George Fox University Research Articles

Offer cohorts for adult learners by balancing institutional mission and finances

CHICAGO — Studies show that adult learners tend to do better in pursuing higher education when they make personal connections with your campus — and with their peers. At George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, cohorts have facilitated successful connections between adult learners and the institution and helped boost retention and completion rates.

Offer cohorts for adult learners by balancing institutional mission and finances

CHICAGO — Studies show that adult learners tend to do better in pursuing higher education when they make personal connections with your campus — and with their peers. At George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, cohorts have facilitated successful connections between adult learners and its institution and helped boost retention and completion rates.

Offer cohorts for adult learners by balancing institutional mission and finances

CHICAGO — Studies show that adult learners tend to do better in higher education when they make personal connections with your campus — and with their peers. At George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, cohorts have facilitated successful connections between adult learners and the institution and helped boost retention and completion rates.

Offer cohorts for adult learners by balancing institutional mission and finances

CHICAGO — Studies show that adult learners tend to do better in pursuing higher education when they make personal connections with your campus — and with their peers. At George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, cohorts have facilitated successful connections between adult learners and its institution, and helped boost retention and completion rates.

Shallow torpor keeps hummingbirds on their toes when conserving energy

Keeping warm is costly, especially when paired with one of the world's fastest lifestyles. During the day, hummingbirds zip about feeding on sugar-rich nectar to fuel their high-octane existence, but at night, the aeronautic acrobats must conserve energy, slipping into a miniature form of hibernation, known as torpor; many drop their body temperature to around 10°C and some get even chillier. But animals that use torpor are in danger from predators, so some minimise the risk by entering a shallower version from which they can emerge more rapidly. However, it wasn't clear to Anusha Shankar (Cornell University, USA), Catherine Graham (Swiss Federal Research Institute) and Donald Powers (George Fox University, USA) whether birds are also capable of using both shallow and deep types of torpor, either to avoid incurring the costs of deep torpor or as an intermediate step along the way. To find out, Shankar with Powers, Isabelle Cisneros and Sarah Thompson, also from George Fox University, headed to the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona, USA – home to many migrating hummingbirds during spring and summer – to find out how the energetic birds deal with cold nights.‘We studied three species of hummingbird: tiny black-chinned hummingbirds [3 g], the blue-throated mountain-gem [8 g] and Rivoli's hummingbird [7 g]’, says Shankar, who trapped the wild birds by carefully dropping a net over them as they feasted at a feeder during the hour before sunset. Then, the team gently placed each hummingbird in a chamber positioned outside on a table next to a window, allowing the bird to settle before recording the temperature of its eye every 10 min using an infrared camera located in the window to find out how the animal's body temperature varied as it conserved energy overnight.Monitoring the air temperature, which ranged from 3 to 23°C, the team even recorded one particularly cold night when there was frost and the mercury fell to −1°C. They then analysed the body temperature of the birds and could see that they were quite warm as they settled down for the evening, with eye temperatures stabilising between 29 and 31°C. However, as the night progressed and the air temperature fell, the birds’ body temperature began to decline also, with all of the tiny black-chinned hummingbirds (Archilochus alexandri) dropping into deep torpor for approximately half of the night, with body temperatures below 20°C. However, the larger blue-throated mountain-gems (Lampornis clemenciae) maintained their warm evening body temperature for two-thirds of the night, only allowing their bodies to decline slightly below 30°C as they fell into shallow torpor for a quarter of the night; they rarely fell into deep torpor. Meanwhile, the Rivoli's hummingbirds (Eugenes fulgens) seemed to take an equally nonchalant approach to conserving energy. Although half of the birds resorted to deep torpor, with body temperature around 10°C for ∼20% of the night, 10 of the 12 birds dipped into shallow torpor for about a third of the night.So, hummingbirds are capable of selecting how torpid they become, suggesting that the costs associated with falling into deep torpor may sometimes outweigh the energy conservation benefits. ‘For example, torpid birds in trees might be more conspicuous than a mammal concealed in a burrow that can use deep torpor all the time’, says Shankar, explaining that hummingbirds in shallow torpor can warm up and become fully alert within a matter of seconds to evade predators, in contrast with hummingbirds that have descended into deep torpor, which may take up to half an hour to recover. ‘This makes shallow torpor more effective than deep torpor in some situations’, Shankar concludes.

Judge rules in favor of former coach

Case name: Harrington v. George Fox University, No. 3:18‐cv‐00846 (D. Or. 02/17/21).

Judge rules in favor of former coach

Case name: Harrington v. George Fox University, No. 3:18‐cv‐00846 (D. Or. 02/17/21).

Divine Action and the Human Mind

Divine Action and the Human Mind

Pandemic and Pandemonium

The Buzz captures the timely concerns, challenges, and reflections on the minds of scholars at work. For this issue, we reached out to colleagues in North America to fill us in on the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the field and how they are responding. In this edition we are joined by Leslie Dorrough Smith (associate professor of religious studies at Avila University), Dave McConeghy (managing co-editor and co-host of the Religious Studies Project), Jennifer Eyl (associate professor of religion at Tufts University), Natalie Avalos (assistant professor of ethnic studies, University of Colorado-Boulder), and Ekaputra Tupamahu (assistant professor of New Testament, George Fox University).

A Pathway to Gender Neutral housing

George Fox University is a small, private Quaker university in Newberg, Oregon, just southwest of Portland. In the fall of 2013, a transgender student, named only as Jaycen to protect his identity, was denied housing consistent with his gender identity as a man. Jaycen had requested to live on campus with a group of male friends and had obtained a male gender marker on his identification. George Fox University refused, in accordance with their policy on preventing unwed students of different genders from living together, and offered Jaycen a choice between a single apartment on campus and living off campus. (“Students Identifying as Transgender,” n.d.)
 
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B. Estrada – L. G. Sarasa (dirs.), El Evangelio de Juan. Origen, contenido y perspectivas

This work edits the papers of the meeting of biblical scholars from Latin America and the Caribbean, members of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS), which took place immediately before the 71st SNTS General Meeting. It was held in Montreal (Canada), from August 2 to 5, 2016, and was dedicated to the writings of John. The meeting was coordinated by Robert L. Brawley and Albert G. McGaw, and was attended by professors of recognized authority in the field of the Johannine corpus, among them Paul N. Anderson, Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University (Newberg, Oregon), and Johannes Beutler, emeritus of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome). The presence of Armand Puig Tàrrech and Santiago Guijarro Oporto in the discussions was also of special relevance of the contributions of various Latin American and Caribbean teachers. In the Introduction, the editors express the hope of offering a contribution to the study of John's writings and a stimulus for exegetes of the area in Latin Americaand the Caribbean.

Increase respect, funding opportunities for your department

CHICAGO — In a session at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning annual conference called “More Than Just Basket‐Weaving,” Jennie Harrop, Ph.D., Department Chair, Professional Studies, and Associate Professor of Adult Degree Programs; and Rae Casey, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership, both at George Fox University, shared strategies for helping other departments on campus better recognize the value of adult and professional education.

Fox @ the Fireside: Using Strategic Marketing & Outreach to Foster Authentic Scholarly Conversations in the Library

This session highlights the strategic marketing, intentional outreach through liaisons, and event planning that went into developing "Fox @ the Fireside," shares about the program, and invites conversations about other opportunities that might exist for libraries to host and engage in scholarly discussions around campus. Fox @ the Fireside is an event hosted by the George Fox University librarians each semester, designed to showcase the intellectual and creative output of a campus community member or group (student, staff, faculty) and invite the university community to participate in conversation centered around a topic of campus-wide interest. Past programs have showcased art, books, and even LEGO® creations! Through this event, we have created a hospitable, inviting, inclusive space for conversation that furthers the library's mission to be a place for holistic connection, innovative creation, and authentic contribution.

1 and 2 Thessalonians by Nijay K. Gupta

Reviewed by: 1 and 2 Thessalonians by Nijay K. Gupta Charles Nathan Ridlehoover nijay k. gupta, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Zondervan Critical Introductions to the New Testament 13; Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2019). Pp. 320. $44.99. Nijay K. Gupta is associate professor of New Testament at Portland Seminary, George Fox University, in Portland, Oregon. He is also an avid blogger at Crux Sola (cruxsolablog.com). The volume under review is the initial release in the newly created Zondervan Critical Introductions to the New Testament series through Zondervan Academic. In this series, the editors and authors are attempting to offer volume-length engagement on subjects such as audience, authorship, purpose, structure, history of interpretation, sociohistorical context, and so on that normally receive only short treatments in current commentaries. It is a running joke in the biblical studies guild that the world could do without two things: more Bible translations and more commentaries. G.’s newest commentary shows that it is possible to write a commentary that is novel and more than a compendium of repeated scholarship. In this volume, G. provides an indispensable read for those seeking to engage Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church. Unlike normal commentaries, which work through the text on a verse-by-verse basis, this commentary is arranged according to topics. G. begins with 1 Thessalonians and then moves to 2 Thessalonians (a tipping of his hand to their order). Each section begins with an analysis of the text of the letter (chaps. 1 and 5). Here, G. explores the textual variations of each letter, noting significant text-critical concerns. This section on textual criticism leads to a discussion of the textual integrity of each letter and then to more traditional historical-critical issues (authorship, dating, and literary features [genre, style, structure]). In chaps. 2 and 6, G. explores the history of Thessalonica as well as the background and situation that gave rise to each respective letter. Topics include city demographics, religion in Thessalonica, and Jewish presence in the city. To avoid repetition, in chap. 6, G. discusses the much-contested topic of Pauline authorship and literary dependence of 2 Thessalonians. In chaps. 3 and 7, G. details the themes and interpretation of each book. The themes sections provide in-depth examinations of metatopics that stretch across each individual letter, while [End Page 509] the interpretive section concentrates on individual texts that are interpretive challenges, including 1 Thess 2:7b; 2:13–16; 4:4, 11; and 5:3. The study of 2 Thessalonians focuses not on individual verses but rather on key issues. G. explains his rationale for this difference in handling difficult texts. Unfortunately, because of the assumed anonymity of 2 Thessalonians, less attention has been given to the critical issues of interpretation relevant to this letter. Despite this negligence, G. analyzes God’s righteous judgment, the day of the Lord, the man of lawlessness, the identity of the restrainer, and the issue of self-appointed “apostles.” Throughout these sections, Gupta lists major studies relating to the individual topics. This running list of major studies is not limited only to chaps. 3 and 7 but can be found throughout the commentary. The last chapter of each section (chaps. 4 and 8) surveys the history of interpretation. In those cases where G. has mentioned the work of an important study in an earlier chapter, he omits further reference in his recounting of interpretation. The volume ends with a copious bibliography and helpful indexes. As many will undoubtedly comment, the layout of this new series is wonderful for researchers. It provides a one-stop-shop and ease of use for critical information. One can just turn to the desired topic and the relevant texts are gathered into one discussion. Another refreshing feature of the commentary is G.’s voice. When it is necessary, G. cuts to the chase. For example, he is straightforward in his assessment of Pauline authorship. At other times, he presents all the options and carefully notes his preference at the end. These sections will provide the greatest opportunity for disagreement but will also help the reader avoid unnecessary agnosticism on critical issues. For example, I am more optimistic about David...

Master the art of marketing your programs to internal audiences

“What is it?” That's one of the top questions Jennie Harrop receives regarding the degree‐completion program at George Fox University in Oregon.

Teaching the Art and Science of Storytelling in Crafting an Authentic Brand Story

Oregon’s non-profit sector consists of 31,224 not for profit organizations. The vast majority of these organizations are small in size but play a vital role in serving Oregon’s diverse community needs (“Why nonprofits are important,” 2017). In order to stand out in a crowded market place, organizations that take the time to consider their authentic brand value will survive in the long run. The paper describes how a young Portland-based non-profit organization, FIDGETECH, worked with an MBA marketing class at George Fox University to create a competitive advantage through adopting a digital brand storytelling approach.

Judge rules in favor of trainer

Case name: Wani v. George Fox University, et al. No. 3:2017cv01011 (D. Or. 03/25/19).

Judge rules in favor of trainer

Case name: Wani v. George Fox University, et al. (D. Or. 03/25/19).

Develop skill sets that transfer across institutions

As an undergraduate at George Fox University, Danielle Ambrose worked in the Registrar's Office, first as a student‐employee, and then later as a transition assistant while the current transition assistant was on maternity leave. “When I graduated, I thought I never wanted to do that again — the Registrar's Office can be kind of an intense place to work,” Ambrose said. Fast forward and Ambrose has worked in the Registrar's Office for several different institutions as an enrollment counselor, enrollment specialist, assistant registrar, and university registrar.

Spiritual Formation in the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology at George Fox University

At its inception, the training model in the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology (GSCP) at George Fox University was informed by the approach inaugurated at Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology in the 1960s. In the original model, training in Christian religion/spirituality and theology accompanied training in professional psychology. In the interim, our culture, psychological knowledge, perceived psychological needs, and training programs have changed greatly. Here we report changes in religion/spirituality (R/S) training and integration over the last two decades. We describe our current spiritual formation structure and process, and program evaluation efforts. Over the past several years the GSCP has shifted from relying mainly on a cognitive approach involving Bible and theology courses (theoretical-conceptual integration) toward a more personal-experiential approach that includes team teaching of the theology and religion courses, an individualized spiritual direction experience spread over two years, and more intentional integration of R/S and spiritual formation components throughout the program. We anticipate this may be an ongoing area for further development in coming years as we seek to meet the needs of a changing student body with greater R/S diversity and largely postmodern worldviews.