The Daily Bruin

Did you give out stickers this year? Did you wish you had George Fox swag for an event or outreach opportunity? Now’s the time to plan ahead – the 2025 Swag Bulk Order is open!

Take advantage of bulk pricing on a variety of university-branded items, including:

• Drinkware: Glass can cup with straw, campfire coffee mug, water bottle
• Apparel/bags: Crossbody bag, cotton tote, mini tote, trucker cap, beanie
• Other: Journal, picnic blanket, mini sticker sheets, six individual sticker designs

Pictures of items and ordering details are available here. If your department would like to participate in the order or has any questions, please email Brandy Donavant at bdonavant@georgefox.edu.

The deadline to place your order is Friday, Oct. 31. Don’t miss this opportunity to stock up on swag for the year ahead!

We are excited to welcome back music educator and an ambassador for jazz, Matt Wilson, for a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, in Bauman Auditorium. This is his second visit to campus (his first was in 2014).

Wilson is a jazz drummer extraordinaire and Grammy nominee who’s been featured on the covers of Downbeat, Modern Drummer and JazzTimes magazines. He played for President Obama at the White House, and has appeared on over 250 albums, including several of his own as a leader of his Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts and Crafts, and the Christmas Tree-O.

Wilson has played with the who’s who of contemporary jazz musicians, including Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Baron, Ron Miles, Bill Frisell, Herbie Hancock, Dewey Redman, Pat Metheny, and Michael Brecker.

For more info about our guest artist, visit this link. You can purchase tickets from the George Fox Box Office.

The individual leaderboard has been shaken up in week three of Miles for Meals!

Our top three remain a powerhouse, with Ben Wing, Mark Pothoff and David Martinez defending their positions. But the big story is Jamie Johnson, who is “too blessed to rest” and has accelerated past the competition to seize the fourth-place spot.

The race is far from over: Keep an eye on Robin Baker, who just broke into the top 10 and is holding strong at No. 7!

On the team front, the leaderboard is just as competitive, with Too Blessed to Rest, the Red Hot Chili Steppers, and Robin Shake ‘n Baker claiming the top three podium spots for now.

Let’s talk about our incredible collective progress.

• As a group, we have logged a truly massive 9,307.5 miles! That’s a journey so long, it would land us near Kazakhstan if we headed east or west!
• More importantly, our hard work is directly translating into support for our community. We have officially raised $1,175 for the Bruin Community Pantry as of yesterday! Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared the fundraising link; you are making a tangible difference. Keep the fundraising going!

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: our week-three raffle prize! Congratulations goes out to Jonelle Retsema, who has won a $75 Fred Meyer gift card!

Keep moving Bruins! Questions? Contact us at bewell@georgefox.edu.

This Wellness Wednesday, let’s focus on embracing the chill of fall with the right attire, because as the saying goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only insufficient clothing.”

The key to comfort in cold, windy and wet conditions is strategic layering. Start with a base layer that wicks moisture away from your skin, such as Merino wool or synthetic materials, to keep you dry.

Next, add an insulating middle layer like fleece or a down vest for warmth. Finally, a waterproof and windproof outer shell is non-negotiable for battling rain and wind. Ensure this jacket has a functional hood. Don’t forget extremities: Warm, waterproof gloves or mittens and a hat (since you lose a lot of heat through your head) are essential.

To be truly ready for rain and wind, proactive preparation is key. Check the forecast and choose your outer layer accordingly – a lightweight, packable rain jacket is perfect for unpredictable showers. Investing in waterproof footwear with good traction will keep your feet dry and prevent slips on wet leaves or pavement.

Beyond clothing, consider having a compact, sturdy umbrella on hand, and perhaps a waterproof bag cover for backpacks or purses.

By adopting this layered approach and focusing on quality, weather-appropriate gear, you can step outside confidently, enjoy the beauty of the season, and maintain your well-being regardless of the elements.

Richter Scholars proposals will be due Jan. 26, 2026. 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 advising on a proposal, please read through the full proposal guidelines, eligibility requirements, and review criteria at georgefox.edu/academics/richter.

The submission deadline is Jan. 26, 2026. All applications must be submitted through our Google Form. The link to the form will be activated on the website when the spring semester begins.

For more information, contact Hannah Greene at hgreene@georgefox.edu.

The George Fox theatre department invites you to see its fall 2025 production, Havurah, presented through the Big Bridge Theatre Consortium.

Written by Margot Connolly and directed by Ben Tissell, the play tells the story of life at Crosby College, a small liberal arts university, where two student clubs strive for connection and comfort in difficult times.

When a tragedy occurs in the local Jewish community, members of the Havurah Club are left reeling. The Christian Social Justice Club wants to help, but struggles to know how. Deeply relevant and strikingly realistic, Havurah depicts the complexities and possibilities of connecting with others in times of grief.

The show opens this Thursday, Oct. 23, and closes on Nov. 2. Evening shows start at 7:30 p.m., and weekend matinees start at 2 p.m. Employees are entitled to one complimentary ticket, and students may attend free on either Thursday. You may reserve tickets here.

If you have undergrad students exploring graduate school and careers in healthcare, consider sharing details about our upcoming OT info meeting with them.

The session will provide an overview of the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, including prerequisites, admissions, and what a career as an occupational therapist looks like.

The meeting is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Oct. 25, in Roberts Center’s Room 203.

Students can connect with faculty in a relaxed, conversational setting, ask questions, and get a clear sense of the OTD program, helping them explore occupational therapy and plan for graduate school.

More information and registration is available here. Questions? Contact us at ot@georgefox.edu.

Jason Brummit and the Faculty Scholarship and Achievement Committee invite you to join them for the Fall Faculty Lecture tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 6 p.m. in Hoover 105.

Abraham Kang, PhD, associate professor of biomedical engineering, and winner of the 2024-25 Faculty Achievement Award for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, is the featured faculty speaker.

Dr. Kang’s lecture, “Advancing Biomedical Engineering Through Student-Led Research and Innovation,” will showcase several student-led projects that span fundamental science, engineering, and medical devices.

Please join us as he illustrates how mentoring young investigators not only accelerates biomedical discovery but also prepares the next generation of engineers and scientists to solve challenges at the intersection of science, engineering, medicine, and human health.

The university and surrounding community are invited, and refreshments will be provided. We hope you are able to support Abraham by attending.

If you have questions, email Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu.

Did you give out stickers this year? Did you wish you had George Fox swag for an event or outreach opportunity? Now’s the time to plan ahead – the 2025 Swag Bulk Order is open!

Take advantage of bulk pricing on a variety of university-branded items, including:

• Drinkware: Glass can cup with straw, campfire coffee mug, water bottle
• Apparel/bags: Crossbody bag, cotton tote, mini tote, trucker cap, beanie
• Other: Journal, picnic blanket, mini sticker sheets, six individual sticker designs

Pictures of items and ordering details are available here. If your department would like to participate in the order or has any questions, please email Brandy Donavant at bdonavant@georgefox.edu.

The deadline to place your order is Friday, Oct. 31. Don’t miss this opportunity to stock up on swag for the year ahead!

Ensure a healthy and safe season for yourself and your loved ones by taking advantage of the free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations offered at our upcoming Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Canyon Commons.

This is a convenient, on-site opportunity to protect yourself and your family with minimal hassle. The flu shot is also available for children 9 years old and up, and the COVID-19 shot is available for children 12 years old and up. Both vaccines are free with eligible insurance from these companies.

We advise you to check with your insurance provider directly regarding COVID-19 coverage ahead of time. Remember to bring your insurance card. Everyone is welcome as a walk-in.

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

Free, personalized and confidential retirement consultations are available monthly on campus with our dedicated Nationwide specialist, Phillip Carbajal. He is available to provide expert advice on financial standing, savings maximization, and long-term retirement strategies.

The next session will be held on the Newberg campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and employees are invited to secure an appointment here.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for a taste of fall at our recent “How Do You Like Them Apples?” Cooking with Class event! We hope you enjoyed the apple-inspired lunch, learned a few new tricks for a healthy low-sugar apple crisp, and enjoyed sampling the different apple varieties. For those of you wanting to make what we served, here is a link to the recipes!

As a reminder, our photo raffle is open until Oct. 30! Please submit pictures of your homemade apple crisp, created with your take-home kits, to bewell@georgefox.edu for a chance to win two tickets to “The Chef’s Table” – a nine-course meal! We can’t wait to see your culinary creations!

Great job, everyone! We are officially in week two of the Miles for Meals challenge, and the energy is incredible: 108 participants across 28 teams have logged over 6,180 miles, proving that our community is committed to healthy movement! What’s more inspiring? Our fundraising has climbed to $1,125 for the Bruin Community Pantry!

Week two winner announcement

Congratulations to our week two raffle prize winner, Casey Brooks, who has won a $50 Fred Meyer gift card!

Keep the momentum going

The team leaderboard is getting competitive: Currently leading are Too Blessed to Rest, Red Hot Chili Steppers, and Robin Shake n’ Baker, with The Mighty-Chondria right on their heels. On the individual side, David Martinez, Benjamin Wing, and Mark Pothoff are still setting an incredible pace. Challenge yourself this week and aim for a new personal best!

A quick reminder

If you’ve been moving but haven’t seen your miles update, please take a moment today to sync your fitness device or log any manual activities! Every step counts, both for your team and for the grand prize tally.

And don’t forget the fundraising element! Our pantry support relies on these efforts. If you’ve been meaning to get friends and family involved, there is still plenty of time to set up your personal fundraising page. Let’s work together to hit our next milestone and turn our miles into meals!

Today (Thursday) is the last day to get 25% off of Champion-brand clothing in the Bruin Bookstore. Take advantage of this discount while you can!

The deadline to update your login method is almost here! To better protect your account and university data, the SMS (text message) and phone call methods are being deprecated. Please read the critical information below to avoid an interruption to your account access.

FAQ

Q: I’m already using Okta Verify or Google Authenticator. Am I good to go? A: Yes! If you already approve your logins with the Okta Verify or the Google Authenticator app, you don’t need to do anything. Thank you for being proactive!

Q: What happens if I don’t set up OKTA Verify? A: You will be locked out of your George Fox account. Access to Canvas, MyGeorgeFox, your email, and other services will be interrupted. You will have to call the Service Desk at 503-554-2569 for assistance.

Q: I need to switch. Where do I start? A: Go to login.georgefox.edu > settings > security methods on your computer. On your smartphone, install the Okta Verify app and add an account (+). Follow the prompts for setup and allow it to send you a simple, push notification that is far more secure than a text message.

No smartphone?

If you do not have a smartphone or are unable to use biometrics for verification, please email servicedesk@georgefox.edu. We have alternative solutions available to ensure you maintain secure access to your account.

We’re Here to Help!
Don’t wait until it’s too late! If you need help getting set up or have questions about your specific situation, our Service Desk team is ready to assist you. You can call at 503-554-2569 or email at servicedesk@georgefox.edu.

In our busy lives it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but finding small, positive moments can significantly improve our well-being. According to researchers like Barbara Fredrickson, these fleeting bits of happiness act like “nutrients for psychological health,” helping us become more resilient over time.

To cultivate these moments, consider these simple strategies:

• Find “reverse pet peeves”: Author Bree Groff defines these as small things that bring you a disproportionate amount of joy. While a pet peeve might be a minor annoyance like finding a sock on the floor, a reverse pet peeve could be something as simple as the satisfaction of a perfectly organized drawer or the sound of rain hitting the window.
• Do something “slo-mo”: Dr. Sue Varma, a clinical professor of psychiatry, suggests intentionally slowing down a routine task to half-speed. This practice of mindfulness can improve your psychological health. For instance, instead of rushing through making coffee, you might slowly grind the beans, savoring the aroma, and carefully pour the water, focusing on the process.
• Find “the sliver”: If a big joy like a weekend getaway isn’t possible, author Bree Groff suggests finding a “sliver” of that experience. Instead of an elaborate dinner out, you could make a fancy sandwich at home and eat it on your nicest plates. If you love long hikes in the mountains, you could take a short walk in a local park and appreciate the sounds of nature.

These small, intentional actions can improve your well-being and help you find a little more joy in your day.

These suggestions are inspired by the article “Happiness Doesn’t Have to be a Heavy Lift” in The New York Times (June 26, 2025).

Jason Brummit and the Faculty Scholarship and Achievement Committee invite you to join them for the Fall Faculty Lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. in Hoover 105.

Abraham Kang, PhD, associate professor of biomedical engineering, and winner of the 2024-25 Faculty Achievement Award for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship, is the featured faculty speaker.

Dr. Kang’s lecture, “Advancing Biomedical Engineering Through Student-Led Research and Innovation,” will showcase several student-led projects that span fundamental science, engineering, and medical devices.

Please join us as he illustrates how mentoring young investigators not only accelerates biomedical discovery but also prepares the next generation of engineers and scientists to solve challenges at the intersection of science, engineering, medicine, and human health.

The university and surrounding community are invited, and refreshments will be provided. We hope you are able to support Abraham by attending.

If you have questions, email Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu.

Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. featuring Ruben Halperin, the medical director at Providence Health Plan. He’ll discuss cancer screenings, the pivotal role of preventive care, and the benefits of having a dedicated primary care provider to guide you through your health journey.

You can access the webinar here.

We live in an active seismic zone. During Emergency Preparedness Month, we practice the proper response to ensure that when a real earthquake strikes, our immediate instinct is to protect ourselves and effectively prevent injury. So this year, during the Great Shakeout, get ready to drop, cover, and hold on!

How do I participate? At 10:16 a.m. this Thursday, Oct. 16, stop what you are doing and get under a table or desk. Cover your head with your arms or hands.

If you are in the quad, move away from buildings toward the center of the quad. If you are in a lab, turn off the gas and get down. Think and practice what you would need to do if we were to experience an earthquake for one minute.

These steps increase your chances of surviving if a real earthquake strikes.

If you have questions on how to participate in the Great Shakeout, reach out to Kim Knoernschild at kknoernschild@georgefox.edu.

The “Work Safe, Be Well” initiative is focused on the vital connection between workplace safety and overall well-being. We’re asking, “What’s health got to do with workplace safety?” The answer is: everything.

Your personal health—how you manage stress, what you eat, and how much you sleep—directly impacts your focus, your energy, and ultimately, your safety and productivity on the job.

To help you understand this important connection, we encourage you to explore the valuable resources provided by SAIF on their dedicated webpage. Take a moment to browse the topics, learn the simple steps you can take to make a positive change in your own life, and share this essential information with your colleagues.

Let’s work together to make this a safe and healthy semester for everyone!

Questions? Contact us at bewell@georgefox.edu.

– The Wellness and Safety Committees