Welcome Back Returning Students!

The following information is provided to update you regarding changes that occurred since the end of May. For more information or questions please contact the Student Life Office at 503-352-2200 or email studentlife@pacificu.edu.

Student Activities

Greetings Pacific students, here it is already July 15th and the summer continues to slip away.  I wanted to provide you with some updates that involve student spaces inside the University Center. 

The old bookstore location is currently under construction and will house a nifty student lounge for hanging-out or watching the new 52” Sony LCD flat screen TV.  The space will also be used for programming and will feature a  “green” motif along with a new area to recycle your goods.  We will be running a “Name the Space Contest” when we open the first week of September.

Another area getting a facelift is the Bistro/Convenience Store.  This section will feature many of the same food options but will have a re-engineered footprint improving student traffic flow.  The new colors are vibrant and ooze of energy when you walk inside.

The Alumni Room is being treated with contemporary lighting; new draperies and some active wall colors to give it a lift as well.

Finally we are rearranging the old mailroom to provide a lounge area for commuter and non-traditional students.  This area will feature amenities that support students who are out on campus for the day but do not have a place to chill-out, locker their backpacks and a microwave/fridge to store simple food items.

I hope your summer is going well and look forward to seeing you all Monday August 25th.

Cheers,
Steve Klein

NEW AND RETURNING STUDENT LIFE STAFF

In Student Life, we are pleased to welcome new and returning staff members for a great year.

New Resident Directors

Kate Becker – Burlingham Hall Resident Director

Kate Becker is originally from Eugene, Oregon and has spent the last few years in Corvallis at Oregon State University completing an Honors Bachelors of Science in Human Development and a Masters of Science in Counseling. The last 2 years Kate has worked as the Resident Director of the First-Year Experience hall at OSU. Besides being an RD, Kate loves hanging out with her husband and their animals and they are all really excited to explore Hagg Lake, and find new friends with whom to play Wii.

Heather Haskell – Walter Hall Resident Director

Heather hails from sunny Southern California where she received both her undergrad and graduate degrees (College Student Affairs).  She loves spending time with students, connecting over coffee, finding small venues to listen to music, scoping out great movies, and photography. 

Noreen Siddiqui  – Vandervelden Complex Director

Noreen Siddiqui will be starting her first year at Pacific University as Resident Director for Vandervelden. Noreen grew up in the suburbs of Chicago with her parents and older sister. She studied Russian and Journalism at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She just finished her Master of Education degree at Iowa State University. Noreen loves reading and can usually be found curled up with a good book when not working.

Lindsey Mullens '07– McCormick Hall Resident Director

While working for the University, Lindsey gained a deeper appreciation for the field of student affairs, having the opportunity to work within many areas of Student Life including student conduct, Housing & Residence Life, the Office of Parent Support, and New Student Orientation.  Wanting to work more directly with students, Lindsey is excited to launch her career in student affairs with the position of Resident Director and Program Coordinator.

Alayna Goins – Clark Hall Resident Director

Alayna Goins is a California native, living in the San Francisco Bay Area through high school and then attending college in the Los Angeles area. She recently completed her Master of Education in College Student Affairs at Azusa Pacific University, where she also previously received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Alayna is really excited to be living in the Pacific Northwest because she loves camping and water sports and the cooler weather. Besides spending her time with students in Clark Hall, Alayna is eager to get acquainted with the live music and theater scene in Portland.

Returning Resident Director

Leah Quinn – Gilbert Hall Resident Director

Originally from the Adirondack mountains of New York, Leah joined us last year as the Resident Director for Clark Hall and Judicial Program Coordinator.  She has made the move to Gilbert Hall and her focus this year will be leadership and training.  Leah enjoys meeting new people, advocating for social justice, listening to live music, exploring the West coast, and settling into her new environment.

All the Resident Directors encourage you to stop by their offices anytime to visit!

New Administrative Assistant in Student Life

Paula Simon

Paula is the new Administrative Assistant in the Student Life “Corridor”. She comes with experience in office administration and customer service in libraries and high tech companies. She lives with her husband, Al, in Hillsboro. Her personal website and blog is www.hkfilmfan.com and is dedicated to her love of Hong Kong films. She also reads Chinese history and fiction. Stop by the “Corridor” and say hi!

NEW FACULTY

We have been very fortunate to attract some new topnotch scholars and professors to Pacific.  Please welcome the following new professors to campus:

Adam Arola, Assistant Professor of Philosophy 
BA University of Michigan  2002
MA University of Oregon,  Eugene, OR  2006
Ph.D. University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 2008

Paige Baugher, Assistant Prof of Biology
BA  Music Performance and Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 1998
Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 2005

Dawn Bregel, Assistant Prof of Chemistry
BS Chemistry, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, 1995
Ph.D. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2000

Megan Bulloch, Assistant Prof of Psychology
BA Classical Studies, University of British Columbia, 1994
BA Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 1998
MA Women’s Studies, Simon Fraser University, 2003
Ph.D. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2008

Aimé Carreón, Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish
BA  Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Chihuaha, Mexico  1997
MBA Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua, Chihuaha, Mexico 2000
MA New Mexico State University 2001
Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara, CA  2007

Rebecca Concepcion, Assistant Prof of Exercise Science
BA Portland State University, Portland, OR  1987
MS Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR  2004
Ph.D. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR  2007

Bevin C. Daglen, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
BS Chemistry, ACS Certified Degree, Boise State University, Boise, ID  2002
MS Chemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR  2005
Ph.D. University of Oregon, Eugene, OR  2008

Andrew M.C. Dawes, Assistant Prof of Physics
BA in Physics, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA, 2002
MA in Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2005

Mark Ferguson, Instructor of Spanish
BA Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA  1994
MA University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA  1996

Lara Florez, Assistant Professor of English
BA English, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, 1997
MFA Creative Writing, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR, 2007  

Aaron Greer, Instructor of Anthropology
BA Humbolt State University, Arcata, CA  May 2003
MA University of Oregon, Eugene, OR  Dec 2005

Erin Martin, Assistant Professor of Biology
BS Biology, Boise State University, Id, 1999
Ph.D. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR , 2005

Luke Moissinac, Assistant Professor of Psychology
BA Psychology Brandeis University  1985,Waltham, MA
M.Sc University of Strathclyde, 1988, Glascow, Scotland, UK
MA, Ph.D. Developmental Psychology, Clark University, 2005, Worcester, MA

Györgyi Nyerges, Assistant Professor of Biology
BS Teacher of Biology and Chemistry, Teacher’s Training College Eötvös Loránd , University, Budapest, 1995
MS Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, 1998
MS Microbiologist, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, 1999
Ph.D. University of California Riverside, 2008

Jann Purdy, Assistant Professor of French
BA Psychology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 1986
MA French, University of California, Berkeley, 1990
Ph.D. French University of California, Berkeley, 1996

Vincent Rossi, Assistant Professor of Physics
BA English, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR,  1998
BS Philosophy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR,  2003
BS Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 2003

Michael Rowell, Assistant Prof of Mathematics
BA Mathematics, May, 2003 University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
Ph.D., Mathematics, August 2007, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Tal Sanders, Assistant Professor of Theatre
BA Dramatic Art, University of California, Santa Barbara   
MFA California Institute of the Arts

Don Schweitzer, Instructor of Social Work
BA Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 2004
MA Boise State University, Boise, ID  2005

Jennifer Strangfeld, Assistant Professor of Sociology
BA Women’s Studies and Psychology University of California, Santa Barbara, 1995
MS Sociology, University of Oregon, Eugene, 2000
Ph.D. University of Oregon, 2006

Daveena Tauber, Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., English, Rutgers University, October, 2006
M.A., English, Rutgers University, May 2000
B.A., English, Lewis and Clark College, May 1996

Enie Vaisburd, Assistant Professor of Media Arts
BA French Lit, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, 1982
MFA Cinema, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1996

Jaye Cee Whitehead, Assistant Professor of Sociology
BA Pacific University, Forest Grove, 2000
MA University of California, Berkeley, 2003
PhD University of California, Berkeley, 2007

NEW ATHLETIC STAFF & COACHES

Please see complete information about the following new coaches and athletic staff at http://goboxers.com

Associate Track & Cross Country Coach – a search is being conducted this summer with the intention of having someone on board in September.
Head Volleyball Coach
After six years leading one of the top junior college programs in the Northwest, Lena Chan is returning to her alma mater for her first season as Pacific head volleyball coach.
The former Boxer and Baylor standout spent the least six seasons at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. The three-time NWAACC Volleyball Coach of the Year led the Saints to NWAACC championships in 2002, 2006 and 2007 and a second place finish in 2005. Chan amassed a 193-48 record at Mt. Hood, finishing with a .800 winning percentage.
Chan (name pronounced LAY-nuh Chan) is excited about the prospects for a Pacific volleyball program that surged in their final season under former head coach Chris Stanley. "Everything that (the players) touch they want to be successful at," Chan said. "They want to be part of something because they push themselves, and that's a really intriguing quality to work with as a coach."
Chan continues to play volleyball competitively as a member of the elite Team Nike program. In 2001, Chan also had a try-out for the United States Professional Volleyball tour.
A native of Mililani, Hawaii, Chan graduated from Baylor in 1997 with a degree in mathematics. She and her husband, Alex, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia, 5, and Maile, 2.

Head Men's & Women's Wrestling Coach
Severin Walsh was hired as the ninth coach in Pacific wrestling history on May 19, 2008, and begins his first leading both the Boxers' men's and women's programs. Walsh replaces Scott Miller, who retired from coaching at the end of the 2007-08 season.
"I am honored that I was chosen to be the next coach," Walsh said. "I would like to thank President (Phil) Creighton and Ken Schumann for hiring me. It means a lot to me that they have the confidence in me to take on the position. Pacific has a storied program and I have known about and the institution for a long time. I have had a lot of respect for the program and I am honored that they have chosen me to carry on that tradition of wrestling at Pacific. I look forward to being a part of the Boxer family."
Walsh comes to Pacific after serving two seasons as the top graduate assistant coach at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. During his tenure, Walsh has helped lead eight Huskies' wrestlers to NCAA Division II national tournament berths. During the 2006-07 season, the Huskies finished 12th at the NCAA Division II Championships and set a new school record with 13 dual meet victories. The Huskies also finished 12th at the 2008 championships.
A native of Coulee City, Wash., Walsh earned his Bachelor's degree in wellness and recreation from William Penn in 2004 and a teaching certification from Dana in 2006. He is currently completing his Master's degree at St. Cloud State in physical education. Walsh and his wife, Annette, are the proud parents of a newborn son, Ezekiel, who was born in March.

Dining Services Changes

Dining Services Manager Bethany Bigelow and staff have been working diligently this summer preparing additional menus items and options for the coming academic year.

The Boxer Bistro has been given a fresh look with new fixtures and colors and the menu has been expanded.  The space next to the Bistro is also being remodeled for additional seating space and lounge areas for students to relax and visit with friends or study.

Our Residential Restaurant has taken on an updated look.  We have added staffing at all meals to aid with traffic flow and customer service.  We are partnering with AFC Sushi who will offer items during lunch as well as items in the Bistro.

Our Campus Dish web site has been updated and is now easier to navigate.

Dining Services continues to expand our Green Thread sustainability practices with more local and organic products, energy saving equipment, and recycling practices.

Be sure to look at the declining balance dollar countdown in your new 2008-09 Boxer Basics, available in the PIC, that corresponds to the Block Meal Plan.  Keep in mind that with the Block Plan, you have the following number of board meals (all-you-care-to-eat meals) per week:
Plan A                    5 per week
Plan B                     7 per week
Plan C                     8 per week

WORK STUDY

If you have not yet secured a Work-Study position for this year, go to www.careercenterjobs.org to see what positions are available.  Also, be sure to check out the Work & Service Fair which will be Thursday, August 28 in the UC from 11-1.  Go to www.pacificu.edu/career to learn more about this and other career opportunities and resources.
All students who have received Work-Study in their financial aid package should look in their UC box for their Work-Study packet that will include all the necessary forms to secure their Work-Study job.  Don’t miss out!

RESIDENCE HALLS/VANDERVELDEN OPENING

Just a reminder that the halls open on Saturday, August 23 at 10:00am  – check-in is from 10am-4pm or by appointment with your RD, so please make plans accordingly.  

Returning students may begin using their meal card at brunch on Saturday, August 23.

 

**Remember to get your new 08-09 Boxer Basics planner from the PIC as soon as you get to campus.**