The Daily Bruin

Whether you’re already enrolled or just curious about your options, join Willamette Dental Account Manager Zenaida Strong on Tuesday, March 31, from noon to 12:30 p.m. for an insightful live webinar on maximizing your dental coverage.

While specifically designed for those currently on the Willamette plan, this 30-minute session is open to all George Fox employees interested in learning about unique benefits like fixed copays, no annual maximums, and orthodontic coverage for all ages.

You’ll discover how to navigate your personalized care plan, use convenient text-scheduling features, and understand how professional risk assessments tailor your cleaning schedule to your specific needs.

Add this event to your calendar here.

All university offices are closed this Friday, March 27, for the spring break holiday. The Murdock Library on the Newberg campus will be closed, but the 24/7 space will remain open. The Bruin Store on the Newberg campus will also be closed.

Thriving is about more than just a fleeting moment of happiness; it is the result of sustained engagement, strong relationships, and a sense of progress. Recent neuroscience research highlights that our brains actually signal when an experience is truly meaningful through the “Immersion network” – a state triggered by being fully present and emotionally connected.

To move from simply functioning to truly thriving, the goal is to experience about six of these meaningful moments per day. These aren’t major life milestones, but rather small, intentional “micro-moments” that last just a few minutes each.

So, how can you hit your “Six Moments” today? The most impactful experiences are often social and purposeful. Try to find time for a genuine connection with a colleague, offer a small act of kindness, celebrate a peer’s success, or simply find a few minutes of quiet presence in your work.

By prioritizing these brief, high-value interactions, you aren’t just improving your mood – you are building “emotional fitness” that helps you navigate stress and maintain high energy throughout the week. Let’s make it a goal to look for those six moments today!

To hit the goal of “six meaningful moments” a day, you don’t need to overhaul your schedule. Based on the neuroscience of immersion – which requires both attention and emotional connection – here are 20 practical moments you can practice at work.

Northwest Christian Church in Newberg is offering George Fox employees priority enrollment for the Northwest Early Learning Academy (NELA) as part of their ongoing community partnership.

This state-certified, Christ-centered academy provides high-quality early learning and care designed to support children’s development socially, emotionally and academically.

Priority enrollment for George Fox staff begins on Monday, March 30, providing an exclusive window to register before enrollment is opened to the general community.

See the links below for more information on their current 2026 programs and the planned expansion into a new facility in 2027.

• NELA FAQ
• NELA Registration Form
• NELA Rate Sheet

Questions? Contact Executive Director Sarah Compton at Sarah@mynw.cc.

Do you want to better understand the controversy surrounding how elections are run in the U.S.?

Are you ready to listen to those who disagree with you so you can understand why?

Are you ready to help others understand your own views?

And do you hope our communities can be strengthened by how we handle our disagreements – and maybe thereby come up with better possible solutions and stronger relationships?

If so, come to our next “Community Conversations” session, themed “Let’s Talk About Elections: Free? Fair? Secure?,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, in Hoover 102.

This event is being cosponsored by George Fox and the local United as Neighbors group. Contact Ron Mock at rmock@georgefox.edu for further information.

This year, the university’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program will be traveling to Uganda to serve communities in need. While there, we’ll partner with local leaders and advocacy groups to provide training and collaborate in the treatment and management of local community members.

Join us for our annual auction and dinner! It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, in Canyon Commons.

Tickets are $30 each, and students can attend for only $20. Click here to sign up.

Not able to attend the dinner this year? Join us in spirit by making a contribution to the team today.

Questions? Contact Paige Hall at phall24@georgefox.edu.

Northwest Christian Church in Newberg is offering George Fox employees priority enrollment for the Northwest Early Learning Academy (NELA) as part of their ongoing community partnership. This state-certified, Christ-centered academy provides high-quality early learning and care designed to support children’s development socially, emotionally and academically.

Priority enrollment for George Fox staff begins on March 30, providing an exclusive window to register before enrollment is opened to the general community.

See the links below for more information on their current 2026 programs and the planned expansion into a new facility in 2027.

• NELA FAQ
• NELA Registration Form
• NELA Rate Sheet

Questions? Contact Executive Director Sarah Compton at Sarah@mynw.cc.

The deadline is this Monday, March 23, for the George Fox faculty community to submit proposals for a nine-month-long teaching and learning project. The proposals can draw on any area of teaching and learning pedagogy that has widespread appeal to both graduate and undergraduate faculty from a range of disciplines.

The project should build a learning community around a particular topic, approach or methodology that is timely, relevant and evidence-based. This RFP is open to all full-time faculty.

Through this investment, we hope to cultivate a community of practice that prepares students spiritually, academically and professionally to think with clarity, act with integrity, and serve with passion.

• Timeline: The project should launch over the summer or early fall (no later than mid-September). We expect work to take place over fall and/or spring semester with a summative component occurring in late spring.
• Selection Criteria: The Office of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development will select ONE project that best supports missional and student-learning objectives, draws on evidence-based practices, and demonstrates the most feasibility.
• Award Amount: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: March 23
• Notification of award: March 30

Fill out the application and upload required document through this form.

If you have any questions, please email Faculty Development Office at facultydevelopment@georgefox.edu.

Please join us in the Stevens Center Atrium to honor the retirement of our beloved and longtime professor, Dr. Gary Tandy.

The celebration will be held Thursday, April 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Use this link to share a written memory, kind words, a video message, or a photo!

Questions? Contact Nathan Goodman at ngoodman22@georgefox.edu.

We are committed to strengthening the military-connected community here at George Fox. This includes our veterans, active duty members, Guard/Reserve, and military families. To do that well, we want to create events and resources that truly matter to you.

Will you help us build the right things? We’ve created this brief survey to learn what draws you to events, what support you need, and where the current gaps are. Your feedback will directly shape our upcoming programs and initiatives.

Thank you for your time and for helping us build a more meaningful community for our military-connected Bruins.

Please do not hesitate to contact Dave Johnstone at djohnsto@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

The Bruin Store’s adjusted hours for spring break will be:

• Monday, March 23 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 24 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 25 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, March 26 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Friday, March 27 – Closed

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

The Bruin Store will be closing at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) to continue with updating our store systems.

Thanks for your understanding! Questions? Contact Kristin McGuirk at kmcguirk@georgefox.edu.

The Pre-College Summer Institute is a college immersive experience for high schoolers who have completed at least one year of high school. Students will stay overnight in the dorms, take classes during the day, and have evening activities available with other students. Visit this website for more information and to register your high schooler.

If you are a part of the George Fox community, use one of these discounts:

• Employees: Use discount code BRUIN for a $400 discount.
• Graduate Students: We invite you to also use the BRUIN discount code if you have kids who want to attend.
• Undergraduate and Graduate Students: If you have a high school-age sibling, use the discount code SIBLING for a $400 discount.

Questions? Contact summercamps@georgefox.edu.

Learn the basics at a Medicare 101 webinar tomorrow (Thursday) at 5 p.m. It is provided by the Providence Health Plan, and will teach you the basics of Medicare. You will be able to ask any questions you may have.

Topics covered will include:

• Learning the different parts of Medicare
• The differences between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Supplement
• When should I enroll for Original Medicare?
• What if I am working past 65?

These meetings are about an hour in length, depending on questions. This is not a sales meeting, and there is there no obligation or pressure to enroll.

Click here to register. For additional dates and times of upcoming webinars, visit this webpage.

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

Micro-practices are small, intentional actions – often taking just a few seconds to a few minutes – that help regulate the brain and nervous system throughout the workday. Rather than waiting until stress builds or burnout sets in, these brief resets can interrupt the body’s stress response and restore focus, clarity, and emotional balance.

Research shows that even short “micro-breaks” can reduce fatigue, improve cognitive performance, and increase overall well-being when used consistently.

Incorporating micro-practices into your daily routine is simple and effective. Examples include taking a few deep breaths between meetings, noticing and releasing tension in your body, stepping away from your screen for a brief reset, or naming what you’re feeling to reduce overwhelm.

These small habits may seem minor, but over time they build resilience, support nervous system regulation, and help you stay more present and productive at work. The key is consistency – regular, brief moments of reset can have a powerful cumulative impact on both mental health and performance.

For additional micro practices, click here. Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

Physical therapy faculty and Care Team member Tess Swake will be presenting on sexual anatomy and health in a lunch and learn event, “Own Your Anatomy: Your Body, Your Health,” on Thursday, April 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Canyon Commons 102.

This is an important but sensitive subject, and we want you to have freedom to ask your most pressing questions in a safe and anonymous way. What is it you want to know? Fill out this form to submit questions.

We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be answered, but please leave your question here and Tess will do her best to answer during her talk.

If you have any other questions, contact her at tswake@georgefox.edu.

The Give Day 2026 toolkit is officially live and ready for you to use. George Fox Give Day is coming up on Thursday, April 9, and we need your help to spread the word and rally our community. This toolkit is packed with everything you need to participate and share the excitement.

Don’t wait—click here to access the toolkit and start helping us reach our goals today!

If you have any questions about how to get involved, please reach out to Kelton Hedstrom at khedstrom@georgefox.edu. 

Please be aware of the Hadlock Student Center’s adjusted hours over spring break:

• Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22: Closed
• Monday, March 23 through Thursday, March, 26: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday, March 27: Closed
• Saturday, March 28: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, March 29: Regular hours

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

The Office of Inclusive Excellence is excited to welcome former employee and George Fox alumnus Jesse Cetz to speak on campus today (Tuesday) from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Canyon Commons 101.

Jesse is now a marriage and family therapist at Vista Counseling & Wellness and will be sharing how to have healthy boundaries and navigate difficult conversations. This seminar is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Regardless of your relationship status, join us for a deep dive into honoring self and others through meaningful conversation and boundaries.

Contact Crystal McGowen at cmcgowen@georgefox.edu with any questions.

Need a quick dinner after St. Patrick’s Day? Order Panda Express online tomorrow (Wednesday) with the fundraising code 9013745 at checkout, and 28% of all sales will be donated to the doctor of physical therapy program’s service trip to Uganda.

This is a nationwide online-only fundraiser, so please tell any friends and family about it so they can contribute too. Every order counts!

Questions? Contact Evan Robinson at evanr24@georgefox.edu.