E-Colleague

Oct. 21        Teresa Arnold, Helen Morse
Oct. 22        Randy Pitts
Oct. 23        Andy Baker
Oct. 24        Ryan Dougherty, Dixie Downey
Oct. 26        Linda Sartwell
Oct. 27        Bruce Arnold
Oct. 28        Ellen Wirtz
Oct. 29        Roger Nam, Rusty St. Cyr
Oct. 30        Janis Sanford
Nov. 1        David Johnstone

Paul Anderson (Religious Studies) was invited to perform at the 50th anniversary of the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Ind., Sept. 25 as a member of the Common Meal Quartet. CD copies of their album were sold at the event, and they learned two new songs arranged by John Carter, the group’s composer and piano player. On Wednesday evenings, from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. (through Nov. 18), Paul is teaching a class on “Biblical and Practical Aspects of Discernment” at North Valley Friends Church. All are welcome.

Shelley Yonemura, interim director of the Office of Multicultural Services for the past year, is now the office’s full-time director.

Oct. 6        Stephen Gilday, Judy Keeney, Lyn Lumley
Oct. 7        Cindy Howard
Oct. 9        Sheila Abercrombie, Benjamin Kulpa
Oct. 10        Rob Felton, Jim Smart
Oct. 12        Becky Greenwood
Oct. 13        Andrea Heath, Jason Schwanz, Kathy Weiss
Oct. 14        Travis Morgan
Oct. 15        Amy Ocker, Gina Worley
Oct. 16        Richard Shaw
Oct. 19        Rita Boggs

Mackey W. Hill, a professor emeritus at George Fox who turned 100 in May, died on Sept. 17. While his health had been failing for some time, he was still happy to greet family and friends at the Newberg Care facility and was aware of his visitors until the last day or two. Mackey was a professor of history and political science at the university from 1949 to 1974. A memorial service is scheduled for 
3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Northside Community Church (Free Methodist), located at 1900 N. Hoskins St.

Jason Schwanz (IT) and his wife AJ welcomed a baby girl, Josephine Annabelle, on Sept. 14. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Sept. 22    Josh Nauman
Sept. 23    Rhonda Bonham
Sept. 25    Debbie Berho, Eric Mortinson, Marc Shelton, Elizabeth Todd
Sept. 29    Robert Bredemeier
Sept. 30    Karon Bell, Terry Huffman, Laurie Lorenzen
Oct. 1        Anna Berardi, Paul Chamberlain
Oct. 2        Megan Marsh
Oct. 5        Larry Osborn

Editor’s note: The birthday list makes its return to e-Colleague beginning this month. Only birthdays of employees who have not requested that their information be private are included, so not all employees’ birthdays will be listed. If you would like to have HR change your privacy settings, e-mail Lisa Burton at lburton@georgefox.edu.

Michael Bevis was hired to direct the university’s English Language Institute. For the past seven years, he has provided teacher education training, consultation and educational leadership development in Tianjin, China. During that time he also served as a secondary principal at Tianjin International School. Michael also spent three years in Hong Kong as a secondary principal at International Christian School. Stateside, Michael also served as a K-12 teaching principal in Bethel, Mo., while establishing a residential program for children. He also has been a missionary in Malaysia, a community youth services counselor in Texas, and a patient care coordinator at a hospital in Deer Park, Texas. He is a doctoral student in instructional leadership at Nova Southeastern University of North Miami Beach, Fla. He holds a master’s degree in education from Quincy University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of North Texas. Michael recently moved to Newberg along with his wife, Ruth, and their son Micah (16). Michael and Ruth also have two daughters: Bianca, who is attending Wheaton College, and Natasha, who will be transferring to George Fox from John Brown University.

Meredith Dougherty (Student Life) left the university at the end of August and gave birth to a girl, Sela Ruth, at 2:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The baby was born at Providence Newberg Hospital and weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Meredith and husband Ryan Dougherty (Student Life) are also parents of 3-year-old Quinn.

Rodger Bufford (Graduate Psychology) co-presented two posters at the 117th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Toronto Aug. 6-9. Bufford presented “Religious Affiliation, Religious and Spiritual Practices, and Burnout among Adolescent Residential Staff Members” and “ADHD Differences on the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition.”

Dee Small (Seminary) and her husband celebrated the marriage of their son, Jonathan Small, to Laura Worzniak on Aug. 8, at the Kelty Estate in Lafayette, Ore. The couple honeymooned in Maui and Moloka’i.

Susan De Lessert, a former assistant professor of Spanish and French who taught at the university for 14 years before retiring in 1996, died Thursday, Sept. 3, after a lengthy illness. A native of France, Susan survived her country’s Nazi occupation during World War II before moving to the United States in 1955.

The School of Education hired Robert Bonner as an assistant professor of education. He has been an adjunct instructor in the graduate programs of the university’s School of Education and School of Management since 2002. Robert is entering the university system after teaching 16 years in the public schools in three school districts, the most recent of which was the Forest Grove School District (1998-present), where he served as an instructional coach, classroom teacher and special education teacher. He also has worked as a high school special education teacher during his career. Robert earned a doctorate in education (2006) and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from George Fox (1993). He also holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Bible from Harding University. Robert lives in Newberg with his wife Beth LaForce, a professor in the School of Education. He has three children: Cynthia, a graduate of George Fox; Darrel, a student in the degree-completion program; and Philip, a student at Portland Community College. Robert and Beth attend Newberg Friends Church.

Tom Buchanan joins the School of Education to teach in the MAT program for one year on a half-time basis. He has been an assistant professor of education, music and fine arts at Oklahoma Christian University’s Cascade College campus in Portland for the past 12 years. Before that, he taught high school, middle school and elementary school in the Gladstone School District for 12 years. Tom is currently enrolled in George Fox’s educational foundations and leadership doctorate program (all but dissertation status). He earned initial K-8 licensure from Pacific University in 1995, a master’s degree in teaching from Portland State University in 1987, and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Columbia Christian College in 1982. He lives in Tualatin with wife Karen, chair of George Fox’s undergraduate education program. They have two children: Brad, a recent graduate of George Fox, and Danielle, a junior social work major at the university. The Buchanans attend Living Streams Church of Christ.

Eileen Celentano joins the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences as a half-time assistant professor. She has more than 25 years of experience in the fashion industry and has taught fashion design courses since the mid-1990s. Most recently she taught and developed fashion design classes at Portland Community College for the past five years. Eileen also has worked as a gallery assistant at a Portland art gallery (2004-07) and as a costume designer and specialty hat wear designer in Los Angeles. She also has overseen several fashion shows and workshops in Oregon and California. Eileen earned master’s degrees in fine arts and theater from Cal State University Long Beach in 1995 and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from UCLA in 1977. She lives in Lake Oswego with her three sons – Zane, Marshall and Levi. She attends a Christian church in Lake Oswego and frequently visits The Grotto in Portland.

Sarah Gibson has been hired as an assistant professor of media communications. She arrives from Texas, where she was an adjunct instructor at Abilene Christian University last year and owner of a film production studio, Monkey Grinder Studios, for the past four years. She has extensive experience in documentary filmmaking, serving as a director, editor and producer on numerous projects over the past five years. She also has experience editing and directing television shows in the Abilene market. Sarah earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in documentary film production from the University of North Texas in 2008 and a bachelor’s degree in electronic media from Abilene Christian in 2005. She lives in Newberg with husband Paul and attends Newberg Church of Christ.

The Boise Center welcomes a new half-time assistant professor of education, Joanne Gray, this fall. For the past six years, she has worked as a school nurse and as a middle school teacher for the Garden Valley School District in Garden Valley, Idaho. Prior to that, she created and implemented a school-based health program for her rural community in 2002. She also was a medical review nurse, reviewing and adjudicating medical claims, for Blue Cross of Idaho from 1997 to 2000. Before that, she served as a maternal child health nurse for the St. Croix Tribal Health Department in Wisconsin from 1995-97. Joanne earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the Boise Center in 2007 and has been working as an adjunct professor for the university’s SPS program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University at the La Grande campus in 1993. She lives in Garden Valley with her husband of 20 years, Chad, and their two boys, Joseph and Blaze, who are both in high school. They attend St. Jude Catholic Church.

Justine Haigh joins the School of Management as an associate professor of marketing. For the past eight years, she has taught business, marketing and advertising courses at Leeds Metropolitan University in Leeds, England (2008-09) and at the University of Huddersfield in Huddersfield, England (2001-08). She also worked as a senior research assistant through the University of Huddersfield for the Cheshire County Council’s road safety department in the mid-2000s. In the mid-1990s, she worked as a staffing consultant for National Semiconductor and as a sales manager for retail outlet Motherhood, both of Santa Clara, Calif. Justine earned a doctorate in consumer behavior (2008), a master’s degree in innovation and entrepreneurship (1999) and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences (1994), all from the University of Huddersfield. She lives in Sherwood with husband Julian and son Daniel (11).

The School of Management hired Ryan Halley as an associate professor of finance. He arrives from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he was an assistant professor of finance for the past four years. He also has worked as a financial consultant, as an adjunct professor at Lubbock Christian University (2003-04), and as a graduate research assistant at Texas Tech University (2002-04). Ryan earned a doctorate in consumer economics and personal financial planning from Texas Tech in 2005, an MBA from The Ohio State University in 2002, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 1999. He holds the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) designation from the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. He lives in Newberg with wife Jess and children Megan (9) and Brennan (5).

Michael MacLeod joins the university as an assistant professor of political science, with a specialty in international relations. For the past year, he has been a postdoctoral fellow at Bentley University in Boston, conducting research, writing and teaching on how shareholders and social activists work together to influence corporate behavior on issues such as climate change and human rights. Previously, he served as a visiting professor at Queen’s University and a lecturer at Carleton University, among other appointments. Michael earned a doctorate in political science from George Washington University in 2008 and earlier obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political studies from Queen’s University. He is Canadian and looks forward to winters in Oregon without parkas and snow tires.

The School of Education welcomes Brenda Morton as an assistant professor of education. For the past two years she has been an English teacher and publications adviser at Sherwood High School. Before that, she taught English and social studies for one year at Horizon Christian High School and sixth-grade humanities for three years at Horizon Christian Middle School, both in Tualatin. Brenda earned a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from George Fox in 2003. She also completed George Fox’s initial administrative licensure program in 2007. Brenda lives in West Linn with husband Dave and daughters Hannah (15) and Haley (13). They attend Solid Rock Church in Tigard.

Annette Nemetz joins the School of Management as an assistant professor of management. From 2003 to 2008, she was the executive vice president of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide’s global services network in Portland, serving in the areas of general management, strategy, vision and operating leadership. She also was the chief operating officer and senior vice president of Waggener Edstrom’s Microsoft account from 2000 to 2004. Before that, she founded and directed ORA Innovations, Inc., a Portland-based entrepreneurial venture that developed a patented medical device. Additionally, included in her 20-plus years of business and marketing experience, were management positions at Sun Microsystems and Sequent Computer Systems. Annette has been an adjunct professor at George Fox for the past year, teaching strategic thinking and marketing in the MBA program, and is currently earning a doctor of management degree from George Fox. She earned an MBA from Stanford University in 1989 and a bachelor’s degree in materials engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980. She lives in Sherwood with her husband, Alan Timmins, and their 14-year-old daughter Madeline. They are members of St. Francis Church in Sherwood.

Alison Noble joins the chemistry department as a half-time visiting assistant professor of chemistry. Her professional experience has included industrial, teaching and research positions.  Most recently, Alison worked as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Portland and as a chemistry instructor at Portland Community College; she also has taught for George Fox on an adjunct basis. From 2002 to 2004, she was a senior process engineer at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro and worked in photolithography development. She completed her doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in analytical/materials chemistry in 2002 and has published a number of journal articles on liquid crystalline thin films. Alison graduated from Westmont College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1997. She lives in Hillsboro with her husband and two children and is an active member at Tualatin Plains Presbyterian Church.

The Department of Clinical Psychology welcomes Winston Seegobin as an associate professor of clinical psychology. He worked most recently at Messiah College, where he was a professor of psychology (2007-09), associate professor of psychology (2001-07) and assistant professor of psychology (1996-2001). He also has done extensive teaching as an adjunct professor in counselor programs at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania and at Caribbean Nazarene Theological College in Trinidad. He also has been a psychotherapist in the Messiah College Counseling Center on a part-time basis since 1997. Winston earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Central Michigan University in 1996 and holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology from both Central Michigan (1994) and Wheaton College (1987). He lives in Newberg with wife Karen and sons John and Matthew.

After working as an adjunct and visiting professor at George Fox the past three years, Jim Smart has been hired full time as an assistant professor of biology. Prior to his work at the university, where he’s taught foundations of biology, general biology and genetics, Jim was a research instructor at Oregon Health & Science University for three years and, before that, a graduate research assistant at OHSU from 1994 to 2003. Jim earned a doctorate of philosophy in neuroscience from OHSU in 2003, studying how the brain regulates appetite and metabolism. Upon completing his PhD in 2003, he was hired by the Department of Otolaryngology as a research instructor to study the molecular mechanisms of hearing and balance. Previously, he earned a bachelor of liberal studies degree from the University of Montana-Western in 1994. He lives in Tualatin with his wife Kari and three children – Madeleine (6), Isabelle (4) and Nathan (2). The family attends Portland Christian Center. Both Jim and Kari have been to Ukraine on short-term medical missions trips.

Gary Tandy joins the university as a professor of writing/literature this fall. He arrives from Cascade College of Portland, where he was a professor of English for the past 15 years. He also did adjunct work for the University of Phoenix, Concordia University and Warner Pacific College. He was Cascade College’s Faculty Member of the Year in 2001-02. In all, he has more than 30 years experience teaching English at the higher-education level and has corporate experience as a technical and marketing/communications writer. Gary earned a doctorate in rhetoric and writing from the University of Tulsa in 1983 and a master’s degree in English from the University of Tennessee in 1977. He lives in Newberg with his wife, Janet. They have three children – Julia, Jackson, and John Garrison – and attend East County Church of Christ in Gresham.

The School of Education welcomes Waneen White as an assistant professor of education. For the past year, she has been an English to Speakers of Other Languages bilingual faculty member and undergraduate advisor at Western Oregon University in Monmouth. She also has worked as a training instructor for Oxford Seminars on a part-time basis, teaching a course that prepares teachers for overseas positions. She worked for two years in the early 2000s with the Puerto Rico National Guard English Language Center as a communications skills interviewer for the military. Waneen earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut in 2004.  She lives in Woodburn with her husband, Dr. Caleb Rosado of Warner Pacific College. They attend Woodburn United Methodist Church.

Nicholas Willis returns to Newberg as an associate professor of mathematics. For the past four years he has been an assistant professor of mathematics at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Before that, he worked five years as a graduate part-time instructor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. This marks a return to the university for Nicholas, who was named the Outstanding Mathematics Student of 2000 at George Fox. He earned a doctorate in mathematics from Texas Tech in 2005, a master’s degree in the discipline from the same school in 2003, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from George Fox in 2000. He lives in Newberg with his wife, Jillian, and baby daughter Lucy. They attend Northside Community Church in Newberg.

Editor’s Note: The university also hired Michael Bevis as director of the English Language Institute. His photo and bio will appear in a future edition.

Kristen Findley (Plant Services) has left the university.

John Taggert (IT) left the university earlier this month.

Merrill Johnson (Library) attended the Snezek Library Leadership Institute at Covenant College July 15-17, co-leading a session on scholarly communications. The institute was attended by Council for Christian Colleges & Universities library directors.

Ed Higgins’ (Writing/Literature) poem “401(k)” was published in the June-August 2009 edition of qarrtsiluni, an online literary magazine.

Janelle Townsend (Marketing Communications) married Joseph Olivarez in a small ceremony in Newport on July 11. The couple followed the wedding with a honeymoon in Hawaii. Janelle now goes by the name Janelle Olivarez.

Don Powers (Biology) and his wife, Theo, celebrated the marriage of their son, Sean, to Carlie Finley on Aug. 1. The wedding took place in Portland. Both Sean and Carlie are George Fox graduates.

Chris Young (Site Coordinator, Boise) and her husband, Don, celebrated the marriage of their son, TJ, to Cherie Blake on June 27. The wedding took place in Independence, Ore., at the Green Villa Gardens. The couple resides in Nampa, Idaho. TJ and Cherie are alumni from the class of 2008.

Continue to pray for Lon Fendall (Center for Global Studies and Center for Peace and Justice) and his wife Raelene, who recently lost their daughter, Joyce Wilkinson. Joyce, 37, is survived by three children: Kaitlyn (16), Chris (12) and Jocelyn (9). If you would like to send a card or note to the Fendall home, their address is 16295 N.E. North Valley Road, Newberg, OR 97132.

Gina Braden was hired as a library assistant III for the Newberg library in July. She’s spent the past five years as a counseling secretary and registrar at Yamhill-Carlton High School, where she has coached softball (seven years) and volleyball (11 years) as well. During the 1990s, Regina held various positions at Nike, including business systems support analyst, senior administrative assistant for apparel samples, and operation specialist for international apparel. She studied computer applications, management and accounting at Trend College of Business in Salem, graduating in 1987. Regina lives in Yamhill with her husband Mike and two children, Ashley (18) and Ryan (14). The family attends Newberg Foursquare Church.

The registrar’s office hired Jenna Parisi as an enrollment specialist II in July. She has served in the position on a temporary basis since February after graduating from George Fox in December with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication. Jenna also worked in the university’s admissions office as a work-study student from 2004 to 2009. Also, last fall, she was an administrative intern for Medical Teams International in Tigard. Jenna lives in Newberg.

Sarah Jobson began as an area coordinator in July. For the past six years, she was a resident director at Malone University in Canton, Ohio. She also spent three summers during that time serving as a summer resident director at Malone. In the early 2000s, she was a senior high youth director for Calvary Community Church in Rohnert Park, Calif. Sarah earned a master’s degree in practical theology from Ashland Theological Seminary in 2009 and a master’s degree in Christian ministries from Malone University in 2007. She and her husband Brian have a son, Cale, and live in Newberg.

Erin Macy returned to the university in July to serve as assistant director of international recruitment. Erin and her husband John have returned to Newberg after enjoying a year of traveling the world. She will assist Thomas Peng in recruiting international students and partnering with universities worldwide. She worked previously at George Fox as an assistant director of undergraduate admissions from 2005 to 2008. Before that, she was a health professions admissions specialist at Portland Community College for two years. Erin earned a master’s degree in exercise and sport science from Ithaca College in New York in 2001 and a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance from George Fox in 2000. She and John attend Newberg Friends Church.

The School of Professional Studies welcomes Dan Predoehl as an enrollment counselor at the Portland Center this month. For the last two years, he has worked as a resident director at Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison, Colo. The year before that, he was a student life coordinator and fraternity/sorority life advisor at Occidental College in Los Angeles. This marks a return to George Fox for Daniel, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and international studies from the university in 2005. He also earned a master’s of education degree in college student affairs from Azusa Pacific University in 2007. Daniel lives in Beaverton with his wife Jennifer and attends Solid Rock Church.

Jack Harris (Plant Services) is retiring from the university after 20 years. His initial plans are to take a vacation to Israel with his wife. He also plans to volunteer his time at a homeless mission in McMinnville and at various youth camps in the region.

Sandie Tuck (Registrar’s Office) will not be returning to George Fox, as she has decided to stay home to be with her infant child Christopher.

Brielle Deppe (Tilikum) left the university July 21 to work as an office manager for a radiology department in McMinnville. She also plans to devote more time to her business of making travel silverware sets.

Jan Lefebvre (Advancement) and her husband, Gerry, celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Ali, to Travis Toedtemeier on July 11. The wedding took place at Jan and Gerry’s home in Newberg. Both Ali and Travis are George Fox students.

Jamie Johnson joined the university this month to fill a new position – Friends leadership program recruiter and advisor. Jamie will work with the admissions office and Northwest Yearly Meeting to recruit Quaker students to attend George Fox. He also will be an advisor to Friends students in the new Friends Leadership Center. He worked previously at Gordon College, where he was director of housing the past three years and a residence hall director the last four. He also taught on an adjunct basis at Gordon and worked as an academic advisor and admissions counselor. Jamie is pursuing a doctorate in leadership in Christian higher education from Biola University. He earned a master’s degree in church history from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2003) and a bachelor’s degree in religion from George Fox (2000). He lives in Newberg with wife Erin, also a George Fox graduate, and three children – Kincaid (4), Ethan (2) and Esther (5 months). He attends Newberg Friends Church.

Todd Dickerson was hired as a development officer this month. His primary focus initially will be to help generate funding for the construction of the Austin Sports Complex north of campus. He arrives from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization, where he served as regional director (serving Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska) the past two and a half years. The four years previous he was a multi-area director for FCA, directing that ministry’s efforts in the Portland, Southwest Washington and Central Oregon regions. Todd studied elementary education and health/physical education at Montana State University-Billings. He lives in Newberg with wife Megan, assistant coach of the George Fox women’s basketball team, and they have two children, daughter Bailey and son Caleb. The family attends Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego.

Rusty St. Cyr joined the university as director for spiritual formation on July 1. From 2003 to 2008, he served as the director of campus ministries, director for spiritual formation, and campus pastor at Bethany University in Santa Cruz, Calif. Prior to that, he served for two years as youth pastor of Christian Life Center in Santa Cruz; six months as a student ministry intern with The Kings Fellowship in Inverness, Scotland; and as director of student ministries at New Life Church in Springfield, Mo. (1999 to 2001). In August of 2009, he enrolled in the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary after completing course work toward a Master of Arts degree in teaching from Bethany University in 2005. In 1999, Rusty earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Evangel University. He lives in Newberg with Stephanie, his wife of almost 10 years, and his daughter Ella Sophia, who was born on March 3, 2009.

Sarah Eggerichs (Library) left the university on July 2 to move to San Diego, where her husband has accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy.

Sara Vulgan (Graduate Admissions) left the university to pursue other interests.

In June, Kathy Heininge (Writing/Literature) presented her paper, “Ulysses for a Modern-Day Dublin?: John Carney’s Once,” at the international meeting for the American Conference for Irish Studies at National University of Ireland in Galway. Her book, Buffoonery in Irish Drama, is now out with the type on the cover corrected.

Angela Doty (Career Services) was honored earlier this month when the Oregon Career Development Association, of which she is president, received the Outstanding State Division Award for the Western Region at the National Career Development Association Global Conference in St. Louis. The award is presented to state chapters of NCDA for exemplary programming for career development professionals. OCDA (www.ocda.info) is committed to promoting the quality of career development in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Paul Anderson (Religious Studies) organized and hosted two national religious conferences in June: the Spiritual Discernment As Christian Leadership Conference, held at George Fox University, and the Quaker Theological Discussion Group, held at Olney Friends School in Barnesville, Ohio. Paul presented a plenary address, “Dynamics of Discernment—Biblical and Practical,” and a workshop with Peter Bouteneff, “Voting Not to Vote: The Story of the WCC’s Path to Discernment,” at the discernment conference and “An Apology for Authentic Spirituality” at the QTDG conference. Paul also presented a workshop with Hugh Barbour, “Celebrating 50 Years of QRT and QTDG — Doing Theology Among Friends,” at the Friends Association of Higher Education meetings held at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., in June.

The June issue of Quaker Religious Thought focuses on “A Quaker Theology of Education” and features essays by Jamie Johnson, “From Cutting Edge to Chopping Block: Reclaiming a Quaker Approach to Christian Higher Education,” and by Anderson, “The Mission of the Christ-Centered Quaker College.” Copies will be available from Phil Smith (Religious Studies) and in the bookstore.

Ben Kulpa (Student Life) and his wife, Ashlee, welcomed a daughter, Maisee Elizabeth Eileen, on June 1. The baby was born at St. Vincent Memorial Hospital and weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces while measuring 19 inches long. She joins brothers Gabriel (4) and Phineas (2).

Mandria Montplaisir joined the Office of Development as a database specialist in June. She arrives from the Carlton Company, an outdoor power equipment aftermarket business, where she was an international sales administrator from 2004 to 2008. Before that, she worked for four years as a brand manager, marketing coordinator and marketing assistant for Integrative Therapeutics Inc., in Wilsonville. Mandria earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Dakota State University in 1999 and an MBA from Marylhurst University in 2008. She lives in Newberg with husband Troy and children Aubriana (5) and Bennett (1). She attends the First United Methodist Church of Newberg.

Gary Fawver has left as executive director of Tilikum Center for Retreats and Outdoor Ministries, fulfilling his interim role in the position.

Bill Buhrow (Health and Counseling) presented the poster “The relationship between student credit card debt, volunteerism, academic achievement, and health” at the American College Health Association’s annual meeting in San Francisco in May. The poster was coauthored by Jeremy Stevenson, a PsyD student. Bill also coauthored two posters for the Christian Association of Psychological Studies annual conference in Orlando in April: “Sex and Regret” (coauthored with PsyD students Marcie Courter, Rebecca Sponaugle and Chloe Lee), and “Spirituality and Generosity” (coauthored with PsyD students Misty Tuerck, Jonathan Milner, Jeremy Stevenson and Rychel Mock.)

A piece written by Brent Weaver (Performing Arts) was featured in a concert series, “Celebration Works: Music & Art at First Presbyterian,” at First Presbyterian Church in Portland May 31. Weaver’s Chehalem Sketches, a work for piano and winds, was performed by the Alder Street Sextet. The piece was inspired by the scenery and ethos of the Pacific Northwest.

Melanie Hulbert (Sociology) was one of three authors to receive the “2008 WorldatWork Publications Contributor of the Year” award. Hulbert wrote “Lessons from the Office: The Organizational Implementation of Work-Life Policies” for the WorldatWork Journal’s Second Quarter 2008 edition. The paper explored the factors that influence organizational decision makers to implement work-life policies. The awards were presented at the annual WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference & Exhibition in Seattle on June 2.

Quentin Nordyke, a 1958 George Fox graduate and a resident of Friendsview Retirement Community, was named the university’s 2009 Volunteer of the Year on May 19. Quentin spends two to three days a week year-round creating directional and identification signs for the Newberg campus.

Paul Anderson’s (Religious Studies) essay on the 50-year contribution of the Quaker Theological Discussion Group and Quaker Religious Thought, “In Person and In Print: Engaging in Theological Discussion as Friends,” appeared in Quaker Life (May/June, 2009). The essay also features the residential meeting of QTDG to be held in Barnesville Ohio, in June, which Paul is organizing. Paul also responded as a panelist to Dennis MacDonald’s paper (“What Kind of Book is a Gospel? What Kind of Question is That?”) and to Lane McGauthy’s paper (“Framing Jesus: The Mythic Structure of Ancient Lives and its Influence on the Gospels”) at the Symposium on Epic, Biography, and The Gospels held at Willamette University April 29-30. Paul also outlined his own theory of gospel origins and relations, “A Bi-Optic Hypothesis.”

Ryan Backman (IT) and wife Lisa welcomed a daughter, Sierra Grace, on May 9. The baby was born at Sunnyside Community Hospital and weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

Fred Gregory (President’s Office) married Viola Artikova, a medical doctor from Uzbekistan, in Charlotte, N.C., on May 6. Viola, who just graduated from the University of North Carolina/Charlotte with a master’s degree in public health, will be returning to Uzbekistan to manage a USAID-funded program to develop policy and procedures with the Ministry of Education for mainstreaming children with disabilities into the school system. She will work both from Uzbekistan and Newberg on this project over the next year.

Patti Cooke’s (Plant Services) father died on May 27. James W. Meireis had been a groundskeeper at George Fox many years ago. He was with his family in Redmond, Ore., when he passed. A graveside service took place at Newberg Friends Cemetery on June 6.