The Daily Bruin

Join us for the upcoming summer community musical, Into the Woods! Take a magical journey into the forest with all of your favorite storybook characters, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack the Giant Slayer, and many more.

As the shadows deepen and “happily ever after” turns out not to be the end of the story, the adventurers must learn the power of love, forgiveness, community and hope. Into the Woods features unparalleled music, hilarious mix-ups, thought-provoking lyrics, and a redemptive look at what it means to grow up.

Performances run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, and shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. University employees receive free comp tickets for themselves and their family members by entering their employee email at checkout. George Fox students receive one free ticket for any of the performances by entering their GFU email at checkout.

All performances will be held in the amphitheater, with the exception of the Aug. 29 show, which will be performed in Wood-Mar Auditorium.

If a performance is sold out online, additional tickets will be sold at the door for outdoor amphitheater performances only. Pre-purchasing a ticket ensures you will have a seat for a show if it is moved indoors.

For more information, please contact the Box Office at 503-554-3400.

We invite you to bring your family and friends (and something to sit on) and join us on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for our third annual Prayer for Oregon Schools event, where we will pray for the upcoming school year.

During our time together on the university’s quad, we will engage in worship, small-group and/or individual prayer, and fellowship. We’ll pray for our K-12 and higher ed students, faculty, staff, parents, school communities, boards, leaders, and more. A guided prayer booklet will be available for those interested in additional points of prayer.

It’s our hope that people will join us as we step out in faith as the church and prayerfully invite the Lord into this area that needs more light – our Oregon schools. The event is open to anyone who desires to come together in prayer and bring our schools and the people in them to the feet of Jesus.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Sara Hahn-Huston, assistant professor of educational leadership, at SHahnHuston@georgefox.edu.

The Office for Spiritual Life is looking for leaders for our fall 2026 Life Groups!

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet weekly for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Each group meets for 60 minutes and runs for five weeks.

This fall, we will offer two Life Group sessions. Leaders are welcome to lead one or both sessions.

• Session 1: Sept. 14 – Oct. 12
• Session 2: Oct. 19 – Nov. 16

Our groups will be either in person or completely via Zoom. Life Groups led by a George Fox staff or faculty member will be SpiL-credit eligible, encouraging students to engage in high-quality spiritual formation experiences that are participatory and offer ongoing community.

To sign up, please fill out this form by Monday, Aug. 17.

Dear Campus Community,

First, a big thank you to everyone who has already scheduled their recent HP laptop update!

If you have not yet scheduled an update with the service desk for your campus HP computer, please do so immediately.

Why this is critical: Failing to complete this update puts your laptop at high risk for severe system crashes (including “Blue Screen” errors).

What to do next
Schedule your update: Click here to select a convenient time as soon as possible.

Get help: If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the IT service desk at servicedesk@georgefox.edu. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important security measure!

Wild fires are resulting in smoke in our air. Combined with the heat, the issues can be compounded. Please take care! See the university’s official policy and instructions about the Air Quality Index at this link.

The decrease of air quality increases the likelihood of an employee experiencing health issues. Often this is a combination of environmental, personal risk factors, and job-related risk factors.

Please consult the supervisor instructions in the document if you have personal risk factors, work outside, or are in a building without mechanical ventilation.

We are excited to announce that, on Friday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will be hosting our Community Fair on the quad! Please let us know if you are interested and willing to run a table for your department.

We will provide a 10 x 10 tent, one table and two chairs. You’ll provide any paperwork or other items you would like to be made available to students and family members/guests during this Welcome Weekend event.

Please complete this Google Form by Monday, Aug. 10, to reserve a spot. If you have any questions, please reach out to Daphne Simmons at dsimmons23@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!

Each year, members of our community make reports to the Title IX office and work through complicated and often painful situations. With each report, our CARE Team steps up, shows up, and comes alongside those seeking support.

We’re inviting you to carefully consider joining the university’s Sexual Misconduct CARE Team for the 2026-27 academic year. In particular, we are seeking undergraduate faculty representation on the CARE Team, but all are welcome to express their interest.

You can learn more about the roles and expectations of joining the team and express your interest here.

Staying safe and keeping cool is our top priority as we head into a major stretch of hot weather. Temperatures are forecasted to range from 95 to 101 degrees today through Friday. Be prepared and check on one another.

Please keep the university heat protocol top of mind:

• Hydrate Constantly: Drink water every 20 minutes – don’t wait until you feel thirsty!
• Time Your Tasks Wisely: If you have strenuous tasks or outdoor work, schedule them for the cooler morning hours.
• Find an AC Haven: If your workspace or building is getting too warm, head over to an air-conditioned spot like Canyon Commons, Klages or the Murdock Library.
• Look Out for Your Peers: Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., make a habit of checking in on your coworkers and classmates every hour or two. A quick check-in goes a long way!
• Know the Warning Signs: Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the signs of heat-related illness so you can act quickly.
  • Heat Cramps (Mild): Muscle pain or spasms, usually in the legs or stomach. Action: Rest in a cool place and drink water or sports drinks.
  • Heat Exhaustion (Moderate): Heavy sweating, cold or clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, or a fast, weak pulse. Action: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last over an hour.
  • Heat Stroke (Severe – Emergency!): Body temperature of 103°F or higher; hot, red, dry, or damp skin; rapid pulse; confusion; slurred speech; or unconsciousness. Action: Call 911 immediately! Move them to a cooler place and use wet cloths or a cool bath to lower their temperature while waiting for help.

For a deeper dive into staying safe, sun protection tips, and building up heat tolerance, you can view the full Beat the Heat Safety Guide.

Have questions or need assistance? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Teresa Arnold in the environmental health and safety office at tarnold@georgefox.edu.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and let’s look out for each other!

The university community is invited to a memorial celebration service for Flora Allen, who served for several years as a professor of home economics and as chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Science, on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m. in Canyon Commons.

Flora passed away June 30 in Newberg. She worked at George Fox from 1969 to 1999, and both her husband Rich and son Greg also worked at the university for several years.

You are invited and encouraged to be part of this gathering to honor Flora and connect with the Allen family.

Our free, personalized retirement consultations with our dedicated Nationwide specialist are continuing!

Whether you are just starting to save, refining your strategy, or preparing to transition into retirement, take advantage of this opportunity on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Klages 231.

In a one-on-one session, you’ll get tailored guidance to help you identify your retirement goals, build a customized investment plan, and keep your progress on track for the future.

Spots are limited, so secure your spot today by reserving your time online!

Plant Services has some surplus appliances for sale. They include:

• Refrigerators ($30 each)
• Stoves (glass-top stoves at $150 each; one gas stove at $200; regular stoves with burners at $100 each)
• A dishwasher ($100)
• A dryer ($50), and
• A small office refrigerator ($20)

Brands vary. Please email Justin Kauffman at jkauffman@georgefox.edu to set up an appointment to view the items or ask any questions. Items are to be viewed by appointment only.

Each year, members of our community make reports to the Title IX office and work through complicated and often painful situations. With each report, our CARE Team steps up, shows up, and comes alongside those seeking support.

We’re inviting you to carefully consider joining the university’s Sexual Misconduct Care Team for the 2026-27 academic year. In particular, we are seeking undergraduate faculty representation on the CARE Team, but all are welcome to express their interest.

You can learn more about the roles and expectations of joining the team and express your interest here.

We are still in need of volunteers for Welcome Weekend! This is our chance to welcome each and every new student as they step onto campus.

With such a large incoming class, we need all hands on deck as we each do our part to make students and their guests experience the Be Known promise. And who better to do that than our own faculty and staff?

Please complete this form if you would like to join our team to volunteer, and we will contact you with further instructions.

Questions? Contact Kara Holcombe at kholcombe@georgefox.edu.

The Hadlock Student Center will be closed Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 3-5, for gym floor refinishing.

The facility will reopen on Thursday, Aug. 6, though the gym courts will remain closed until Aug. 13 for curing, which means, for you noon hoops players, the basketball courts will be unavailable Aug. 3-12.

As August rolls into the Willamette Valley, bringing those golden, slow-fading Pacific Northwest sunsets, you have a unique window to pause and recharge before the bustling energy of the new academic year takes hold.

One of the simplest ways to honor your well-being right now is by giving yourself the gift of a “Micro-Digital Detox” – setting aside just one or two hours in the late evening to completely unplug from emails, notifications and screens.

Step outside into the warm evening air, enjoy a quiet walk through your neighborhood, read a physical book, or simply catch up with loved ones without the constant ping of a device.

By reclaiming these peaceful evening hours to reduce mental clutter and rest your mind, you’ll cultivate the calm, grounded energy needed to thrive in the season ahead.

The Office for Spiritual Life is looking for leaders for our fall 2026 Life Groups!

Life Groups are small groups of undergraduate students who meet weekly for prayer, Bible study and fellowship. Each group meets for 60 minutes and runs for five weeks.

This fall, we will offer two Life Group sessions. Leaders are welcome to lead one or both sessions.

• Session 1: Sept. 14 – Oct. 12
• Session 2: Oct. 19 – Nov. 16

Our groups will be either in person or completely via Zoom. Life Groups led by a George Fox staff or faculty member will be SpiL-credit eligible, encouraging students to engage in high-quality spiritual formation experiences that are participatory and offer ongoing community.

To sign up, please fill out this form by Monday, Aug. 17.

We are excited to announce that, on Friday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will be hosting our Community Fair on the quad! Please let us know if you are interested and willing to run a table for your department.

We will provide a 10 x 10 tent, one table and two chairs. You’ll provide any paperwork or other items you would like to be made available to students and family members/guests during this Welcome Weekend event.

Please complete this Google Form by Monday, Aug. 3, to reserve a spot. If you have any questions, please reach out to Daphne Simmons at dsimmons23@georgefox.edu.

This is a final reminder to submit your nominations for the 2026 Staff/Admin of the Year Awards! We invite you to take a few minutes to submit a nomination for a colleague who you believe is deserving based on one of the four categories listed below:

• Students First: Recognizes an employee’s exceptional commitment to student success, support, and flourishing
• Christ in Everything: Recognizes an employee’s exemplification of Christ-centered character, servant leadership, and the faithful integration of faith into work and relationships
• Innovation to Improve Outcomes: Recognizes an employee’s creativity and problem-solving that improves processes, experiences, or outcomes for the university community
• Outstanding Service: Recognizes an employee’s consistent, exceptional service, collaboration, and support to colleagues, students, or the broader community

Submit your nomination no later than Friday, July 31, via this link.

Thank you for helping us honor the exceptional work happening across our campus!

Check out the newest flash models! Google has launched Gemini 3.6 Flash, one of the three models we can choose from in addition to 3.6 Thinking and 3.1 Pro when working with Gemini.

Here is a summary of each:

• Gemini 3.6 Flash (new): A workhorse model engineered for high-speed efficiency and quality to scale agentic AI workflows. It delivers enhanced capabilities in coding, knowledge work, and multimodal performance, reducing output token usage by 17% compared to 3.5 Flash at a lower cost per token.
• Gemini 3.6 Thinking: A parallel-thinking reasoning model specifically designed for complex problem-solving
• Gemini 3.1 Pro: The optimal model choice for advanced mathematics, research, and intricate coding tasks

Learn more here.

Also …

• NotebookLM is now Gemini Notebook: It has a new name but it’s the same product with additional updates coming for Pro users. Learn more here.
• New Google Meet homepage: The new homepage provides a centralized view of your meeting agenda and essential artifacts to help you stay organized and prepared throughout your entire meeting workflow. Learn more here.
• Check out Google’s Learning and Education page for tips and news for using Gemini AI tools in education.

What do you want to learn more about? Tell us by filling out this Gemini Interest Survey Form.

Finally, join us for the final AI Workshop in July, happening tomorrow (Tuesday) in Stevens 209. Bring your laptop and your questions. We’ll meet from noon to 1:30 p.m., but you are free to drop in anytime.

For more tips and resources, visit our George Fox IT: AI website or contact us at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.