Archive for October, 2026

Reminder: File your 2027-28 FAFSA!

Monday, October 19th, 2026

The 2027-28 FAFSA is open, and now is the time to complete it. Remember, you must submit the FAFSA to receive federal and state financial aid, as well as some OSAC and George Fox donor-funded scholarships.

Some types of need-based federal and state aid are first-come, first-served, which is why it’s important to complete the FAFSA early to be in line.

Questions?

Check out our FAFSA Frequently Asked Questions page, and our tips and tricks for the FAFSA article, which includes some common FAFSA issues and how to solve them.

Visit us!

You can visit the financial aid office on the first floor of the Stevens Center during our drop-in hours (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or schedule an appointment via phone or Google Meets.

See our Contact Page for more info. We’re here to help!

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with the IRC this evening and next Monday

Monday, October 19th, 2026

Dia de los Muertos (“The Day of the Dead”) is coming up, and we are bringing you a two-part event starting today (Tuesday). This evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Intercultural Resource Center, we are making sugar skulls while watching the movie The Book of Life!

Next Monday, Oct. 26, we will be decorating an ofrenda and other activities while enjoying hot chocolate and conchas.

We encourage you to come to either or both of these days to celebrate those who have passed. If you would like to have a past one featured on a slideshow, you can fill out this form and tell us more about your loved one.

Contact Lizeth Estevez at lestevezmartinez23@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Come to Poetry and Pasta Night at the IRC next week

Monday, October 19th, 2026

Join us for Poetry & Pasta Night at the Intercultural Resource Center (the building with the red door across from Pennington) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Enjoy good food and poetry from guest performer Israel!

Contact Kylah Cobarrubias at kcobarrubias23@georgefox.edu for more information.

Please review this information about midterm grades, failing, withdrawal, and academic resources

Monday, October 19th, 2026

Professors will be entering midterm grades in My.GeorgeFox between Thursday, Oct. 15, and Wednesday, Oct. 21. These provide important insight into your academic progress in your courses.

If your midterm grade is a D or an F, immediately schedule a meeting with your professor to discuss your path to improvement. If, after that discussion, it seems unlikely you can raise your grade, contact your CAP coach as soon as possible to explore the implications of withdrawing from the course.

A few points to consider:

  • If you withdraw from a class, your transcript will show a “W,” and your GPA will not be affected.
  • If you receive an F in the course, your GPA will suffer.
  • The last day to withdraw from a class is Sunday, Dec. 13.

In some instances, it might make sense to withdraw from one class now so you can focus on other courses. Please consult with your faculty advisor or your CAP coach. Follow this link to contact CAP coaches for counsel on your course decisions.

To access the instructions for checking your grades in My.GeorgeFox, click this link. Since your professor may not have posted a midterm grade, check Canvas to see your current standing. If you have any questions about your progress or are unsure how you’re doing, please reach out and schedule a conversation with your professor as soon as you can.

Instructions for withdrawing from a class can be found here.

Effects on financial aid:

At this point in the semester, students who withdraw from some but not all of their classes will not have any changes made to their financial aid or student account charges.

If you are currently on a financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Warning or SAP Academic Plan, check with your financial aid counselor to confirm whether withdrawing from any courses will affect your financial aid. If you have any concerns about your SAP standing or academic plan, please contact your financial aid counselor.

Failing all courses and not completing the semester will likely affect your financial aid package. If you have federal financial aid and are not passing any classes, contact your student accounts advisor immediately to address potential financial penalties.

Academic resources for students are easily accessible on campus:

Additional information regarding grades & withdrawing from classes:

Please be advised that the university has extended the class withdrawal deadline for the benefit of our students. The new deadline is now Sunday, Dec. 13, before the last week of class.

Programs may have classes that run the full length of the semester, as well as classes that run the length of a session within the semester, anywhere from two weeks to 15 weeks long. Each session has unique add/drop and withdrawal deadlines and refund periods. Deadlines for a specific class can be found here.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Jere Witherspoon at studentlife@georgefox.edu.

Play retro video games in the library tonight

Monday, October 19th, 2026

The Library Board Game Night will be a retro video-gaming “pop-up” this evening (Tuesday). Bring your friends and join us in Murdock’s basement from 6 to 8 p.m. for a chance to play some classic Nintendo games.

All games will be on original hardware, and on some very large CRT (tube/box) televisions!

Contact Sarah Willhite at lwillhite@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Shop the School Spirit Days sale at the Bruin Bookstore Wednesday and Thursday

Monday, October 19th, 2026

Join us for School Spirit Days at the Bruin Bookstore on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’ll have a 20% off sale on gifts and apparel (some exclusions apply), both in-store and in our online store! Use this discount to get that school spirit sweatshirt you’ve been eyeing.

Look for the balloons on our A-frame sign near the library to remind you to pop in and say hello. For those who complete a short in-store scavenger hunt, you’ll get an entry into a drawing for a $50 gift card to our store. Can’t wait to see you then!

Contact Anne Marie Jacobs at annemariejacob503@gmail.com with any questions. 

Utilize the new community resource: For Our Neighbor

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Current events and news regarding ICE-related activities can cause significant stress, fear and trauma. We want you to know that you are not alone.

For Our Neighbor is a dedicated online resource hub created specifically to support George Fox students and staff navigating these heavy anxieties.

If you or someone you know is feeling impacted, please utilize these resources or reach out to forourneighbor@georgefox.edu.

Come hear Joel Mayward present the Fall Faculty Lecture tomorrow night

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Jason Brummit, Nathan Slegers, and the Faculty Scholarship and Achievement Committee invite you to join them for the Fall Faculty Lecture tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. in the Art & Cinematic Arts Building’s Cinema Screening Room 105.

If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the lecture here.

Dr. Joel Mayward, PhD, associate professor of humanities and cinematic arts, and winner of the 2025-26 Faculty Achievement Award for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, is the featured faculty speaker. He will share on the topic “Breaking Silos, Building Bridges: The Value of Interdisciplinary Scholarship.”

Synopsis: What do theology, philosophy, movies, pop music, poetry, television, Quaker spirituality, Latino/a culture, youth ministry, sexuality, church leadership, and diversity all have in common? They’re all topics Mayward has published or presented on as part of his ongoing academic research.

He will share about his interdisciplinary approach to scholarship, as well as his vocational journey from youth pastor to theologian and film scholar. The event is also a celebratory book launch of his latest publication, Religious Cinema for Non-Believers: Film Criticism as Spiritual Practice (Cascade Books, 2026). We’ll be giving away copies of the book in a raffle, and you can also purchase the book for a discount.

The university and surrounding community are invited, and refreshments will be provided. We hope you are able to support Joel by attending.

Contact Sarah Taylor at taylors@georgefox.edu with any questions.

An Eye on AI: What’s New

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Google’s latest updates turn Gemini from a single-tab chatbot into a research partner and interactive workspace. Check out these announcements:

  • Gemini 4 Argon: Now rolling out across the many places you use Gemini – starting with Gemini Pro licenses – Google’s newest model leaps forward in science and math reasoning and can read and write several full-length books in a single prompt. Ranked #1 on the Vals Index for real-world finance, legal, tax, and coding work, Argon already helped Google’s Chrome team modernize 6 million lines of aging browser code, finishing months of restructuring in weeks.
    • Read Google’s announcement here.
  • Interactive “Mini-Apps” in Google Sheets (Sheets Canvas): Use simple prompts in the Gemini side panel (Insert > Create a canvas) to turn flat spreadsheets into custom, interactive mini-apps – no coding or formulas needed! Transform raw rows into a drag-and-drop Kanban board, study tracker, or department dashboard that updates your sheet in real time. (Requires a Gemini Pro license.)
  • Cross-App Task Orchestration: Gemini Pro now works seamlessly across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Chat without switching tabs. Prompt Gemini in Chat to pull project updates from Gmail into a formatted Slides deck, build a spreadsheet from a Drive folder, or send team emails right from a Google Doc.
    • Learn more from Google’s guide.
  • Gemini Desktop App for Windows: For all Gemini license levels, download the new Windows 10/11 app and press Alt + Space to summon a floating Gemini overlay over any active window or syllabus, giving instant access to AI help without hunting for a browser tab.
    • Download here for Windows or Mac OS.

Questions? Contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

Join the Dance Team for an open Halloween workshop this Friday

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Love to dance? Looking to try something new? The George Fox dance team is hosting an open workshop this Friday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Hadlock’s larger studio.

Open workshops will happen once a month and are drop-in attendance with no commitment. You can come only once, or you can join us every month.

During this month’s workshop, you’ll participate in a quick warm-up and learn a short piece of spooky jazz/funk choreography, so bring your friends and enjoy a fun night of dancing!

Questions? Contact Charlotte Lacy at clacy24@georgefox.edu.

Join a German conversation in the Armstrong House on Thursday

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Sprechen sie deutsch? Come to the Stammtisch!

Students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to come and practice speaking German together. Individuals at all levels of learning and fluency are invited to participate. Join us in Armstrong House this Thursday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Contact Susana Martinez at smartinez@georgefox.edu for more information.

Sign up now to join in ‘Love Your Body Week’ events at Hadlock

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

This week is Love Your Body Week, our annual celebration of recreation and movement here at University Recreation. Today (Monday) through Sunday, Oct. 25, we will be having tons of opportunities to to get connected with UREC.

Here’s our amazing schedule:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 20:
    • Run/Walk Club: 7 a.m.
    • Kickball Tournament: 6 p.m.
    • Build Your Own Workout Workshop: 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21:
    • Fusion Spin + Pilates Class: 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22:
    • Run/Walk Club: 7 a.m.
    • Intro to Squat Workshop: 6 p.m.
    • Intro to Bench Press Workshop: 6:30 p.m.
    • Putt Putt Golf: 7 p.m.
    • Women’s Climb Night: 7 p.m.

Attend any of these and you’ll get to enter your name into one of our five raffle prizes!

Everything thing here is free. Sign-ups are required for all except for Women’s Climb Night and Putt Putt Golf.

Contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu with any questions. 

Sign up today for a free virtual wellness series

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Take charge of your personal health journey with Living in Wellness, a completely free online resource from Providence Basecamp designed to help you build inner strength and develop practical well-being skills.

Whether you are looking to decompress, find better daily balance, or set intentional lifestyle goals, this program empowers you with expert-guided activities tailored to the specific areas of health that matter most to you.

Living in Wellness is a four-week series of live-taught virtual meetings every Tuesday from Oct. 27 through Nov. 17, at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

By exploring these tools, you will discover fresh ideas, encouragement, and the support needed to successfully navigate your unique path to wellness. Sign up here for this series and start building your customized wellness routine today. 

Contact Aga Kaspryzk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Make note of the George Fox partnership benefits at Northwest Early Learning Academy

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Formed through a collaborative partnership between George Fox University, A-dec Dental Equipment, and Northwest Christian Church, the Northwest Early Learning Academy (NELA) provides premier, distinctly Christian care for children ages zero to five.

NELA is located in Newberg’s newest early learning facility. Visit the NELA website for more information.

George Fox employee and student parents receive exclusive benefits, including:

  • Waived Registration Fees: Annual registration fees are completely waived for George Fox employees and students.
  • Priority Enrollment: Access to exclusive annual priority enrollment windows before public registration opens
  • Faith-Based Education: High-quality care rooted in a distinctly Christian foundation, curriculum, and staffing
  • Advisory Representation: Direct George Fox representation on the NELA Advisory Council to address the evolving needs of our campus community

Questions? Contact Executive Director Sarah Compton at Sarah@mynw.cc.

Get tickets now for the fall theatre production, ‘Shakespeare in Love’

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Join us for the upcoming fall play, Shakespeare in Love!

Performances will run from Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 8, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 15, in Wood-Mar Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.

George Fox employees receive complimentary tickets for their immediate family by entering their employee email at checkout. George Fox students can attend the Wednesday or Thursday night performances for free.

You may purchase and/or claim your free your tickets here. For more information, please contact the box office at 503-554-3400.

Play Synopsis: Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching, but he’s in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse, the feisty, brilliant and beautiful Viola. This crafty young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play.

Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms, inspiring him to write his greatest romantic masterpiece yet.

All invited to a DAS movie night tomorrow in Murdock

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Join the Disability and Accessibility interns tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. in Murdock Library’s Room #025 for our movie night. We’ll be watching Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution. We will have snacks and great conversation.

All are welcome!

DPT program seeks adults for research study on arm use with getting up from the floor

Sunday, October 18th, 2026

Doctor of Physical Therapy students are seeking participants for a research study, “Upper Extremity Role During a Floor Transfer in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.” We are interested in how older adults use their arms to get up from the floor.

To participate, you must:

  • Be at least 50 years of age
  • Live independently or in an assisted living facility
  • Be able to walk independently at least 15 feet with or without an assistive device
  • Take a cognitive test
  • Be willing to perform a sit-to-stand test and a balance test, and attempt to get up from the floor multiple times with and without using your arms

In order to participate, you must not have a diagnosis of a neurological condition or a current illness or health issue that would make performing study activities unsafe.

If you’re interested in participating and meet the above criteria, you would come to the university’s Medical Sciences Building at 448 Werth Blvd., where we’ll ask you to sign an informed consent form, answer questions on a questionnaire, perform a short mental status examination, and have your vitals (blood pressure and heart rate) taken. Depending on the results of these assessments, you may or may not be eligible for the study.

If you’re eligible, you’ll continue a single testing session that will last up to approximately one hour. During that time you’ll be asked to answer additional questions, perform a sit-to-stand test and a balance test, and get up from the floor multiple times, first without using your arms, and then using one of your arms.

We may ask you to change into clothing necessary for the study if you are dressed in spandex shorts or leggings, a sleeveless shirt, athletic shoes that do not cover the ankles, and short socks.

You will not be paid for being in this study or reimbursed for any costs associated with traveling to/from the Medical Sciences Building.

You are able to stop participation at any time and for any reason. No information that would identify you will be made public, and we do not feel there is more than minimal risk associated with this study.

If interested in participating, schedule an appointment for testing by calling 503-554-2463 or emailing Lyndsay Stutzenberger at lstutzenberger@georgefox.edu.

Sign up today to join a Life Group

Thursday, October 15th, 2026

Looking for a place to connect, grow in your faith, and build community this fall? It’s not too late to join a Life Group!

The deadline to sign up for a group is today (Friday).

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet weekly for five weeks for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. Each meeting is one hour, and participating students are eligible to receive spiritual life credit.

The second session of Life Groups will run for five weeks from Oct. 19 through Nov. 16.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the spiritual life office at spirituallife@georgefox.edu.

University closes tomorrow for mid-semester holiday

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026

Campus offices will be closed tomorrow (Friday) for the mid-semester holiday. The Murdock Library will be closed, but the 24-hour space will remain open.

The Bruin Store will also be closed on Friday.

Sign up today for Wednesday’s Estate Planning Seminar

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026

Spots are still available for our upcoming free estate planning seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Roberts Center 170, presented as a community service by attorney Stephen C. Palmer.

If you are looking to protect your assets, minimize estate taxes, and ensure your loved ones are taken care of, there is still time to reserve your seat. Following great feedback from our spring session, this presentation returns to guide you through the essentials of wills, living trusts, probate, guardianship, inheritance tax and more.

The seminar is open to all George Fox employees, their family members, and the surrounding community. Refreshments will be provided. Capacity is capped at 75 attendees, so we encourage you to register soon to guarantee a spot.

Registration Details

  • Sign-up form: All attendees must register in advance here.
  • Faculty and staff drawing: University employees who register and attend will be automatically be entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card.

If you have any questions, please contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.