All members of the university community are invited to celebrate the retirements of Professors Michael Burch-Pesses and Lorely French.
To mark this momentous occasion, Lorely and Michael will host a block party in Forest Grove with live music, food carts and opportunities to share memories.

Michael Burch-Pesses will retire after 30 years at Pacific. He is currently director of bands at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Jazz Choir, and teaches courses in conducting, music education, and MIDI technology.
Charitable gifts in honor of Michael’s retirement can be made to the Music in May Endowed Scholarship Fund
Lorely French will retire after 39 years at Pacific. She teaches German language, literature, and culture, as well as film, women’s literature, gender studies, and Roma writers. Additionally, she translated the first English version of the memoirs of Ceija Stojka, a Holocaust survivor and Austrian artist.

Charitable gifts in honor of Lorely’s retirement can be made to the French Family Endowed Scholarship for German Studies.

Food and drink will be provided. There is no fee to attend the block party, but advance registration is required for planning purposes. The tentative event schedule is below:

  • 2:00 p.m.: party starts; guests start arriving; food and drinks served throughout the party; Santiago Band sets up
  • 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Santiago Band plays
  • 3:30 to 3:45 p.m.: Miles To Go band sets up
  • 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.: Miles to Go band plays
  • 4:45 to 5:00 p.m.: mic set up for open mic
  • 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.: open mic
  • 6:15 to 6:30 p.m.: Unkle Andy band sets up
  • 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Unkle Andy band plays; last call for food and drinks until 7:30 p.m.
  • 7:30 p.m. or thereabouts: Party breaks up