NEWBERG, Ore. – On the same day student-athletes across the country made headlines by signing letters of intent to secure college athletic scholarships, seven students in the Portland area signed commitments for full scholarships of their own to attend George Fox University through the Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative.

George Fox, a Christian college in Newberg, Ore., narrowed a pool of more than 200 original applicants to the seven who will receive four-year, full-ride scholarships. Selected through a rigorous three-month competition, these diverse student leaders were chosen, not for their athletic prowess, but for their distinctive leadership, academic potential, and commitment to making a difference in their communities.

Launched by the Portland Leadership Foundation, Act Six seeks to develop urban leaders to be agents of transformation on campus and in their home communities. Since the program’s inception at George Fox in 2007, five cadres of ethnically diverse and mostly first-generation, low-income Act Six scholars from urban Portland have enrolled at the university.

To date, 45 of the 49 scholars originally selected for the program at George Fox are still enrolled or have graduated, reflecting graduation and retention rates that far exceed national averages.

Act Six recipients selected to join George Fox for the 2012-13 academic year are Joshua Cha (Benson High School), Janet Dan (Parkrose High School), Oscar Gomez (Newberg High School), Asia Mayo (Roosevelt High School), Austin O’Neal (David Douglas High School), Jessica Rivera (David Douglas High School) and Nancy Vazquez (Forest Grove High School).

The group includes students of Mexican-American, African-American, Romanian, Laosian and Nicaraguan descent. The cadre’s average grade point average is 3.65, and five of the seven chosen represent first-generation college students in their respective families.
Act Six develops leaders through a four-step strategy:

Scholars are now beginning an intensive seven-month training program that involves weekly meetings with Act Six staff, retreats and campus visits.

“The Act Six program is central to assisting us in creating an educational community where students are exposed to a diverse group of people, better equipping them to work in a global environment,” said Joel Perez, dean of transitions and inclusion at George Fox.

The Portland Leadership Foundation is a faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Portland, Ore. The foundation works to move individuals and organizations from good intentions to effective outcomes in its effort to strengthen and develop leadership for the spiritual and social renewal of the city.

To learn more about the Act Six scholarship, contact Perez at 503-554-2305.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Joel Perez
Dean of Transitions and Inclusion, George Fox University
503-554-2305

NEWBERG, Ore. – Individuals who work at private universities or in community organizations or schools (K-12) are invited to a February workshop designed to educate and equip individuals who work with undocumented students prior to and after they enroll in higher education.

The “Working with Undocumented Students” workshop, hosted at George Fox University’s Portland Center near Tigard, runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at the center, located at 12753 S.W. 68th Ave., in Portland. The cost is $20 per person, which covers a lunch and event expenses.

“Our goal is to provide those in higher education and in the community with resources to better support undocumented students as they pursue a college education,” said event organizer Joel Perez, dean of transitions and inclusion at George Fox. “It will also appeal to high school counselors who want to learn more about financial resources for these students.”

Space is limited, so early registration is required. Contact Perez at 503-554-2305 to register or get more information.

Undocumented students are those students who were born abroad who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents. The Urban Institute estimates that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year. They are guaranteed an education through grade 12, but many face legal and financial barriers to higher education.

The workshop is ideal for anyone who works in college admissions, financial aid, student life or other student-related administrative positions. Speakers will include Perez; Gerardo Ochoa, associate director of financial aid at Linfield College’s Portland campus; and Sherilyn Holcombe Waxler, an immigration attorney at Waxler Immigration Law LLC in Portland, Ore.

At George Fox, Perez oversees new student orientation, the first-year seminar program, the sophomore year experience program, the Act Six leadership scholarship program, and the presidential leadership scholarship program. He provides strategic direction for the institution’s diversity efforts, which includes serving as the chief diversity officer and overseeing the office of multicultural student programs and international student services.

In addition, he is a recognized leader in higher education, having received an award for his work in bringing awareness to the issue of the DREAM Act and supporting undocumented students presented to him by Region V of the National Association of Student Personal Administrators. He is a first-generation college student and first in his family to complete a doctorate.

Ochoa, originally from Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico, has extensive experience working with underrepresented youth in higher education, primarily Latinos at the middle school, high school, and undergraduate levels. His most recent endeavors involve working with students to provide them the tools, resources, and motivation to successfully apply and compete for scholarship funding, an essential element to completing a college education.

Ochoa is coauthor of Path to Scholarships-College Edition and works directly with Oregon high schools, nonprofit organizations, colleges, and universities to implement the “Path to Scholarships” curriculum in their programs.

Waxler practices in the areas of family and business immigration, deportation/removal litigation, and citizenship. She frequently counsels students and immigrant youth regarding their options, rights and responsibilities, as well as representing them in applications for legal status and in removal proceedings. She earned a law degree at Washington School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree from Reed College.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes among the top Christian colleges in the country. George Fox is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Joel Perez
Dean of Transitions and Inclusion, George Fox University
503-554-2305

NEWBERG, Ore. – Students and faculty from the George Fox University School of Business will offer free tax preparation and e-filing assistance to local residents. Dates for help sessions are four Saturdays: Feb. 18 and 25, March 3 and April 14.

The Tax-Aide program is designed to help taxpayers prepare their returns. The service is especially geared toward senior citizens, students, individuals with lower incomes, and those who have limited English proficiency. Anyone, however, is eligible for assistance. The only exception is for those whose return is deemed too complicated.

Help will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each of the dates. All sessions will meet in Rooms 102 and 103, located on the first floor of the university’s Hoover Academic Building. A sign-up sheet will be available 30 minutes before each session. All sessions are first come, first served.

Those seeking assistance are to bring photo identification, Social Security cards or individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, birthdates for family members, the current year’s tax package (if you received one), and all appropriate tax forms (W-2, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV, SSA-1099 or RRB-1099, 1099R, etc.).

If applicable, it is also advised that patrons bring a list of child tax credit information; a list of medical, taxes, interest, contributions and miscellaneous expenses; child and disabled dependent care information; bank routing and account numbers; and a copy of their 2010 federal and state returns, if available.

The Tax-Aide program works in conjunction with the IRS, the American Association of Retired Persons Foundation, and the Oregon Department of Revenue. The service also offers free e-filing (electronic filing), allowing for returns to be processed faster than the traditional practice of mailing in information. Assisting with preparation will be faculty members and students in the university’s accounting major.

To e-file a joint return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. To find out more, contact Seth Sikkema at 503-554-2813.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Seth Sikkema
Assistant Professor of Accounting
503-554-2813

George Fox faculty and staff chose the honorees by ballot, and the editors of the directory have endorsed the selections. The students were chosen based on their academic achievements, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities, and continued potential success.

Since 1934, the directory has honored selected students from more than 1,900 institutions of higher education in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign nations.

Following is a list of George Fox students selected this year. All either graduated in December of 2011 or will graduate in April of 2012.

Rebecca Barnick is an athletic training and allied health major from Salem, Ore. She has been a resident assistant in the residence life department for three years and made the school’s dean’s list seven consecutive semesters. She plans to work in the health care field as a certified athletic trainer.

Isaac Berg of Lopez Island, Wash., is an elementary education major who has held several leadership positions on campus. His future plans are to be a freelance travel writer.

Anya Frolova of Bend, Ore., is an organizational communication major who has sung in the school’s gospel choir and served as a student activities events coordinator and as president of the university’s branch of Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society. She plans to start her own business and help fight human trafficking.

Jordan Gage of Walnut Creek, Calif., is a psychology major who joined the school’s choir for a 9/11 performance in New York City last fall. He also has served as a peer advisor and is a member of Psi Chi, the honor society in psychology. He plans to enroll in George Fox’s doctor of psychology program.

Matthew Getsinger of Newberg, Ore., is a nursing and Spanish double major who has served as a missions coordinator and experiential ministries chaplain. He plans to obtain national certification for medical interpreting and obtain a doctorate degree in the field of nursing.

Emily Jordan of Happy Valley, Ore., is a psychology major who has been active in the university’s choirs, earned several academic awards, and honored as the school’s homecoming queen in 2011. She plans to earn a master’s degree in social and sustainable management.

Megan McFarland of Canby, Ore., is a graphic design major who has served in student government and as a designer and photographer for university publications. She plans to work for a Northwest design firm or advertising agency.

Jay Miller of Newberg, Ore., is a writing/literature and political science major who co-led the school’s Quaere Verum (Latin for “seek the truth”), a student-led discussion group. He plans to continue his education is literature and writing.

Breanna Nix of Covina, Calif., is a Christian ministries major who served two years as a resident assistant in the residence life department and one year as an assistant area coordinator. She would like to continue serving in some capacity on a college campus.

Alex OpBroek of The Dalles, Ore., is an accounting and finance major who has served in the university’s student activities organization and accounting club. He has a 3.98 GPA and plans to work as an accountant in Portland this fall.

Nick Ogle of Corvallis, Ore., is a philosophy major who has served in numerous service, ministry and club activities. A summa cum laude graduate in December of 2011, he plans to enter a graduate program in a philosophy-related field.

Blaise Reavey of Felton, Calif., is a Christian ministries major who participated as a wildlife leader and in several intramural sports on campus. He plans to be a camp program director.

Joyce Roth is a business administration and philosophy double major from Albany, Ore. She served as a band chaplain and as vice president of the school’s philosophy club. Upon graduation this spring, she plans to work for a couple of years before returning to school to earn an MBA.

Traci Sirotiak of Newberg, Ore., is a business administration major who served as vice president of the school’s accounting club and as a member of the university’s speech and debate club. She has earned a 4.0 GPA and plans to work for the KPMG auditing firm.

Beth Spalding of La Verne, Calif., is a psychology major who has served as secretary of both the school’s psychology club and International Justice Mission advocacy group. She plans to work for a nonprofit organization.

Rachel Stewart, a graphic design major from Tigard, Ore., earned a Presidential Scholarship for Academic Excellence and an art scholarship. She has won art department awards for her graphic design work and collaborated to paint a canvas for the Ronald McDonald House in Portland. She plans to pursue a career using her talents as a designer.

Rachel Stewart’s sister, Rebecca, is also a graphic design major from Tigard, Ore. She has worked as a designer in the university’s marketing department and is the recipient of several art and academic scholarships. She plans to pursue a career in the graphic design field.

Rachel Wheeler is an elementary education major from St. Helens, Ore. She has been active in the school’s theatre department and worship team. She won several academic, theatre and community service scholarships. She would like to return to her hometown and become a third-grade teacher.

Lishan Zeng of Newberg, Ore., is an organizational communication major. He served as president of the school’s international club and as an intern with the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends organization. He also started a Chinese linguistics project while on campus. Se plans to attend graduate school in the field of communication studies.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Brad Lau
Vice President for Student Life
503-554-2312

NEWBERG, Ore. – Prospective college transfer students interested in transferring to George Fox University are encouraged to do so before the school’s transfer deadline of Thursday, March 1. Those who apply after that date will be considered for admission on a space-available basis.

Online application is available at apply.georgefox.edu. More information is also available by calling the undergraduate admissions office at 1-800-765-4369, ext. 2240. Transfer students who have questions can visit georgefox.edu/transfer or call Dot Tobey at 503-554-2245.

For those who qualify, transfer merit scholarships, awarded at the time of admission, are worth $4,000 to $6,000 annually and are based upon prior college course work. The university also offers a variety of academic and activity-based merit scholarships. To permit maximum consideration for merit-based financial aid, it is recommended that the application process be completed as soon as possible.

The March 1 deadline also applies to students who wish to apply for the Phi Theata Kappa Scholarship. Up to 10 such merit-based scholarships worth $2,000 per year are offered to Phi Theta Kappa members who attend George Fox. More information on this scholarship is available at georgefox.edu/college-admissions/scholarships/transfer-finances.html.

If applying for financial aid, students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the appropriate agency. Forms may be obtained from college or university financial aid offices.

George Fox strives to make the transfer process as smooth a transition as possible. Students who have completed work at other educational institutions may be granted transfer credits after presenting official transcripts. George Fox will apply the accepted credits toward that student’s general education requirements, electives, and chosen major.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Dot Tobey
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
503-554-2245

NEWBERG, Ore. – A Wheaton college professor and former director with an international relief organization will speak on the George Fox University campus and engage the university community in a conversation on the “holistic mission of God” at the school’s Spring Theological Conference Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 13-15.

Dr. Evvy Campbell, an associate professor of intercultural studies emerita at Wheaton, will speak in the university’s chapel services on Monday, Feb. 13, and Wednesday, Feb. 15. Both services are scheduled from 10:40 to 11:30 a.m. in Bauman Auditorium on George Fox’s Newberg, Ore., campus.

In addition, Campbell will engage with students and other attendees in a conversation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in the Cap and Gown Room in the university’s Student Union Building. The topic of discussion will be “Engaging the Missional God: An Interactive Conversation.”

All three events are open to the public free of charge.

An engaging speaker and storyteller, Campbell has witnessed the compassion of God in the midst of some of the poorest places on earth. Serving as head nurse at Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Campbell lived God’s mission through her professional calling. According to conference organizers, Campbell will explore the biblical significance of God’s love for the nations and how we, his people, can respond.

Campbell has presented extensively nationwide at universities, seminaries, hospitals, churches and retreats on the topics of international health, medical missions, AIDS, holistic mission, and the Christian life. She has taught at Wheaton College for 15 years and also served as chair of the school’s intercultural studies program for seven of those years.

Previously, she served two terms with the Wesleyan Church at Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and for nine years with MAP International, a Christian relief and development organization, where she was director of international health.

For more information on the conference, contact Paula Hampton in the Department of Religious Studies at 503-554-2650.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Paula Hampton
Department of Religious Studies
503-554-2650
phampton@georgefox.edu

NEWBERG, Ore. – Those interested in earning a counseling degree to become a counselor, a marriage and family therapist, school counselor, or a school psychologist have until Monday, Feb. 20, to apply for George Fox University’s summer 2012 counseling programs. The same date is the early application deadline for the university’s fall counseling programs.

The university offers a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, a master’s degree in marriage, couple and family counseling, a master’s degree in school counseling, and an educational specialist in school psychology degree. Also offered are certificate programs in marriage, couple and family counseling, school psychology, and school counseling.

All master’s degree and certificate programs are offered at the university’s Portland Center near Tigard, located at 12753 S.W. 68th Ave., in Portland. George Fox also offers the master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and master’s degree in marriage, couple and family counseling at its Salem Center, located at 4600 25th Ave., N.E., Suite 150, in Salem.

Two informational meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks, both of which run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The first will be in Salem on Tuesday, Jan. 31, and the second at the Portland Center on Monday, Feb. 6. More information about all the programs is available at counseling.georgefox.edu. Classes for the summer semester begin in early May.

The master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling program prepares students to work as counselors in a wide variety of settings – including in private practice, corporations, nonprofit organizations and hospitals – with clients of all ages. Upon completion of the 56-credit hour degree, which offers two-, three- and four-year program options, students are prepared to sit for the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon.

Class times are flexible, offered days, evenings and weekends to accommodate adult learners. The degree also offers the option to add a certificate pre- or post-graduation for additional employability and specialization.

George Fox’s marriage, couple and family therapy program offers the option of earning either a certificate or a master’s degree in the profession. Both the master’s degree and the certificate prepare graduates to provide counseling to individuals, couples, families and groups across the life cycle in a variety of settings, including private practice, institutional, cross-cultural and with profit and nonprofit organizations.

The marriage, couple, and family therapy 68-credit master’s degree, completed in two to four years, is designed to prepare students to sit for dual licensure, both the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) as well as the national licensure exam to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Oregon.

The certificate program is designed for master’s- or doctoral-level mental health professionals who desire to be better equipped to work with couples and families.

The master’s degree in school counseling program prepares graduates to work with students in public or private schools and to guide them through the development of educational and career goals, to teach guidance-related curriculum, and consult with parents, teachers and administrators.

The educational specialist (EdS) in school psychology degree prepares graduates to work in public and private schools, to test and assess students, and to analyze test results discerning need areas for children in Oregon and throughout the country. The program is generally three to four years in length with 61 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation.

George Fox school counseling and school psychology degree programs are approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Kathy Grant
Admissions Counselor, Graduate Department of Counseling
503-554-6166

NEWBERG, Ore. – A world-renowned Harvard University physics professor will visit George Fox University in February to introduce his research on antimatter and explore the role of faith in a scientist’s life.

Dr. Gerald Gabrielse, Harvard’s George Vasmer Leverett Professor of Physics, will present “God of Antimatter” beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in Wood-Mar Auditorium on George Fox’s Newberg, Ore., campus. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Dr. Gabrielse will speak on what it means to be a human being working in the sciences and address questions such as “What role does faith have in a scientist’s life?” and “Is there more to our world than science can say?” The event, hosted by the university’s Department of Biology and Chemistry, is the second installment of the school’s Dalton Lecture Series, an annual lecture featuring eminent scientists who are Christian.

“Dr. Gabrielse is an internationally known physicist who led one of the first teams to develop antiprotons, so we in the department of biology and chemistry are obviously excited to have him,” said Paul Chamberlain, PhD, George Fox’s professor of organic chemistry. “This is an excellent opportunity for our students – and anyone who has a keen interest in science – to hear from a leading scientist in his field. He will also share about the interaction between his science and his Christian faith.”

Dr. Gabrielse has won Harvard’s Levenson Prize for exceptional teaching and the school’s Ledlie Prize for exceptional research. In addition, he has received the Lilienfeld Prize and the Davisson-Germer Prize of the American Physical Society, Italy’s Tomassoni Prize, and Germany’s Humboldt Research Award. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and is currently chair of the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics of the American Physical Society. He has more than 165 scientific publications. His research group at Harvard engages in a variety of atomic, optical, elementary particle, plasma and low temperature physics experiments.

To learn more about his visit, contact Jane Sweet in the Department of Biology and Chemistry at 503-554-2710.

The Dalton Lecture series is named for John Dalton (1766-1844), a world-renowned Quaker scientist best know for the development of the modern atomic theory. Following the lecture, a reception and student research poster session will take place in the school’s Edwards-Holman Science Center.

This marks the second installment of the lecture series. Last February, the school hosted Dr. Kent Thornburg, director of Oregon Health & Science University’s Heart Research Center, for the first Dalton event.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Jane Sweet
Department of Biology and Chemistry
503-554-2710

NEWBERG, Ore. – Thirteen students from throughout Oregon and Washington will represent George Fox University at The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Fort Collins, Colo., in mid-February, where they will compete in various theatre disciplines, participate in five days of workshops, and broaden their education by learning from theatre professionals from throughout the country.

The event, to be held at Colorado State University Feb. 13-17, will feature students from more than 100 schools in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Colorado, Nevada and Wyoming. The nine states comprise the KCACTF’s Region VII.

“Not only does this provide our students with opportunities to learn from professional theatre artists throughout the region and beyond,” said Rhett Luedtke, associate professor of theatre. “It also provides our students with the opportunity to compare and contrast their work as theatre artists with students from other schools. Competitions in acting, directing, design, stage management and academics provide our students with a fairly accurate picture of their current skill sets and areas for needed improvement.

“Finally, we go to have fun as we deepen our friendships with each other and to make new friends with our colleagues from other schools. It’s a challenging – and often grueling – five days, but worth the time and energy we put into it.”

Participating from George Fox this year are: Aaron Swor (Gresham, Ore., Sam Barlow High School), Timothy Fodge (Newberg, Ore., C.S. Lewis Academy), Makana Shimaoka (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Maku Lani Christian School), Deanna Davis (Portland, Ore., Portland Christian High School), Heidi (Quiel) Thurston (Medford, Ore., North Medford High School), Tiffany Gilly (Forest Grove, Ore., Forest Grove High School), Alanna Archibald (Salem, Ore., Sprague High School), Holly Nunn (St. Helens, Ore., St. Helens High School), Madelyn Larson (Battle Ground, Wash., Battle Ground High School), Erika Craig (Bellevue, Wash., Bellevue Christian High School), Hannah Adderley (Beaverton, Ore.), Hannah Irish (Kent, Wash., Rainier Christian High School) and Ben Vawter (The Dalles, Ore., The Dalles High School).

The George Fox University theatre department has been sending students every year since 2002. Students have the opportunity to participate in a number of competitions – some of which require students to be nominated by their directors or professors and others that students take part in on their own initiative. This year, five George Fox students – Nunn, Adderley, Larson, Gilly and Fodge – were nominated by their director to compete for the Irene Ryan Scholarship, which, since 1972, has awarded scholarships to the outstanding student performers at each regional festival.

In addition, George Fox’s Vawter will compete for a prize in directing, Davis will compete in costume design, and two who were awarded meritorious achievement awards – one in sound design (Vawter) and one in stage management (Irish) – will compete in their respective disciplines.

The group is currently raising money for the trip. To learn more about supporting the students, contact Vawter, head of the university’s Alpha Psi Omega theatre honor socity, at bvawter09@georgefox.edu. For more information about the George Fox theatre program, contact Luedtke at rluedtke@georgefox.edu.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Contact:
Rhett Luedtke
Associate Professor of Theatre
George Fox University
rluedtke@georgefox.edu

NEWBERG, Ore. – Some of the region’s top young artists will have their work on display at George Fox University Feb. 2-22, when the university hosts its 20th annual High School Art Northwest exhibit in the school’s Lindgren Gallery.

The event begins with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, in the gallery, located in the university’s Ross Center. Approximately 40 to 45 pieces have been selected as part of the show, with cash prizes awarded to juror-selected students based on the excellence of their art.

In addition to traditional mediums, such as paintings, ceramics and mixed media, the exhibit has expanded its scope over the years to include digital art and three-dimensional art.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no fee to view the exhibit.

The annual juried exhibit features art from high school students in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The purpose of High School Art Northwest is to provide high school students with an exhibition site and to honor their artistic achievements, according to Doug Campbell, professor of art at George Fox and the show’s curator.

Since the show’s founding in 1992, thousands of high school students have submitted pieces that are juried by professional artists, gallery directors and other arts professionals.

“(Many) high school teachers have expressed their appreciation for our hosting this exhibit,” Campbell said. “They think it is important for their students to see their work up in a real gallery situation.”

High schools to be represented include Sunset High School, Oregon Episcopal School, Lakeridge High School, Newberg High School, Clackamas High School, Lake Oswego High School, St. Mary’s Academy, St. Stephen’s Academy, Wilsonville High School, West Linn High School, Milwaukie High School, James Madison High School and St. George’s School.

Prize winners will be announced at the opening. The juror for this year’s show is Jim Ponti, a retired art teacher who spent more than two decades at Lakeridge High School. He has taught drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and ceramics.

George Fox University is ranked by Forbes and Kiplinger’s among the top Christian colleges in the country and is a Christian university classified by U.S. News & World Report as a first tier regional university and a “Best Value” school. More than 3,500 students attend classes on the university’s campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. George Fox offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors, degree-completion programs for working adults, five seminary degrees, and 11 master’s and doctoral degrees.

-30-

Cheri Hampton
Department of Visual Arts
503-554-2619