Comings and Goings

Monday, October 5th, 2015

Terry Peters (Plant Services) left the university in September in order to work closer to his home in Portland.

Kathie Hummel-Berry (Physical Therapy) has left the university. She was on a specific three-year contract to help with the program and had recently been working about one day per week. She is now working full time in the Seattle area.

About Our People

Monday, October 5th, 2015

Caitlin Corning (History) published her book World History: A Short, Visual Introduction through Fortress Press. The book is a short survey of the last two millennia of world history. The focus is the political, economic, social and cultural events that provide context for the history of Christianity, with the emphasis primarily on Europe and the Middle East after the 16th century. It has been written as a companion volume to a church history textbook or course.

Tom Head (Economics) traveled to Philadelphia Oct. 3-5 for a meeting of the Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Task Group, on which he serves. This body first came to be in 1947, when the American Friends Service Committee and the British Friends Service Council accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of all Quakers. As Nobel Laureates, these Quaker bodies are able to nominate a candidate for the peace prize to the Oslo committee. Each year, the AFSC and Britain’s Quaker Peace and Social Witness take advantage of this opportunity through a long and careful deliberative process of discernment to select and recommend a peace prize nominee.

Jim Steele (Business) conducted a concurrent workshop titled “Is China in Your Business Plan?” at the Northwest Human Resource Management Association Conference & Trade Show in Portland on Oct. 5.

Security Services would like to highlight the impressive number of students and staff who have been trained and certified in the American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED classes that Mark Stone has taught over the past two years. He also teaches the Basic Life Support (BLS) courses that are required for the PsyD and nursing students. All told, 98 people have been certified in the Heartsaver course and 145 have been certified in the BLS course. In addition, he has given AED training to 42 students and staff and first aid training to 23 other students and staff. This summer alone, 86 staff, faculty and students were certified. Contact Mark (mstone@georgefox.edu) if you would like to be certified, especially if nobody in your department is.

Ed Higgins (English) has been named assistant editor of the Irish-based award-winning international quarterly Brilliant Flash Fiction. Previously, he had been a consultant for the online journal and also a writing contest judge for its January 2015 issue. Assistant editor duties include reviewing/recommending publishable fiction submissions and passing those shortlisted on to the editor.

Phil Smith (Christian Studies) will read a paper, “The Peril (or Promise) of Hope,” at the Northwest Conference on Philosophy on Oct. 10 at North Idaho College.

Birthdays

Monday, October 5th, 2015

Oct. 7                        Cindy Howard
Oct. 8                        Kristi Hagen
Oct. 9                        Dana Bates, Brian Doak, Caroline Wildhaber
Oct. 10                      Rob Felton, Jim Smart
Oct. 11                      Gary Eckerdt
Oct. 13                      Kathy Weiss
Oct. 14                      Traci Porter
Oct. 15                      Debra Espinor, Elizabeth Licon, Gina Worley
Oct. 16                      Joyce Engberg, Richard Shaw, Caleb Wheelock

Comings and Goings

Monday, September 21st, 2015

Tiona CageTiona Cage has joined the university to serve as assistant director of international student and scholar services. She will also provide support for Rebecca Hernandez, the associate VP for intercultural engagement and faculty development and director of the Center for Peace and Justice. For the past five years, Tiona has worked as an F-1 international student advisor for the Center for Global Engagement at Florida State University. Prior to that, she spent a summer providing counseling services at a children’s home in Trinidad and Tobago and then served a year in the Peace Corps (2008-09) as a community capacity builder in Botswana, assisting with HIV/AIDS life skills programs for at-risk youth. Tiona holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Florida State University. She recently moved to Newberg and attends Colossae Church.


Laurie FairThe Office of Academic Affairs welcomes Laurie Fair to serve as an administrative assistant. Most recently, she worked from 2006 to 2011 for Burns Capital Investment Advisors, Inc. of Newberg as a client relations manager, and for the past four years has worked on a temp basis for the company. Previously, she spent 11 years (1985 to 1996) as a support technician and analytical assistant for GTE-Northwest of Beaverton, and operated her own Demarle at Home bakeware and kitchen tools business in 2005-06. Laurie holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in statistics and marketing from the University of Oregon (1984). She lives on Bald Peak with her husband, Jeff, and son, Jacob, a senior at Newberg High School. Her daughter, Hannah Stevenson, works at the university’s Portland Center. Laurie and her family attend Family Life Church in Newberg.


After 21 years working at George Fox, Peggy Kilburg (Human Resources) retired as of last Friday. Her plans in retirement include what she calls her “G” list of who/what she plans to spend more time with/doing: God, Gary (her husband), grown kids, grandkids, good books, gardening, going places, getting more exercise, good works and goofing off.

Ashley O’Doherty (Adult Degree Programs) left the university this month to take a position at Newberg High School.

Tiffany Caldwell (Nursing) has left the university.

About Our People

Monday, September 21st, 2015

Paul Anderson (Christian studies) published an article, “The Social Conscience of the Saint John’s Bible I – the Invitation to Forgive, Today and Always,” in the religion section of the Sept. 15, 2015, online edition of The Huffington Post.

Birthdays

Monday, September 21st, 2015

Sept. 22            Kearsten McCoy, Josh Nauman
Sept. 24            Elise Gibson, Steve Leijon
Sept. 25            Debbie Berho, Darla Norgren, Marc Shelton
Sept. 26            Isaac MacDonald
Sept. 28            Aimee Frazier
Sept. 29            Robert Bredemeier
Sept. 30            Marcia Bogert, Terry Huffman, Laurie Lieggi, Laurie Lorenzen
Oct. 1                Anna Berardi, Paul Chamberlain, Rachel Gerig
Oct. 3                Sarita Gallagher
Oct. 4                Doug Beatty, Jane Wilson

Comings and Goings

Monday, September 7th, 2015

Kearsten McCoyThe Office of Spiritual and Intercultural Life welcomes Kearsten McCoy as an administrative assistant and Serve Day coordinator this fall. She recently moved to Oregon from Michigan, where she worked as the director of college ministries for Central Wesleyan Church of Holland, Mich., for the past two years. Before that, Kearsten was a graduate resident advisor at Wheaton College in Illinois from 2011 to 2013 and worked as an office assistant to the residence life coordinator at Wheaton in 2012. Kearsten earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Indiana Wesleyan in 2010 and a master’s degree in Christian formation from Wheaton College in 2013. She lives in Newberg with her husband Justin, who is working on a graduate degree in marriage, couple and family counseling at George Fox.


Rick McNealGeorge Fox alumnus Rick McNeal joined the marketing communications department last month as digital marketing administrator. Rick graduated from the university in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in music performance (saxophone) and worked in the university’s marketing communications office as a student from 2003 to 2006. Most recently, he has spent the last two years as a communications manager for Holiday Retirement, a national retirement living company headquartered in Lake Oswego. He has been a writer for Mad Fish SEO and a content manager for MyBinding.com. In addition to his degree from George Fox, Rick holds a master of worship arts degree from West Coast Bible College and Seminary (2012) and recently completed the MBA program at Marylhurst University. He lives in Newberg with his wife, Christine, a former admissions counselor at George Fox. They have two children, Ariy and Ava, and attend Sherwood Community Friends Church, where Rick is the director of worship arts.


Lawrence MetzgerLawrence Metzger has moved from Oman to work at George Fox as a visiting assistant professor in the English Language Institute. For the past two years, he was a lecturer at Sultan Qaboos University’s Language Centre in Oman, specializing in educational grant writing on critical thinking research, content-based course material design, and teaching of law, engineering and commerce students. Previously, he worked for three years teaching business ethics and commercial law at Abu-Dhabi Women’s College in the United Arab Emirates. Lawrence has also developed conflict resolution course materials and taught English as a Second Language at Qatar University’s International Affairs Program (2009-10). Lawrence taught at the Kwansei Gakuin University School of Policy Studies in Japan (2005-07), where he served as academic writing course coordinator and interactive materials designer for advanced students after having taught fundamental English integrated skills courses in Kobe, Japan (2000-04). Lawrence was a former coordinator of the Fulbright Scholarship Program in Ukraine (1993-95) while teaching American Sociology of Education at Kharkov State University. He is a former Fulbright Scholar in Polish Church-State relations at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow (1987), holds a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Columbia University Teachers College in New York (2007), a master’s degree in Soviet and East European studies from Kansas University (1983) and a bachelor’s degree in Russian language and literature from Kansas (1982). He has been happily married for the past 15 years and lives in Newberg with his wife, Natsuyo, and two teenage sons, Kentaro and Shinjiro.


Colleen SumpThe university welcomes Colleen Sump as a Career and Academic Planning (CAP) coach in the school’s IDEA Center. For the past year and a half she has worked as the director for alumni and parent engagement at Willamette University. Previously, she spent five years as the assistant director of the Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program at Pacific University, and five years as the education coordinator for Friends of Historic Champoeg. Colleen earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and lived in Newberg for 23 years before recently moving to St. Paul with her husband, Damon. Her children include twin adventurer sons – one who recently graduated from Alaska Pacific University and the other from Azusa Pacific University – and a daughter who currently attends Azusa. Colleen attends Newberg Friends Church.


Steve Gilday (Security) retired from the university on Sept. 1.

About Our People

Monday, September 7th, 2015

Terry Huffman (Education) participated in the Oxford Education Research Symposium at Pembroke College of Oxford University in August. A review panel evaluated 169 proposals, and ultimately 24 scholars were invited to participate in an intensive three-day symposium divided into three board topical areas. Terry’s paper, titled “Tribal Strengths of Native Americans as Indigenous Educational Leaders,” was selected as outstanding paper in the session organized around the theme “Social Change and Education.” The 24 participants included scholars from Australia, China, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ed Higgins (English) published his poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at Blackbeard (with thanks to Wallace Stevens)” in the April 2015 edition of Parody Poetry, a literary magazine. The piece is a parody of Wallace Stevens’ “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.”

Birthdays

Monday, September 7th, 2015

Sept. 8              Mark Pothoff
Sept. 9              Josiah Philipsen, Tim Timmerman
Sept. 11            Jeff Duerr
Sept. 12            Kelly Chang
Sept. 15            Jared Roth, Lauri Smith
Sept. 16            Erin Johnson, Josh Sweeden
Sept. 17            MaryKate Morse, Christee Wise
Sept. 18            Darryl Brown, Jennie Harrop, Leah Payne
Sept. 21            Heidi Thomason

Comings and Goings

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Lu Ann AndersonThe university welcomes Lu Ann Anderson as an assistant professor of education. Lu Ann has been an adjunct faculty at George Fox since 2008. She will specialize in teaching special education after spending the 2013-14 school year as the interim special education director for the Cascade School District in Oregon. Previously, she was the special education coordinator for the McMinnville School District (2010-12) and an employee of the Willamette Educational Services District (2004-10), for which she served as a coordinator for multiple ESD special projects (2009-10) and as a K-12 special programs coordinator in the Newberg (2006-08) and Yamhill-Carlton (2004-06) school districts. Lu Ann also worked for the Oregon State Department of Education as an education program specialist in the Office of Special Education. She also served on the Oregon State Vocational Rehabilitation Council (2003-07), the policy partner to the Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, in the early 2000s. In the 1990s, she taught in the Newberg School District. Lu Ann earned a master’s degree in education/special education from Portland State University and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/human resources from Empire State College/SUNY of New York. She lives in McMinnville with her husband of 36 years, Mickey. Their blended family includes three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Their son Chris is a full-time student at Chemeketa Community College, daughter Annette lives in Washington and is a forensics technician with the FBI, and daughter Debbie lives in Texas and works as a hospice nurse.


Rhonda AndrewsAfter teaching on an adjunct basis at George Fox the past 14 years, Rhonda Andrews joins the university full time this fall as an assistant professor of social work. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist, she has taught a wide range of social work courses, including Field Practicum I, II and III, Child Welfare Services, and Social Work with Children and Families. She has also served as a field liaison, coordinating and collaborating between George Fox students and various community agencies. In addition, Rhonda has worked in private practice as a therapist in her own counseling office since 2007. And, from 2004 to 2009, she worked as a social worker with International Family Services of Newberg. In all, Rhonda has more than 20 years of social work experience, working previously in various roles for the Department of Human Resources, Child Welfare Services of Honolulu (1993-96), Dallas, Ore., (1996-97), Oregon City and Portland, Ore., (1997-2000). She holds a master of social work degree from the University of Hawaii, Manoa (1994), a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oregon (1991) and an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Lane Community College. Rhonda lives in Newberg with her husband Chris and children Elizabeth (17) and Hudson (13). The family attends Countryside Community Church in Sherwood.


Sandra Banta-WrightSandra Banta-Wright joins the School of Nursing this fall as an assistant professor of nursing. For the past year she has been a lecturer at the University of Washington’s Family and Child Nursing program within the School of Nursing after completing a two-year postdoctoral fellowship through the Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems program. She also served as clinical adjunct faculty at Washington’s School of Nursing, specializing in parent-child nursing, from 1993 to 2011. Sandra also worked at Oregon Health & Science University during the 1990s through 2012, in a variety of roles that included research assistant, clinical instructor, and neonatal nurse practitioner in the Neonatal Care Unit within Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. She holds a PhD in nursing science from OHSU (2012), a master of nursing degree from the University of Washington (1989) and a bachelor of science in nursing degree from St. Mary of the Plain College in Kansas (1980). Sandra lives in Portland with her husband, Bruce. Their children, Brian and Catherine, will be freshmen at Clackamas Community College and Kansas City Art Institute, respectively. Sandra and Bruce attend Holy Family Catholic Church in Portland.


Andy CopelandAn adjunct professor at George Fox since 2006, Andy Copeland joins the university full time this fall as a shop manager for the theatre department and a visiting lecturer of theatre. Andy has had extensive teaching and theatrical experience in the past decade. In addition to teaching acting classes and serving as a scene shop manager at George Fox, he has acted on TV (Runestone, by Road’s End Productions), starred in the web series Everything Will Be All Right by Bright Daylight Productions, and appeared in a number of short films, including 271 by Tall Sparrow Films. He has also been active on stage, performing lead roles in Northwest Classical Theatre, Valley Repertory Theatre and American Heritage Theatre productions, among others. He also wrote and directed the short film Moment by Moment and is revising a feature-length script that deals with themes of autism and happiness. Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Southern Nazarene University (1995) and completed the two-year Professor Actor Training Program of the Portland Actor’s Conservatory (2001). He lives in Newberg with his wife Cara and children Jack, Henry, and Lily.


Jenny ElseyJenny Elsey has joined the Office of Spiritual and Intercultural Life as the director of intercultural life. She comes to George Fox from Azusa Pacific University, where she was director of mobilization in the Center for Student Action for the past two years. Prior to that, she spent six years as the associate director of Azusa’s Office of Ministry and Service. Jenny also gained higher education work experience at Life Pacific College as associate dean of students and director of student life (2006-07) and as a residence director at Azusa from 2003 to 2006. She holds both a bachelor’s degree in communications (2001) and a master’s degree in college student affairs (2003), both from Azusa Pacific. She lives in Newberg with her husband Erik and two boys, Kai and Rhys. The family is seeking a church home.


FisherMeganMegan Fisher, an alumna of the university, has returned to campus to serve as the associate director of parent programs. A 2001 graduate of George Fox, from which she earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre and fashion merchandising/interior design, Megan has been a stay-at-home mom in recent years while also volunteering as Antonia Crater Elementary parent-teacher organization coordinator (2013-present). She was also chairperson of the Playground Improvement Project in Baker City, Ore., (2012-14). After graduating from George Fox, she worked as a costume shop manager and designer at Rock Valley College in Illinois (2001-03) and as a graduate teaching fellow at the University of Oregon (2003-04). She lives in Dayton with her husband Troy and children Ainsley (9), Asa (7) and Axel (5). They attend Athey Creek Christian Fellowship.


Catherine HillenbrandThe institutional technology office welcomed Catherine Hillenbrand as a business analyst in August. She is a CPA and has worked the past six years as an independent consultant offering business systems, finance and tax advisory services. Prior to that, she worked for a year as a systems consultant for DWFritz Precision Automation of Wilsonville (2008-09) and as a senior finance manager for the same company in the early 2000s. Catherine was also a finance manager for Silicon Graphics of Milpitas, Calif., for five years (1995-2000). She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University-East Bay (1992). Catherine lives in Sherwood with her husband Mark and two children, Brian and Danielle, and attends Countryside Community Church in Sherwood.


Dane Christian JosephDane Christian Joseph joins the College of Education this fall as an assistant professor of education. For the past four years, he has taught as an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at Pacific University. He also worked at Pacific as an assistant coach (2010-12) and as an associate head coach (2012-present) in the women’s soccer program. Dane’s teaching and research experience also includes one year as an instructor in Pacific’s College of Arts & Sciences (2010-11), three years as a graduate research assistant in Washington State University’s Learning and Performance Research Center (2006-09), and one and a half years as a graduate teaching assistant in Washington State’s Department of Philosophy (2005-06). Dane holds a PhD in educational psychology with emphasis in research evaluation and measurement from Washington State (2010), a master’s degree in philosophy from WSU (2006), and a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Concordia University Wisconsin (2003). He lives in Forest Grove with his wife Morgan and son Ira, and plans to find a new church in Sherwood.


John KayeAfter serving as a financial aid assistant in the university’s Office of Financial Aid since May, John Kaye joins the university as a financial aid specialist this fall. He is currently a student in George Fox’s entrepreneurship program, expecting to graduate in December of 2016. In addition to his job as a student employee, he gained work experience as a technical support advisor for Xerox in Tigard (2013-14) and as a counselor at summer camps at Quaker Hill Camp and Twin Rocks Camp. He also taught for a year at Evangelical Friends Mission in Rwanda, Africa (2009-10). John lives in Newberg and attends Newberg Friends Church.


Muh Bi LinMuh Bi Lin, also known as “Toby,” has made the move from Taiwan to serve as an associate professor of social work this fall. For the past two years he has served as the head of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at National Chi-Nan University in Taiwan. Also, since 2009, he has worked as an associate professor in the department, teaching courses that included nonprofit leadership and management and general education courses on love, marriage and family. From 2010 to 2014, Muh Bi was a senior advisor for World Vision Taiwan, a Christian humanitarian organization. He taught previously in the U.S. as an associate professor of social work at Western Kentucky University (2003-08), and for about nine years he was the chief operating officer of the China office of World Vision International, based in Hong Kong (1994-2003). Muh Bi holds a PhD in social work from the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver (1997), a master of social work from the same school (1988) and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Soochow University in Taiwan (1977). He and his wife Lisa are both involved in various kinds of marriage and family ministry. Their two children, Cindy and Churng, are living in Seattle.


Keelan LoFaroThe university welcomes Keelan LoFaro to work as an assistant professor of education at the graduate level. She has worked the past four years as a science teacher and department chair at Alice Deal Public Middle School in Washington, D.C., and since August of last year has served as an adjunct graduate-level professor in American University’s School of Education. Previously, she taught science at the middle school level at Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson in Washington, D.C., (2009-11) and at Middle School 322 Renaissance Leadership Academy in New York, N.Y. (2006-09). She has also worked since 2006 to lead professional development initiatives with Teach for America in New York City. Keelan earned a master’s degree in education from Pace University in New York (2009) and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oregon State University (2005). She and her husband Daniel are moving to Portland.


Gina MillerThe university welcomes Gina Miller as an assistant professor of political science and international studies. As a graduate student at the University of Alabama, she spent nine semesters teaching five different courses in the school’s Department of Political Science while earning a PhD in international relations. She also spent her last year as a graduate assistant designing leadership, professional development and service-learning courses for Alabama’s Honors College. Gina’s doctoral research investigated the role of nonviolent dissent as a form of political contention that influences the preferences and behaviors of domestic actors. Gina holds both a master’s degree in international relations (2006) and a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations from Alabama (2004). She is moving to Newberg and is excited about getting to know the campus and community.


Kristine NelsonThe School of Nursing has hired Kristine A. Nelson as an assistant professor of nursing. Kristine arrives with nearly 40 years of experience in the nursing profession. For the past two years she has worked as the simulation operations manager within the Smart Hospital of the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Previously, she spent three years (2010-13) as an assistant professor of nursing at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas, and six years (2004-10) as a clinical nursing instructor in the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing. Through her career, Kristine has held several positions, including staff nurse, evening charge nurse, nursing coordinator, research assistant and nurse manager, since she began her nursing career in 1976. She has worked in Oregon, Washington, Texas and Ohio. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Oregon Health and Science University in 1976 and later a master of nursing degree from OHSU in 1983. She is moving back to Portland with her husband Randy and daughter Karlee after being away from the area for more than 24 years.


Kyle PfeifferAlumnus Kyle Pfeiffer joined the university this month as director of alumni relations. A 2002 graduate of George Fox with a degree in business management, Kyle has worked the past three years as general manager of the Uptown Billiards Club in Portland, managing a staff of 24. Before that, he spent a year in Hawaii working guest services at the Ritz Carlton in Maui (2011-12) and worked for three years (2008-11) as an area director for Young Life International in Portland. Kyle also has experience in corporate sales management, working in that capacity for the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Eugene, Ore., in the mid-2000s. He lives in Yamhill with his wife of seven years, Rama, their son Jaden (6) and daughter Soraya (1). They attend Newberg Foursquare Church.


Christine SaladinoChristine Saladino joins the university this fall as an assistant professor of social work. For the past four years she has served as director of the bachelor of social work program and as an assistant professor of social work at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. Prior to that, she spent two years as an instructor of sociology (2009-11) and three years as an instructor and coordinator of behavioral sciences majors (2006-09) at Southwest Baptist. Prior to beginning her career in higher education, Christine was a social worker in Florida, at Wuesthoff Health System facilities in Melbourne, Fla., (2005-06) and Rockledge, Fla., (2003-05). She holds a doctor of philosophy degree in human services from Capella University (2014), a master of social work from the University of Central Florida (2006), a master’s degree in Christian education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (2000) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Southwest Baptist University (1997). She is moving to Wilsonville with her Jack Russell Terrier “Frisky.”


Beronica SalazarBeronica Salazar joins the Graduate School of Counseling this fall as an assistant professor of counseling. Originally from Texas, she was a graduate teaching assistant in Idaho State University’s counseling program the past three years. She specialized in teaching graduate courses in clinical mental health counseling and in marital, couple and family counseling. She also gained teaching experience as an adjunct faculty member at Northwest Nazarene University (2010-11), where she taught social and cultural diversity courses. In addition, since 2010, Beronica maintained a private practice counseling trauma survivors and providing postgraduate counselor supervision. She earned a PhD in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State (summer 2015) and also holds a master’s degree in counseling, marriage and family, from Northwest Nazarene, and a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University. She is moving to the Portland area with her spouse and children and attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Beronica has been a longtime advocate for the Latino community and intends to continue to remain active in service opportunities to promote diversity.


Lizz SchallertThe social work program welcomes adjunct professor Elizabeth Schallert to join the program part time this fall as an instructor. Since May of this year she has been working as a mental health clinician in the multicultural counseling program at Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Portland, and previously she served as the development and member coordinator for the Portland Central America Solidarity Committee. She also taught part time at George Fox in 2014-15, specializing in teaching field seminar, community development and macro practice courses in the social work program. Elizabeth has also developed and volunteered as a clinician with the Christian Peacemaker Teams’ Circle of Care program for the past three years. She holds a master of social work degree from Monmouth University (2010) and a bachelor’s degree in social work from George Fox (2009). She lives in Portland and attends Wilderness Way Community.


Jon SchatzJon Schatz joins the College of Business to teach entrepreneurship as a visiting assistant professor of business, working half time. His experience in the business world includes the founding of several start-up ventures and also serving as an executive in large corporations. He holds a Master of Science in Teaching degree from Portland State University (1989) and a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University (1985). Jon lives nearby on The Sunny Day Tree Farm in Sherwood, where he and his wife raise and sell Christmas trees. As a self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Jon looks forward to passing on the lessons learned in the hopes of motivating, inspiring and creating the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.


Michelle SheltonMichelle Shelton has joined the adult degree program as a half-time assistant professor of professional studies. She has taught on an adjunct basis at George Fox since 2013, both in the College of Business and in the ADP program. In addition, she taught courses in 2014-15 at Portland Community College, Chemeketa Community College and at Brandman University, a division of Chapman University. For the past five years Michelle has also worked as both a freelance editor for Sage Publishing of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and as an APA editor at George Fox, editing and proofing doctoral dissertations in the College of Business. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Azusa Pacific University (2005) and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University-Long Beach (1994). Michelle lives in Newberg with her husband Paul, director/chair of the doctor of business administration program at George Fox, and their three boys. They attend Newberg Friends Church.


Liz SimmonsThe university welcomes Liz Simmons as an area coordinator this fall. For the past two years she has been a resident director at Indiana Wesleyan University, and before that, she was a student services assistant at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky from 2010 to 2013. Liz also worked at Indiana Wesleyan as an assistant resident director (2009-10) and as a resident assistant (2007-09) while earning a bachelor’s degree in biblical literature and English (2010). More recently, she earned an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2013. Liz lives on campus with her husband Michael and baby daughter Bina. Michael just started as the manager of the Bruin Store on campus.


John SpencerThe School of Education welcomes John Spencer as an assistant professor of education in the school’s Graduate Teaching and Leading Department. For the past 11 years he has taught several subjects at the middle school level in the Cartwright Elementary School District, an urban Title I school district in Phoenix, Ariz. And, since 2008, he served as a project director, providing site-level and district-level leaders with the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of projects. John has also worked as a speaker and consultant, specializing in talks on technology, digital literacy, creative assessment and project-based learning, for the past four years. He has also been active as an author since 2008, publishing both fiction and nonfiction materials in print and online. John holds a master’s degree in educational technology from Northern Arizona University (2009) and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education (emphasis on history) from Arizona State University (2004). He and his wife Christy will be moving to Newberg with children Joel, Micah and Brenna.


Danielle WarnerDanielle Warner joins the music department this fall as an assistant professor of music and director of choral activities. She has spent the last four years teaching music in the Midwest, most recently at Wayne State College in Nebraska, where she was director of choral activities in 2014-15. Previously, she was a graduate teaching assistant at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance in Kansas City, Mo., for three years. Danielle also gained teaching experience as an adjunct professor of music at Whitman College in 2010-11 and as a choral music educator at Pacific Middle School in the Evergreen School District of Vancouver, Wash., from 2007 to 2009. She holds a doctor of musical arts from the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance (2014), a master of music from Western Washington University (2006) and a bachelor’s degree in music from Whitman College (2004). She is moving to Newberg with her husband, Ryan, and son Carver.


Donna WebbThe School of Education welcomes Donna Webb as an assistant professor of education who will specialize in STEM subjects. For the past year she has served as an adjunct professor at Portland State University and as a professional development instructor with the Portland Metro STEM Partnership. Also, since 2012, she has worked as an independent curriculum writer for Scholastic Inc. & Media of New York. Previously, Donna taught science in the Beaverton School District (1997 to 2005), the Fort Bend Independent School District of Sugarland, Texas (1993-97), and the Spring Branch Independent School District of Spring Branch, Texas (1985-93). She holds a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Portland State (2015), a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from PSU (2011) and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Dallas (1985). She lives in Portland with her husband Don and son Travis. She plans to look for a church home in the Newberg area.


Nicole EnzingerNicole Wessman-Enzinger joins the School of Education as an assistant professor of education. She will be teaching both mathematics and education courses at George Fox. During her time in graduate school, she taught classes as part of her assistantship at Illinois State University, specializing in classes covering numerical reasoning and teaching mathematics in elementary school. Previously, she was an assistant mathematics professor at Olivet Nazarene University (2010-12). Nicole also gained teaching experience as a high school math teacher at Herscher High School in Herscher, Ill., from 2005 to 2010. She earned a PhD in mathematics education from Illinois State University this year, after earning a master’s degree in the subject from DePaul University in Chicago (2009) and a bachelor’s degree in the discipline from Olivet Nazarene University (2005). Her research interests are centered on children’s thinking about negative integers prior to instruction in school. Nicole and her husband, Kyle, are moving from the Chicago area to Newberg this summer. They have a Yorkshire Terrier, Sophie, and enjoy cycling, especially long distances on road bikes.


Steve WinterbergSteve Winterberg joins the Department of History, Politics and International Studies this fall as a visiting assistant professor of international and intercultural studies. For the past two years he was an adjunct professor in global studies at Azusa Pacific University, specializing in teaching anthropology classes to undergraduate students. In addition, since 2011, he has served as executive pastor of Citylights Church of Fountain Valley, Calif. He holds a doctor of philosophy in intercultural studies from Biola University (2015), a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2003) and a bachelor’s degree in history from Baylor University (2000). He is moving to Newberg with his wife Shelly. They are expecting their first child in November.


Rebecca YazzieRebecca Yazzie joins the university this fall as an assistant professor of social work. For the past five years she has worked as a treatment services supervisor with the Oregon Youth Authority, based in Woodburn, Ore., where she oversaw mental health services to youth residing in long-term housing units. She also taught on an adjunct basis at George Fox in the spring of 2014, and since 2011 she has been on the faculty of the University of Phoenix’s School of Human Services’ Oregon campus in Tigard, Ore. Rebecca also gained experience in the field as a psychiatric social worker with the Oregon Youth Authority from 2005 to 2010. She has also taught at Portland State University (2008-11) and at Warner Pacific College (2007-08). A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rebecca is set to earn a PhD in social work and social research in the coming academic year (2015-16) from Portland State University. She holds a master of social work from Arizona State University (2005) and a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Arizona State (2001). She lives in Beaverton and attends Holy Trinity Catholic Church.


Vern Choin (Portland Center Plant Services) retired from the university in August after 12 years of service to George Fox.

Jennifer Kepler (Academic Affairs) left the university in August to accept a new position at Western Oregon University.

Movers & Quakers

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Chris Meade is returning to full-time teaching in the MBA program after filling the role of College of Business dean for one year. The College of Business will be jointly led by Provost Linda Samek and department and program leaders Paul Shelton, Justine Haigh, Annette Nemetz and Jared Roth until a replacement is found. A search is anticipated to begin next summer.

Richard Silver is now director of mail and print services.

About Our People

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Cheri Hampton (Art and Design) was named Support Staff Member of the Year, and Cris Banton (Financial Affairs) was selected Administrator of the Year for the 2014-15 academic year.

Ed Higgins (English) published his haiku “frog song” in the June 25, 2015, issue of Plum Tree Tavern, an online literary magazine. Also, two of his poems, “Losing Memory” and “spent speech,” are published in the literary magazine Still Crazy (Vol. VIII, Issue 2, July 2015). Finally, his poem “Desert Night” appeared in a recent issue of Plum Tree Tavern.

Birthdays

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Aug. 26          Elizabeth Hamilton
Aug. 27          Karlyn Fleming
Aug. 28          Rebecca Hernandez, John Natzke
Aug. 29          Lois Mulkey, Matthew Swanson, Chengping Zhang
Sept. 2           Laura Hartley
Sept. 5           Joel Moore
Sept. 7           Tony Longstroth, Jen Macnab

Comings and Goings

Monday, July 27th, 2015

Rachel-GerigThe undergraduate admissions office welcomes Rachel Gerig to serve as an admissions counselor. She arrives from Whitworth University, where she was a resident assistant the past two years. Prior to that, she served as a student ambassador for Whitworth’s institutional advancement office during the summer of 2013 and was a dorm representative during her sophomore year at the school (2012-13). Rachel graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in speech communications. She lives in Newberg and is seeking out a church home.


Jamison-LoopThe university welcomes Jamison Loop as an admissions counselor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. An alumnus of George Fox, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2009, he arrives from Germany, where he has worked the past three years as a guidance counselor at the Black Forest Academy in the city of Kandern. In the two years prior to his assignment in Europe, Jamison worked for a year and a half as a community support coordinator with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, as part of a team that specialized in supporting children with high-need mental health difficulties. He lives in Sherwood with his wife Jennifer, and they are expecting a baby boy in mid-August. They plan to attend Colossae Church.


Kaitlyn RaganKaitlyn Ragan joined the university in July to serve as office coordinator for the IDEA Center. Since February, she has worked as a skills trainer at Trillium Family Services in Portland, working with children who require inpatient mental health treatment. In the two years prior to that, she was a middle school English teacher in Daegu, South Korea. During that time, Kaitlyn was able to enjoy traveling throughout Asia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology (youth and family studies) from Corban University in 2011. Kaitlyn lives in West Linn, where she attends Athey Creek Christian Fellowship.


Hannah StevensonHannah Stevenson has joined the university as a student accounts specialist at the Portland Center. She has worked the past two years as a purchasing agent for MyBinding.com of Hillsboro, an online book binding equipment vendor. Before that, she spent a year as a microeconomics tutor at Eastern Oregon University, where she also served as a mathematics tutor from 2011 to 2013. Hannah gained office experience as an office assistant with Burns Capital Investment Advisors of Newberg from 2008 to 2010. A native of Newberg, she graduated from Newberg High and went on to Eastern Oregon University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 2013. Hannah lives in Beaverton with her husband Brian.


After 17 years of service, John Newberry (Portland Center Building Manager and Events Coordinator) retired from the university on July 1.

Shaundrea Hirengen (Financial Aid) left the university in mid-July when she relocated out of the area with her family.

Brian Snider (Data Analytics) resigned from his position on July 24 to spend more time with his wife and young children, finish his PhD dissertation at Oregon Health & Science University, and prepare for teaching computer science courses this fall as an adjunct instructor at George Fox.

Kimberly Forbes (Financial Affairs) left the university on July 22, saying she plans to retire.

Scott Barnett (Undergraduate Admissions) is leaving the university on Aug. 7 to attend graduate school at San Diego State University, where he plans to pursue a master’s degree.

Tommy Kokinos (Mail Services) left the university as of July 24.

Movers & Quakers

Monday, July 27th, 2015

Kelly Ward has transitioned into a new role as the assistant director of visitor experience in the undergraduate admissions office.

The following employees were promoted to their respective positions on July 1: Rob Leslie (associate director of digital marketing); Kristie DeHaven (senior CAP coach); Piper Parks (IT Service Desk manager); Kandie Comfort (education tech specialist IV); Jeong Ahn (web designer); and Janelle Olivarez (graphic designer II).

About Our People

Monday, July 27th, 2015

Randy Woodley (Seminary) contributed a chapter in the just-released book Strangers in this World: Multireligious Reflections On Immigration, published by Fortress Press. Woodley’s chapter is entitled, “Native American Hospitality and Generosity: Old Symbols of American Welcome.”

Gary Buhler (Art & Design) will exhibit pieces from his urban landscapes collection at an upcoming show, Urban PDX, at the Architectural Heritage Center, 701 S.E. Grand Ave., in Portland. An opening reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and is free and open to the public. The images feature many recognizable historic buildings and spaces in Portland. The exhibit will be open through Sept. 29.

Birthdays

Monday, July 27th, 2015

July 29         David Hansen
July 30         Dale Isaak, Ron Mock, Thomas Peng
July 31         Lindsay Knox, Gary Spivey
Aug. 1          Jason Brumitt, Rob Westervelt
Aug. 3          Nancy Thurston
Aug. 5          Linda Warberg
Aug. 6          Elizabeth Anderson
Aug. 9          Jennifer Kepler
Aug. 12        Cary Griffith, Ken Ingram
Aug. 13        Kathy Heininge, Jeff Marble, Jamie Noling-Auth, Nate Peach
Aug. 14        Jenny Zaganiacz
Aug. 16        Casey Brooks, Gary Sehorn, Seth Sikkema
Aug. 17        Saiko Mair
Aug. 19        Jim Foster
Aug. 21        Josh Sauerwein, Creagh Schoen
Aug. 23        Erik Bay
Aug. 24        Scott Barnett, Joel Bock, Jane Sweet

Comings and Goings

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Karen CarskadonKaren Carskadon joined the College of Education in June as executive assistant to the dean. She was formerly employed for seven years at Portland State University, as assistant to the director/office manager in the Office of Institutional Research and Planning; as administrative assistant for field placement & licensure in the Graduate School of Education; and as office coordinator for the Department of Economics. Karen was additionally employed at PSU as certification officer for six years in the School of Education and five years as the marketing department secretary before she left to dedicate time to family: daughter Lindsay (24) and son Jake (soon to be 21). She attended Willamette University for two years before earning a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Portland State in 1980. Karen lives in Wilsonville with her children and attends Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin.

 

Virginia LundquistVirginia Lundquist joined the university this summer as interim director of the School of Nursing. She worked most recently at the Providence Portland Medical Center, where she was nursing education manager from 2011 to 2014. Prior to that, she spent 16 years as the staff development director at Willamette Falls Hospital in Oregon City. She has worked in the nursing profession since 1969, when she began as an emergency department RN staff member at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bellingham, Wash. (1969-74). She was later employed as a nursing supervisor, critical care staff RN and emergency department RN at Willamette Falls Hospital (1975-93). Virginia holds a master of science degree in nursing from the University of Portland (2003), a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Walla Walla University (1993) and a diploma in nursing from Emanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Portland (1968). She lives in Damascus with her husband of 46 years, Gregg. They have three married daughters and nine grandchildren, one of whom lives in heaven. She and her husband attend Damascus Community Church in Damascus, Ore.

 

Lynn Andrews rejoins the university this week to lead the development office as vice president for advancement. She returns after departing George Fox late last year due to health concerns. Lynn was originally hired in December of 2013 after serving as VP for university advancement at Marylhurst University the previous three years. She has more than 20 years of experience in the development field.

Cynthia Weston (Development) is leaving George Fox this week after 11 years of service to the university. She says she is following the Lord’s call to be available for other ministry opportunities.

Sarah Marvin (Enrollment) left the university in June.

Marisa Lee (IDEA Center) left George Fox in June to spend more time with her newborn daughter.

Donna Barber (Spiritual and Intercultural Life) left the university in late May after her one-year interim role as director of intercultural life ended.

Sondra Creason (College of Education) left George Fox after serving at the university for 12 years. She has accepted a part-time job in banking, the field she worked in prior to George Fox, and plans to spend more time with family, especially her grandchildren. She says she is grateful for the years she spent at the university.

Movers & Quakers

Monday, July 6th, 2015

Christee Wise is now program coordinator for the university’s College of Education.

Chris Pulver is a student account specialist and is moving from the Portland Center to the Newberg campus.

Sidney Tafflinger is a CAP Coach (Career & Academic Planning) in the IDEA Center.

About Our People

Monday, July 6th, 2015

The Association for Christians in Student Development approved a $750 research grant to Dave Johnstone (Student Life) for the purpose of conducting a study, through surveys and interviews, with current students of color at five Council for Christian Colleges and Universities on the West Coast. The study will allow students to share their leadership journeys, and, ultimately, their reflections will provide data that will be valuable in drawing more students of color into leadership roles.

Ed Higgins (English) published two haiku poems in Issue #34 of the online journal hedgerow: a journal of small poems.

Rodger Bufford and Mark McMinn (PsyD) published articles in the Summer 2015 issue of the Journal of Psychology & Theology. Rodger’s article, cowritten with three authors from other institutions, was titled “Preliminary Analyses of Three Measures of Grace: Can They Be Unified?” Mark’s, cowritten with Paul McLaughlin, was titled “Studying Wisdom: Toward a Christian Integrative Perspective.”