The Daily Bruin

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

• Doctor of Leadership (DLd) in Global Perspectives: Engage with and implement leadership principles through a theologically informed, multi-disciplinary lens. Gain the skills and insights needed to address contextual challenges informed by global shared realities. This program requires a relevant master’s degree (MBA, MSW, MEd, MAT, MDiv, etc.).
• 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. Requires a ministry-related master’s degree.

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 one another to new heights.

Take the next step in your journey. Explore how our programs can equip you for transformative leadership. Learn more today!

Do you have questions about your finances? You can protect your assets, minimize estate taxes, and take care of the people and causes that matter to you.

We’ll show you how. Join us on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon in Canyon Commons for a free estate planning seminar. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event is provided as a service to the community by George Fox University and Stephen C. Palmer, Attorney at Law.

Please RSVP to Tracy Fabel, associate director of planned giving, at tfabel@georgefox.edu or 503-544-2130.

To combat daily stress effectively, consider incorporating microbreaks into your workday. These short, intentional pauses can make a big difference in managing stress and preventing burnout.

Why Microbreaks Matter
Microbreaks are brief pauses – lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes – that help reset your focus and reduce stress. Studies show they can improve energy, focus and overall well-being. For example, taking just 10 minutes to step away can reduce fatigue, while light movement every 30 minutes can alleviate physical discomfort and boost heart health. Even a quick 30-second stretch or breathing exercise can lower stress levels and improve concentration.

How to Integrate Microbreaks into Your Day
There’s no single formula for taking a microbreak; what works best depends on you. It might be a few minutes of deep breathing, a quick walk, a stretch, or even pausing to look out a window. Schedule five-minute gaps between meetings, invite others to join you for your microbreak. Here are some more examples of microbreaks you can take.

Signs that it’s time to take a mental health break
It can be challenging to break old habits and establish new ones. If you tend to resist taking breaks, here are some common signs you should be aware of that it’s time to take one. Remember, consistent small steps to manage stress can add up to a big improvement in overall health and productivity.

Take control of your healthcare by understanding your insurance coverage. Knowing what preventive care is included, scheduling appointments early, and confirming your providers are in-network can help you make informed decisions. These steps can maximize your benefits and help you save money while receiving the care you need. Learn more here.

Have more questions? Reach out to Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

This article explains the distinct roles of primary care offices, urgent care clinics, and emergency departments in providing medical care. Each serves a specific purpose and is suited to different health needs.

By understanding your options ahead of time, you can make quicker, more informed decisions, potentially saving both time and money when seeking care. Be informed and empowered to choose the right care at the right time.

Have more questions? Reach out to Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu

This is a friendly reminder for employees regarding tuition remission and institutional scholarships. If you have a spouse or dependent who will benefit from tuition remission in the upcoming school year, they are not eligible to participate in Scholarship Summit, hosted by the undergraduate admissions office.

If you have questions or need further clarification, please contact Lauren Hill at 503-554-2245 or hilll@georgefox.edu.

Providence Health Plan service representatives will be on-site in Canyon Commons 101 on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide support and answer your questions. They will help with:

• Benefit questions regarding topics like deductible, out-of-pocket max, coverage for various services or behavioral health benefits
• Claims questions (status of a claim)
• Understanding care options like Express Care and Express Care Virtual
• Information on member support programs like Health Coaching, Care Management, member perks and discount programs

Between 10 a.m. and noon, the Providence Bridge Team can:

• Help with finding a Providence provider or transitioning care
• Schedule a visit with a Providence Medical Group provider of your choice
• Have your medical records transferred, prescriptions refilled, and labs or imaging ordered

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to help you navigate your plan. Sign up today to meet with a representative. Make sure to scroll to Feb. 5.

Reach out to Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

Class.georgefox.edu is a great resource for anyone needing to look up details on a class, including meeting times and location, teaching modality, enrollment limit and waitlist numbers, course description, instructor info and add/drop deadlines. Just click on a class to see all the details.

Join Jennifer Lundman, MSW, NBC-HWC, in a three-week Providence Basecamp series designed to help identify a goal that purposefully connects with you. This complimentary class also explores a variety of goal-setting models where you’ll experiment with each to find which one works best.

This virtual series is hosted on Wednesdays starting Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Use this link to learn more and register.

Due to the forecasted freezing temperatures this week, we want to remind everyone to take extra precautions when out and about.

Parking Lots: Parking lots and walkways may become slippery as freezing temperatures cause surfaces to ice over. Please drive cautiously and reduce your speed in parking areas to prevent accidents.

Shaded Areas: Be especially cautious in shaded areas, as they will freeze first and stay icy longer. These spots can be particularly dangerous, so stay alert for any hidden patches of ice.

Stairs and Walkways: Stairs, handrails and walkways are more likely to accumulate ice. Please use handrails when available, take small, careful steps, and wear shoes with good traction to avoid slips and falls.

Your safety is our priority. Please stay vigilant and take your time when moving around in these conditions. Stay warm and safe!

Richter Scholars proposals will be due Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. The Richter Scholars program distributes funds to support student research activities that are devised, initiated and carried out by individual student researchers, with mentorship, guidance and expertise provided by a faculty mentor.

The purpose of these funds is to support educational research opportunities that encourage the practices of independent thought, leading to independent achievement and personal responsibility. For the purpose of this program, research is defined as a knowledge-generating activity that is designed to provide new information on a topic, tool or process, and that proceeds according to established and accepted research methods.

Before preparing a proposal, please read through the full proposal guidelines, eligibility requirements, and review criteria at this link.

All submissions will be electronic through Smartsheet, due Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. The Smartsheet link can be found on the website and will be activated when the spring semester begins.

For more information, contact Vetta Berokoff at vberokof@georgefox.edu.

Phillip Carbajal, George Fox’s Nationwide retirement specialist, continues to offer on-site days to provide you with an opportunity for a personalized one-on-one conversation. He will be on the Newberg campus this Thursday, Jan. 16.

This retirement consultation is a relaxed and friendly way to explore your options and get answers to your questions about planning for the future. It’s your time to learn helpful strategies and feel confident that you’re making the most of your retirement benefits, all with expert support.

Sign up today at this link!

As we enter into the new year, please keep in mind the payroll processing deadlines. For student payroll, all timesheets, check requests, and tax/direct deposit forms must be submitted and through the approval process by the third business day of the month to be paid on the student payday of the 15th.

For the regular employee payroll, all timesheets, check requests, contracts, tax/direct deposit forms, retirement contribution updates, and PCFs must be submitted and through the approval process by the 18th of each month to be included on that month’s payroll.

Your timely submission helps us process payroll efficiently and ensures accuracy without delays. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact payroll@georgefox.edu.

Phillip Carbajal, George Fox’s Nationwide retirement specialist, continues to offer on-site days to provide you with an opportunity for a personalized one-on-one conversation.

This retirement consultation is a relaxed and friendly way to explore your options and get answers to your questions about planning for the future. It’s your time to learn helpful strategies and feel confident that you’re making the most of your retirement benefits, all with expert support.

Sign up today at this link!

All Faculty: This is a friendly reminder to register now for one of the best ways to conclude the academic year. The “Deep Dive” offers the opportunity to work on a project, delve into research, or dedicate time to a course in a serene and inspiring environment.

In addition to solo work, you can collaborate, rest, and play with your colleagues. For a more reflective experience, a self-guided spiritual retreat is available. Of the faculty who attended last year, 95% said they would return, and one faculty member wrote that it was their best experience in nine years at George Fox.

Here is the basic info:

• Dates: Monday, May 12 (4 p.m. check-in) to Thursday, May 15 (9 a.m. check-out)
• Location: Washington Family Ranch, 1 Muddy Road, Antelope, OR 97001
• Rooms: Lodging assignments are dependent on tracks. Most people will be sharing a room with one person.

Tracks

• Track One: Guided intensive to work collaboratively on your first Faculty Growth Plan
• Track Two: Guided intensive to work collaboratively on your Third-Year Review Portfolio
• Self-guided: Open to all faculty to work on a professional project

The registration deadline is Friday, April 18, 2025. Questions? Email Michelle Kang at mkang@georgefox.edu.

Tickets for the Oregon Symphony concert on the Newberg campus will be available on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The concert is free to George Fox employees.

George Fox and Austin Industries will host the Oregon Symphony for its 37th annual performance in Bauman Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. This year’s program features Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, a masterful blend of nostalgic reflection and the vibrant energy of his adopted homeland. The evening will also honor the Lunar New Year with a special performance by Wu Man, acclaimed by The Wall Street Journal as “the world’s greatest pipa player.”

A limited number of tickets are provided for George Fox employees at the half-time level and above, including emeriti employees. There will be a waitlist for adjuncts or if you would like additional tickets. Complimentary tickets are limited to two per employee and can be picked up in the president’s office (Stevens 330).

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. following the all-employee meeting. Any available tickets on Monday, Jan. 27, will go to those on the waitlist. Reservations over the phone may be taken for Portland Center employees only.

Questions? Please contact Carly Reumann at creumann@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2101.

Providence Health Plan members: Check out LifeBalance’s 2025 New Year’s Guide, which features discounts on a wide range of activities, experiences, travel, nutrition, lodging, outdoor gear and more.

It’s a great way to have fun this winter and jump into healthier habits without breaking the bank. Use the above link to explore different categories that can help you make good on your health and fitness intentions this year.

Join Jennifer Lundman, MSW, NBC-HWC, in a three-week Providence Basecamp series designed to help identify a goal that purposefully connects with you. This complimentary class also explores a variety of goal-setting models where you’ll experiment with each to find which one works best.

This virtual series is hosted on Wednesdays starting Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required. Use this link to learn more and register.

Do you have questions about your finances? You can protect your assets, minimize estate taxes, and take care of the people and causes that matter to you.

We’ll show you how. Join us on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon in Canyon Commons for a free estate planning seminar. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event is provided as a service to the community by George Fox University and Stephen C. Palmer, Attorney at Law.

Please RSVP to Tracy Fabel, associate director of planned giving, at tfabel@georgefox.edu or 503-544-2130.

On the MLK Day holiday (Monday, Jan. 20), the Office for Spiritual Life invites students and employees to join us for a day of community service and learning with SOLVE and other community partners in Portland. Space is limited, so be the first to sign up! Please complete this form to register.

Here is a tentative schedule of the MLK Day plan:

• 9 a.m.: Meet up, continental breakfast and departure from SpiL (Barclay) House; on the drive to Portland, we’ll listen, reflect and discuss a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• 9:45 a.m.: Meet at Irving Park in Portland for orientation
• 10 a.m.: Join with SOLVE for MLK Day service project (beautification/litter clean-up
  project)
• Noon: Lunch and discussion on service as an opportunity for spiritual connection and growth
• 1 p.m.: Visit community partner organization serving Portland
• 2 p.m.: Debrief and drive back
• 2:45 p.m.: Arrive back at Newberg campus

Undergraduate students who participate will be eligible to receive chapel-elective credit for participation. RSVP on Helper-Helper.

Contact Rusty St. Cyr for more information at rstcyr@georgefox.edu.