2023 was a special year for Linfield University. There were a lot of celebrations, events (both new and returning) and achievements. Linfield students placed at regional and national competitions. There was hardly a weekend without an arts event, speaker or athletic competition. It also had its share of change and challenges that the university community faced together. As we look ahead, here is a roundup of some of the top Linfield University news and moments, listed chronologically, for the year:
Oregon’s first Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing cohort begins classes
The state’s first Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) program began classes at the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing in January. The 15-month accelerated program is for students who already have their bachelor’s degree in another field, and is tailored for career pathways in health care beyond those afforded by traditional undergraduate nursing degrees. Coursework includes patient care, clinical rotations, sustainable leadership and the impact of social systems on the health and well-being of communities.
“When these 24 students graduate, they will have the ability to be very capable registered nurses, but the MEPN makes them strong candidates for positions in nursing leadership,” Dean Paul Smith said. “It is also a good path for those working toward becoming Nurse Practitioners or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. It’s an excellent program, and we’re proud to bring it to Oregon.” Learn more about the MEPN program.
The Linfield University Science Complex and W.M. Keck Science Center open
After nearly 10 years of planning and 19 months of construction, the new Linfield University Science Complex, featuring the brand-new W.M. Keck Science Center, opened in February. The 84,400-square-foot complex gives Linfield students the chance to do high levels of undergraduate research. Collaborative research space increased 232%, from 2,318 square feet to 5,385 square feet.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, student Natalie Wise ’24 said, “This building provides the resources for Linfield to improve upon what it’s already doing: sparking a passion for science and creating an environment in which people can develop that passion.” Read more about the science complex.
The Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium returns to Linfield
A long-standing Linfield tradition returned in February after a 10-year hiatus. The Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium featured Nobel-winning physicists Bill Phillips and David Wineland. Phillips’ keynote speech, titled “Time, Einstein and the Coolest Stuff in the Universe,” explored using lasers to trap atoms via the Doppler effect and speculated on the future of quantum computing.
Established at Linfield by President Emeritus Charles Walker in 1985 after a major gift from an anonymous donor, the symposium series has drawn 23 Nobel award winners to the McMinnville campus. Past speakers include Elie Wiesel (Nobel Peace Prize, 1986), Linus Pauling (Nobel Prize in chemistry, 1954; Nobel Peace Prize, 1962) and Oscar Arias (Nobel Peace Prize, 1987), among others. Read more about the 2023 event.
Textbooks available to students at no extra cost
Linfield partnered with Barnes & Noble to create the First Day Complete . As part this textbook rental program, students receive all required print and online course materials for the semester at no extra cost.
“This takes the guess-work out of budgeting for textbooks and eliminates a major chore for students at the beginning of the semester,” said Michael Wenz, Linfield’s chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration. “More importantly, it ensures that all students are ready for classes on the first day and no one is disadvantaged because they can’t afford their textbooks.” Learn about First Day Complete.
50 years of Lū’au and Hō’ike celebrated in April
Linfield University celebrated 50 years of tradition and community at the 50th annual Lū’au and Hō’ike. Organized by the student organization Hui O Lōkahi, the event’s theme “Maohi Nui” celebrated the people of the Pacific. There was a variety of traditional and modern dance, and even some poi (fire dancing) from Linfield students and the larger community. Watch the recap video above or on YouTube.
One Wild Day 2023 raises more than $680,000 for Linfield University
Alumni, students, parents, employees and friends of Linfield University came together on May 3 and 4 to raise more than $680,000 as part of One Wild Day, Linfield’s annual day of giving. In just 28 hours, 680 donors made a gift, far exceeding the $550,000 goal. Funds raised supported various areas, including academic departments, athletic teams and the Linfield Fund, which contributes to scholarships and student support. Learn more about giving to Linfield.
570 graduates celebrated during Spring Commencement
The Class of 2023 was honored at Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 28. 570 graduates and their families and friends met in the Commencement Green to celebrate their achievements. A common thread – the class’s resilience. The graduates nontraditional time at Linfield included being sent home when Linfield’s campuses shut down in March 2020, as well as the phased return to ‘normalcy.’ Read more about the ceremony. Watch videos featuring members of the graduating class:
- Beatriz Rendon Bautistsa, nursing
- Diane Longaker, graduate student in business
- Hunter Durso, education
- A look back at the Class of 2023’s time at Linfield
Beth E. Concepción named vice president for academic affairs, provost
Linfield announced the hiring of Beth E. Concepción as its new vice president for academic affairs and provost in June. She came to Linfield from from Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she served as vice provost for educational innovation and executive director for the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence, as well as a teaching professor in the English and technical communications department. Her research interests include journalism ethics and practice, journalism education and television news gatekeeping. In addition to holding academic and administrative roles at Oglethorpe University and Savannah College of Art and Design, Concepción also worked for more than 30 years as a journalist. Learn more about Provost Concepción.
College Magazine names Linfield among top 10 universities for pet lovers
Linfield University was named No. 6 on College Magazine’s Top 10 Colleges for Students Who Can’t Imagine Life Without Animals list. Citing Linfield’s pet-friendly housing, author Devin Stonerock quoted Shayla Wacker ’24 on the positive impact a pet can have on a student’s mental health.
“Having a dog on campus has tremendously changed the way that I exist on campus,” she said. “Her presence has also provided me with a whole community of other pet owners on campus as well as students who stop us on walks just to say hi to Olive.”
At Linfield, Jane Failing Hall began allowing pets in 2019 while the Blaine Street Apartments began allowing pets in 2021.
Acorn to Oak Wine Experience opens on Third Street
Linfield students have a new way to grow their creative and professional skills at Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, now open on McMinnville’s historic Third Street. This new learning lab brings a taste of Linfield to the local community and visiting wine enthusiasts. The student-run facility offers wine tastings and charcuterie, sells local wines and hosts events. With multiple student engagement opportunities – for wine studies students and others – and partnership from the local wineries, this new venture is truly, like its slogan says, “where education meets taste.” Watch a KOIN6 segment about Acorn to Oak above or on YouTube.
The Streak lives on
With a 41-13 win over rival George Fox University on Homecoming Weekend, the Linfield University Wildcats secured their 67th-consecutive winning season. This win extended the longest run of winning campaigns in the history of college football. No other college or university at any level is within 24 years of that record.
Linfield established itself as college football’s all-time leader in consecutive winning seasons on Oct. 17, 1998, after defeating Willamette University 20-19 and clinching a 43rd straight winning season to move ahead of Harvard and Notre Dame.
Learn more about the Streak, its history and the special collection in the Linfield Archives at linfield.edu/thestreak.
International education opportunities expand
In October, Linfield and Sias University in Zhengzhou, China, announced a partnership to expand academic opportunities for students of both institutions. Sias was founded by Linfield alumnus Shawn Chen ’87. It has more than 30,000 undergraduate students and offers both Chinese and American bachelor’s degrees.
A memorandum of understanding between the two universities calls for the development of a joint-supervision dual degree program. Linfield and Sias hope to launch a small pilot of this program in the fall of 2025. The MOU also calls for explorations of mutual exchanges of students, faculty, curriculum and more starting as soon as the fall of 2024. Read the full partnership announcement.
President Davis announces departure, citing family reasons
Miles K. Davis, 20th president at Linfield University, informed the Linfield University Board of Trustees in November of his intention to step down as president. Davis was hired Jan. 31, 2018, and began serving as the first African American president in the institution’s history on July 1 of that year.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to be your president,” President Davis wrote in a message to the Linfield community. “We have accomplished much together in the past 5+ years, and I treasure the time we have worked, cheered, laughed and cried together.”
Lucinda Day Fournier, chair of Linfield’s board, thanked President Davis for his service and said the decision to step down was his alone. A national search for Linfield’s next president is forthcoming. Details on the search are available at linfield.edu/presidentialsearch.
Renowned wine producer named interim director of wine studies programs
Anna Maria Ponzi, former owner, chief executive and president of Ponzi Vineyards, was named interim director of Linfield University’s Center for Wine Education in November. Ponzi is a second-generation wine producer who was instrumental in establishing Oregon’s Willamette Valley as a world-renowned winegrowing region. She grew up on one of the first vineyards in Oregon, which her family established in 1970, and has served as a champion for and ambassador of Oregon wine her entire life.
In her role at Linfield, Ponzi oversees undergraduate and graduate program in wine studies, as well as Linfield’s wine events, clubs, Acorn to Oak Wine Experience and WSET qualification program. Read the full announcement.
Nursing honors 81 graduates at December Pinning Ceremony
Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing celebrated the 81 members of its December 2023 graduating class at a pinning ceremony held on Dec. 15. Each earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Linfield’s traditional BSN or accelerated BSN programs.
“As we pin our December BSN graduates, we honor their remarkable journey. Getting to this day is a testament to their perseverance, knowledge, and resilience,” said Paul Smith, dean of the School of Nursing. “The pinning ceremony marks not just the culmination of their education but the beginning of their professional lives of care. I have no doubt these students will elevate health care standards and touch lives with their empathy and expertise.” Learn more about Linfield’s nursing programs.
Rebecca Johnson to serve as interim president
Linfield ended the calendar year by announcing higher education leader Rebecca “Becky” Johnson as interim president, starting in January 2024. Johnson served as Oregon State University’s interim president during the 2021-22 academic year. Before that, she spent 12 years as an OSU vice president and the top administrator at the university’s Cascades Campus in Bend.
“I’m very excited to be joining the students, faculty and staff of Linfield University,” said Johnson, who previously served as an OSU faculty member, department chair and associate dean for academic affairs. “Together, along with our alumni and community members, we can continue to enhance Linfield’s long history of providing world-class educational experiences for our students.” Read the full hiring announcement.
