Oregon Symphony tickets are still available

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018

George Fox will host the Oregon Symphony for the 31st appearance in Bauman Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. The concert is a gift from George Fox honorary board member Ken Austin, cofounder of A-Dec, with his late wife Joan.

A limited number of tickets have been provided for George Fox employees. Tickets are limited to two per employee on a first-come, first-served basis through the Office of Event Services, 1109 E. Hancock St. Reservations may be taken for the Portland Center only.

Remaining tickets (limit of additional two per person) will be available through Friday, Feb. 9. If you find you are not able to attend, please return your tickets for another employee to use.

Questions? Please contact Michelle Dawson at mdawson@georgefox.edu or ext. 2029.

Memorial service for Bob Gilmore set for Feb. 24 at Newberg Friends Church

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018

Bob Gilmore, who began as a professor at George Fox in 1964 and who, in recent years, was known as a Spanish tutor and the man who would sing Happy Birthday to You to employees over the phone, died on Sunday, Feb. 4. A memorial service for Bob will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. at Newberg Friends Church, 307 S. College St.

The university community is invited to attend.

University hosts MLK scholar tonight for special presentation

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018

Make plans to attend a special presentation, “Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Inner Life and Global Vision,” featuring Clayborne Carson, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. tonight (Thursday) in Room 101 of the Canyon Commons dining hall.

Carson is the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor of History and the Ronnie Lott Founding Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. He has devoted most of his professional life to the study of King and the movements King inspired. Carson’s scholarly publications have focused on African-American protest movements and political thought of the period after World War II.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call or email Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2140.

Call for business card orders

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018

Marketing Communications will be processing the next business card order on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Submit your request for business cards directly with B&B Print Source before Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Questions? Contact Danette Newkirk at dnewkirk@georgefox.edu.

MyGFU ‘View Paycheck’ issue has been resolved

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

The paycheck self-service page in MyGFU (MyGFU > Self Service > Payroll and Compensation > View Paycheck) was not working properly for the past seven days. It was showing your current paycheck rather than a listing of paychecks from the last six months. This issue has been resolved.

If you have any paycheck-related issues, please contact Employee Empowerment by email at ee@georgefox.edu.

Join your colleagues at staff lunch on Feb. 15

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

All staff members are invited to attend this month’s staff lunch at noon on Thursday, Feb. 15, in Canyon Commons. The cost is $3, cash or check only. Please RSVP by noon on Monday, Feb. 12, using this RSVP link.

We hope to see you there!

– The Staff Development Committee

Clayborne Carson speaks on MLK tomorrow night

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

Make plans to attend a special presentation, “Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Inner Life and Global Vision,” featuring Clayborne Carson, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, in Room 101 of the Canyon Commons dining hall.

Carson is the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor of History and the Ronnie Lott Founding Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. He has devoted most of his professional life to the study of King and the movements King inspired. Carson’s scholarly publications have focused on African-American protest movements and political thought of the period after World War II.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call or email Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2140.

Columbia Sportswear invites George Fox employees to shop at its employee store

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

The Columbia Sportswear Company has invited George Fox employees to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store between Feb. 9 and March 4.

Participation Instructions

  • Bring the invite (see link below) with you to the store reception desk, or show the invite to the receptionist on your mobile phone
  • Show your George Fox ID (other options listed on invite)
  • This invite is non-transferable, but you can bring your family and friends with you (up to four guests per person, per visit)
  • Online access is not available, but you are welcome to visit multiple times during your invite period (with your invite)

Location, Phone and Hours

  • Store location: 14100 N.W. Science Park Dr., Portland
  • Store phone: 503.985.4125
  • Store hours: All days, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Click this link to download or print the pass.

Please contact Darby Thiessen at dthiessen@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2188 for assistance with these or any of your George Fox benefits.

Oregon Symphony tickets are available

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

George Fox will host the Oregon Symphony for the 31st appearance in Bauman Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. The concert is a gift from George Fox honorary board member Ken Austin, cofounder of A-Dec, with his late wife Joan.

A limited number of tickets have been provided for George Fox employees. Tickets are limited to two per employee on a first-come, first-served basis through the Office of Event Services, 1109 E. Hancock St. Reservations may be taken for the Portland Center only.

Remaining tickets (limit of additional two per person) will be available through Friday, Feb. 9. If you find you are not able to attend, please return your tickets for another employee to use.

Questions? Please contact Michelle Dawson at mdawson@georgefox.edu or ext. 2029.

University hosts Oregon Academy of Science’s annual meeting on March 3

Tuesday, February 6th, 2018

George Fox University will serve as host for the 2018 Oregon Academy of Science’s annual meeting this Saturday, March 3. This is a one-day annual meeting for researchers, educators and students statewide to exchange ideas, present current research, and to strengthen professional and personal relationships.

This year, our keynote speaker is Marshall Gannett from the U.S. Geological Survey, who will be speaking on “Hydrology and Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems of Central Oregon.”

OAS encourages participation from a broad range of interests in the natural and social sciences. Attendees from around the state represent anthropology, biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, philosophy/environmental science/ethics, health science, STEM education, geography, geology, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology and sociology. More information can be found at our website on the event.

Faculty and students are welcome to participate in this one-day event. Included are a continental breakfast, poster sessions, oral presentations and lunch.

Registration is $45 for faculty and $20 for students. Please register on the OAS website as soon as possible. If presenting, deadline for abstracts is Friday, Feb. 16. Onsite registration is available with an additional $5 late registration fee. The event will begin in the EHS Atrium at 8 a.m.

If you have any questions, contact John Schmitt, professor of biology and the OAS president, at jschmitt@georgefox.edu.

TIAA consultant appointments available at no cost

Monday, February 5th, 2018

TIAA individual consulting appointments are coming up at both the Newberg and Portland campuses!

No matter where you are in life – just getting started or planning for retirement – a session with Braden Danielson can help you create a unique plan for your goals. And, it’s at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

  • Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
  • Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
  • How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?
  • How do I plan for short-term goals such as saving for a house or education expenses?
  • How do I manage debt, save money and balance various financial priorities at the same time?

To schedule your one-hour appointment, click on this link. The on-site appointment slots fill quickly, so don’t delay! Take advantage of this excellent resource!

Session Dates and Locations
Feb. 20, March 1 & 2, 2018 – Newberg Campus
Feb. 27, 2018 – Portland Center

You can also visit Advice and Guidance to access online tools and resources that can help you stay on track and save even more for retirement.

If you would like to make a change to your retirement account contribution amount or have questions about your George Fox University benefits, please contact Darby Thiessen at 503-554-2188 or dthiessen@georgefox.edu.

Monster Piano Concert takes Bauman Auditorium stage Feb. 15

Monday, February 5th, 2018

The music of Star Wars, Bach and Scott Joplin will fill the university’s Bauman Auditorium when a Monster Piano Concert takes the stage for the 12th annual Bösendorfer Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15.

The evening will feature 16 performers playing eight pianos, on many occasions simultaneously. Among those performing will be local organist Dan Miller, the piano duet team of Eduard Gavril and Sorin Frisan, the university’s String Ensemble and Keyboard Ensemble, George Fox alumni, and members of George Fox music professor Kenn Willson’s recruiting studio.

The program will feature pieces by John Williams, from the Star Wars films; Joplin’s ragtime classic The Entertainer; a Bach Concerto; the music of Dave Brubeck; Beethoven’s Für Elise, with a jazz arrangement for four pianos; and Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, featuring four pianos.

All employees and students are entitled to one free ticket. All tickets are reserved seating and are available at this link or at the University Box Office by calling 503-554-3844. To get your free ticket online, click “Okay” after making your seat selection, select “GFU Employee” or “GFU Student” in the drop-down menu on the ticket selection screen, and proceed to checkout.

Additional tickets are $12 for general admission, $8 for seniors and alumni, and $6 for students and children under 12.

More information about the evening and the concert series is available at this link.

‘I am afraid’ exhibit closes tomorrow in Portland Center’s library

Monday, February 5th, 2018

This week is the last opportunity to view the art exhibit “I am afraid” in the Portland Center library. The exhibit by Jennifer Lichtenberg is based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ book Between the World and Me, where Coates addresses what it means to inhabit an African American body in today’s America.

The display ends Wednesday, Feb. 7, and will then be displayed in the university’s library in Newberg for the rest of Black History Month.

Contact Jennifer (jlichtenberg@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

MLK expert speaks on campus this Thursday

Sunday, February 4th, 2018

Make plans to attend a special presentation, “Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Inner Life and Global Vision,” featuring Clayborne Carson, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, in Room 101 of the Canyon Commons dining hall.

Carson is the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor of History and the Ronnie Lott Founding Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. He has devoted most of his professional life to the study of King and the movements King inspired. Carson’s scholarly publications have focused on African-American protest movements and political thought of the period after World War II.

In 1985, the late Coretta Scott King invited Carson to edit and publish the papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Under Carson’s direction, the King Papers Project has produced seven volumes of The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Carson’s visit is being arranged through the Organization of American Historians. It is being cohosted by the Center for Peace and Justice and the Department of History, Sociology and Politics.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call or email Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2140.

‘I am afraid’ art display ends Feb. 7

Sunday, February 4th, 2018

This week is the last opportunity to view the art exhibit “I am afraid” in the Portland Center library. The exhibit by Jennifer Lichtenberg is based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ book Between the World and Me, where Coates addresses what it means to inhabit an African American body in today’s America.

The display ends Wednesday, Feb. 7, and will then be displayed in the university’s library in Newberg for the rest of Black History Month.

Contact Jennifer (jlichtenberg@georgefox.edu) with any questions.

Amazon employee speaks on ‘Designing at Speed’ on Feb. 27

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

We’re excited to introduce our upcoming event hosted by the George Fox College of Business and the Business Leadership Society!

Join us for …

Designing at Speed
Featuring Ryan Russell, Director of Human-Centered Design at Amazon

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
Portland Center’s Room 155

Admission is free, but please register. Coffee and dessert will be served.

Ryan is currently the director of human-centered design at Amazon. He is responsible for design and branding across Amazon Operations, including Prime Now, Amazon Flex, Hub by Amazon, Amazon Locker, Transportation, Global Fulfillment and more. His group has studios in Seattle; Sunnyvale, California; Minneapolis, Austin, Texas; and Portland. He loves creating something from nothing and bringing talented people together around a shared vision.

To register, visit this link. Contact Allie Duncan at aduncan@georgefox.edu.

Faculty member authors university’s first open textbook

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Professor Jennie Harrop’s book, The Simple Math of Writing Well: Writing for the 21st Century, is now available as a free download in the library’s Digital Commons. It also appears in the Open Textbook Library, a peer-reviewed collection of free textbooks used by hundreds of universities.

The university’s Open Textbook Initiative was launched in the 2016-17 academic year to provide incentives for faculty to explore open textbooks. George Fox faculty saved students more than $118,000 by replacing needlessly expensive textbooks with open ones. Savings from last semester are already more than last year’s total.

Textbook publishers are hiking prices at unprecedented rates, so many faculty authors are now bypassing them altogether and publishing their textbooks straight to the web. Two more George Fox faculty are currently writing open textbooks, which will not only save their students money but also extend the impact of George Fox scholarship around the world.

Want to learn more? Contact Robin Ashford at rashford@georgefox.edu.

Fitbit drawing will be held for Wellness Challenge participants

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

Join the Staff Development Committee for the Wellness Challenge (through Feb. 16)! Submit this form with your activities for points by Saturday each week!

Check the Wellness Challenge each Monday for new activities to enhance your wellness. Monthly winners will receive a free staff lunch, and participants will be entered into a drawing for George Fox water bottles and a Fitbit Alta!

Questions? Contact Adina McConaughey (amcconaughey@georgefox.edu).

Plan to attend special MLK presentation by Clayborne Carson Feb. 8

Thursday, February 1st, 2018

In recognition of Black History Month, the university is hosting a special presentation, “Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Inner Life and Global Vision,” featuring Clayborne Carson, one of the nation’s most renowned scholars of King. The free lecture runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, in Room 101 of the Canyon Commons dining hall.

Carson is the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor of History and the Ronnie Lott Founding Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. He has devoted most of his professional life to the study of King and the movements King inspired. Carson’s scholarly publications have focused on African-American protest movements and political thought of the period after World War II.

In 1985, the late Coretta Scott King invited Carson to edit and publish the papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Under Carson’s direction, the King Papers Project has produced seven volumes of The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Carson’s visit is being arranged through the Organization of American Historians. It is being cohosted by the Center for Peace and Justice and the Department of History, Sociology and Politics.

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, call or email Laurie Fair at lfair@georgefox.edu or 503-554-2140.

Reminder: Plant Services implements new project review and approval process

Tuesday, January 30th, 2018

To manage existing maintenance needs and project requests, Plant Services is implementing a formal project review and approval process beginning Thursday, Feb. 1.

The Plant Services Operating Budget is for maintaining facilities and equipment to their designed state. Any additions or improvements that alter existing space or asset are considered projects and are not funded by the maintenance department.

A Project Review Committee (PRC) has been formed that will review submitted projects to establish adherence to the university’s mission, priority and funding. All projects must be approved by the appropriate dean or department head before being considered by the PRC.

The PRC will meet monthly between September and March, or more frequently as needed. Anything submitted after March 1 will not be considered until the following school year to be budgeted during the capital planning process.

A project request is to be submitted to the dean or department head using the “Project Request Form,” located on the Plant Services webpage under “Quick Links.” This form must be fully completed and include the signatures of the appropriate academic dean or department head, and building monitor. Once the signatures are collected, the Project Request Form is then routed to Plant Services and the PRC.

If the PRC approves the project and funds are available, the requestor will be informed, and the request will be submitted to the Plant Services director for management and scheduling.

The full policy and a summary of maintenance versus project requests is available here.

Please contact Dan vanderWater (dvanderwater@georgefox.edu) with any questions about the project approval process.