The Daily Bruin

Even when campus is quiet and students are away, maintaining focus through big summer projects, planning, and long workdays still takes sustained mental energy. Intentionally caring for our health and well-being matters in every season of the year.

If you want to boost your focus and mood through the afternoon, science offers a remarkably simple tool: the 15-minute sensory pause. Stepping away to a quiet, cool space to close your eyes cuts off nearly 80% of the sensory data your brain constantly processes. This swift downshift activates your parasympathetic nervous system, lowering your heart rate, releasing physical tension, and clearing away adenosine – the natural chemical compound responsible for afternoon sluggishness.

Research shows that a 10- to 15-minute rest period is the optimal “sweet spot” for mental recovery. Unlike longer naps that can leave you feeling groggy, a brief pause clears mental clutter without dipping into deep sleep cycles, giving your cognitive clarity a quick boost for the rest of the day.

Even if you don’t fall asleep, simply resting your eyes shifts your brain into restorative alpha and theta wave states. As you care for your health this week, take advantage of the quieter pace on campus and schedule a brief 15-minute reset – whether in your office, the chapel, or a shady spot outside – to sharpen your focus and refresh your afternoon.

Please be sure to share your appreciation for this year’s Milestone Service Award recipients by this Friday, July 24. These are employees who have completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service at George Fox as of August 2026!

How to share you appreciation and gratitude:

• Submit your tribute: Please visit the 2026 Milestone Service Award Recognition overview document to see who is eligible.
• Be personal: Share a story, express your gratitude or write a note of appreciation.
• Sign it: Remember to include your name so the honoree knows who the kind words are from!
• Deadline: Please submit your tributes by Friday, July 24.

Thank you in advance for making this an extra special celebration for our loyal employees celebrating a milestone service anniversary this year!

The Hadlock Student Center is selling four commercial-grade Matrix treadmills. They are in very good shape, cleaned often, and recently serviced, with plenty of mileage left.

For specs, pricing and details, contact Kelsey Cantrall at kcantrall@georgefox.edu.

The marketing communications office is producing a video this summer to highlight teachers and the vital work they do in our communities. We are looking for kids – from kindergarten all the way through high school – to help us make this video possible by acting as students in the classrooms.

The video shoots will take place at schools in the Newberg area in late July and August. We would love to have your families participate! All kids will receive a fun gift for participating.

Please sign up on this form, and we’ll be in touch with more details. 

Please note that Concur reports that were completed between July 1 and the deadline of July 10 automatically posted to FY27.

Finance will be moving those expenses (provided that they met the deadlines) back into FY26 as part of our year-end closing process. We expect those entries will be completed and visible in your VENA reports by July 23.

Thank you for your patience.

We are continuing with our AI Workshops in July. Bring your laptop and your questions, or share what is working for you.

The Gemini app, Workspace Studio, and NotebookLM continue to improve with new features and capabilities to work across all our Google apps. We’ll look at those newer features.

What do you want to learn more about? Let us know here. Please remember that using Gemini AI through your George Fox account is essential for ensuring data security and data protection.

Here are details on the sessions:

• When: Tuesdays (come and go from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
• Dates: July 21 and July 28
• Where: Stevens 209

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

Several spots are still available for an upcoming Summer Development Course!

If you’ve ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day or are looking to renew your approach to time management, join us for a two-session virtual book group on Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor.

Together, we’ll explore practical, faith-centered principles for managing our time with greater purpose, focus and peace.

This is a virtual experience that meets on Friday, July 24, and Friday, Aug. 7, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Whether you’ve read the book before or are picking it up for the first time, we’d love to have you join the conversation as we learn how to steward our time in ways that honor God and serve others well. The book is provided at no cost to participants.

Email Joe Thouvenel directly at jthouvenel@georgefox.edu to register and reserve your spot!

Please note that CollegeNet will be conducting scheduled maintenance on their systems on Sunday, Aug. 2, starting at 10 a.m. During this maintenance period, which is expected to last eight hours, 25Live will be unavailable to users until systems are restored.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Alan Ghossein at aghossein@georgefox.edu.

Staying safe and keeping cool is our top priority as we head into a major stretch of hot weather. Beginning Monday, July 20, temperatures are forecasted to climb into the mid-90s.

To make sure we are all prepared and looking out for one another, please keep the university’s 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 this Beat the Heat Safety Guide.

Have questions or need assistance? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

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

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.

Join us on Tuesday, July 28, at 6 p.m. for the inaugural, virtual information meeting for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program.

Meet Director Dr. April Phillips via Zoom to learn about this flexible/hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The first cohort will begin in the fall of 2027. Register here and contact Ty Sohlman at tsohlman@georgefox.edu with any questions.

The marketing communications office is looking for kids of all ages to be in a video this summer, and we would love to have your families participate!

The video will highlight teachers and the important work they do in our communities. We need kids – from kindergarten through high school – to help bring the scenes to life. The video shoots will take place at schools in the Newberg area in late July and August.

If your children are interested in being “stars” in this video and helping us celebrate the amazing work that teachers do, please sign up today! 

It’s that time again! Welcome Weekend 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 George Fox community is welcome to attend the annual sessions of the Northwest Yearly Meeting, beginning this Sunday, July 19, and continuing through Wednesday morning. All are welcome. If you have any questions, contact Paul Anderson at panderso@georgefox.edu.

Especially of interest will be the evening sessions (Monday and Tuesday, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Canyon Commons), where President Robin Baker will be the speaker, and the afternoon workshops.

Following is the workshops schedule:

Monday, July 20, at 1:30 p.m.

• Workshop 1: “Sending and Serving Around the Globe: Workers for the Harvest,” featuring Kathi Perry (EFM missionary) and other guests (Ross, Room 140)
• Workshop 2: “Reaching and Teaching Young Adults in an AI World,” led by Travis and Sarah Pickell (Ross, Room 141)
• Workshop 3: “Practical Peacemaking for Today: Biblical Conflict Resolution,” led by Scott Morin (Ross, Room 208 – choir room)

Tuesday, July 21, at 1:30 p.m.

• Workshop 4: “Evangelism – Stories and Strategies in Northwest Yearly Meeting,” led by Alan Weinacht and guests (Ross, Room 140)
• Workshop 5: “Trusting God in an Uncertain World: Financial and Estate Planning for Today (and Tomorrow),” led by Craig Foor and Steve Bustos (Everence Representatives), (Ross, Room 141)
• Workshop 6: “Developing Leaders Who Make a Difference,” led by Robin Baker, president, George Fox University (Ross, Room 208 – choir room)

Join us on the quad today (Wednesday) from 3 to 5 p.m. for our Summer Family Wellness Day!

It’s the perfect opportunity to take a break, wrap up your workday, and celebrate Wellness Wednesday with your family, colleagues, and student employees. We’ll have cooling stations to keep everyone cool while you enjoy Kona Ice, Gooseberry Acai bowls, lawn games, and crafts – plus a bounce house, scavenger hunt, and prize raffle for the kids!

Drop by to connect with local vendors and end your day on a refreshing note. See you there!

Are you dreaming of owning your own home, or simply wondering what it takes to get there?

If so, you and your family are invited to attend a free Homebuyer Education Seminar on Wednesday, July 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Friendsview Retirement Community’s Sutton Community Room in Newberg.

Whether homeownership is a near-term goal or a down-the-road dream, this interactive evening is designed for both first-time and repeat buyers to bust common myths, explore loan options, and map out a clear path forward.

You will have the unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with trusted industry professionals – including financial planners, credit repair specialists, mortgage lenders, and realtors – to get your specific questions answered and build a personalized roadmap.

The event is completely free for our employees and their families, but an online registration is required to secure your tickets, so please click this Eventbrite link to RSVP today!

We are continuing with our AI Workshops in July. Bring your laptop and your ideas to develop and refine Gemini prompts for use in customized Gems, Workspace Studio, NotebookLM and more.

What do you want to learn more about? Let us know here. Please remember that using Gemini AI through your George Fox account is essential for ensuring data security and data protection.

Here are details on the sessions:

• When: Tuesdays (come and go from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
• Dates: July 14, July 21, July 28
• Where: Stevens 209

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

Don’t forget: Our annual Summer Family Wellness Day is happening next Wednesday, July 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. It’s the perfect way to step away, wrap up the workday, and end the afternoon on a sunny and positive note.

Whether you drop by solo, walk over with a colleague, or bring your spouse and kids, everyone is welcome to join in on the fun and take time to recharge together.

You can look forward to refreshing treats from Kona Ice and Gooseberry Acai, along with a variety of activities and great wellness resources. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with your colleagues, families, and local health vendors – or simply sit back and relax. Plus, we’ll have special activities and prizes lined up for kids of all ages, so bring the family along and enjoy!

Be sure to save the event to your calendar so you don’t miss out! 

It’s that time again! Welcome Weekend 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.

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Building resilience means learning to adapt, recover, and move forward with greater strength – and our Employee Assistance Program is here to support you every step of the way.

• Personal counseling provides a safe space to process setbacks, manage stress, and develop the coping strategies that help you rise stronger after life’s challenges.
• Resilience coaching helps you identify personal strengths, reframe setbacks, and build practical strategies for moving forward after life’s challenges.
• On-demand learning and digital resources offer webinars, tip sheets, and self-guided tools focused on stress management, emotional agility, and building lasting resilience.

Everyday assistance starts here or by calling 1-800-433-2320 or writing info@canopywell.com.