Linfield University’s McMinnville Campus hosts a robust schedule of public — and mostly free — events this month. In a nod to the upcoming election, several lectures and panel discussions revolve around the theme of democracy. Multiple esteemed authors will be on campus, including Anthony Abraham Jack, who is giving a public keynote on how colleges can best serve low-income students.
Homecoming Weekend happens Oct. 11-12, with more than 30 events scheduled, while the Linfield Athletics is inducting five athletes and a national championship team into its Hall of Fame on Oct. 26.
Oct. 1: Readings at the Nick: Professor Joe Wilkins
Join Oregon Book Award-winner and Linfield creative writing professor Joe Wilkins for a free reading and Q&A session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 on the steps of Jereld R. Nicholson Library. Wilkins is reading from his latest novel, “The Entire Sky,” which has been praised in reviews across the country. Booklist calls the novel “a profound meditation on family and finding one’s identity. Wilkins captures with devastating sensitivity how broken people can mend one another and how acceptance and forgiveness can lead to redemption and love.”
Oct. 2: Democracy in Divided Times: What are the Stakes?
Join Linfield faculty and community members for a discussion of the stakes of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with an emphasis on the future of democracy, political institutions and freedom. The event is from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 in Graf 111-115, and is free.
For more information, contact political science professor Pat Cottrell.
Oct. 11: Majestic Tree Week tree tour
Majestic Tree Week is back! The international award-winning student-led competition is out to once again determine the most spectacular of Linfield’s more than 2,400 trees. The eight contenders go head-to-head on the @majestictreeweek Instagram Oct. 14-20, but the public is invited to see them up close and learn more from biology professor John Syring and environmental studies professor Kurt Ingeman.
Rain or shine, the walk begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 in front of T.J. Day Hall and is free. Please wear sturdy shoes! For more information, contact Kelly Williams Brown.
Oct. 11: Linfield Concert Choir and Wildcat Glee Fall Concert
Join the Linfield Department of Music for its Fall Choral Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 in Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium. Enjoy an evening of inspiring performances by the Linfield Concert Choir and Wildcat Glee.
This free event showcases a diverse repertoire of songs that will captivate and uplift. Visit www.linfield.edu/arts for more information.
Oct. 11-12: Homecoming Weekend
The annual celebration brings more than 30 events to the McMinnville campus. In addition to the football game against Lewis & Clark College, there are men’s and women’s soccer games, volleyball and alumni baseball and swim meets.
Other highlights include the 100th birthday of the Wildcat mascot; milestone reunions for the classes of 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2014; a wine tasting at Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, campus tours and more. Many events are free, while some require advance RSVP and ticket purchases. See the full schedule.
Oct. 16-17: Author Anthony Abraham Jack at Linfield
Anthony Abraham Jack, author of “Class Dismissed: When Colleges Ignore Inequality & Students Pay the Price” and “The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students” gives a keynote talk at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 in Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium. The free event includes a book signing.
Jack’s research documents the overlooked diversity among lower-income undergraduates. He has held fellowships from the Ford Foundation and National Science Foundation, among others. Copies of his books will be available for purchase at the event from the Linfield Bookstore. The event is sponsored by Linfield Learning Across Boundaries (LAB). For more information, email Reshmi Dutt-Ballerstadt.
Oct. 17: A Democracy of Multiples: Recent Print Publications from the Studio of Mullowney Printing
Linfield Gallery presents select prints from Portland’s renowned Mullowney Printing Company at a new exhibit running Oct. 17-Nov. 22 in the Linfield Gallery. The exhibition includes work by Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet, Demian DinéYazhi’, Stephen Hayes, Narsiso Martinez and Marie Watt. Their catalogue includes etching, relief, photogravure, letterpress and more.
Paul Mullowney will give opening remarks at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Linfield Gallery, followed by an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Both the reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public. The Linfield Gallery is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Visit www.linfield.edu/arts for more information.
Oct. 19: Latine Heritage Month Celebración
Linfield University concludes its observance of Latine Heritage Month with Celebración from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in the Rutschman Field House. The family-friendly event celebrates multiple facets of Latine heritage, including live music, food, and a mercardo (market) of Latine artists and businesses.
There will also be performances from the Woodburn High School mariachi band, Huehca Omeyocan dancers and baile folklorico dancers. Tickets are $5 with Linfield ID, $10 general public, and available online.
Oct. 23: U.S. Foreign Policy and the 2024 Election panel discussion
Join Linfield faculty members at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Jonasson Hall (ground floor of Melrose Hall) for a free discussion about the implications of the 2024 election for U.S. foreign policy.
Potential topics include the Russia-Ukraine war, future of NATO, Israel-Gaza, Chinese expansionism, global economic health, human rights and climate change.
For more information, contact political science professor Pat Cottrell.
Oct. 22: Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Lodger” silent film with live organ accompaniment
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent horror masterpiece, “The Lodger,” will be brought to life by the haunting melodies of organist Dean Lemire at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium (inside Melrose Hall). The audience will be transported to the atmospheric streets of London, gripped by suspense and intrigue.
Lemire’s skillful improvisations on the organ heighten the tension, adding depth to every scene and accentuating Hitchcock’s signature suspenseful moments. His original score, one of more than 100 he’s composed for silent movies, is an integral part of the cinematic experience, immersing viewers in a bygone era of cinematic excellence and artistic innovation.
Tickets are $10, available online. Visit www.linfield.edu/arts for more information.
Oct. 26: Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame induction
Five storied Wildcat athletes and one national championship team will be inducted into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame during a celebratory banquet on Saturday, Oct. 26 inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Inductees include soccer players Jeff Brooks ’87 and Emily (Fellows) Terry ’14; softball players Emily (Keagbine) Conner ’12 and Karleigh (Prestianni) Potter ’13; track and field standout Melody (Sherman) Rosen ’06. The 2013 baseball team, who, under then-head coach Scott Brosius ’01, captured Linfield’s first national baseball title since 1971.
Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with the induction banquet to follow at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30; $10 for children 6 and younger. For more information, contact Kelly Bird, communications and marketing director for athletics.
Oct. 30: Debate: Gen Z, Social Media and Democracy
Six students from Linfield’s award-winning Forensics Program present a public debate on the motion, “The rise of Gen Z social media activism has negatively impacted U.S. democracy.” This free event is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 in Riley Campus Center’s Fred Meyer Lounge.
It is presented by Linfield’s Learning Across Boundaries (LAB). For more information, contact communication arts professor Jackson Miller.
Oct. 30: Readings at the Nick: R.O. Kwon
Join New York Times-bestselling author R.O. Kwon for a reading and Q&A session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 in Nicholson Library.
This free event features Kwon’s latest novel “Exhibit,” which Time Magazine highlighted as one of its 14 New Books You Should Read in May. It is part of Linfield’s Reading at the Nick series. For more information, contact Ariadne Will.
Nov. 3: Oak & Vine Society Autumn Soirée
The Oak & Vine Society, one of Linfield University’s wine clubs, celebrates fall with 15 partner wineries from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at Abbey Road Farm. The event features light snacks from Biscuit & Pickles Catering and musical guest Specular Reflections. Participating wineries include Arabilis Wines, Coleman Vineyards, Couer de Terre, Pike Road, Satyr Fire, Troon Vineyard and more.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online. For more information on how to join Oak & Vine, contact hello@acorntooakwine.com.
