Gary Tandy: New Chapter
Photo by Billie Throm
Article by Avery Duffy
NEWBERG, Ore. – Gary Tandy has been an English professor at George Fox University (GFU) for 17 years. His dedication to colleagues, the Newberg community and his students, both in and out the classroom, have shaped the lives of those who crossed his path.
While Tandy is closing his teaching chapter and entering retirement, he has much to say about his time as a professor and his hopes for what this new chapter will bring.
Tandy entered university as a psychology major but quickly found a desire to trade anatomy classes for reading and writing. His positive relationships with professors led to an interest in post-graduation education.
He explains his enjoyment in the rhythm of the school year along with the differences professors make. “I felt like teaching was a profession where you [could] give back to students, to people,” Tandy says.
Tandy had many jobs that led to where he is now at GFU. Cascade College brought his family from Oklahoma to Oregon. Tandy loved teaching at the small Christian campus but after the school closed down, a position opened up at GFU.
During his time at GFU, Tandy established Sigma Tau Delta, an international honors program for English students. He has led two juniors abroad trips that explored the importance of J. R. R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, as well as class field trips to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and taught many valuable English courses.
Tandy also explains his love for school and learning, and says that, “Teaching helps you to be an ongoing learner.” He says that even though many texts he teaches are repeated over the years, he’s always learning something new from what his students are taking away.
Above all, Tandy emphasizes the relationships he’s formed with students. He says that while the trips are fun, they are memorable because of the setting shift outside of the classroom that cultivates a relationship deeper than academics.
“I’ve always looked at it as paying a debt because I had teachers that did that for me,” Tandy says, “It makes me feel like I was given this gift and I want to pass it onto my students.”
At Tandy’s retirement party, many described him as kind and that his deep love and sacrifice for teaching and students is inspiring. One student, Jacob Uren, had much to say about Gary’s influence on strengthening his faith, awakening joy and expressing passion for English academics.
“It’s really rare that you meet someone that just feels like a kindred spirit,” said Uren.
Uren expressed his gratitude to Tandy for the influence he has been and explained how everyone gains inspiration from someone. Uren stated that his “someone” is Tandy, and that he’s been his hero.
Another student, Brigitta Andreas, talked about the respect she’s held for Tandy and how fun his classes were. “You give us a space to really explore the stories and dive into them. You’re never hindering your students,” Andreas said. She ended her speech by thanking Tandy for his kindness, integrity and encouragement.
Tandy explains how the English department at GFU is unique in the way that everyone is closely knit and how this makes it easier to form close connections. “It’s people that make the place, make the difference,” says Tandy.
As the 2026 Spring semester comes to a close, so does Tandy’s chapter as a professor. He says he’s feeling sentimental but is looking forward to spending more time with his family, on hobbies and becoming more involved with his church and traveling.
Tandy says he looked forward to pursuing writing ideas surrounding themes of C.S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, faith and even music. He says he may take on some online teaching opportunities but wants to focus on visiting family, free-reading and taking lessons to strengthen his love for guitar.
The impact Tandy has made on his colleagues, the GFU and Newberg community, his students and GFU’s English Department will never be forgotten. Tandy is a true representation of what it looks like to follow your calling and follow it well. His trust in the Lord’s plan led to many lives touched and his legacy of teaching at GFU will forever be greatly honored.
“All their life in this world and all their adventures had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” C.S. Lewis The Last Battle.
