The nursing department welcomes Wendy Ackley as an assistant professor of nursing this fall. From 2001 to 2012, she worked at Providence Seaside Hospital in Seaside, Ore., as a patient care assistant administrator (2010-12), quality services manager (2009-10), nursing education and informatics coordinator (2003-09) and house supervisor (2001-03). Before that, she was a nurse manager and nurse supervisor at a health and wellness clinic in Astoria, Ore., in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She also gained nursing education experience as a clinical instructor at Clatsop Community College from 1999 to 2002. Wendy earned a master’s degree from the clinical nurse leader program at the University of Portland (2009) and holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing (1995) from Washington State University-Vancouver. She lives in Hillsboro with her husband, Dr. Scott Lane, a principal in the Lake Oswego School District. They have six children – Brian Abigale, Timothy, Tiffany, Ackley and Sydney – and two grandchildren (Summer and Juliet). Wendy is a member of St. Juan Diego Catholic Church.
Nell Becker Sweeden joins the seminary this fall as the Richard B. Parker Chair of Wesleyan Theology and as an assistant professor of theology – assignments she’ll share with her husband, Josh (see below). She worked most recently as an online adjunct professor of theology at Northwest Nazarene University last fall. Previously, Nell was an adjunct professor of religion at Eastern Nazarene College (2012) and a teaching assistant at Boston University (2009-11). She has also served as director of international program development and education initiatives for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries since 2010. In addition, Nell has traveled and taught in more than 10 countries and lived in Paraguay in 2003 working as a seminary teacher and volunteer missionary. She earned a doctor of philosophy in practical theology from Boston University in 2012 and holds a master of divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary (2007) and a bachelor’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University (2002). Nell and Josh live in Portland with their son Elias.
Jeff Cameron joins the university’s art department this fall to serve as an assistant professor of art. He will specialize in teaching graphic design and cinema and media communication classes. Since 2003, he has served as the senior graphic designer and art director for JSC&A, a creative marketing design company based in Tigard, Ore. Prior to that, he was a senior graphic designer, art director and producer at Soloflex, Inc., of Hillsboro, Ore., for whom he worked in various capacities for 20 years. Jeff also gained teaching experience as an adjunct instructor of graphic design, illustration and drawing at George Fox from 2001 to 2004. He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design from Oregon State University in 1982. He lives in Tigard with his wife Susan, son John (19) and daughter Heather (16). He and his family attend Tualatin Presbyterian Church.
The School of Education welcomes Kathy Campobasso as an instructor of education on a part-time basis. She currently serves as an education consultant for the Chalkboard Project, working with two consortia consisting of school district and university personnel in partnership to redesign teacher preparation programs. She’s also worked at George Fox as a grant-funded special projects manager, for which she coordinates the Literacy Across the Secondary Curriculum grant with five school districts in Oregon. From 2004 to 2011, Kathy worked for the Employers for Education Excellence (E3) organization, and in 2010-11 she provided networking and professional development opportunities to 22 schools statewide as director of E3’s Oregon Small Schools Network. Previously, she worked in various capacities for the North Clackamas School District from 1979 to 2004. Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Portland State University in 1979. She lives in Canby with her husband Karl. They have four children – Cyndy, Emily, Melissa and Ryan – and six grandchildren. They attend St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Canby, and serve there as music ministers.
The university has hired Joseph Clair to direct the William Penn Honors Program and serve as an assistant professor of religious studies. He has spent the past four years at Princeton University, where he earned his PhD in religion, ethics and politics while also working as an assistant in instruction in the school’s religion department. His efforts were rewarded with a Department of Religion Teaching Award (2011-12) and a Graduate Prize Fellowship from Princeton’s Center for Human Values (2012-13). Prior to Princeton, Joseph spent one year at the University of Cambridge, earning an MPhil in philosophy of religion. He also holds master’s degrees from Fordham (history of philosophy, 2007) and Duke University (theological ethics, 2004), as well as a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College (philosophy, 2002). Joseph’s research and teaching interests include Christian thought, Christian ethics, religious and philosophical ethics, political theory, environmental ethics, ancient moral and political philosophy, and the role of religion in public life. He lives in Newberg with his wife Nora and three children – August, Esme and Margaret.
The university welcomes a new men’s basketball coach, Maco “Shark†Hamilton, this fall. He has spent the past six years at Union High School in Camas, Wash., where he built the boys basketball program from inception to a perennial state power. His squad won the 2009-10 state championship at the Class 3A level, earning him Coach of the Year honors, and he’s posted a 95-56 overall record while winning three league titles, two district titles, three state-tournament trophies and one state championship. Maco has won or shared the last three St. Helens League Coach of the Year awards. Prior to his tenure at Union, he was an assistant at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, Wash. (2001-03), the University of Portland (2003-04) and Ridgefield High School (2006-07). He worked as a multicultural youth outreach coordinator and student advocate at Mountain View and as a guidance counselor at Ridgefield and Union. Maco earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration management from Eastern Oregon University, for whom he also played basketball, in 2001. He also holds a master’s degree in education from City University (2006). Maco and his wife, Shayna, live in Camas, Wash., and they have two children, Mia (5) and Kyrie (2). The family attends The House of Providence in Vancouver.
Alumna Erin Johnson will join the university for the 2013-14 academic year as an assistant professor of social work. She has worked as an adjunct in the university’s social work program since 2009, and also during that span, served in various leadership capacities and as a child and family play therapist for Lutheran Community Services of McMinnville. Prior to her work in Oregon, she was a family therapist (2005-08), an individual therapist intern, and a community support case manager (2001-03), all in Beverly, Mass. Erin earned a master’s degree in social work from Salem State College in Salem, Mass., in 2004 and a bachelor’s degree in social work from George Fox in 2001. She lives in Newberg with her husband, Jamie, and three children – Kincaid, Ethan, and Esther – and attends Newberg Friends Church.
Daniel Kang joins George Fox’s Department of Physical Therapy as an assistant professor of physical therapy this fall. Since 2005, he has worked as owner and lead physical therapist of Kang Physical Therapy Inc. of Ventura, Calif. His teaching experience includes stints as an instructor of kinesiology at California State University of Channel Islands and as a teaching assistant of anatomy and physiology at Loma Linda University. He is in the process of earning a doctor of science in physical therapy from Andrews University and holds a doctor of physical therapy degree (2004) from Loma Linda University. He also earned a master’s degree in physical therapy (2002) and a bachelor’s degree in health science (2002) from Loma Linda University.
The religious studies department welcomes John Knox, an adjunct professor at the university for the past 10 years, to teach full time for one year as a visiting assistant professor of biblical studies. In addition to teaching history and religion courses at George Fox the past decade, John has spent the last three years teaching online graduate theology courses for Liberty Seminary. Also, since 2006, he has served as an adjunct professor of the humanities at Multnomah University in Portland. He was also a freelance technical illustrator from 1995 to 2012. This fall, he will publish a short Christian history fiction novel called The Letter of Alon through Crosslink Publishing. John holds a PhD in theology and religion from the University of Birmingham (2009), a master’s degree in theological studies from George Fox Evangelical Seminary (2002) and bachelor’s degrees in English (2013) and history (1991) from Oregon State University. He lives in Newberg with wife Brenda and their children, Jacob and Joseph, and attends Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin.
The university has hired Polly Peterson, an adjunct instructor and former part-time professor at George Fox, to serve as a visiting assistant professor of English for the 2013-14 academic year. Polly has taught English courses on an adjunct basis the past 11 years and, from 2007 to 2009, was a three-quarters time professor at the university. She was also an adjunct at George Fox from 2002 to 2006 and taught and developed courses for the university’s Educational Foundations and Leadership program in the mid-2000s. Her prior teaching experience included stints as an English teacher in Newberg public schools in the 1990s and early 2000s and as a social studies teacher at St. Paul High School in 1990. Polly holds two degrees from George Fox: a master of education degree in curriculum and development (2006) and a bachelor’s degree in social studies (1989). She lives in Newberg with her husband, Brent. They have two children: a daughter who is starting her junior year at Seattle Pacific University and a son who will begin at Occidental College this fall. She attends Newberg Friends Church and is involved in the church’s five o’clock gathering planning team.
The university welcomes Stephanie Pollard as a recruitment and enrollment counselor for the adult degree program at the Portland Center. She has spent the past year working in admissions at Multnomah University in Portland. Prior to that, she was a financial aid counselor for Multnomah (2011-12) and Warner Pacific (2008-09). Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in human development from Warner Pacific College in 2004. She lives in Troutdale with her husband and two children, and attends Mt. Scott Church of God in Happy Valley.
The engineering department welcomes David Pollock as a professor of civil engineering this fall. He comes to George Fox from Washington State University, where he was an associate professor (2003-present) and an assistant professor (1997-2003) in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Most recently, he was designated the school’s Coughlin Distinguished Professor of Structural Engineering (2012-13). Prior to his work at WSU, Dave was director of engineering (1991-94), manager of structural engineering (1989-91) and a structural engineer (1987-89) for the American Wood Council in Washington, D.C. He also worked as a mechanical engineer at a U.S. Army R&D lab for four years (1983-87). His primary teaching interests include structural analysis, structural design (steel, concrete, timber, masonry) and engineering fundamentals. He holds a PhD in civil engineering from Texas A&M University (1997) and both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in agricultural engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech). Dave lives in Dundee with his wife, Lynn. They have two grown children, Sarah and Will, who currently reside in eastern Washington.
The College of Business welcomes Paul Shelton to serve as chair and director of the Doctor of Business Administration program and as an associate professor of management. Paul worked full time at George Fox from 2010 to 2012 as an assistant professor of management, and he remained at the university on an adjunct basis for the 2012-13 year. Prior to his tenure at the university, he was an assistant professor of management at the University of Central Oklahoma from 2008 to 2010. Also, since 2007, he has taught online graduate business classes for Indiana Wesleyan University. Previously, he was an international student and scholar advisor at Colorado State University (2006-08) and worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and later the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in various capacities (1996 to 2005). Paul earned a doctor of philosophy degree from Colorado State in 2008 and holds an MBA from Azusa Pacific University (2003). He lives in Newberg with his wife Michelle and three boys – Connor (12), Tyler (10) and Austin (8). The family attends Newberg Christian Church and Newberg Friends Church.
The university welcomes Berkeley Shorthill as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry for the fall semester. A 1997 graduate of George Fox, Berkeley worked for two years (2010-12) as an English teacher with the Candlelight Language and Vocational Training Center in Vientiane, Laos, where he and his wife Melissa were serving with Marketplace Ministries of Colorado Springs, Colo. He spent 2008-09 as an English teacher at the National University of Laos, serving with ELIC (English Language Institute, China). Prior to his overseas experience, Berkeley served as a drug standards production supervisor (2006-08) and drug standards chemist (2003-06) for GRACE-Davison Discovery Sciences in State College, Pa. He gained additional teaching experience as a teaching assistant in the chemistry department at Penn State University in the early 2000s. In addition to his chemistry degree from George Fox, Berkeley holds a doctor of philosophy degree, in the field of organic chemistry and molecular recognition, from Penn State University (2004). He and Melissa have just moved to Dundee with their two sons, Declan and Owen. They are excited about getting involved in a new church home.
Terry Steele, who has taught on an adjunct basis at George Fox in the communication arts (1999-2005) and sociology (2002-present) departments, will join the university full time this fall as a visiting assistant professor of sociology. In addition to his work at George Fox, he taught graduate-level courses as an adjunct for Multnomah Seminary from 2000 to 2012, while also teaching in various capacities for Trinity International University (2006-07) and George Fox (Freshman Seminar, communications courses, summer Institute for English Language Learning and U.S. culture). Terry has also served as a cultural advisor and lecturer with Montavilla Baptist Church in Portland this year, and before that, as a college pastor with the same church in the early 2000s. He earned a PhD in intercultural studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2012 and holds a doctor of missiology degree (2001) and masters of divinity degree (1995) from Western Seminary. Terry lives in Clackamas with his wife Melodie and their two sons, Josh (10) and Sam (9). They attend Montavilla Baptist Church in Portland.
Josh Sweeden joins the seminary as the Richard B. Parker Chair of Wesleyan Theology and as an assistant professor of theology – duties he’ll share with his wife, Nell (see above). He taught as an instructor of religion at Eastern Nazarene College in 2011-12 and held teaching assistantships (2009-11) and an instructor position (2008-10) at Boston University School of Theology. He also served in ministry as an instructor and spiritual counselor at the Leavenworth U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., from 2004 to 2006. His primary teaching areas are in practical theology, church history and ecclesiology. Josh holds a PhD in practical theology from Boston University School of Theology (2012), a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Christian ministries from Point Loma Nazarene University (2003). He is also an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Josh and Nell live in Portland with their 1-year old son, Elias.
The university welcomes Linda Warberg to work half time as an assistant professor of education, in which she’ll focus on teaching special education courses. She spent the 2012-13 school year as a special education consultant for the Jefferson School District, performing administrative and training sessions related to special education in the district. She’s also spent the past three years as a member of the Northwest Accreditation Commission and as a special education consultant for the Mt. Angel, St. Paul, Gervais, Sheridan, Falls City and Dayton school districts. Between 2000 and 2010, Linda worked in the Gervais School District in numerous capacities, including as a district program director, special education director, summer school administrator and director of English language learners programs. She also has superintendent and principal experience. Linda holds a master’s degree in educational administration/teaching from Lewis & Clark College (1996) and a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Oregon State University (1977). She lives in Keizer with her husband Bob. Their son and his family live in Newberg, and their daughter and her family live in Keizer. Linda and Bob attend Capital Baptist Church in Salem.
Jane Wilson joins the university this fall to work as the associate director of communications and operations in the undergraduate admissions office. She comes to the university from Production Tool and Manufacturing Co. in Portland, where she was a production planner last fall through the spring. Before that, she managed operations and served as head of the field service team for First Financial Security of Norcross, Ga., in 2011-12. Jane earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Grove City College (Pa.) in 2010. She lives in Newberg.
The university has hired Rebecca Williams as an enrollment manager at the Portland Center. This marks a return to the university for Rebecca, as she was a student employee in George Fox’s registrar’s office from 2009 to 2011. More recently, she worked as a student in the registrar’s office at Harding University, helping plan graduation events, maintaining student files, and performing student advising as related to graduation. She also gained university work experience with Bon Appetit at George Fox in 2009. Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Harding in 2013. She lives in Newberg with her husband Kyle and attends Newberg Church of Christ.
Editor’s note: More new employees will be introduced in the Sept. 2 issue of e-Colleague.
Karen Bowdoin joins the university this fall on a full-time basis to work as a visiting associate professor of art. She has worked at George Fox as an adjunct instructor since 2005. Previously, she served as vice principal of Open Bible Christian School in Newberg from 1988 to 1994 and taught art at the same school for eight years (1986 to 1994). Karen holds an MFA from Azusa Pacific University (2013) and a BFA from the Oregon College of Art & Craft in Portland (2004). She lives in Dundee with her husband Steve. They have three grown children – Heather Capell, Justin Bowdoin and Mandy Bowdoin – and four grandchildren.
Laurie Lieggi joins George Fox as a library assistant and interlibrary loan coordinator this fall. She comes to the university from the Newberg Public Library, where she’s worked as a library assistant for the past 12 years. Previously, she was employed at George Fox as a reference librarian and an assistant professor from 1997 to 2000. She also gained librarian experience overseas, working in that capacity at the International Christian School in Hong Kong from 1995 to 1997. Laurie earned a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University in 1994 and a bachelor’s degree in history from Northwest Nazarene University in 1985. She lives in Newberg with husband John and children Jakin and Isabella. They attend Newberg Christian Fellowship.
Trena Worthington joins plant services this fall as a custodian. For the past eight years she has run her own cleaning service out of her home. Previously, she worked for 14 years (1985 to 1999) as a rehabilitation therapist, using her training in music therapy to assist adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Sonoma Developmental Center in Eldridge, Calif. Trena earned a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Willamette University in 1980. She continues to stay active in music activities, participating in the hand bell choir with Newberg Friends Church and playing in the Newberg Community Band the past 14 years. She lives in Yamhill with her husband Chuck and daughter Elise.
