Blueprint for Diversity George Fox Is Making Intentional Efforts to Become a More Racially and Ethnically Diverse Community
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Vol 32 No 1 1/15/02 3:09 PM Page 1 LIFE VOL. XXXII, NO. 1 JANUARY 2002 Blueprint for Diversity George Fox is making intentional efforts to become a more racially and ethnically diverse community Ginean Lewis (right), a George Fox graduate who now serves as an admission counselor for her alma mater, visits with students attending a multicultural reception that is part of the University’s ori- entation activities each fall. The reception is just one of the ways George Fox is reaching out to students of color. ANITA CIRULIS ANITA s one of two black female stu- and Ethnic Diversity. The Blueprint’s who are different from you. Seventy per- lege she applied to. dents on the George Fox Newberg main points address the recruitment and cent of those entering the job market by “I asked the Lord what he wanted me Acampus in 1988, Ginean Lewis retention of racially, culturally, and eth- 2008 will be women and people of color. to do,” she says. “I knew this is where he occasionally found herself answering nically diverse students, faculty, and You’re going to be working with people wanted me.” awkward questions: staff, as well as the creation of a curricu- very different from you. “Did you come here to play basket- lum that cultivates awareness of issues of “That’s how heaven’s going to be,” The Northwest Challenge ball?” race, culture, and gender. says Dixon. “People of all nations and George Fox traditionally draws most of “No.” tribes. Why can’t we experience a little its students from the pale-skinned north- “Are you here on a music scholar- A Biblical Mandate of that on earth?” west corner of the United States. The ship?” George Fox President David Brandt minority population in Oregon has dou- “No. Have you heard me sing?” says George Fox is not seeking diversity White, but Welcoming bled in the last decade, but is still small. “How often do you wash your hair?” for diversity’s sake. Ginean Lewis first considered attend- The 2000 census identified 85 percent Some reached out to touch her hair. At “There’s a biblical mandate that drives ing George Fox because she sought a of Oregonians as white. GFU’s under- times, she felt like a campus case study. me to the Blueprint,” he says. He points Christian college in the Northwest — a graduate student body this year includes Today, Lewis works as an admission to Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew region that dazzled her with its green about 7 percent racially diverse students counselor, recruiting students of all col- nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor natural beauty on a trip up from her and 4 percent international students. ors to the same campus community. female, for you are all one in Christ Pomona, Calif., home. Like George Fox, most universities in George Fox still isn’t as diverse as many Jesus.” A teen active in track, student govern- Oregon and Washington struggle with wish, but there’s a consensus that things “As an institution with a Quaker histo- ment, and modeling, she was drawn by diversity issues. President Brandt are improving. ry, the Blueprint fits us,” says Andrea the friendliness of the people she met at acknowledges that the lack of diversity in Cook, vice president for enrollment ser- George Fox. She felt especially wel- the region “makes it a little harder” to Making the George Fox experience vices. “We haven’t arrived, but our goal comed on her campus visit when she recruit racially diverse students, “but not more inviting for students of color like is to be a mosaic of people. We should joined her student hosts on a late-night less important.” Lewis and enriching the culture of the reflect the kingdom of God.” toilet-paper raid on another student res- campus community are two of the main Daryl Dixon, director of multicultural idence. Recruiting Diversity reasons George Fox is taking intentional services, says a racially and ethnically After growing up in Southern Califor- Vice President for Enrollment Ser- steps to increase its racial and ethnic diverse campus enhances the educational nia — where people of color outnumber vices Andrea Cook is using Blueprint diversity. process and prepares students for their whites — Lewis had concerns about the recommendations in her office’s stu- To accomplish its goals, the Universi- futures. lack of diversity she saw on the Newberg dent recruitment efforts. Among the ty has begun implementation of a strate- “This is an environment of learning,” campus. But when the time came to make gic plan called the Blueprint for Racial he says, “a place you learn about people a decision, George Fox was the only col- see Blueprint,page 3 Vol 32 No 1 1/15/02 3:09 PM Page 2 2 Athletic training ASweet Deal program earns Author and futurist Leonard Sweet joins George Fox as a visiting professor accreditation uthor, historian, and futurist at Drew. Previously, Sweet served 11 eorge Fox University gained accredita- Leonard Sweet has a new years as president and professor of Gtion for its athletic training program in Adescriptor for his book cov- church history at United Theological Oct. 2001, making it just one of three col- ers: Distinguished Visiting Professor Seminary (Dayton, Ohio). leges in Oregon — and just one of seven at George Fox University. Sweet is the author of 21 books, Christian colleges nationally — to offer an The affiliation with the Newberg- more than 100 articles, and more than accredited undergraduate program leading to based University and its Portland- 500 published sermons. He and his certification as an athletic trainer. based seminary was announced by wife, Elizabeth, have partnered with The accreditation is especially important President David Brandt in January. Group Publishing to produce the Web- given upcoming changes in the requirements Sweet is the author of the trilogy based preaching resource Preaching- for certification. of books SoulTsunami, AquaChurch, Plus.com. Upcoming books by Sweet In many states, including Oregon, athletic and SoulSalsa,written as third-mil- include “A” is for Abductive: The trainers must be certified by the National lennium resources to help leaders Language of the Emerging Church Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). Since the come to terms with contemporary (with Brian McLaren); Forget the mid-1980s, George Fox has offered an postmodern culture. Each has its own Vision Thing: Play It by Ear; Are You internship program that prepares athletic Web site and multimedia compo- NUTS? Let Jesus Drive You Crazy; training students for the NATA exams. That nents, some of which have received The Jesus Meme; and Giving Blood: organization, however, is phasing out the national awards and one Grammy The Art and Craft of Abductive internship route leading to certification. After 2003, students will be allowed to nomination. George Fox University that will be open Preaching. take the NATA exam only if they have gradu- Working with George Fox Evangeli- to the public. His March 22 presentation Sweet has held several leadership ated from an accredited athletic training pro- cal Seminary, Sweet will bring leader- will focus on postmodern evangelism, positions in the United Methodist Church gram. Others wanting to be certified will be ship to its Doctor of Ministry Program in while his May 16 visit to campus will and has spoken at numerous jurisdiction- required to pursue a graduate degree. a variety of ways. He will teach one of examine alternative leadership styles. al and conferences, including the 1996 Work toward accreditation at George Fox the courses for each of the doctoral Further details still are being determined. World Methodist Congress in Brazil. He goes back several years, according to Dale cohorts and will facilitate at least one In addition, Sweet will serve as a con- is a consultant to many denominational Isaak, head athletic trainer and an assistant retreat — or “advance,” as he prefers to sultant to the University and President leaders and agencies, and is a frequent professor of health and human performance. call it — for each group. He will also Brandt several days a year. speaker at national conferences, state The past two years since the GFU program engage a select group of Doctor of Min- Sweet is currently affiliated with conventions, pastors’ schools, and was given candidacy status were particularly istry Program students in a mentoring Drew University (Madison, N.J.) as the retreats. rigorous, he says, but the University had the relationship that emphasizes postmodern E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evange- Sweet has a master of divinity degree advantage of having a well-established acad- church leadership and that is electronic, lism. Prior to this position, he served five from Colgate Rochester Divinity School emic and clinical program. participatory, and experiential. years as vice president of academic and a Ph.D. from the University of Sweet will also present seminars at affairs and dean of the theological school Rochester. LIFE STAFF Editor Anita Cirulis Contributing Writers Blair Cash Anita Cirulis Rob Felton John Fortmeyer Community With Diversity Janet Goetze eorge Fox University, over many years, has been in kinds of diversity. The apostle Paul suggests in Galatians Barry Hubbell Gthe business of community formation. 3:28 that “In Christ’s family there can be no division into Photographers It always has been important for George Fox people to Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among Anita Cirulis know and support one another. We continue to be a place us you are all equal (The Message).” Race, gender, and Joel Davis John Fortmeyer where people matter, where there is strong identity of socioeconomic status are not to Craig Strong employees and students with the institution, and where we divide us.