The Daily Bruin

The university’s offices will be closed on the Newberg and Portland Center campuses tomorrow (Friday) to observe the Independence Day holiday.

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!

For any student injury that occurs while working as a student employee, a university employee should contact the Office of People & Culture (peopleandculture@georgefox.edu) as soon as possible.

In any other situation, when an employee is present when a student is injured or involved in an accident (on campus or during an off-campus university event), or if an employee becomes aware of such an accident, follow the Fox360 Accident or Injury Reporting instructions as soon as possible. This is a different process than submitting a Fox360 Alert for a student.

Criteria for submitting an accident or injury report include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Injury beyond a minor bump or scrape
• Injury involving blood
• Head trauma or concussion
• Chemical exposure
• Loss of consciousness
• Heat-related issues
• Any accident or injury involving a call to 911, an ambulance, or Campus Public Safety
• Critical injury
• Death

When a student is injured and if you are a trained first aid/CPR provider, please offer assistance; however, everyone needs to follow these steps:

1. Dial or have someone dial 911. Give them the location of the injured student and send someone to meet them at the door of the building.
2. Dial or have someone dial Campus Public Safety at 503-554-2090.
3. Send someone to get the closest first aid kit and the AED. All buildings with hearts have AEDs or first aid kits available.
4. Follow first aid and CPR training until Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue arrives.

If you wish to become a trained first aid/CPR provider, reach out to Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

When a report is submitted, Jere Witherspoon, our student care and student life operations specialist, will assign a case manager, and Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, will be notified.

If in doubt, better to submit a report than miss the opportunity to support the student effectively.

Summer is officially here, bringing along with it the unmistakable aroma of backyard barbecues and the timeless charm of park picnics. While these warm-weather gatherings are fantastic for our social wellness, the heavy sides, sugary marinades and endless chip bowls can often leave us feeling sluggish.

This Wellness Wednesday, let’s flip the script: You don’t have to choose between reaching your health goals and enjoying your favorite seasonal traditions. By shifting your focus to fresh, vibrant ingredients, you can easily turn any outdoor cookout into a nutrient-dense celebration that keeps you feeling light and energized.

Upgrading your summer basket is simpler – and tastier – than you think. Start by loading up the grill with color, tossing on skewers of zucchini, bell peppers, and even sliced peaches or pineapple for a naturally sweet, caramelized dessert.

Next, rethink the heavy sides by swapping out mayo-laden potato salads for a crisp cucumber-tomato salad or a Mediterranean pasta tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.

Finally, beat the heat by trading sugary sodas for infused hydration, like ice-cold water packed with fresh mint and seasonal berries. With these mindful adjustments, you can savor every bite of the season while giving your body exactly what it needs to thrive.

Need some inspiration? Check out these healthy nutrition resources.

Calling all pre-kindergarten parents and caretakers! The university’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is hosting a free kindergarten readiness clinic the week of July 13-17.

Spots are still available, but they’re filling up quickly. Sign up today and no later than July 5.

We’re looking for children who will be entering kindergarten this fall to work with our doctoral students, under the supervision of licensed occupational therapy clinicians and OTD faculty. Your child will participate in fun, engaging activities designed to build:

• Fine motor skills (e.g., writing, cutting)
• Gross motor coordination
• Social interaction and peer play
• Following routines and instructions
• Self-regulation and attention

Sessions will take place each day in the university’s Roberts Center (Room 109). You can choose between a morning (9 to 11 a.m.) or afternoon (1 to 3 p.m.) session.

If interested, please Brooke Morris at bmorris@georgefox.edu or Kate Turner at kturner@georgefox.edu.

Bring your laptop to receive hands-on assistance and have your AI-related questions answered in a collaborative environment!

Each Tuesday through July 28, you’re invited to Gemini AI open workshops, where you can bring your ideas to develop and refine Gemini prompts for use in customized Gems, Workspace Studio, NotebookLM and more.

Please remember that utilizing Gemini through your George Fox account is essential for ensuring data security and data protection.

• When: Tuesdays (come and go from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
• Dates: June 30, July 7, 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.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, we require your immediate cooperation to ensure all financial records are accurate and complete.

Please submit all unpaid invoices into BruinBuy by no later than today (June 25) at 5 p.m. No new requisitions or orders are being accepted as of June 22, 2026.

Achieving a clean fiscal cutoff is critical for our university’s financial health and regulatory compliance. Here is why your prompt action is essential:

• Accurate Financial Reporting: Expenses must be recorded in the fiscal year they were actually incurred. If we miss this window, our FY26 financial statements will understate our true expenses.
• Budget Integrity: Invoices not submitted by Thursday’s deadline will be expensed in FY27. This means the cost will hit your new fiscal year budget, inadvertently reducing the funds you have available for next year’s planned projects and operations.
• Audit Compliance: External auditors review our year-end cutoff procedures to ensure transactions are allocated to the correct period. Properly closing out FY26 prevents compliance red flags and avoids messy retroactive adjustments.

Please review your records and check for any outstanding vendor invoices or services rendered that have not yet been processed. Input these into BruinBuy and route for approval before the Thursday evening deadline.

Please follow up and ensure your approvals are moving through the queue swiftly. If you have any questions, please reach out to the purchasing team or Patrick Culligan at pculligan@georgefox.edu.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, the purchasing department is beginning its annual year-end closing procedures. To ensure our financial records are accurate, we need your immediate assistance in cleaning up outstanding purchase orders.

Starting June 25, 2026, the purchasing department will automatically begin closing all remaining unused and non-received POs. Once a PO is closed during this sweep, it cannot be reopened, and any remaining funds will be released back into the applicable budget.

Please review all of your open POs as soon as possible. If you have unpaid invoices on existing POs, please ensure the accounts payable team receives those invoices for goods or services that have already been delivered. Please submit all invoices under the applicable PO in BruinBuy.

Please refrain from submitting new requisitions/purchase orders. Purchasing in the new fiscal year will begin on July 1.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this and for helping us ensure a smooth fiscal year-end close. If you have any questions or need assistance reviewing your open POs, please reach out to the purchasing team or Patrick Culligan at pculligan@georgefox.edu.

Navigating the endless sea of conflicting nutrition trends online can feel overwhelming, but this Wellness Wednesday, we are highlighting a free, trustworthy resource to help clear up the confusion.

Providence Basecamp’s “Ask the RD” is an interactive nutrition blog designed to guide you toward your healthiest life with an approachable, shame-free perspective on eating. The best part of this community resource is that it is entirely reader-driven. Anyone can submit their own burning nutrition questions, which are then reviewed and answered each month by a registered dietitian who provides evidence-based expert opinions, practical tips, and reliable wellness resources.

Whether you are looking for simple food swaps to soothe acid reflux, trying to decode confusing food labels, or searching for the perfect salt-free spice blend to flavor your meals, “Ask the RD” has you covered.

In addition to the monthly posts, the platform features a searchable archive of previously answered questions, making it easy to find expert guidance on a wide variety of topics, from heart health to mindful eating. Check out the blog today to explore past entries or to submit your own question, and take a simple, supportive step forward in your wellness journey!

To ensure a smooth year-end closing and prevent transactions from falling into the next fiscal year, all George Fox Visa cardholders and employees seeking reimbursement through Concur must adhere to the following procedures and strict deadlines.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kathi Becker at kbecker@georgefox.edu or call 503-554-2166.

Critical Deadlines

• June 26: USBank Visa statement closing date
• July 3: Final deadline for all Concur reports (Visa and/or personal reimbursements) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year need to be submitted and routed for approval.
• July 10:  All Concur reports need to be approved by approvers in order to be posted to the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Any/all transactions not approved by this date will be posted to the new fiscal year.

Required Action Steps

1. Reconcile Early
   Submit ahead of schedule: If you know you will not have any additional Visa transactions or out-of-pocket expenses before the end of June, please submit your reports early to help ease the processing queue.
2. Submit All Reports
   Ensure both your USBank Visa transactions and any personal out-of-pocket reimbursement requests are submitted by the July 3 cutoff.
3. Monitor Approval Status
   Track your reports: Track the workflow status in Concur after submitting.

Reach out directly to your supervisor or designated approver to ensure they review and officially approve your report(s) by July 10.

Please join us to say farewell to Jamie Johnson, dean for spiritual life and university pastor! After 17 years of faithful service at George Fox, he will be transitioning to be the vice president for student life and formation at Point Loma Nazarene University.

The farewell reception will be held in Canyon Commons 102-103 tomorrow (Thursday) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. (with a brief program at 3:30 p.m.). Use this link to share a written memory, kind words, a video message, or a photo!

Questions? Contact Brad Lau at blau@georgefox.edu.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, the purchasing department is beginning its annual year-end closing procedures. To ensure our financial records are accurate, we need your immediate assistance in cleaning up outstanding purchase orders.

Starting June 25, 2026, the purchasing department will automatically begin closing all remaining unused and non-received POs. Once a PO is closed during this sweep, it cannot be reopened, and any remaining funds will be released back into the applicable budget.

Please review all of your open POs as soon as possible. If you have unpaid invoices on existing POs, please ensure the accounts payable team receives those invoices for goods or services that have already been delivered. Please submit all invoices under the applicable PO in BruinBuy.

Please refrain from submitting new requisitions/purchase orders starting today (Monday). Purchasing in the new fiscal year will begin on July 1.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this and for helping us ensure a smooth fiscal year-end close. If you have any questions or need assistance reviewing your open POs, please reach out to the purchasing team or Patrick Culligan at pculligan@georgefox.edu.

Today and tomorrow are expected to be over 90 degrees. Do you have a plan for staying cool during the heat? Your safety is our top priority, so let’s make sure we’re all prepared.

To help everyone stay cool and healthy, please follow the university’s heat protocol:

• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! Drink water every 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Time Your Tasks Wisely. Schedule more strenuous work for the cooler parts of the day, like the morning.
• Seek Out the AC. If your building feels too warm, head to an air-conditioned space such as Canyon Commons, Klages or Murdock Library.
• Look Out for Each Other. Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., check on your fellow employees and classmates every hour or two. A quick check-in can make a big difference!
• Know the Symptoms. Familiarize yourself with the signs of heat-related illnesses. You can find more information here.

Got questions about staying safe in the heat? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact Kim Knoernschild, our environmental health and safety specialist, at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

Stay cool and stay safe!

Ready to put AI to work? The updated George Fox MBA will help you master tools and processes that you can apply to a wide range of tasks.

Through the program’s portfolio-based approach, you’ll build tangible business deliverables throughout your coursework, creating a professional body of work that demonstrates leadership, strategy, communication and AI-integration skills.

The program features start dates every eight weeks, flexible formats, and 12- and 24-month degree pathways. If this sounds like a fit for your professional journey or someone you know, we encourage you to explore or share the program.

For more information, contact Sean Aker at saker@georgefox.edu.

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.

All university offices and the Murdock Library will be closed tomorrow (Friday) to observe the Juneteenth holiday. President Robin Baker recently wrote a blog piece reflecting on the significance of the day. You can read it here. 

Please join us to say farewell to Jamie Johnson, dean for spiritual life and university pastor! After 17 years of faithful service at George Fox, he will be transitioning to be the vice president for student life and formation at Point Loma Nazarene University.

The farewell reception will be held in Canyon Commons 102-103 on Thursday, June 25, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. (with a brief program at 3:30 p.m.). Use this link to share a written memory, kind words, a video message, or a photo!

Questions? Contact Brad Lau at blau@georgefox.edu.

Calling all pre-kindergarten parents and caretakers! The university’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is hosting a free kindergarten readiness clinic the week of July 13-17.

We’re looking for children who will be entering kindergarten this fall to work with our doctoral students, under the supervision of licensed occupational therapy clinicians and OTD faculty, in the following areas:

• Fine motor skills (e.g., writing, cutting)
• Gross motor coordination
• Social interaction and peer play
• Following routines and instructions
• Self-regulation and attention skills

Sessions will take place each day in the university’s Roberts Center (Room 109). You can choose between a morning (9 to 11 a.m.) or afternoon (1 to 3 p.m.) session.

If interested, please fill out our interest form by Sunday, July 5.

Spots are limited, so sign up ASAP! The purpose of the clinic is to support children in preparing for a successful kindergarten transition while providing hands-on clinical experience for OTD students.

If you have questions, contact Brooke Morris at bmorris@georgefox.edu or Kate Turner at kturner@georgefox.edu.

The George Fox football staff is hosting its annual youth football camp this Monday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at Stoffer Family Stadium. Sign up your son or daughter today!

Camp is open to grades K-8. The field will be split by ages, and the day will be filled with fun games, prizes and football. Use this registration link to sign up. See your kids out there!

Please join us for the last BruinBuy roundtable of the summer today (Wednesday) from 10 a.m. to noon in the Millage Building. Bring your questions, concerns, and any last-minute fiscal-year items. We are here to help!

Any questions? Please reach out to Patrick Culligan at pculligan@georgefox.edu.