela Little, 2005
251.    Katie Litzenberg, 2010
252.           Julie Hubbard, 2012
253.           Bertram Johnson, Friend of Haven
254.          Bradford Schroeder, Friend of Haven, Proud boyfriend of SPU Alumn
255.    Elisabeth Schaffer, 2008
256.          Sarah Herrman, 2009
257.          Brittney Beamer, 2010
258.          Rick Dickinson, 1992
259.          Kimberlee Cleveland, 1992
260.          Michael Crowley, 1992
261.          Benjamin Kaspar, 2009
262.          Keith Montgomery, 1981
263.          Lindsey (Willis) Hays, 2007
264.          Anthony Dulay, 2002

The final letter has been sent! We highly encourage you all to write a letter to administration, though, in addition to (or if you couldn’t sign) this letter.Thanks for your support!

Advertisement