Comings and Goings
The School of Nursing welcomes Ann Evans as an assistant professor of nursing. She has worked the past six years for Silverton Health, most recently serving as clinic manager at Mt. Angel Family Medical Clinic (2013-14). Previously, she was an assistant director of nursing (2012-13) and in nursing professional development (2008-12) with the Silverton-based health organization. She also gained experience as a supervisor in the Family Birth Center at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Ore., (2006-08) and as a neonatal resuscitation program coordinator and instructor with Silverton Health (2001-06). Ann holds a master of science in nursing degree from Grand Canyon University (2014), a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Walla Walla University (1996) and a bachelor’s degree in Christian education from Wheaton College (1977). She lives in Molalla with husband Stu, and the couple has three married daughters – Sarah, Jessica and Rebekah – and three grandchildren. The Evans attend Foothills Community Church in Molalla.
Beth Morton joins the university this fall as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry. She has spent the past year as an adjunct professor in the Department of Biology and Chemistry at George Fox as well as a part-time instructor of chemistry at Portland Community College. Previously, she was a Department of Energy Office of Science graduate research fellow at The Pennsylvania State University (2008-13), an undergraduate researcher at the University of New Haven (2007-08) and a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates chemistry researcher at Georgetown University (2008). Beth also gained some teaching experience as a substitute lecturer at Penn State in 2012 and 2013, and during the 2008-09 academic year she served as a teaching assistant in the school’s chemistry department. She earned a PhD in chemistry from Penn State in 2013 and holds bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and forensic science from the University of New Haven (2008). She lives in Hillsboro with her husband, Seth, and their two cats, Lily and Simi, and attends First United Methodist Church of Portland.
After being gone one year, Josiah Philipsen has rejoined the university as a systems administrator in IT. For the past year he worked as a project manager and IT consultant with Miller Technologies of McMinnville. In the year and a half prior to that, he served as a computer support specialist at George Fox’s Portland Center. Josiah worked previously as a substitute teacher at the Mentor Graphics Child Development Center in Wilsonville and, before that, taught middle school math, science and physical education (2010-11) and third grade (2009-10) at Bethel Christian School in McMinnville. Josiah earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from George Fox in 2009. He lives in West Salem with his wife Anna, a George Fox alumna and former university employee, and their son, Landon (18 months), and a second child due this month. The family attends New Horizons Church in McMinnville.
Jillian Sokso joins the Department of Art and Design this fall as an associate professor of art. She comes to the university from Houghton College in New York, where she worked as an associate professor of art (2013-present) and assistant professor of art (2005-13). She also served as art department chair at the institution from 2007 until this year. In the past year alone she has earned several distinctions for her work, including being named a visual arts fellow at the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, and the artist in residence at both the Contemporary Arts Center at Woodside in Troy, N.Y., and at the Department of Art and Art History at Birmingham Southern College. Her areas of specialization are printmaking, drawing, artists books, digital media and installation media. Jillian holds an MFA in print media from the University of Delaware (2005) and a bachelor of fine arts in two-dimensional fine arts from Moore College of Art and Design (2003). She lives in Newberg with husband James and daughters Gianna (7) and Paloma (5). The family plans to join the community at Portland Mennonite Church.
Chad Stillinger joins the College of Engineering this fall as an assistant professor of electrical engineering. For the past three years he has worked as an assistant professor of electrical engineering and renewable energy at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Wilsonville. Since 2012, he’s served as project manager for the school’s Hydrokinetic Turbine Project, which specializes in installing hydrokinetic systems that provide energy to struggling rural communities in Tanzania, Africa. From 2007 to 2012, Chad was a research assistant in Oregon State University’s large-scale Ocean Wave Energy Converters Department. Before graduate school, he was a control systems engineer at Concept Systems Inc (2003-07). He holds a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Oregon State (2011) and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from George Fox (2004). He lives in Salem with his wife Lauren and two cats. He is the youth worship pastor at West Salem Foursquare Church.
Kim Towell joined the university in August as director of alumni and parent relations. For the past nine years she worked as a store support and guest relations manager for Dream Dinners in Snohomish, Wash., for which she served as the primary contact between 90-plus franchisees, more than 800 store staff and the corporate office. Prior to that, she spent eight years as a donor relations manager in the advancement office at the University of Puget Sound. She also received higher education work experience as a customized training and extension program coordinator at the University of California, Santa Barbara, from 1994 to 1997. Kim earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Abilene Christian University in 1989. She lives in Newberg with sons Joshua (15) and Zachary (13) and attends the Newberg Church of Christ.
Jared Ocker (IT) left the university on Aug. 20.
Mindy Holland (Seminary) left the university after her position was eliminated in a redesign of the seminary’s administrative structure. She is grateful to have been part of the George Fox community and welcomes your prayers for what lies ahead.
Dee Small (Seminary) retired from the university at the end of August.
Larry Mennenga (Plant Services) retired from George Fox at the end of August after working at the university for 20 years.