Anderson Campbell (Christian Studies) published an article on prayer and the Be Known promise in the February 2020 issue of Didaktikos: Journal of Theological Education. Didaktikos is a peer-reviewed journal written by professors, for professors, who teach in biblical, theological, and related disciplines and who help train pastors and other ministry leaders.

Nijay Gupta (Seminary) collaborated with eight masters-level students to publish a free book, Shall Be Bright at Last: Reflections on Suffering and Hope in the Letters of Paul, on the university’s Digital Commons network. In it, Nijay and his students write sermon-style reflections on suffering and hope in Paul. “We all share difficult life stories and we lean towards hope, even though we cannot always see the silver lining,” Nijay says of the book. “The church has a hard time talking about suffering and pain. I hope this book will help to broach this subject.”

Paul Anderson’s (Christian Studies) essay, “The John, Jesus, and History Project and a Fourth Quest for Jesus,” was published in Jesus, Skepticism, and the Problem of History: Criteria and Context in the Study of Christian Origins, and his essay “On Truth & Recognition,” was published in the Shepherd Heart Newsletter. Paul also organized a consultation on “Values of Transformative Spirituality” (Joseph Clair presenting) and presented two papers in San Diego in November: “‘Little Children, Stay Away from Idols!’ – The Last Word as the First Word in the Johannine Situation: 1 John 5:21 and the Roman Imperial Cult,” in the Jesus Traditions, Gospels, and Negotiating the Roman Imperial World Section of SBL; and “Inspiring Readings of the Inspired Text – Taking the Bible Personally, After the Manner of Friends,” in the Quaker Theological Discussion Group. He also co-organized the “Call to Ministry Conference – Answering God’s Call” at Clackamas Park Friends Church in October and preached at Rosedale Friends Church in January.

David Green, a former George Fox University Board of Trustees chair, passed away on Aug. 2. President Robin Baker wished to share some words about David …

“David loved and cared for the mission of George Fox. In the Quaker way, he took the time to listen and show great kindness and patience in every conversation and decision. He was always responsible, diligent in his duties as board chair, had a compassionate heart, and served the board well. Please hold his wife, Ruth, and their children in your prayers. I know they covet your prayers.”

David’s memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Tigard Community Friends Church.

Anderson Campbell (Christian Studies) published an article on prayer and the Be Known promise in the February 2020 issue of Didaktikos: Journal of Theological Education. Didaktikos is a peer-reviewed journal written by professors, for professors, who teach in biblical, theological, and related disciplines and who help train pastors and other ministry leaders.

Nijay Gupta (Seminary) collaborated with eight masters-level students to publish a free book, Shall Be Bright at Last: Reflections on Suffering and Hope in the Letters of Paul, on the university’s Digital Commons network. In it, Nijay and his students write sermon-style reflections on suffering and hope in Paul. “We all share difficult life stories and we lean towards hope, even though we cannot always see the silver lining,” Nijay says of the book. “The church has a hard time talking about suffering and pain. I hope this book will help to broach this subject.”

Paul Anderson’s (Christian Studies) essay, “The John, Jesus, and History Project and a Fourth Quest for Jesus,” was published in Jesus, Skepticism, and the Problem of History: Criteria and Context in the Study of Christian Origins, and his essay “On Truth & Recognition,” was published in the Shepherd Heart Newsletter. Paul also organized a consultation on “Values of Transformative Spirituality” (Joseph Clair presenting) and presented two papers in San Diego in November: “‘Little Children, Stay Away from Idols!’ – The Last Word as the First Word in the Johannine Situation: 1 John 5:21 and the Roman Imperial Cult,” in the Jesus Traditions, Gospels, and Negotiating the Roman Imperial World Section of SBL; and “Inspiring Readings of the Inspired Text – Taking the Bible Personally, After the Manner of Friends,” in the Quaker Theological Discussion Group. He also co-organized the “Call to Ministry Conference – Answering God’s Call” at Clackamas Park Friends Church in October and preached at Rosedale Friends Church in January.

Ed Higgins (Writer in Residence/English Emeritus) published three poems recently. His “Side by Each” piece appeared in the Feb. 13 issue of the literary magazine Nightingale & Sparrow, and his “Tohono O’odham: The Desert People” was published in the Feb. 11 issue of Line Rider Press, an online poetry magazine. Finally, Ed’s poem “Dürer’s Eve” appeared in the Jan. 29 issue of Ekphrastic Review, an online journal devoted entirely to writing inspired by visual art.

Josh Guffey joins the physician assistant program this semester as an assistant professor. He will be working remotely on a part-time basis. For the past year, he’s served as director of Continuing Professional Development at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy – an institution at which he’s also worked as a clinical assistant professor since 2013. In addition, he’s spent the past three years working as a clinical professor and director of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy at North Greenville University’s Department of Physician Assistant Medicine in Greer, South Carolina. Josh has also been the director of pharmacy education and a clinical pharmacy specialist at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina, since 2013. Previously, he worked as a clinical pharmacy specialist for the Greenville Health System in Greenville, South Carolina, and clinical assistant professor with the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. Josh holds a doctor of pharmacy degree from Wingate University School of Pharmacy and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Annelise.

The university has hired Heidi Hopkins to work as the field coordination specialist in the bachelors and masters of social work programs. For the past three and a half years she has worked as a mindfulness educator teaching short courses in Newberg Public Schools as well as leading retreats, workshops and classes in the community. Heidi has also worked since 2016 as a spiritual director for private clients and PsyD graduate students at George Fox as part of their degree requirements. Previously, from 2007 to 2018, she hosted children in a weekly, Montessori-based, contemplative Christian experience. Heidi earned a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University in 1995. She lives in Dundee with her husband and three children and attends Journey Church.

Nick Sullivan joins the university to work as manager of the maker hub in the Klages Center. A 2013 graduate of Norwich University and a 2015 graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology, he holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. For three years, he was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where, as an Air Force captain and developmental engineer, he conducted engineering work on the F-35 Lightning II. He worked in the squadron’s Threat Modeling Team, where he managed a team of active duty military members, civilians, and contractors that built and tested radar simulations. Nick has worked the past year as an associate recreation minister for Crosspoint United Methodist Church in Niceville, Florida, leading a small recreation team and facilitating both adult and youth sports leagues. He lives in Wilsonville and attends Red Hills Church.

Josiah Philipsen (IT) and Jim Steele (Business) are no longer with the university.

Ashley Lippard (Art and Design) was honored, along with her colleagues, for her work with the Community Wellness Collective, named the Volunteer Organization of the Year by the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce. Lippard serves on the board and works as a brand and marketing manager for the group, dedicated to providing mental health and addiction services in Yamhill County.

Wendy Flint (IDEA Center Director) and Sidney Tafflinger (IDEA Center CAP Coach) presented in a national webinar for National Association of Colleges and Employers members on Feb. 19. Seventy-five career center leaders, academic and career coaches, and university administrators attended the one-hour webinar on “Integrating Advising and Career Development.” An increasing number of universities are evaluating the IDEA Center model, which successfully increased student appointments from 500 to 4,800 over five years. The overall program evaluation was 4.6 out of 5, with a 4.62 for “Topic Relevance.” NACE commented, “You hit it out of the ballpark!”

Andrea Byerley has been hired as a regular part-time administrative assistant with the Oregon Writing Project. She will continue to work her half-time, nine-month position as a learning support services coordinator in the Disability Services Office.

Gabe Benfield has made the transition from part time to full time as a security officer in the Campus Public Safety office. A 2019 graduate of George Fox, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, he has worked for the department as an unarmed security officer since the fall of 2015. Also, for the past three years, he has worked as a retail sales associate for Pool and Spa House in Portland. Gabe has also volunteered in the Portland Police Cadet Program for the past five years. He lives in Gresham and is engaged to be married to his fiancée, Briyonna, this June. He attends Grace Community Church in Gresham.

The Campus Public Safety office has hired David Bower to work as a security officer on a part-time basis. He has worked in the education field for more than 20 years, serving most recently as a substitute teacher in the Forest Grove, McMinnville, Newberg and Tigard-Tualatin school districts for the past five years. Previously, he was a special education teacher for three years (2012-15) in the Multnomah Education Service District and for one year in the Northwest Regional ESD in Hillsboro (2010-11). Also, for the past eight years, he has volunteered as the lead administrator for the Portland Superheroes Coalition, which raises funds for Doernbecher and Randall children’s hospitals by having superheroes appear at child-related events to provide energy and encourage charitable donations. David holds both a bachelor’s degree in writing/literature (1998) and a master of arts in teaching degree (2000) from George Fox. He lives in Newberg with his wife Kristeen and their children Marcus and Ali. The family attends Red Hills Church.

Aga Luptak has joined the university to work as a benefits and leave administrator in the human resources office. For the past three years she has worked as a senior leave and disability examiner with the Standard Insurance Company in Hillsboro. Prior to that, she was a long-term disability manager, plan sponsor liaison and senior leave coordinator with Aetna in Portland for six and a half years. In all, Aga has worked in the HR field for 14 years, beginning her career as a human resource benefits specialist and human resource assistant with DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite National Park in California. Prior to coming to the U.S., she taught English as a second language in Poland for two years. She holds both a master’s degree in English philology (2002) and a postgraduate diploma in legal and business translation (2003) from the University of Wroclaw in Wroclaw, Poland. Aga lives in Beaverton with her husband Josh and their son Enzo. She also has a stepson, Brody. She attends the Old Town Church in Forest Grove.

Laura Schott, a former NCAA Division I head coach and player, has been hired as the university’s new women’s head soccer coach. She arrives with an impressive resume, which includes four high school state championships as a player at Jesuit High School (Oregon), a school-record-setting career at the University of California, and a stint as a professional and international player. As a player, she set school records at Cal for career goals and single-season goals, for which she was inducted into the Golden Bears’ Hall of Fame in 2017. As a junior in 2001, she was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, given to the nation’s top player, and was named All-Pac-10 in each of her four seasons. After graduating with a pair of bachelor’s degrees in political science and mass communications, Laura played professionally for the Washington Freedom of the WUSA (2003) and the California Storm of the WPSL (2004). She made five international appearances, including four starts, as a member of the U.S. Senior Women’s National Team in 2001. After retiring as a player, Laura transitioned to coaching and has worked with the Portland Thorns Development Academy, FC Portland, Portland State University, U.S. Soccer, and Formation Sports. At Portland State, she was a two-time Big Sky Coach of the Year (2009, 2013) and coached her teams to four regular-season titles, including three in a row from 2011 to 2013. While there, she earned a master’s degree in education in 2016. Laura currently works for the Portland Thorns Development Academy, overseeing all aspects of its U14-U19 teams, including its college recruitment and placement program. She also runs her own business, Formation Sports, as an educational platform to grow the game. She lives in Charbonneau with her daughter, Gracen, and attends Grace Chapel in Wilsonville.

Darla Norgren (Operations Manager/Portland Center), Katie Sol (HR), Tai Harden-Moore (Advancement) and Torey Smith (Athletics) are no longer with the university.

Judy Deale (Education), Aimee Soles (Student Accounts), Lorie Brubaker (Science Outreach Program) and Jesse Dillow (Plant Services) are no longer with the university.

Guadalupe Garcia McCall (English) published a nonfiction essay, “Embracing The English,” in The English Journal, put out by The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). In the piece, Guadalupe recounts her personal story of learning English as a second language and her ongoing love for “The English” as an author and educator.

Bill Jolliff (English) recently published a book, Heeding the Call: A Study of Denise Giardina’s Novels (West Virginia University Press). In it, Bill offers the first book-length discussion of West Virginia writer and activist Denise Giardina, perhaps best known for her novel Storming Heaven, which helped spark renewed interest in the turn-of-the-century Mine Wars.

Ed Higgins’ (Writer in Residence/English Emeritus) poem, “The Truth About Storytelling,” was featured in the Feb. 28 issue of The Creativity Webzine, an online literary magazine. He also published his poems “the full moon’s light,” “Epistemology” and “refugees” in the March 15 issue of The BeZine: Waging the Peace, An Interfaith Exploration, an online literary journal.

Jennie Harrop (Department of Professional Studies) was featured in the November 2019 issue of Recruiting & Retaining Adult Learners under the heading “Leaders & Innovators.” She was interviewed regarding best practices for raising awareness about degree completion programs in colleges and universities nationwide. Started in 1986, George Fox’s degree completion program – the Department of Professional Studies – will be celebrating its 35th anniversary next year. Jennie has served as department chair since 2015.

Paul Otto (History) published Permeable Borders: History, Theory, Policy, and Practice in the United States (Berghahn Books), coediting the volume with Susanne Berthier-Foglar of Université Grenoble Alpes. The essays in the book explore the ways that historical and contemporary actors in the U.S. have crossed borders, whether national, cultural, ethnic, racial or conceptual.

The following professors were recently announced as recipients of the university’s annual teaching and research/scholarship awards: Todd Curtis (Engineering), Faculty Achievement Award for Undergraduate Teaching; Jillian Sokso (Art and Design), Faculty Achievement Award for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship; and Debby Thomas (Business),  Faculty Achievement Award for Graduate Research and Scholarship. The graduate teaching award will be announced on Saturday, May 9.

Jennie Harrop (Department of Professional Studies) was interviewed for a recent feature story in Online Education titled “How the Social Distancing Era is Reshaping Education: Is Online Learning the New Normal?” You can find the article here.

David Martinez, assistant professor of Spanish, has been chosen as new director of the Center for Study Abroad. Outgoing director Paul Chamberlain, who will be retiring, is joining assistant director Lynn Scott in helping David make the transition to his new role.

Steve Billings has been promoted from his groundskeeping position to serve as superintendent of grounds.

The university has hired Jenny Duquette to serve as a coordinator for the undergraduate teaching, administrative licensure, doctor of education, and master of education and endorsement programs. She has worked at Mt. Hood Community College for the past 20 years, as a student development technology specialist (2019-20), a degree audit coordinator and encoder (2006-19), a student records coordinator (2001-06) and a testing services coordinator (2000-01). This marks a return to George Fox for Jenny, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology/social work in 1994. She lives in Beaverton with her husband, Jon, and daughters Lucy and Gemma. The family attends Beaverton Christian Church.

After serving at Portland Seminary for 12 years, Roger Nam is leaving George Fox to join the Candler School of Theology of Emory University in Atlanta as a professor of Hebrew Bible this fall. Roger arrived at the university in 2008 as a professor of biblical studies and has served as dean of the seminary the past two years. The university is working on a succession plan for the dean position and will communicate it when it is finalized.

Laura Hartley, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences since the fall of 2013, is leaving George Fox this spring to take the position of provost at Seattle Pacific University.

The following professors are retiring from the university this spring with emeritus status: Paul Chamberlain (Center for Study Abroad), Steve Grant (Health and Human Performance), Tim Tsohantaridis (Christian Studies) and Jeannine Graham (Christian Studies). Paul has served at the university for 43 years, Steve for 38 years, Tim for 32 years, and Jeannine for 14 years. Lu Ann Anderson (Education) has also announced she will be retiring from the university.

Jordan Nelson (Financial Aid) is no longer with the university.

Paige Parry (Biology) published a paper, “Taking Temperature with Leaves: A Semester-Long Structured Inquiry Research Investigation for Undergraduate Plant Biology,” in The American Biology Teacher, an award-winning, peer-refereed professional journal for K-16 biology teachers. In addition, in recognition of Arbor Day, Plough magazine published Paige’s essay “What Forests Teach Us About Community,” in which she reflects on what she has learned about faith from her time studying forests. You can find the essay here.

Dan Brunner’s (Seminary) article, “Luther’s Mysticism, Pietism, and Contemplative Spirituality,” was published in Word and World (Winter 2020), a journal of theology and ministry. He also had his piece “Evangelicals and Roman Catholic Spirituality” published in the online newsletter of Paulist Press, Koinonia (April 2020).

The following faculty members are leaving George Fox this spring and summer to pursue other opportunities: Robert Bonner (Education), Patrice Brown (Art and Design), Anderson Campbell (Christian Studies), Isabelle Corneaux (French), Briana Currey (Social Work), Ben Hartley (Christian Studies), Jennie Headley (Social Work), Tricia Hornback (Intercultural Studies/Center for Peace and Justice), David Liu (Business), Steve Sherwood (Christian Studies), Sarah Song Southworth (Business), Shannon Stueckle (Education), Susanna Thornhill (Education) and Elizabeth Yarbrough (Nursing).

Linda Samek (Provost) is stepping down from her position this summer but will remain at the university as a full-time faculty member in the doctor of education program.

MaryKate Morse (Seminary) published a book this spring, Lifelong Leadership: Woven Together through Mentoring Communities (NavPress). In it, she offers a comprehensive mentoring community model to support and develop Christian leaders for the lifetime of their calling. This communal and formational approach to mentoring leaders was field-tested and proven to be effective in diverse cultures and faith contexts. 

Don Powers (Biology) and four colleagues published an article, “Hummingbird torpor in context: duration, more than temperature, is the key to nighttime energy savings,” in the May 2020 issue of the Journal of Avian Biology. The piece was the cover subject of the publication, dedicated to empirical and theoretical research in ornithology.

Paul Anderson was quoted in an article in the Atlantic (May 9, 2020) on Sidwell Friends School and its sense of fiscal responsibility in receiving governmental grants during the COVID-19 crisis. He also published an essay, “Inspiring Readings of the Inspired Text – Taking the Bible Seriously After the Manner of Friends,” in Quaker Religious Thought #134, and his essays, “Something Greater than the Temple is Here,” “Jesus Appeared: the Easter Resurrection” and “He Descended into Hell – The Ultimate in Social Distancing,” were published on the Psalm 91 web blog. In addition, his challenge to Hugo Mendez and Candida Moss, “On Biblical Forgeries and Imagined Communities – A Critical Analysis of recent Criticism,” was published by Bible and Interpretation. Paul also preached two Zoom sermons for Spokane Friends Church in April and May, and he spoke at the McMinnville Presbyterian Church on “A Quest for Jesus – One that Includes the Gospel of John. He also published an essay, “Elizabeth Fry – Prison Reformer and Quaker of Note,” in Quakers, Social Work, and Justice Concerns (Volume 7 in the FAHE Quakers and the Disciplines Series, of which Paul is the founding editor in chief). Finally, his essay “Receiving Holy Callings, Becoming Wholly Responsive” was published by the Oikonomia Network. Paul has been invited to gather as guest editor of a volume involving 14 essays on “Jesus and Spirituality” for the peer-reviewed international journal Religions.  

Jesse Richards (Advancement) is no longer with the university.

Four faculty members were recently honored with faculty achievement awards for the 2019-20 academic year: Todd Curtis (Engineering) and Jillian Sokso (Art and Design) were named the undergraduate teacher and researcher of the year, respectively, while Jennie Harrop (Department of Professional Studies) and Debby Thomas (Business) received the corresponding awards at the graduate level.

Nicole Enzinger (Education) coauthored a chapter, “Mathematics education communities: Crossing virtual boundaries,” in the recently published Springer book Borders in Mathematics Pre-Service Teacher Education. The chapter explores mathematics education communities within and across social media with a communities of practices lens and shares implications for teacher preparation. 

Ed Higgins (English Emeritus, Writer in Residence) recently published a review of George Fox alumna Joann Boswell’s poetry volume Cosmic Pockets on the Christian Feminism Today website. He’s also published a number of his own poems in recent months, including “Barricades/barracuda” (in Otholiths, an online magazine, on May 1); “Night Fear Illusions” (in Black Poppy Review, an online literary journal, on March 31); and “the full moon’s light,” Epistemology” and “refugees” (in The BeZine: Waging the Peace, An Interfaith Exploration, an online literary site, on March 15).

Paul Anderson (Christian Studies) and the university are featured in an article, “The Saint John’s Bible Illuminates George Fox University’s 125th Anniversary,” on The Saint John’s Bible website. The piece recounts the university’s history and its affiliation with The Saint John’s Bible.

The Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES) Project, a STEM higher education reform program supported by the National Science Foundation, honored Paige Parry (Biology) as one of its 25 QUBES mentors for the 2019-20 academic year. Paige was among a group who led professional development opportunities for their peers nationwide by offering their expertise and guidance into incorporating new educational practices and pedagogical approaches to teaching quantitative biology. Paige’s particular Faculty Mentoring Network, which she has led for two years now, is titled “Teaching with R in Undergraduate Biology” and focuses on reducing barriers to implementing R programming in biology courses for students with little to no prior programming experience.

Jeff Walters (Engineering) continues to work on projects to promote water, sanitation and hygiene programs in countries that include Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Cambodia, Nicaragua, East Timor and Chile, along with investigating how to integrate systems-thinking within engineering education. Recently, in connection to his work in this area, he gave a webinar talk for the Research in Global Design Seminar Series for Engineering for Change on his research, engaging Ethiopian, Kenyan and Ugandan water and sanitation stakeholders in systems-thinking and systems-modeling workshops. A recording of the webinar can be found here.

Nicole M. Enzinger (Education) coauthored an article with George Fox alumna Kristina Hofer, titled “Opportunities for redefining unconventional units,” that was published in June in the journal Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12.

Terry Steele (Portland Seminary) had an article, “Beyond Immigrants as the Other: Relational Approaches to Global Ministry,” accepted by the Evangelical Missiological Society National conference in October. Another article, “The Culture Tree: A Powerful Tool for Mission Research and Training,” has been accepted for the July edition of the missions journal Global Missiology.