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Christ at the Center | Students First | Innovation to Improve Outcomes
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Spring has Sprung!
Campus is buzzing with activity this Spring as we wrap up the 2013-2014 academic year. We are so excited for our students, especially our 2014 graduates as they embark on a new adventure. Please be praying for our students as they finish up the year and enter into Finals Week!
We are so excited for the new things going on at George Fox this Spring. Be sure to check them out!
Thank you so much for all your support,
Mary Monahan
George Fox University Alumni and Parent Relations
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Spring Commencement: May 3, 2014
Our Largest Graduating Class Ever!
This past January, university administration approved a major change to Spring 2014 commencement activities - to hold two undergraduate commencement ceremonies instead of one ceremony for our graduating seniors. The impetus for this change is actually a good problem for the university: Our facilities were "bursting at the seams" last spring with the largest graduating class in school history. The Class of 2014 is even larger, with approximately 440 graduates - 70 more than last year!
The Seniors Vote
With such a large graduating class, we searched for a solution that would best serve our graduates and guests, checking on 10 facilities within a 50-mile radius.
In the end, seniors were given a choice between the following options:
- Hold one commencement ceremony on campus. Each graduate would receive four or five tickets, and department receptions would be held.
- Hold two commencement ceremonies on campus. Each graduate would receive 10 tickets, and department receptions would be held.
- Hold one commencement ceremony at the Portland Expo Center. Each graduate would receive up to 10 tickets. Department receptions could not be accommodated.
The first option received the fewest votes. The second and third options received exactly the same number of votes! Faced with a difficult decision, President Robin Baker, Provost Linda Samek and the vice presidents chose to hold two ceremonies on campus. This, they believe, provides the greatest opportunity for community and celebration.
A Time to Celebrate!
Following is the schedule:
- 10 a.m. - Commencement ceremony for the colleges of business, Christian studies, education and engineering (doors open at 9 a.m.)
- 11:45 a.m. - Community and celebration time. New for 2014 is a senior class picture, to be taken on the quad (nice weather) or at the new Stoffer Family Stadium (rainy weather). Families may also take personal photos of their graduate in front of the professional university backdrop in the SUB.
- Noon - Department receptions. Meet the faculty who have taught, mentored, prayed for and cared for your grad! Light food and beverages will be served.
- 2:30 p.m. - Commencement ceremony for the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Behavioral & Health Sciences (doors open at 1:30 p.m.)
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Juniors Abroad
More than 180 George Fox University students and 18 faculty members will embark on 9 international study trips to Africa, Central America, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Iceland, France, Greece, Israel, Jordan and Italy, Vietnam, and South Korea in May.
Students will study and visit places such as Jerusalem, Petra, the Serengeti, Zanzibar, Hanoi, the Galapagos, Mayan ruins, the Amazon, the Blue Lagoon of Iceland, the Coliseum of Rome, the Louve, Istanbul, the Acropolis, the DMZ of South Korea, the concentration camp at Dachau. Activities may include white water rafting, snorkeling, mountain biking in the Andes, zip lining in Costa Rica.
These study tours are part of the university's Juniors Abroad program, which, since 1987, annually sends third- and fourth-year students on three-week overseas study trips led by George Fox professors. George Fox pays transportation and program costs; students pay room and board. Each trip holds preparation classes during the spring semester and then leaves the week after graduation for approximately three weeks of study.
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- Meet Sarah Gilmore
Be known... Not just a slogan but a campus culture! Our daughter, Sarah, will be graduating this May from the university where she has become "known"!
Sarah was blessed and honored to be selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholarship recipient, which made it possible for her to attend George Fox. Once she stepped on campus, she began to find ways to invest of every opportunity that resonated with her at George Fox -being an RA for three years, worked with the international exchange student program, participated in grant research, mentored younger students through in the community she now calls home. Although there were typical college-life challenges along the way, they were small in comparison to the amazing possibilities available for. Sarah took full advantage the Little Bruin program, runs on the varsity track team, has a work study job, traveled Europe through the Junior's Abroad program-all while completing two degrees! Along the way, Sarah formed friendships with students as well as faculty that will last throughout her lifetime.
George Fox University has provided a safe, yet demanding, place for Sarah to grow into an adult, develop her personal faith, and experience life in new ways. Along the journey she's always been cared for and mentored by peers, faculty and staff that are genuinely invested in who Sarah is!
We are so thankful that God directed Sarah to George Fox University, to live, work, and play with those that would make her feel "known".
-Brian and Becky Gilmore
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- Meet Reid Hornberger
Five years ago we took our first tour of George Fox with our son Reid. After our tour that day we knew that this would be the place that my son would go to college. As I reflect upon Reid's four years at George Fox I feel that our whole family has been blessed by his attendance. On his first day of school the greeting that he received from his fellow students while moving into his dorm room really made a huge impression on us. Then to have some extra days to settle in and to get to know his fellow freshmen really made his first year a wonderful experience. While at George Fox he enjoyed every aspect of campus life and built many friendships that will last a life time.
At a larger college he would just be another student in a classroom filled with 500 students but at George Fox he would "Be Known" as Reid. Now as a senior he is "Well Known" by both fellow students and his teachers in the School of Business. The small class sizes have allowed him to thrive on his journey to degrees in both Marketing and Management. The Christian based education and life lessons that he has received at George Fox will serve him well as he begins the next stage of his life.
- Marlow Hornberger
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- Meet Syndey Thiessen
I remember my daughter's junior year of high school very well... all of the mail enticing her to attend this college or that university. "We're best at..." "We've been creating leaders since..." I was excited about the possibility of traveling with her to visit colleges around the Pacific Northwest and down the West Coast, but secretly I hoped she'd attend my alma mater, George Fox University.
Sydney's original plan was to major in Engineering. She had been on a track in high school that prepared her for that field. George Fox would be a great fit. But, as she fell in love with the theater and working behind the scenes for her high school performances, her dreams changed. She came to my husband and I one evening and asked for our permission to change her focus from Engineering to Technical Theater. Of course, we were in support of her decision. "It's your life," we told her, "and we want you to love what you do... then it will be your passion not your work."
Then came her senior year... SATs and college applications, Parent Info Nights and FAFSA paperwork. My head was swimming. I asked Sydney what colleges she wanted the FAFSA info to be sent to and her answer, her ONLY answer, was George Fox University. I asked, "Are you sure you don't want to send it to a few places?" But she was adamant. "You loved Fox and I will, too." That was it. Her decision was final.
Here we are, almost two years later. Sydney has added a second major in Interdisciplinary Studies (Cinema Media Communications and Art) to her focus in Technical Theater. She has served on the crew for six theatrical productions in Woodmar Auditorium since arriving at Fox in areas like set construction and lighting, securing and creating props and assistant stage managing. Sydney has learned much from her fellow classmates and her instructors, Bryan Boyd and Rhett Luedtke. She enjoys the camaraderie, as well as the hard work! With just two more years left for her undergraduate degree, Sydney has high hopes of working behind the scenes for Walt Disney Studios or even as an events producer for the Olympics. Why not dream big! She is here to Be Known... for who she is, for what she's learned and for who God has designed her to be... and to shine!
- Christine Thiessen
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We are so excited for our Act 6 Graduates!
The 4th cadre of Act Six scholars will graduate this year. We are proud of these underrepresented students who are paving the paths for future generations with their aspirations, many of whom are the first in their family to have a 4-year university degree.
These graduating members include Martin Rodriguez (B.A in Finance), Antonio Salazar-Martinez (B.A. Management, Ba in Marketing, Minor in Global Business and Spanish), Oscar Betancourt (B.A. in Business Management), Liliya Bachinskaya (B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Allied Health), Pavel Timofeyev (B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Spanish), Anthony Jordan (B.A. in Business Management), Janette Beltran (B.A. in Graphic Design), and Aby Cordova (B.A. in Organizational Communication).
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Update on the Bruin Football Team
The return of Bruin Football is well underway at George Fox University. Coaches and players just wrapped up their four weeks of spring practice, and are readying themselves for Arizona Christian University's visit to town for the September 6th kickoff.
Bruin fans have eagerly anticipated the return of football following a 45 year absence, and season tickets are now available to guarantee a spot in the stands. Season tickets in the covered grandstand area will be available to purchase while supplies last beginning March 31st via the George Fox athletics website. The first season includes five home games and fans can see all five for just $90 until May 5th when the price is increased to $100. Single game tickets in the grandstand and general admission tickets will be released later this spring.
"It's important that we respect both the past football tradition and also continue to move towards excellence with the return of football to Fox," said Coach Casey. "It's an honor to be at a university that places such a high value on all the learning opportunities present in both the classroom and in the athletic arena - as we prepare our students for life as adults."
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Spring Music Concert
April 25th at 7:30 p.m.
 The spring concert will feature performances by the university's Symphonic Band, Concert Choir and Orchestra. The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Pat Vandehey will performThe Sword and the Crown vy Edward Gregson andVientos y Tangos
by Michael Gandolfi. The Chehalem Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Travis Hatton, will perform a winning selection from the George Fox Concerto Competition. Finally, the university's Concert Choir, Woman's Chorale, Master Chorus and Orchestra will join forces with the Select Women's Ensemble form Newberg High School to present
Mass of the Children by John Rutter, under the direction of Loren Wenz.
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Fox Film Festival
April 25-26
Since 1998 the Fox Film Festival has served aas an annual showcase for the best student-made films. The two-day event takes place in the historic Cameo Theatre in downtown Newberg and on campus in Bauman Auditorium and includes an awards ceremony that honors the excellence in a variety of categories. Event information and a link to where tickets can be purchased will be posted on our Facebook page here, as soon as they become available.
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Portland Timbers Game
May 17th at 7:30 pm - $50
JELD-WEN Field is the place to be on the evening of May 17 as the Portland Timbers take on Columbus Crew. You are invited to join George Fox alumni, parents and friends on the Widmer Brothers Southern Front (#5). Game tickets include snacks of popcorn, roasted peanuts, potato chips with onion dip, gourmet macaroni and cheese, barbecue meatballs and fresh baked cookies. Soda and Water will also be provided.
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George Fox Golf Tournament
 Join George Fox University for its annual Golf Tournament Thursday, July 10, 2014 , at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Oregon. We are seeking sponsors and players for the tournament, which supports George Fox athletics. Many sponsorships are available.
Visit our webpage here for more information.
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- Valuable Tool for Parents
Don't forget the Successful College Parenting E-guide, which has a wealth of practical suggestions for handling many of the issues that are faced when parenting college students.
Find the E-guide here.
Want to follow our Student Life on Instagram? Now you can! Just search for GeorgeFoxUniversity in the explore option of the app and keep up with all the exciting things we have going on around campus!
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