Pacific University News

Professional Programs Graduates Ready to Help Others

Nearly 320 students within the colleges of Education, Health Professions and Optometry earn their professional degrees.

Class of 2013 Celebrates

Nearly 300 students participate in commencement ceremony signifying the completion of their undergraduate studies.

Blaise Holden '13 Earns Fulbright Scholarship

The senior from Colorado will travel to Belgium to work with others on treatment for young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Pharmacy Assistant Professor Deepa Rao Receives Research Funding

The Medical Research Foundation award is the third grant awarded to Pacific

Class of 2013 Presents Capstone Work on Senior Projects Day

Students showcase the knowledge and skills acquired during their time at the university.

Charlotte Basch '14, Anthropology-Sociology, Earns Udall Scholarship

The junior from Seaside earns the prestigious honor for the second straight year.

Audiology Faculty Member Named to National Board

Shilpi Banerjee to serve on American Academy of Audiology Board of Directors beginning July 1.

University Named to President's Community Service Honor Roll

Pacific earns the distinction for the third consecutive year.

Men's Wrestling Earns All-Academic Team, Individual Honors

Caleb Malychewski and Bruce Balcita are named NWCA Division III Scholar All-Americans.

Pacific Faculty Among Nation's Best

The Center for College Affordability & Productivity includes Pacific in its annual list of institutions with the best professors.

Pharmacy Professor Named to Governor's Task Force

Michael Millard joins Oregon Governor's Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse.

Pacific University Partners with Zipcar to Offer Car Sharing in Forest Grove

Students, faculty and staff receive a discounted membership rate. Memberships also available to the general public.

University Opens Location in Hawai'i to Serve Its Growing Ohana

Pacific has been Hawai'i residents' mainland university for more than 70 years

All university locations to delay opening on Wednesday, Jan. 23

Due to the threat of icy road conditions, all university locations (campuses, clinics and administrative offices) will not open on Wednesday, Jan. 23 until noon.

Pacific University Adds College of Business

University's fifth college will begin operation in July.

Professor Dennis Smith Honored by American Academy of Optometry

Dr. Smith is the first Pacific faculty member to earn the academy's highest honor for an educator.

Pharmacy Professor Receives $40,000 Grant to Research "Neglected" Diseases

Sigrid Roberts, Ph.D., has received funding to study the metabolism of a parasite that causes a debilitating disease in the hopes of developing better treatment.

Juliet Brosing Named 2012 Oregon Professor of the Year

Physics professor is the first faculty member from Pacific to receive the honor.

Chemistry Student Tyler Oshiro Earns Best Paper Award at Northwest Undergraduate Research Conference

The senior from Aiea, Hawaii is honored for research on an enzyme that affects the metabolism of nicotine and other drugs.

Board of Trustees Welcomes Four New Members

Business professor Michelle Cowing, Optometry student Kasie Rust, alumnus Robert Barrett '66 and OHSU President Emeritus Peter Kohler, M.D. join the university's chief governing body.

Healthcare Compliance Graduate Certificate program receives accreditation

The new offering within the College of Health Professions has been accredited by the Compliance Certification Board.

University announces its 2012-13 Performing Arts Series

A solo performance by legendary actor Ed Asner as FDR highlights the series' 19th season

Pacific degree programs among the "Best Health Care Jobs in 2012"

CareerCast's rankings of the top health care professions include eight of the University's professional programs.

University community lends helping hands in western Washington County

First annual Day of Service brings more than 160 students, faculty, staff and alumni together for community engagement

Portland Chamber Orchestra to perform on Saturday, Sept. 22

The oldest incorporated chamber orchestra in the country opens its 66th season with Celestial Connections.

National Science Foundation awards grant to Andrew Dawes, Physics

Dawes will work with undergraduate students to study the quantum state of light, which could lead to advances in computing. The first year of the grant is valued at $91,885, with additional funding expected.

School of Professional Psychology's Robin Shallcross receives Fulbright Specialist Award

The associate professor, who founded the University's Latino Bilingual clinical psychology track, will teach in Mexico next month on the psychological effects of transnational (circular or back and forth) migration.

Convocation officially welcomes new undergraduate students

The College of Arts & Sciences welcomes more than 500 freshmen and transfer students. Classes begin Monday.

School of Audiology receives candidacy accreditation

The school's three-year Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.) program will begin this fall.

School of Physician Assistant Studies to offer program designed to help rural communities, military veterans

The Health & Human Services Department has awarded the school with a five-year grant of nearly $1 million to begin a rural healthcare track in which students will provide needed care to underserved communities.

College of Health Professions graduates ready to provide care

Students earn professional degrees in Dental Hygiene, Healthcare Administration, Physician Assistant Studies, Counseling Psychology and Clinical Psychology.

Year two of Pacific University's Girls Gather for Computer Science camp is a rousing success

Campers will receive $1,000 scholarship from the University if they attend the school

Legends Is a Hole-in-One for Pacific Athletics

Tommy Thayer & friends lead another successful fundraising effort at the Legends Classic.

Associate Professor Jules Boykoff receiving international attention for his research on the Olympic Games

Politics & Government faculty member and 2012 recipient of a Graves Award in the Humanities undertakes research on activism and the Olympics. His commentary has recently appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian (UK) and The Nation.

University empowers Latina girls through educational camps

In partnership with Adelante Mujeres, Pacific's colleges of Arts & Sciences and Education host between 60 and 80 Latina girls to learn about STEM education and good nutrition through summer camps.

Optometry faculty identifies causes, remedies for visual and physical problems when viewing 3D video

A study led by professors Shun-nan Yang, Scott Cooper (O.D. '90, M.Ed. '93) and Jim Sheedy, and supported by Intel, appears in the American Academy of Optometry's journal, Optometry and Vision Science.

MFA in Writing instructors Kwame Dawes and Joseph Millar named 2012 Guggenheim Fellows

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has bestowed fellowships on the renowned poets, who will take part in the MFA in Writing program's spring residency June 14-23.

Occupational Therapy students receive scholarships to pursue Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Hilda Fine Endowed Gerontology Scholarship Fund provides support for students pursuing the University's graduate certificate program for healthcare professionals.

Newly minted teachers and healthcare professionals graduate from Pacific

Professional Programs Commencement completes a day of celebration and fellowship.

Commencement brings family, friends and University community together

Baccalaureate degree candidates celebrate the pinnacle of their undergraduate education at Pacific.

2012 Sara Hopkins-Powell Endowed Scholarship recipients announced

The College of Health Professions awarded six graduate students with scholarship funds for international service learning endeavors that help underserved populations.

College of Arts & Sciences Valedictorian Emma Jacobsen seeks out complexities

The graduating senior from Cornelius will pursue a master's degree in social anthropology at the University of Oxford

School of Audiology seeks public input at hearing set for May 31

University community members and the general public are invited to provide input on the School's proposed curriculum and other details. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 31 at the College of Health Professions in Hillsboro.

Political Science and Economics major Sean Mills earns Fulbright Scholarship

The senior from Seattle will graduate May 19 and teach in India this fall.

University named to President's Community Service Honor Roll for second consecutive year

Pacific is among just 642 colleges and universities nationally to earn the distinction.

Pacific University String Project takes center stage

University's music program for area children has been accepted to the National String Project Consortium. Concert culminating first semester takes place Sunday at 4 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Aleishea Yamaoka captures Toyama Cup Grand Prize

Senior from Kalaheo, Kauai wins top honor at annual Japanese speech competition.

College of Education awarded $1.34 million grant to improve instruction for limited English proficient students

Grant from the Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition will support College of Education's ESOL endorsement program and assist partner school districts in Forest Grove, Eugene and Woodburn.

Public invited to take part in Pacific University's Earth Week events

Join Pacific's students, faculty and staff for activities and events in support of environmental sustainability.

Public invited to eighth annual Medieval Faire in the Grove May 5-6

Sponsored in part by the History Department, the two-day event at McMenamin's Grand Lodge takes attendees back in time to enjoy customs of the era.

Does academics, perfectionism cause burnout in Division III athletes?

Pacific women's basketball player Brittney Anderson turns her experiences with injury, academics into her senior project

Pacific Philharmonic prepares for concert with Kansas set for Wednesday, April 18

Tickets on sale at the University Box Office. Students $25, Faculty/Staff $40.

University to launch Center for a Sustainable Society

The entity will support existing sustainability initiatives and develop new ones through partnerships with local organizations.

Public invited to attend a recording of radio show "Philosophy Talk"

"Why Be Moral?" Join hosts John Perry and Ken Taylor as they discuss with scholar James Sterba. Free admission.

Pacific Philharmonic to rock with Kansas on Wednesday, April 18

Tickets still available for the "rock orchestra," set to take place in the Roseland Theater in Northwest Portland. Show begins at 8 p.m.

Food Not Bombs founder Keith McHenry to present Cooking for the Occupations on Wednesday, April 11

Free admission with a book signing to follow.

Library Events

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

College of Health Professions' Friends of Nicaragua honored

Having just completed its fifth annual rotation, the Nica Project continues to take root in providing health services and aid to the elderly.

Cassie S. McVeety named Vice President for University Advancement

McVeety will oversee the University's outreach efforts, including fundraising, marketing, communications and alumni relations.

University Theatre presents updated version of A Doll's House March 8-11

Henrik Ibsen's classic inspires stylish look and contemporary questions

Speech Team heads to Italy for international tournament

Pacific's Speech & Forensics squad competes in Rome in the midst of a successful 2011-12 season.

University Library, Washington County Museum bring area's heritage online

The Pacific University Library and Washington County Museum have partnered to create a digital repository of photographs chronicling the county's rich history. Supported in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Local high school students to be honored on Sunday, Feb. 26 for STEM education achievement

Girls will be recognized for excelling in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education disciplines. Co-sponsored by the Center for Gender Equity.

Filmmaker and author Bill Carter to present 2012 Whiteley Lecture on Monday, Feb. 27

Carter will discuss his award-winning film Miss Sarajevo following a screening of the film, which provides a glimpse of war-torn Bosnia in the 1990s. Pacific assistant music professor Dijana Ihas appears in the film.

Music Voice Faculty Recital on Friday, Feb. 17

Featuring songs by professor Tim Stephens. General admission is $7, or $5 for Pacific students, faculty and staff.

Christiane Brems named School of Professional Psychology Dean

Dr. Brems begins her appointment on July 1

College of Arts & Sciences adds five new degree programs

Bachelor's degree programs in Applied Theatre, Art History, Dance and Public Health, as well as an accelerated three-year program in Business Administration, begin this fall.

Washington County Citizen Action Network summit planned at Pacific

Reports from grassroots groups around the county, discussion of potential connections to regional organizations, keynote address on regional issues. Hosted by the Tom McCall Center for Policy Innovation.

Boxers prepare for Spirit Night on Saturday

Fans encouraged to wear black apparel in support of Pacific basketball teams on annual alumni Spirit Night event

Dental Hygiene students to "Give Kids A Smile" on Saturday, Feb. 4

Students, faculty and staff from the University's School of Dental Health Science will administer free dental care to area low-income children as part of a national "Give Kids A Smile" initiative.

Professor Deke Gunderson to present "The Science & Art of Permaculture" in Hillsboro on Jan. 30

Dr. Gunderson's talk is the latest installment of OMSI's Science Pub Hillsboro series, which takes place at the Venetian Theatre & Bistro. Free admission.

Lisa Carstens appointed next dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

Dec. 19, 2011 - Carstens comes to Pacific from Virginia Wesleyan College and will succeed retiring dean John Hayes next year.

Applications being accepted for free computer science summer camp for girls

The highly successful and popular Girls Gather for Computer Science (G2CS) summer camp returns for its second year.

Forest Grove community celebrates life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Local community members brave the elements to take part in University's annual honoring of Dr. King.

Women's Basketball standout Erica Schultz earns national honor

The senior from Medford is named to the NCAA Division III Team of the Week for a pair of outstanding performances Jan. 6-7.

MFA Writing Program Hosts Annual Seaside Readings

Annual series features some of the best writers in the country. Free admission.

Undergraduate Research Conference set for Tuesday, Nov. 15

Pacific University's fourth annual Undergraduate Research Conference will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the University Center on the Forest Grove campus.

Philharmonic Orchestra, Jazz Nite concerts this weekend

Fall Orchestra Concert set for Friday night. Fall Jazz Nite takes place Saturday evening. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Autumn Choreographers Concert slated for Nov. 17-19

Presented by Pacific's Theatre & Dance Department and directed by guest choreographer Allie Boyden.

Center for Civic Engagement invites public to open house on Thursday, Nov. 17

Learn about the University's community service initiatives while enjoying refreshments. The event also commences the Center's toiletry drive benefiting three social services organizations.

Assistant Professor Sandra Pelham-Foster receives state's top occupational therapy honor

Nov. 9, 2011 - Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon bestows its highest honor on Professor Pelham-Foster, marking the second consecutive year a Pacific faculty member has received the award.

Brittany Hartmann Saves Her Way To Academic All-District Honors

Nov. 7, 2011 - The junior is one of three Northwest Conference players named to the Capital One Division III Academic All-District VIII Women's Soccer Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America

Oregon Symphonic Band to perform special concert in honor of veterans on Thursday, Nov. 10

Conducted by Pacific music professor and director of bands, Dr. Michael Burch-Pesses

Public invited to join Pacific in celebrating Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11

Ceremonies will be held at both the Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro and the Forest Grove campus.

Senator Jeff Merkley to take part in "Life in Our Recession" panel discussion on Sunday, Nov. 13

Presented by the Tom McCall Center for Policy Innovation. Free admission.

Women's rights and peasant labor activist Luz Rivera Martinez to give talk on Monday, Nov. 14

The founder of Consejo Nacional Urbano Campesino (CNUC) will share lessons relating to the women's, peasant and labor movements. Free and open to the public. Space is limited - arrive early.

Optometry faculty and alumni honored by national publication, state organization

Nov. 2, 2011 - Ophthalmic Services Director Cathy Evans and alumna Dori Carlson (O.D. '89) named among the 50 most influential women in the optical industry. Associate Dean Ken Eakland and alumnus Scott Nehring honored by state optometric organization.

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