The Daily Bruin

We’re excited to announce the first winner of our weekly prize drawing for the Miles for Meals Challenge! Congratulations to Courage Mudzongo, who has won a $50 Amazon gift card. Visit the People and Culture office to claim your prize.

The top three teams so far:
1. Centennial Tower Trekkers (331,540 total steps)
2. Bruin Boulevard Striders (257,147 total steps)
3. Stevens Steppers (226,880 total steps)

Don’t forget: There are three more weeks of prizes to come. Stay active and keep logging miles for your chance to win.

Weekly prizes are awarded randomly just for participation. Grand prizes will be awarded at the end to the top individual stepper and the team with the highest average steps.

The deadline to register is this Saturday, Oct. 10. If you have not registered and are planning on it, be sure to do that as soon as possible.

If you have questions about registering, please email the Wellness Committee at bewell@georgefox.edu.

In an effort to capture the breadth of community perspectives, the AI teaching-learning team is calling all interested staff and faculty in Newberg and the Portland Center to a focus group session for sharing concerns about the way AI interfaces with our work at George Fox.

The session will be held in person in Wood-Mar Conference Room 201 this Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 3 to 4 p.m.

We want to receive input on how you are feeling. Moving forward with wisdom and grace requires hearing a wide range of perspectives and concerns! We will aggregate the data to keep your insights anonymous.

To sign up, reach out to Allen Jones at ejones@georgefox.edu.

All George Fox employees (with a George Fox employee ID number and a George Fox email address) need to submit their personal reimbursements (including vehicle mileage reimbursement) through Concur.

If you would like to have training or have any questions on the use of Concur, please contact Kathi Becker at 503-554-2166 or kbecker@georgefox.edu.

As we enter October, our facility will be conducting mandatory emergency evacuation drills throughout the month. Regular drills ensure that all faculty, staff, students and visitors know exactly how to react quickly and safely in a real emergency.

What You Need to Do During a Drill

When the alarm sounds, please execute the following evacuation protocol immediately:

1. Pause & Prepare:

• Stop all activities instantly.
• Calmly collect essential personal items (e.g., keys, wallet, mobile device) only if they are immediately within reach.
• Do not return to desks or offices to retrieve belongings.

2. Exit via Marked Routes:

• Never use elevators during an evacuation drill.
• Proceed to the nearest designated emergency exit or stairwell.
• Walk at a steady pace – do not run or push.
• Close doors behind you as you leave to help contain smoke or hazards.

3. Report to Your Assembly Point:

• Head directly to your assigned exterior Assembly Point.
• Keep roadways and walkways clear for emergency responders.

4. Check In with Your Building Monitor:

• Once at the assembly area, check in with your designated building monitor for headcounts.
• If you’re faculty with a class, please take a headcount and report any missing students to the building monitor.
• Remain at the assembly point until safety officials give the official “All Clear” signal to re-enter.

What You Need to Know Before the Drill Starts

1. Locate Your Evacuation Map:

• Review the emergency evacuation diagram posted near stairwells and main corridors in each building.

2. Identify Two Routes:

• Always know your primary exit route and a secondary alternative in case the primary route is blocked.

3. Need Assistance?

• If you or someone in your department requires mobility support during an evacuation, notify your building monitor prior to the drill.

Thank you for your active participation and commitment to maintaining a safe learning and working environment!

Questions? Contact Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

We are excited to welcome George Fox families, alumni and our local community to the Newberg campus this weekend, Oct. 9-11, for Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Thank you for putting on your best George Fox welcome and helping families navigate campus as needed. We want to provide the most hospitable and fun experience possible for our visitors!

Also, remember to take great care in encouraging those students who may not have a family member who can attend.

If you missed a chance to register but would like to join us, we invite you to register in person on the first floor of the Stevens Center on Friday, Oct. 9, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m.

To register in person or view the schedule, click here. Questions? Email parents@georgefox.edu or alumni@georgefox.edu.

Join us in the Miller Gymnasium on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. for an exciting night of volleyball, fun and team spirit.

Bring your kids out to cheer the Bruins on and experience the game with us. It’s Volleyball Youth Night, so kids and the parents who bring them get in free.

Grab your family, wear your favorite Bruins volleyball gear, and come support the George Fox volleyball team!

Contact Gracie Bearden at gbearden23@georgefox.edu with any questions. 

All are welcome to join the Quaker worship group in the chapel today (Wednesday) from 11 to 11:30 a.m. This will be a quiet time of waiting and communion with Christ inwardly. Afterwards, a page of The Saint John’s Bible will be turned for those who are interested.

Alternative chapel credit is available.

Contact Jay Miller at jaym@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Looking to move more, de-stress, or re-energize during the week? Join us in Hadlock for one of our employee-friendly group fitness classes!

• Mondays and Wednesdays, Noon to 12:30 p.m.
  • Functional Fitness: A fast-paced circuit or HIIT workout designed to build strength and stamina (employees only)
• Tuesdays, Noon to 1 p.m.
  • Lunchtime Yoga: Unplug and stretch out mid-day with a refreshing flow
• Thursdays, 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.
  • Dance Fitness: A high-energy, Zumba-inspired workout with nonstop movement, simple routines, and zero downtime for learning choreography (employees only)

All fitness levels are welcome! Modifications are offered in every class so you can go at your own pace.

Register for classes here. Contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Stay grounded through life’s legal milestones without added stress. Access free legal templates, document creation tools, and legal consultation services offered through our employee assistance package.

To learn more, go to the Wellness webpage.

We are excited to welcome George Fox families, alumni and our campus community to the Newberg campus this coming weekend, Oct. 9-11, for George Fox Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Thank you for putting on your best George Fox welcome and helping families navigate campus as needed. We want to provide the most hospitable and fun experience possible for our visitors!

Also, remember to take great care in encouraging those students who may not have a family member who can attend.

If you missed a chance to register but would like to join us, we invite you to register in person on the first floor of the Stevens Center on Friday, Oct. 9, between 3 and 6 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 10, between 9 and 11 a.m.

To register in person or view the schedule, click here. Questions? Email parents@georgefox.edu or alumni@georgefox.edu.

The Department of English and Languages invites you to its third annual Eclectic Texts Conference, themed “Unmasked: Superheroes, Supervillains, and the Fight for Hope!”

The conference will take place Nov. 20-21, and we will be accepting proposals for papers until Oct. 19. Registration for the conference is now open, with early registration from now until Oct. 21. For the early-bird discount, use code SUPERearly for $5 off registration!

Contact the ETC team for more information at gfu-english@georgefox.edu. Registration is available here, and you can learn more at the ETC website.

Employees, as we prepare for the upcoming tax season, complete these steps to ensure you get your W-2 form quickly.

• Verify Your Address: Check that your mailing address is current in MyGeorgeFox for accurate year-end reporting.
  Where to Go: Visit the MyGeorgeFox homepage, click “Profile” tile and then “Addresses”
• Go Paperless (recommended!): Sign up for electronic W-2 delivery to get your form faster and more securely.
  Where to Go: Visit the MyGeorgeFox homepage, click “Payroll” tile, and then “W-2/W-2c Consent” (check the box to consent)

Need help? Contact the payroll team at payroll@georgefox.edu.

In light of the national news regarding unfortunate incidents at Cornell University, we want to remind you that George Fox cares about your safety and is here to offer care and resources.

Should you experience or witness sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, or any kind of sexual discrimination, the Title IX office is here to help. We understand the news is alarming and are here to answer any questions about George Fox resources or policies, and to offer our utmost support.

The best thing you can do is talk to someone. Here is a list of campus resources that are here to assist:

• Confidential Advocate: A 100% confidential resource to help you determine what your options are
• SPIL: The Office for Spiritual Life offers confidential spiritual mentoring and guidance. 
• HCC: The Health and Counseling Center is available by appointment.
• Title IX Care Team: Find a list of safe faculty and staff on the George Fox website.
• Campus Safety: In any kind of emergency, call 503-554-2090.

Your safety matters, and the Title IX office is here to help you stay informed, feel safe, and connect with appropriate care.

Questions? Contact Crystal McGowen at cmcgowen@georgefox.edu. 

Know of any great George Fox-related stories? Students making a difference in their communities? An inspiring account of someone who has overcome obstacles or has had an amazing faith journey? A professor who exemplifies the Be Known promise?

If so, we in marketing communications want to hear about it! Please complete this form with the name of the person you wish to highlight, their contact info (if possible), and a few details about what makes their story compelling. We’ll take it from there!

Some folks may be featured in our blog and/or on our website. Still others may be featured in a video or in our university magazine. In short, we’re looking for stories that communicate why George Fox is such a special place.

Thanks for taking the time to share these stories with us!

Leave a lasting legacy and protect those you love most. Access professional estate guidance tools to prepare wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents with confidence.

To learn more, visit the university’s Wellness webpage.

Looking to protect your assets, minimize estate taxes, and ensure your loved ones are taken care of? Join us for a free estate planning seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Roberts Center 170, presented as a community service by attorney Stephen C. Palmer.

Following enthusiastic feedback from our spring event, this popular presentation returns to cover essential topics like wills, living trusts, probate, guardianship, and inheritance tax. The seminar is open to all George Fox employees, their family members, and the surrounding community.

Refreshments will be served, and space is limited to 75 attendees, so please arrive early to get a seat. Feel free to invite colleagues and family.

All attendees must register here. University staff and faculty who register here and attend will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card!

Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

Please be aware that the official business mileage reimbursement rate for 2026 has been updated to 76 cents per mile ($0.76/mile).

Please ensure you use this updated rate when calculating mileage on all expense reimbursement forms moving forward.

Questions? Please reach out to AccountsPayable@georgefox.edu.

As we head into October, take advantage of our Employee Homeownership Program’s upcoming virtual webinars designed to help you navigate the housing market.

Sessions include:

• “Homebuying & Financing 101”
  • Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 9:30 a.m.
• “Debt-to-Income Ratios: Are You Financially Ready to Buy a Home?”
  • Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8:30 a.m.
• “Downsizing for Financial Freedom: How to Sell Your Home and Reduce Your Expenses”
  • Thursday, Oct. 15, at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, click here. You can register or request recordings for any of these sessions by visiting the Advantage Home Plus registration page. 

Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

There is still time to sign up for the virtual Medicare seminar today (Tuesday) at 3 p.m.!

George Fox has partnered with SGIA Medicare Consulting to offer a free, interactive session to help you navigate your coverage options with confidence.

What you’ll learn:

• Medicare Parts A–D coverage and costs
• Advantage vs. Supplement Plan comparisons
• Key timelines to avoid lifelong penalties
• Live Q&A with Medicare experts

Session Time: Today (Tuesday, Sept. 29) at 3 p.m.

How to register: Email Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu with your preferred session time to register yourself, a spouse, or a parent.

The women of the George Fox community (staff, faculty and administrators, as well as female spouses) are invited to the Fall Ladies’ Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 5, hosted by Ruth Baker from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Canyon Commons 101–103.

This year’s theme, “Rooted to Flourish,” draws from Psalm 1:2-3 and the picture of a life rooted in God’s Word, continually nourished and bearing fruit in its season. Our purpose flows from our rootedness.

We are delighted to welcome Faith Carter as our guest speaker for a short devotional and prayer at noon. Faith is a retired educator and pastor who has served in women’s ministry and local and global outreach. She and her husband, Don, continue to serve the George Fox community, with Don serving as chair of the university’s board of trustees.

Come enjoy a delicious meal, connect with other women in our community, and spend time reflecting on what it means to be rooted in the Lord and flourish in every season.

Please use this form to RSVP.