Tyler Susmilch has joined the university as a data scientist on the school’s data analytics team. He arrives from Nordstrom in Seattle, where he was a data, business and systems analyst for the company’s loss prevention division for the past three and a half years. The most recent position was his fourth with the company, as he served previously as a merchandise integrity manager (2012), a loss prevention manager (2008 to 2012) and a loss prevention manager in training (2008). He has experience in database management, complex query writing, data analysis, data presentation, and business intelligence report development. Tyler earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Oregon State University in 2007. He lives in Beaverton with his wife Carla, and the couple attends St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Beaverton.
Alumnus Kenton Miller joined the university’s data analytics team in late November to work as a data analyst. He worked previously at REI in Tigard, where he was a sales specialist, shop assembler and technician for the past year. Prior to that, while a student at George Fox, he was a physics lab grader and did equations and pre-calculus grading work for the school’s math department in 2012-13. Also while a student, he spent one of his summers working at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., as an intern. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from George Fox in 2014. He lives in Sherwood with his wife Bekah, president Robin Baker’s oldest daughter. The couple attends North Valley Friends Church.
Nathan McDaniel has joined plant services full time after working in a temp role as a groundskeeper since April. Previously, he worked for three summers with the Lake County Resources Initiative, serving as a plant specialist and researcher. He also gained experience in the botanical field as a nursery specialist for Garland Nursery of Corvallis (2012). ​Previously, he worked for the city of Tigard as a seasonal parks worker (2009-10). Nathan earned a bachelor’s degree in history from George Fox in 2006. He lives in Newberg and attends Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Albany.
Alumna Alyssa Rands has joined the university as the costume shop manager for the theatre department. Before graduating last spring from George Fox with a bachelor’s degree in theatre (with an emphasis in design), she spent two years as a work-study student in the costume shop. Since graduating, she has worked as a freelance apparel designer and costume designer in the Portland metro area. Her recent main-stage theatre productions include Dogfight (2015) with Staged! Musical Theatre Company and the plays These Shining Lives (2015) and The Game’s Afoot (2014) at George Fox. Alyssa also showcased her work in the university’s Spring Fashion Show (2015) with a line of 1940s “Hollywood Glamourâ€-inspired evening gowns and menswear. Along with freelancing and managing the costume shop, Alyssa also works in sales for Oregon Worsted Company, a fabric and home décor business in Beaverton, Ore. She recently moved to Newberg to be closer to her new job and dear friends.
Jon Curtis joined plant services as a groundskeeper in late November. He spent the spring and summer working as a farm apprentice at Fern Creek Farm in Newberg, while also working part time as a photo booth operator for Bryan Rupp Photography of Dundee. He worked previously as a concierge in Portland (2013-15) and as the head of the pottery department at the Al’s Garden Center in Sherwood (2009-10). Jon attended both Linn-Benton Community College and Ecola Bible School in Cannon Beach, Ore. He lives in Newberg with wife Elizabeth Rogers and attends Newberg Friends Church.
Vern Choin, an employee at the university from 2003 through August of this year, has returned to George Fox to serve as facilities coordinator at the Portland Center.
Dan Taylor, husband of area coordinator Sarah Taylor, is stepping up to assume her AC duties while she takes time off to care for their newborn baby Grace. He will be on the job through the end of the semester.
James (Financial Aid) and Coleen (Registrar) Oshiro are leaving the university in early December to return to their home state of Hawaii, where James has accepted a position at Hawaii Pacific University on the island of Oahu. “We always knew we wanted to someday move back to Hawaii but thought it would happen a few more years down the road. But this opportunity was presented to us, and we couldn’t let it slip away,†James said.
Kimberly Hergert (Costume Shop) has left the university.
