Calvin Greer reflects on SPU

Calvin Greer, SPU sophmore

Calvin Greer, Seattle Pacific University sophomore, remembers the moments with is Grandfather from when he was a child.  

He remembers laying by his side on Bellows Beach in Hawaii, with a glazed donut in hand, and the sun beaming down on him as he fell asleep. This, he said, was one of the best sleeps of his life. 

He remembers finding old articles and learning about the works that his grandfather had done when he was in college. 

He remembers the ice cream truck coming around the block and his grandfather many times buying all of the culdesac kids ice cream.  

His grandfather, Greer explained, was the type of person that would go out and do something, and wouldn’t need others to acknowledge him for it. 

 “The person was at the center of the reason why he was doing it” said Greer.  

Whatever he did, was done without needing recognition.  

Greer decided to attend Seattle Pacific University because he wanted to be in an urban city setting most importantly. He assumed that the motto, “Engage the Culture, Change the World” would embrace the diversity and culture around Seattle within the university itself that he was used to. 

However, the first two years of his education, have been nothing like he has experienced before nor anything like he could have expected. 

“SPU is not what I thought it would be at all, nothing, no, nothing I expected, at all,” said Greer.  

He grew up in Lacey, Wash., where diversity was never acknowledged, but instead was just present in his everyday life.  

 “My whole school experience up until college was really diverse, but I guess I took it for granted when I was younger,” said Greer.  

As a child, his skinny frame and short hair, contrasted from his big, goofy personality. People around him laughed at his corny jokes that Greer admitted, were not funny at all. He was smart, beyond his years, and like many other kids at his age, couldn’t wait to be a grown up.  

Greer, an intended accounting major, had a knack for numbers and a passion for music. At the age of thirteen, Greer was introduced to producing music on his computer, entranced by the pureness of sound. 

“The way I think about it is, there are so many things in the world right now are not 100 percent truthful,” said Greer. “But pure notes, if I go and hit middle C on the piano, it will be middle C every time, 100 percent truth.” 

Like his grandfather and his music, Greer hoped that SPU’s motto would truthfully represent the idea of diversity that it suggests.  

Greer explains that his disappointment is not with the education, but rather with the campus life and the systematic structure that SPU has in place when it comes to diversity.  

The intentions, he explains, are in the right place, but the method in which they go about it is missing the mark completely.  

“Setting up a taskforce, you just hired the power rangers to do diversity jobs,” said Greer. “I think they are trying, I just think they are trying the wrong way, and then telling everyone good job.” 

Greer hoped to see more events that organically formulate conversation and integration of diversity, rather than making a change and looking for recognition on it.  

“My grandfather never needed to tell anyone about what he did for others, he just did it, that’s what bugs me about SPU,” said Greer.  

Greer has looked into transferring to a different university, where the culture is more diversified and differences were less acknowledged, however with finances and credits, transferring has proven to be too difficult.  

Growing up as a Christian, Greer has always looked to God with his faith. However, he feels as though throughout his two years at the University he has really learned how to find comfort in talking with God.  

He explained that although the Christian teachings at SPU is really beneficial that he would not attribute his growth in his faith to the university. Instead he continuously reflects on a previous conversation with his grandmother when he was younger saying, “What God has planned for you is for you”.  

“But at the same time, I would never say SPU is wrong because I really do think that SPU does work for a lot of people,” said Greer. “But in terms of me, the things that SPU does that I don’t do, shows me that there are different ways to do things.”  

Greer has appreciated, however, the teachings at the university that helped him delve into the bible to re-read it and more thoroughly understand the application to his everyday life.  Although, the practices surrounding the teachings, he is less fond of.  

“SPU only provided the housing of which my faith grew in, that’s it, but I have learned to talk more to god with the other people that are doing similar things as me,” said Greer.  

Although he feels discomforted by the systematic structure of the university, Greer has found a place with a close-knit group of friends and in the rich culture of the surrounding city. 

Throughout the day, he puts his hand to his mouth and pointing up to god, knowing that even though the world is moving around him what God has planned for him is his plan. 

Pic. taken from Facebook (Calvin Greer Profile)