GFU’s Hidden Treasures
Photos by Billie Throm
Article by Madeline Teeter
NEWBERG, Ore. – Hidden around George Fox University’s (GFU) campus are various trinkets. These include tiny plastic ducks, figures called thin men, and sticky notes with words of encouragement. What kind of an impact have these had on the student community?
“The ducks were started by one of my friends who graduated last year,” said Anneke Alex, a junior. “He told me that he wanted to brighten somebody’s day by hiding little things for them to find.”
Alex’s friend has succeeded in cheering people up with the little ducks, according to Della Gratsinger, a sophomore.“I find [the ducks] to be cute and funny. I think the ducks are amazing and a great reflection of the small joys we can find in life,” she said.
3D printed snails are also bringing joy to the lives of students. Kinsey Burke, a sophomore, explained that the snails started as an April Fools prank in the theatre program, as Wood-Mar Auditorium was covered in snails before the opening of a play.
“The snails make me happy,” said April Seiler, a junior. “They’re a little bright spot in my day.”
The most prevalent trinkets, however, are the Thin Men. Every student who was asked in a survey if they had seen the Thin Men replied yes. “I think it's really funny when you find them doing different things around campus,” said Katelyn Davison, a junior. “People get really creative with their hiding spots.”
“They remind me of ‘elf on a shelf,’” said Ian Hoyt, a freshman. “I don't know how they move but they are always up to something.”
The Thin Men have a page on Instagram that shows off locations they have been hidden, including some locations off campus. Some students keep track of the Thin Men on their own. “I have found 46 of these guys and I have a photo album of all the ones I've found,” said Keeley Bowers, a freshman.
“I hope that the Thin Men bring joy and a little whimsy into the lives of those who find them,” said the creator of the Thin Men, who wished to remain anonymous. “The main goal I had when first creating these guys was that they would give someone something to smile about while getting to their next class.”
“Out of all the trinkets, the Thin Men are my holy grail,” said Jules Fernandez, a sophomore. “Thank you for the trinkets, thin man creators!”
Sticky notes are another way students go about brightening others’ days. The notes contain messages such as “You got this” or “God loves you.” While the notes may be simple, knowing a fellow student is actively trying to cheer people up is encouraging to others.
“It always makes me feel comforted, happy and peaceful, because it reminds me of God being with me in the difficult times and that He is going to keep moving through me and other people to lift us all up when we need a little encouragement,” Burke said. “Thank you so much to whoever is putting them up. It means more than you know and I hope you know that God is using your anonymous acts of kindness to reach people.”
The latest kind of trinket added to the campus trend are little plastic whale sharks. “There are tiny whale sharks and fish being hidden all over the College of Business,” Davison said. “We even have one set up as our front office pet. We've named a black and white one Steve.”
Students who have noticed these various trinkets are eager for the trend to continue. “Thank you to whoever is doing it, keep it up,” said Davison. “It brings so much joy to my day!”
Burke said, “To whoever keeps hiding these, please keep doing so. It’s so silly and whimsical and I think we need more of that sometimes.”
Next time you’re walking across campus, keep an eye out for the treasures you may find. Whether you decide to take the trinket, leave it or hide it somewhere new, you can join in the community being built around these small joys.
