The Daily Bruin

The George Fox community and the general public are invited to attend the Woolman Peacemaking Forum on Tuesday, Feb. 10, hosted by the Center for Peace and Justice.

This engaging evening will feature dynamic speakers, with time built into each session for Q&A and meaningful dialogue. In these turbulent times, we hope you will join us for this timely and thoughtful conversation. You can attend in person in Hoover 105 or online via livestream.

Event Schedule:

• 3 to 8 p.m. – Nonprofit Expo and George Fox Art & Design Student Gallery
• 3:30 to 5 p.m. – Peacemakers Panel: “Beyond Violence: Where Hope Begins in a Broken World.”
  You can review the lineup of panelists and get the livestream link on the George Fox Woolman Forum webpage. Our guests have led global organizations, started nonprofits, and sat with the broken. They have served the vulnerable both locally and abroad, including in Syria, Israel-Palestine, Congo, Haiti, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and beyond.
• 6 to 8 p.m. – Keynote Address: “How Can We Respond to Injustice in a Divided World?”
  Stephan and Belinda Bauman will explore the relationship biblical justice has with presence and peace through the lens of theology and neuroscience, using Isaiah 58 as a framework to explore what this means to us today.

Note: Chapel credit is available for students. Questions? Contact Hayley Fortner at hfortner@georgefox.edu.

You recently received an email from the National College Health Assessment (ncha-web@acha.org), giving you an opportunity to share your health and wellness experiences. Please take some time to share your feedback!

As a token of our appreciation, all participants will receive an elective chapel credit and be entered into a drawing for one of 25 Amazon gift cards.

The NCHA provides an overall picture of the state of our students’ health and helps us understand and improve campus life. It’s online and confidential – George Fox only receives the results in aggregate.

Questions? Contact Bill Buhrow at bbuhrow@georgefox.edu.

Apply now for the Spring ’26 SpiL Trips to the Yakama Indian Reservation and New York City!

Looking for more than just a vacation this spring break or May? Spiritual Life (SpiL) invites you to embark on a “low-key pilgrimage” – a journey to both encounter Christ and to serve Christ in the people we meet while adventuring through cultural immersion, experiential education, ministry and service projects.

Apply now to immerse, learn, serve and create unforgettable memories while making a difference in your life as well as many others.

Choose between two unique opportunities (one rural immersion and one urban immersion):

• Spring Break: Yakama Indian Reservation ($450) – Learn from Mending Wings ministries and serve alongside local elders, families and nonprofits on the reservation. Click here to learn more about Mending Wings.
• May 3-9: New York City ($850) – Learn and serve with the Salvation Army and immerse yourself in the global convergence of cultures in NYC.

Don’t miss out! Secure your spot by completing the following four steps by Sunday, Feb. 15:

1. Submit a passport/Real ID copy to the SpiL House
2. Complete the SpiL Trip Application online
3. Submit a $150 deposit to the SpiL House
4. Sign a fundraising M.O.U. (committing any unraised/unpaid balance to your George Fox student account)

Contact spirituallife@georgefox.edu or click here for more information

In a world where staying connected often feels like being permanently plugged in, it’s easy to overlook the toll that constant screen time takes on our well-being.

While our devices are incredible tools for productivity, many of us spend more than double the recommended daily limit on our phones alone, leading to hidden stress and mental fatigue. This Wellness Wednesday, we invite you to explore the practice of a digital detox.

It’s not about abandoning technology altogether; it’s about making a conscious choice to step away and give your mind the space it needs to reset. By setting intentional boundaries, like silencing non-essential notifications or designating the dinner table as a tech-free zone, you allow yourself to trade mindless scrolling for mindful living.

The benefits of unplugging go far beyond just a break. When we silence the digital noise, we naturally lower our anxiety, sharpen our focus and significantly improve our sleep quality. Use those reclaimed minutes to rediscover a hobby, enjoy a walk outdoors, or engage in an uninterrupted conversation with a friend.

Remember, your internal battery needs recharging just as much as your phone does. By taking even a few hours to disconnect from the virtual world, you create the opportunity to reconnect more deeply with your passions and the people right in front of you.

How to Begin

1. Set clear boundaries. Decide on the duration of your detox and stick to it. Let family, friends and coworkers know when you’ll be unreachable.
2. Silence notifications. Switch off unnecessary notifications during your detox phase.
3. Create tech-free zones. Designate certain areas where the use of gadgets is prohibited, such as the dinner table or in bed.
4. Schedule offline activities. Use your detox time for joyful things like taking a walk, making something new, visiting with friends, or practicing mindful meditation.

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

Don’t forget to register for today’s webinar: Part 2 of “How to Build Trust and Leadership with AI.” We will focus on the critical role social influence has on employee trust in the workplace.

New research from George Fox indicates that social influence is a key factor in strengthening trust around AI use. Join us today to explore these findings and learn actionable techniques for building trusting employee relationships around AI adoption.

Click here to register. Questions? Contact Sean Aker at saker@georgefox.edu.

As a reminder, you still have time to explore your retirement options and financial goals through Nationwide’s FutureFit Virtual Financial Fair. This interactive 3D experience, which launched Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 6, is a valuable opportunity to learn more about your finances and sharpen your investment strategy.

There are no accounts to create or passwords to remember, and joining the challenge gives you a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card and exclusive Nationwide gear.

How to participate:

1. Click here to enter the Virtual Financial Fair.
2. Click the “Join the Competition” button.
3. Add your name to the leaderboard.

Enjoy the experience! Questions? Contact Aga Kasprzyk at akasprzyk@georgefox.edu.

Join us again or for the first time as we gather every other Thursday in Armstrong House to share conversation and practice speaking German. All levels are welcome!

We will meet on the following Thursdays this term:

• Jan. 29
• Feb. 12
• Feb. 26
• March 12
• April 9

Contact Erin Macy at emacy@georgefox.edu for more information.

Do you enjoy dancing? Have you been looking for an opportunity to grow and perform as a dancer? This Friday, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m. the dance team will have a booth at the club fair, and we would love for you to stop by!

The George Fox dance team represents the university through entertaining performances, academic excellence, and commitment to community involvement and school spirit. We are a small but passionate and welcoming group of dancers who meet twice a week to rehearse.

If you are interested in joining, please contact gfudanceteam@gmail.com to learn more about our audition process. We are an all-levels team, so don’t worry if you don’t have much experience.

We will also be hosting a dance workshop this Monday, Feb. 2, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the far basketball court in Hadlock. During the open rehearsal we will be teaching a short but fun piece of choreography. We hope to see you there!

Questions? Contact Sarah Niemela at sniemela25@georgefox.edu.

Do you know of students who are running into research roadblocks or information overload? Whether they are just starting a project and need a search strategy or have hit a wall trying to access a specific article, book, or resource, George Fox librarians are their ultimate academic partners.

We are here to help students navigate resources and troubleshoot access issues so they can focus on their best work. If you know someone who is struggling, we encourage you to point them in our direction!

We are available for drop-in help or by scheduling a personalized appointment. All of our contact details are here, or they can email us at researchhelp@georgefox.edu.

Thank you for helping us model the Be Known promise for our students!

Interested in becoming a teacher after graduation? Join FORCE!

The Fellowship of Regional Christian Educators (FORCE) is hosting three information meetings. No RSVP is necessary; just show up to one of them. All are at 7 p.m. in the Myton Conference Room on the second floor of Hoover. The dates offered are:

• Thursday, Jan. 29
• Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Wednesday, Feb. 4

FORCE is a program where candidates work for two years as a teacher in a partner K-12 Christian school. They live together in community in a rent free home off campus and pursue either an MEd or an MAT through the College of Education – for free!

Qualified candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and agree to the terms of community living and living stipend for two years.

Questions? Contact John Hynes at jhynes@georgefox.edu.

We are currently seeking student voices to help shape the future of George Fox University through our Thriving Student Experience Committee.

As faculty and staff, you have a pulse on the student body and know which students are looking to make an impact. We would be incredibly grateful if you could share the following opportunity with your classes or student workers. We are looking for a diverse range of perspectives from all majors and grade levels.

The Opportunity for Students

We are hosting small, facilitated focus groups (six to eight students) to reflect on the George Fox experience. To make this a great experience for them, we are providing:

• A free meal: A tasty lunch or dinner during the session
• Exclusive swag: As a thank you for participating, we have some swag for Being Known.
• Direct impact: Insights go directly to the Thriving Student Experience Committee to influence campus-wide initiatives.

Thank you for sharing this link with your student populations!

If you have questions, please reach out to Kelly Schmidt at kschmidt@georgefox.edu, Amanda Howard at ahoward@georgefox.edu, or Megan Fisher at mfisher@georgefox.edu.

We want your input! Participate in a Thriving Student Experience Committee focus group and help shape the student experience at George Fox.

What’s involved? You’ll join a group of six to eight other students to reflect on your college experience over a tasty Chipotle lunch or dinner, facilitated by George Fox faculty and staff. The time commitment is one and a half hours, with multiple dates and times offered (see sign-up form for options).

Participants will enjoy a free meal and get cool George Fox University swag for their participation! Students from all majors and grade levels are encouraged to apply. We want to hear from you, so sign up today!

Come join us for open worship after the Manner of Friends this and every Wednesday from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in the chapel, as we seek to attend, discern and mind the present leadings of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Where two or three are gathered in his name, Christ is indeed present in the midst of his followers. SpiL credit will be available.

Contact Paul Anderson at panderso@georgefox.edu for more information. 

Following our Serve with Passion emphasis week, various service opportunities are available this spring.

Come serve alongside our neighbors! Upcoming options include:

• Habitat for Humanity’s Build Site
• Wood Ministry
• Foster Parents Night Out
• Kids’ Day Out

Attend our Friday “Be Neighbors” chapel service from 3 to 3:30 in the chapel to learn from various service organizations throughout the semester, or fill out this form for more info via email!

Contact Chloe Lucas at clucas22@georgefox.edu if you have any questions.

Right now the limited edition Bruin Family crewneck is $26, available in-store only, while supplies last.

Questions? Contact Kristin McGuirk at kmcguirk@georgefox.edu.

Sign-ups for Give Day 2026 are live! If your department, team or program wants to participate, please fill out the registration form by Thursday, Feb. 12.

If you have questions, reach out to Kelton Hedstrom, associate director of community engagement, at khedstrom@georgefox.edu.

Don’t let research roadblocks or information overload slow you down this semester! Whether you are just starting a project and need a search strategy or you’ve hit a wall trying to access a specific article, book, or resource, George Fox librarians are your ultimate academic partners.

We are here to help you navigate resources and troubleshoot access issues so you can focus on your best work.

Reach out for drop-in help or schedule a personalized appointment today. You can find all our contact details by clicking here or simply emailing us at researchhelp@georgefox.edu to get started!

Plant services invites you to join us as we celebrate the retirement of Alan Thurston today (Monday) from 3 to 4 p.m. in Canyon Commons. Alan has worked at George Fox for the past 32 years, most recently as our locksmith. Please swing by to wish him well!

We will be serving dessert and refreshments. We hope to see you there!

1098-T forms for 2025 will be available by the end of January. To get access to your 1098-T form as early as possible, you can fill out the 1098-T Electronic Consent Form (follow the instructions in the FAQ here).

If you have not given electronic consent for the 1098-T, your form will be mailed to your mailing address by the end of January. If you have any questions, please email the student accounts office at studentaccounts@georgefox.edu.

FAFSA Deadline: Jan. 31

The financial aid office wants to remind all students to complete their 2026-27 FAFSA by this Saturday, Jan. 31! 

It’s important to file as soon as possible, as some types of federal aid are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. You can access the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. 

Scholarship Early-Bird Deadlines: Feb. 17

The early-bird deadline for the OSAC State Scholarship and our George Fox Donor-Funded Scholarship applications is in three weeks!

Submitting these applications by Tuesday, Feb. 17, allows you to be entered into drawings for additional early-bird scholarships from Oregon Student Aid and George Fox University. The final due date for both scholarships is March 2.

If you have any questions about scholarships or your FAFSA, reach out to finaid@georgefox.edu or visit the financial aid office on the first floor of the Stevens Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.