In the last 125 years, there have been many changes at George Fox University (GFU), from academics to athletics to everything in between. I asked three alumni to share stories from their time at GFU to see what changes have occurred.

“Being a first-generation college student and not understanding the system so well, I knew I wanted to give back in some capacity,” Martinez said. Now Martinez is the area coordinator for Pennington, Carey, Willcuts, and Beebe (PCWB) and has the opportunity to follow students and guide them during the time they grow the most.

The Bruin Community Pantry (BCP) is entering its second year of service to George Fox University (GFU) students. Jere Witherspoon, executive assistant to the vice president for Student Life and the dean of students, is its coordinator. 

I stumbled onto Kota The Friend’s album by accident. Scrolling through Twitter, I looked for some new posts about music that came out on Friday. I was drawn to Kota The Friend’s captivating music video “For Colored Boys.” The gripping lyrics about navigating as a black male in society immediately caught my attention. Once I found the album to accompany the music video, I was hooked. 

Israel Hammond has always been a performer, but when he began attending George Fox University (GFU), he found a new creative outlet. His freshman year, he discovered the LatinX Heritage Club’s (LHC) Spoken Word event and took a shot at performing. After a few years of practice with the GFU audience, Hammond has now released a spoken word EP and won the Rip City Basement poetry slam in Portland, while continuing to compete locally and nationally.

Few college students wake up before the sun rises. George Fox University (GFU) senior Hannah Dierdorff does so almost every morning to write poetry.

Joel Martin is a senior Philosophy and Psychology major who transferred to George Fox University (GFU) three years ago from Point Loma Nazarene University. On April 1, Martin released a new album called “Between Suns.”

Few people think of college as a place to learn how to read, but that’s exactly what George Fox University (GFU) student Rachel Marcelia points to as the thing she’ll take with her after graduation this spring.

Epiphanies can happen anywhere. Emma Laurion’s occurred on Suthep Road in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a few months before she was scheduled to return to the U.S from her study abroad adventure.

She was born in Hawaii, raised in Jamaica and likes popcorn. At least, that’s how Kaheela Reid, senior at George Fox University (GFU), describes herself.

Once Kyler Schubkegel graduates from George Fox University (GFU) in May, the college will be losing not just a student but also a member of their William Penn Honors program and an enthusiastic participant in their keyboard ensemble.

Regan Hill has never been anywhere longer than she has been at George Fox University (GFU). Growing up, Hill was almost always surrounded by moving boxes. Her father’s job meant they were always going somewhere new, and though there were many things she felt she missed out on, her parents have always encouraged her to explore the world beyond her comfort zone.

Caitlyn Connor, a fourth-year student at George Fox University (GFU), is an artistic force to be reckoned with. A graphic design major and marketing minor, Connor has an impressive skill set — her portfolio includes layout, advertising, illustration, branding design and logo design.

Any scholarship, no matter the field, is competitive. They usually involve a dedicated application process, a particular skillset or a specific field of study. All of which make the recent accomplishments of Kylee Wiseman, a second-year student and studio art major at George Fox University (GFU), even more impressive — this March, Wiseman brought home the Northwest Watercolor Foundation’s Gold Grant Scholarship. She is the first GFU student to do so.

Imagine you are taking a test.

You’ve been studying hard for this test, but you are unsure of your ability to remember enough to get the grade you need to pass the class.

Costa Cup, one of George Fox University’s (GFU) only student-run businesses on campus, began with three seniors thirsty for a company idea to pursue in their marketing class.

This spring, the George Fox University (GFU) theatre department is putting on the drama “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Debuting April 4, this Tony Award-winning show is scheduled to run for two weekends and contains some adult themes.

It was spring break and the previous week’s sunny weather had faded away into overcast skies and drizzly rains — a fact Richard Silvers seemed blissfully unaware of as he walked in smiling, gave me a high five and slid into the booth across from me.

On Mar. 5, the George Fox University Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) club met at the Newberg Public Library to offer kids a chance to be welcomed into a new realm of game.  Julia Sutter, president of the D&D club, was excited to teach kids skills they may not acquire in other games.

After a warm welcome from the card-swiper, you enter the Bon. The cafeteria has a modern look to it, including an assortment of family tables and square cocktail tables divided into three parts with booth seats aligned horizontally. Between the sections is a silverware station that is never full, except occasionally with misplaced forks, spoons and knives. The glass windows on the side of the Bon open right up to George Fox’s canyon that leads to paths for quiet time and DTR benches.