The Daily Bruin

The services for student Michael Hayes (June 1, 2006 – Jan. 10, 2026) will be held this Saturday, Jan. 24, at St. Henry’s Catholic Parish in Gresham (346 N.W. 1st St.). The morning will begin with a viewing at 10 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

Following the Mass, a catered reception will take place at the Persimmon Country Club in Gresham (500 S.W. Butler Road). The day will conclude with a burial service at 3 p.m. at the Logan Pleasant View Cemetery in Oregon City (15901 S. Springwater Road). Per Michael’s request, the family has noted that all are welcome to attend and celebrate his memory.

Michael was enrolled in our accelerated online degree program. He lived with Jeune syndrome – a rare genetic condition in which a baby is born with a rib cage that is much smaller and narrower than normal – since birth. His rigid rib cage prevented his lungs from developing properly and expanding enough to breathe effectively. You can hear more of his story in this George Fox Talks episode.

A livestream of the Funeral Mass will be available via YouTube. For more information, contact Carly Reumann at creumann@georgefox.edu.

Networking is the No. 1 way people land jobs. To give our students every advantage, we’ve recently launched FoxLink, the professional network platform for the George Fox community.

Over 700 alumni, students, and employees have already joined, and we need all of you there too! Your experience, connections and willingness to answer a question is valuable to our students both now and for years to come as they navigate their careers.

Sign up today at foxlink.georgefox.edu. Thanks for helping the George Fox network grow stronger!

Questions? Contact Britnee Ely at bely@georgefox.edu.

The Office of Spiritual Life is still looking for staff and faculty members to participate in the SpiL Mentoring Program this spring.

This program provides an opportunity for students to have meaningful conversations about faith and life while receiving encouragement and support from a George Fox staff or faculty member.

Students in the program will be matched with a dedicated mentor, with whom they will have weekly meetings lasting approximately one hour, spanning a duration of eight weeks within the semester.

The program begins the week of Jan. 26 and ends the week of March 16.

To support you in your mentoring role, we will provide a booklet with weekly suggested spiritual formation practices for you to engage in with your mentee. Additionally, there will be a training session prior to the start of the program to ensure you feel prepared and equipped.

We are looking for staff and faculty who would like to serve as mentors. If you are interested, please fill out this application by noon today (Friday, Jan. 23). Your involvement will make a meaningful impact on our students’ lives!

Safety is no accident – it’s the result of a community looking out for one another. Reporting incidents and hazards is crucial for maintaining a secure workplace.

When you report a potential risk, you are actively preventing a future injury and helping us address hazards before they lead to serious accidents. Your proactive communication is the most effective tool we have to improve safety measures and protect our campus.

Check out this safety infographic to learn exactly how you can report hazards and keep our environment safe.

If you have any safety-related questions, please contact Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu. Thank you for doing your part to keep George Fox safe!

Do you 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!

Your IT team has deployed this month’s essential system updates. To complete the installation process, a device restart is required. Please ensure all work is saved before restarting.

These updates are vital for:

• Network Safety: Addressing current security vulnerabilities
• System Stability: Preventing performance slowdowns through regular maintenance

As a general best practice for computer health, we suggest a full reboot at least once a week to prevent minor issues from escalating. PC restarts can be scheduled here.

Please note that FortiClient VPN had updates this week and will require a device restart.

Please direct any questions to servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

Please join us for a retirement celebration in honor of Alan Thurston on Monday, Jan. 26, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Canyon Commons. Alan has served as a locksmith for plant services since 1994. All are welcome to come help wish Alan well and celebrate the decades of dedication he gave to George Fox.

We will be serving dessert and refreshments. We hope to see you there! Contact Mindi Hynes (mhynes@georgefox.edu) for more information.

If you received a new phone recently, you could lose access to GFU email, Canvas, Zoom, and other essential apps due to the Multi-Factor Authentication requirements.

Important Reminders:

• App Transfers: While apps like Okta Verify or Google Authenticator will transfer to your new phone, your account information will not.
• Updating Settings: If you still have your old device or a second way to verify, you can update your authentication method at login.georgefox.edu > your name > settings > security methods.
• Setup Guide: You can find detailed steps on how to prepare your MFA for a new phone in this instructional guide (apologies for not including this link in yesterday’s announcement).

Need Help?

If you have already activated a new phone and are unable to log in, please contact the Service Desk at 503-554-2569 or via email at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, yet vast areas of his thought and legacy remain unexplored.

Building on the extraordinary momentum of our inaugural gathering, George Fox is hosting the 2026 Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference Sept. 24-27. This event will convene the world’s leading scholars and the next generation of thinkers for four days of cutting-edge research and imaginative engagement.

Scholars are invited to submit anonymous proposals of 300 to 500 words by March 31, 2026. Proposals should be for 20-minute papers in one of the six categories of our general theme “the undiscovered C.S. Lewis”:

• Historical studies that set Lewis in his own time
• Reassessments that question, contest, reaffirm, or clarify interpretations of his work or biography
• Comparative studies on Lewis and other thinkers and writers
• [Re]assessments of Lewis’s work in light of contemporary situations
• Explorations of his lesser-known material, and
• Presentations of previously unpublished material by Lewis

Acceptable submissions include, but are not limited to, the following disciplines: history, biography, literature, philosophy, theology, apologetics, ethics, political science, natural sciences, cultural studies, and rhetoric.

Proposals not specifically focused on Lewis but advancing scholarship on other Inklings or related writers are also welcome.

As a public-facing academic conference, we invite papers that are scholarly but accessible to a wider public audience. Submissions are welcome from scholars at every career stage, and limited scholarships (free conference registrations) are available for students or independent scholars with accepted papers.

Email submissions for peer-review consideration to undiscoveredlewis@georgefox.edu by the March 31 deadline. Please anonymize your submission.

Questions or inquiries prior to submission regarding the suitability of proposals may be directed to professor Jason Lepojärvi at jlepojarvi@georgefox.edu.

We invite you to join us for a special presentation featuring the founders of Slumberkins, who will share the inspiration behind the brand. The presentation will take place in Hoover 105 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

Slumberkins is a beloved emotional learning brand on a mission to help children grow into caring, confident and resilient humans. Created by a special education teacher and a family therapist, Slumberkins blends heart, science and storytelling to support children’s emotional well-being at home and in the classroom.

Attend the presentation to discover the stories behind the characters, learn practical strategies for fostering emotional growth, and be inspired by tools that make a lasting impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from the creators of Slumberkins and explore how these lovable creatures are empowering children and families everywhere.

Questions? Contact Nickie Snyder at nsnyder@georgefox.edu.

If you received a new phone recently, you could lose access to your George Fox email, Canvas, Zoom, and other essential apps due to the multi-factor authentication requirements.

Important Reminders

• App transfers: While apps like Okta Verify or Google Authenticator will transfer to your new phone, your account information will not.
• Updating settings: If you still have your old device or a second way to verify, you can update your authentication method at login.georgefox.edu > your name > settings > security methods.
• Setup guide: You can find detailed steps on how to prepare your MFA for a new phone in this instructional guide.

Need Help?

If you have already activated a new phone and are unable to log in, please contact the Service Desk at 503-554-2569 or servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

Are you looking for a deeper way to connect with colleagues and explore the heart of your work at George Fox? Academic Affairs invites all faculty, staff and administrators to participate in The Big Read, a shared reading and discussion experience centered on “Living Vocationally” by Paul J. Wadell and Charles R. Pinches.

With additional support from the Academic Affairs Office, we are thrilled to open even more spots for participation in this initiative. Join us as we cultivate a common language around vocation to enrich our teaching, mentoring and community life.

Register by Friday, Jan. 23. Click here to register. All participants receive a complimentary paperback copy of the book and a $150 stipend upon completion of the program requirements.

Program requirements include:

• Attendance at a kickoff meeting and wrap-up meeting (dates TBD)
• Active engagement with an assigned small discussion group for three meetings over the course of the semester
• Posting at least one reflective entry for each of the book’s three sections in an online Canvas discussion forum

Contact Bob Harder at bharder@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey at Portland Seminary? Our doctoral programs empower you to make a meaningful impact, combining academic excellence with spiritual depth. Choose from these options:

• Doctor of Leadership (DLd) in Global Perspectives: Travel the world and engage with leadership principles through a theologically informed, multi-disciplinary lens. Gain the skills and insights needed to address contextual challenges informed by globally shared realities. This program requires a relevant master’s degree (MBA, MSW, MEd, MAT, MDiv, etc.). For more information about this program, click here.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Faith and Cultural Engagement: Embody the gospel faithfully in a polarized and complex world through cultural intelligence and spiritual depth. This program requires a ministry-related master’s degree. For more information about this program, click here.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Leadership and Spiritual Formation: Focus on your spiritual growth and gain a refreshed relationship with Christ while learning to lead authentically and inspire change in complex and diverse systems. This program requires a ministry-related master’s degree. For more information about this program, click here.

It’s not just about the curriculum – it’s about the community. At Portland Seminary, you’ll join a supportive cohort guided by experienced mentors and dedicated faculty. Together, you’ll grow, learn and inspire.

Explore how our programs can equip you for transformative leadership. Click here to learn more today!

Questions? Contact Heather Rainey at hrainey@georgefox.edu.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, and Thursday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., all Hydro Flask water bottles in the Bruin Bookstore will be 50% off.

Questions? Contact Kristin McGuirk at kmcguirk@georgefox.edu.

The Office for Spiritual Life is looking for a few more female staff/faculty members to participate in our SpiL Mentoring Program this spring.

This program will provide the opportunity for students to have meaningful conversations about faith and life while receiving encouragement and support from a George Fox staff or faculty member.

Students in the program will be matched with a dedicated mentor, with whom they will have weekly meetings lasting approximately one hour, spanning a duration of eight weeks within the semester. The program begins the week of Jan. 26 and ends the week of March 16.

To support you in your mentoring role, we will provide a booklet with weekly suggested spiritual formation practices for you to engage in with your mentee. Additionally, there will be a training session prior to the start of the program to ensure you feel prepared and equipped.

If you’re interested, please fill out this application by Jan. 19. Your involvement will make a meaningful impact on our students’ lives!

Click here to complete the application. For more information, contact Cyndi Murillo at cmurillo@georgefox.edu.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence is excited to welcome Henderson House to campus. Henderson House is a local organization that provides culturally aware outreach, education and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence through leadership, hope, and respect for thriving families.

Henderson House representatives will be sharing their expertise and answering your questions from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Canyon Commons 101. Join us for an informative and engaging session to learn about healthy relationships and community resources.

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

All are invited to the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day event at the Chehalem Cultural Center on Monday, Jan. 19, co-sponsored by the George Fox Office of Inclusive Excellence. The program will begin at 6 p.m., with the activities scheduled to begin around 7 p.m.

The program centers around Dr. King’s “The Other America” speech, given at Stanford University in 1967, and includes music from George Fox University students and a performance by a local dance troupe.

After the program, attendees will be invited to participate in:

• A community art activity led by Marvin Eans, assistant professor of art and design at George Fox University
• Singing of freedom songs
• A station for writing letters to state and national elected officials
• Conversations with representatives from local non-profits that are making a difference in our community

Contact Rick Muthiah at rmuthiah@georgefox.edu for more information.

Please note that Hadlock will maintain normal weekday hours on MLK Day (6 a.m. to 11 p.m.). Intramural games are scheduled, but GroupX classes will not be held that day.

Questions? Contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu.

Join us for the second part of “How to Build Trust and Leadership with AI,” an educational interactive webinar that will take place via Zoom at noon Wednesday, Jan. 28. 

Generative AI is transforming the workplace, and new research from George Fox University highlights the critical role of social influence in shaping trust around AI adoption. Social influence can both discourage and strengthen trust between people when the use of artificial intelligence is involved. We all have a unique opportunity to shape this environment.

Tune in to explore these key findings and learn actionable techniques for building confident, capable and trusting employee relationships as we continue to adopt and integrate AI in the world of work.

Click here to register. For more information, contact Sean Aker at saker@georgefox.edu.

We are thrilled to announce the 2026 Portland Seminary Spring Conference, featuring renowned theologian and author Dr. Andrew Root.

We would be honored to have you join our students, alumni, university leaders and church partners for this vital conversation on leadership, discipleship and ministry in a secular age. The conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Grace Chapel, which is located at 27501 S.W. Parkway Ave. in Wilsonville.

The theme of this year’s conference is “The Church in a Secular Age.” In a time of institutional strain and declining engagement, pastors and congregations are facing a profound identity crisis. Many find it challenging to even imagine God within the “immanent frame” of our modern era. Dr. Root will peer beneath the symptoms of decline, offering critical examination and powerful theological insights for leaders seeking to establish new footing when belief in transcendence is no longer an assumed reality.

The cost is $15 for in-person attendance (this includes lunch). You may also attend online via Zoom. There is no cost for online participation.

Click here to register. If you have any questions, contact Mollie Henkelman at mhenkelman@georgefox.edu.