Twelve employees honored with university awards

Kate Lorenzen, assistant professor of mathematics, is a leading scholar and educator. Her research focuses on combinatorial matrix theory and spectral graph theory. These fields help people better understand patterns of connection and communication in network systems. In September 2024, Lorenzen received a $247,348 grant from the National Science Foundation. Her proposal, “Algebraic Methods in Spectral Graph Theory,” continues her work analyzing networks using matrices. The funding supports collaborative research with four Linfield students over the next two summers. This award is made in accordance with the provisions of NSF Solicitation: NSF 22-604 Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

Associate Professor Kiki Fornero is a valued educator and leader within the School of Nursing. Since arriving at Linfield in 2019, she has taught students across multiple levels of the program and played a key role in developing new curriculum pathways. She fully integrated simulation-based learning into the school’s educational approach. In addition, her scholarship and advocacy in inclusive health education — particularly her work addressing weight stigma and LGBTQ+ family care — have had a lasting impact across the School of Nursing. In 2024, Fornero became director of Linfield’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) programs.

Andrea Byerley, senior associate registrar, has earned a reputation as a problem-solver and systems expert, often stepping up to address technical issues and improve workflows across departments. She is also a leader and mentor. Byerley leads several key committees, including those for the Registration Readiness Fair, CHUGG and the Academic Intervention Committee. Nominators commended her support of colleagues, whether working on campus or remotely. Another nominator wrote, “Andrea is an exceptional team member whose dedication, professionalism and consistent efforts to go above and beyond make her truly deserving of this recognition.” Byerley’s attention to detail, leadership in process improvement, and support for students and staff alike make her an indispensable member of the Linfield community.

Jackson Miller, professor of communication arts, exemplifies excellence in teaching. His classes are lively and engaging, grounded in a scholarly foundation. Students are passionate about Miller’s classes. One student praised his ability to “push students to use thinking skills as well as connecting content to course resources.” Colleagues say his classrooms as filled with critical thinking, respectful debate, reflection and laughter. One wrote, “He is equally adept at transforming into the character of Cicero to demonstrate the important role public speaking played in the social and political ideas of 1st century BC Rome and illustrating the rhetorical power of hip-hop rhymes in rap music to illuminate the rhetorical power of music as a means of facilitating collective action in the 21st century.” In addition to his teaching and scholarly works, Miller also leads the Linfield Forensics Team.

Yu-Shan Chen, executive assistant to the president, is a catalyst for connection and community at Linfield. Known for her thoughtful, collaborative approach, Chen brings people together — across departments and roles — to plan events that reflect the voices and needs of the entire campus. She’s a trusted bridge between the president’s office and the broader community. She is a regular advocate for open communication and ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard. Beyond campus, her outreach extends into the McMinnville community through service with organizations like Leadership MAC and the Asian Heritage Association. Whether she’s supporting a university initiative or volunteering, Chen leads with purpose, empathy and a deep commitment to inclusion.

Jamie Opdyke, director of Learning Support Services, has made a significant impact in a short time. Since joining Linfield in 2023, Opdyke has transformed how the university supports students with disabilities. This included revamping the housing accommodations process, streamlining access to resources and building lasting partnerships across campus. She collaborates closely with other departments to ensure accommodations are timely, equitable and effective. Her thoughtful questions, careful follow-up and student-first mindset are at the heart of her work. She also contributes to national conversations in her field through leadership roles in professional organizations, bringing the latest best practices to Linfield. Her dedication to access, inclusion and collaboration makes her a powerful advocate and valued colleague.

Professor Joe Wilkins is no stranger to this award, previously earning this creative honor in 2017 and 2022. This year, Wilkins is recognized for his most recent poetry collection, “Pastoral, 1994,” published by River River Books in early 2025. “Pastoral, 1994” has been lauded for its evocative language and poignant exploration of the rural American West. The collection meditates on themes of labor, landscape, masculinity and memory. One reviewer said its “meticulous and potent lyrics” echo the work of poets like Seamus Heaney. Individual poems from the collection appeared in leading national journals, including “The Missouri Review,” “The Southern Review,” “The Sun,” and “Orion.”

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Wilkins is a dedicated teacher and mentor, leading Linfield’s creative writing program and nurturing a generation of emerging writers. He was the 2024 Oregon Literary Fellow.

William Campbell — associate professor of music, department chair and director of composition studies — is a renown pianist and composer. He recently wrote original music scores for the acclaimed documentary films, “Chasing Roo,” about kangaroo hunting in Australia, and “Keep Quiet and Forgive,” about cycles of abuse in Amish communities. His work demonstrates the power of music to elevate visual storytelling — providing emotional resonance, narrative propulsion and, at times, a sense of restrained beauty. “Chasing Roo” was shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short Film and has been featured at multiple prominent film festivals. “Keep Quiet and Forgive” is slated to premiere on PBS’s Independent Lens in 2026.

In addition to his own creative success, Campbell brings professional-level experiences into the classroom through programs like the Lacroute Composers Reading and Chamber Music Mentorship Program, where students learn the art and practice of composing for film.

Allison Horn, associate vice president for facilities administration, leads with humility, consistency and care. She works across departments and campuses to support a wide range of university initiatives. Throughout her work, Horn is focused on students and the well-being of the broader Linfield community. Colleagues describe her as a “quiet leader” who earns trust, uplifts others and finds solutions without needing the spotlight. One nominator wrote, “She has cultivated a work environment that is not only collaborative but also creative and forward-thinking. Her team feels seen, supported, and inspired, which has led to a culture of mutual respect, trust, and shared success.” Horn’s calm, steady presence and deep commitment to collaboration have made her an essential leader at Linfield.

Joe Latulippe, associate provost for academic support and accessibility, is recognized for his thoughtful, inclusive and student-centered leadership. Colleagues describe his approach as patient, thorough and collaborative. He brings people together across disciplines, listens actively and navigates complex conversations with clarity and fairness. Since arriving in 2021, Latulippe has been a leader in several key university-wide initiatives focused on student success and retention. This includes Moving the Needle and the Summer Academy. His stewardship has been instrumental in shaping an academic support program that better serves Linfield students now and into the future.

Michael Crosser, professor of physics, makes exceptional contributions to the Linfield community — in the classroom, across the university and throughout the region. Since his arrival in 2006, Crosser has mentored student researchers nearly every summer. He has also led key curriculum updates in the sciences, including designing new labs that teach students how to use sophisticated equipment. In addition, he chaired the Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium Committee in 2023 and 2025, helping reinvent this premier event after a 10-year hiatus.

Beyond campus, Crosser co-hosts the “Crisscrossing Science” podcast and creates widely viewed science content on social media, raising Linfield’s profile and making complex topics accessible to a broad audience. He is a repeated guest on Portland news shows, sharing his expertise on subjects ranging from solar eclipses to the physics of discus throwing at the Olympics.