There was no shortage of good news at Linfield University this year, with multiple playoff runs, traditions new and old, student success in arts and academics, the leadership of interim President Becky Johnson and the announcement of incoming President Mark Blegen, who will assume the role in July 2025.
Here are some highlights:
January
Rebecca ‘Becky’ Johnson assumes leadership as interim president
Cheer team heads to national competition; earns top 20 finish
Professor Joe Wilkins receives Literary Arts’ 2024 Oregon Literary Career Fellowship
February
Short film by Andrew Goodwin ’24 gets screened at McMinnville Short Film Festival
YCAP partnership brings fresh produce and dairy to Linfield’s food pantry
2024 Oregon Student Government Conference draws 94 student leaders from around the state
Wildcat wrestling compete under fighter jets and rockets on Valentine’s Day (KPTV)
March
A royal greeting: Princesses from Linfield dance and cheer help make birthday celebration extra special
Linfield receives nearly $300,000 from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations to support, expand the First Scholars program
April
Anna Maria Ponzi named permanent director of Linfield Center for Wine Education
“This House prefers whiskey over wine” — Linfield hosts Irish national debate champions
Winners of 2024 Lacroute Prizes in Poetry, Prose announced
‘Apertura’ draws 80 attendees to address inclusivity in Oregon wine
Linfield University names former Major League Baseball player Scott Brosius as next athletic director
Lūʻau at Linfield University honors Pacific Island culture for 51st year (Oregonian and Here is Oregon video)
May
One Wild Day raises more than $738,000, an all-time high
Iván Galicia Sixto ’24 earns a Fulbright award to teach in Peru
Festival creates channels of gratitude for culture, camas (News-Register)
Softball makes a run for the national title in Texas (KPTV)
Pinning ceremony celebrates Linfield’s 136 soon-to-be nurses
Linfield honors 505 graduates at 2024 Commencement
Commencement 2024 in photos
June
Linfield University creates new graduate pathway with COMP-Northwest
Majestic Tree Week earns global ‘Circle of Excellence’ award for student engagement
Linfield mourns the loss of Professor Damian Williams
July
Money magazine names Linfield one of Oregon’s top colleges for affordability and outcomes
Mary Lago ’97, Katie Paullin ’03 and Laurie Reser join Linfield University Board of Trustees
August
Lance Lopes ’85, Desi Shubin ’96, Kerry Carmody ’73 and Miriam Vargas Corona ’14 named Linfield University’s 2024 alumni awardees
September
Linfield University dedicates Loveridge Hall on its Portland campus
Linfield ranked among top colleges for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report
Linfield University named partner on $3.5 million grant to create pathways for multilingual teachers in Oregon
October
Linfield celebrates 100 years of being the Wildcats at 2024 Homecoming
Linfield School of Business hosts second-annual ‘Yet … Symposium’
College football history made: Linfield University clinches 68th straight winning season
November
Linfield announces new LEAD Honors Program to begin in fall 2025
Linfield University recognized as a 2024 All In Most Engaged Campus for student voting
Football ends regular season 9-1 with a conference title, beats Texas Lutheran 65-3 in first-round home playoff game
December
KPTV showcases academic and professional accomplishments of the football team ahead of third round playoff game
Dr. Mark Blegen named 21st president of Linfield University
In case you missed it … Enjoy the first-ever Linfield Yule Log!
