April 2012 E-Cat

Spring break, Linfield volunteer style

Last month, 28 students and six advisors took part in an alternative spring break, volunteering more than 1,000 hours at three locations around the country. For efforts such as these, Linfield was named to the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in recognition of outstanding leadership in civic engagement and service learning during the 2010-11 school year. During spring break, one group traveled to New Orleans, La., to focus on issues surrounding community and environmental recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Another group visited Tacoma, Wash., to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. The final group volunteered in Newport, focusing on youth development and literacy. View a photo slideshow featuring Alternative Spring Break volunteers on the Linfield website.

Becoming a nurse for the day

Sylvia Griffith has always wanted to become a nurse. She missed out on her dream until recently, when she became nurse for a day at the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing. In March, Griffith spent the day with Linfield students and faculty, taking part in an assortment of nursing activities and caring for “Eric,” the resident manikin in the Simulation Lab. Read more about her experience in The Oregonian.

Professor creates citizens of the world

Confronting the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, international law and global governance is a specialty of Professor Patrick Cottrell in the Political Science Department. He recently presented a faculty lecture on the Global Zero campaign, an effort that proponents hope will illuminate a path toward nuclear disarmament. Since joining the faculty in 2008, Cottrell has taken students to Vietnam and will lead a group to Thailand this summer on a research project. Watch a short interview on YouTube and read his story in Linfield Magazine.

Linfield appreciates its alumni

Alumni Appreciation Week – April 16-20 – celebrates the many ways that Linfield alumni contribute to the success of the college and its students. Each day of the week, our website will highlight a different aspect of alumni involvement. Visit the alumni appreciation website daily or follow Linfield College on Facebook to learn more about a few of the many alumni who are vital in keeping Linfield strong.

40th Lu'au highlights Mom's Weekend activities

Linfield’s 40th annual Lu’au will be a highlight of Mom's Weekend May 4-5. The weekend is an opportunity for mothers and their students to spend time together and participate in activities at Linfield and in McMinnville. Although a formal schedule of events is not planned for this weekend, check out the Mom's Weekend page for a list of Linfield-sponsored events and activities, including the 40th annual Lu'au.

The host with the most

For the third time in four years, Linfield College will serve as one of eight regional host sites for NCAA Division III baseball playoffs. The multi-team regional tournament will take place May 16-20 at Linfield’s Roy Helser Field. The winner of the regional will advance to the NCAA Finals, May 25-29, in Appleton, Wis. From softball and baseball to track and tennis, Wildcat teams are having stellar seasons. Read more on the regional tournament and all your favorite Linfield teams at linfield.edu/sports.

Network your way to the life you want

Portland area alumni are invited to Perkins and Company in downtown Portland Tuesday, May 8, where they can interact with other alumni and expand their personal and professional networks. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and is hosted by Eric Holtgraves ’05. Read more about the event or register online.

Music department says farewell to three

Three well-known and beloved members of the Department of Music will retire in June. Jill Timmons has served as artist in residence and professor of music since 1981. Donna Root has served as the secretary to the department since 1982. Dana Libonati joined the staff in 1991 and since that time has been the director for the jazz choir, Double Vision. The May 11 Jazz Night performance by Double Vision will serve as a farewell for Libonati, and alumni who belonged to the group are invited to participate in a performance. If you wish to take part or to simply send well wishes for any of the three, email alumni@linfield.edu.

What do YOU want?

Linfield College will launch an alumni attitude study to learn what type of benefits, services, events and communications are most important to our alumni. Near the end of April, you should receive an email from President Thomas L. Hellie inviting you to complete the brief survey. Please share your thoughts and help guide the future of alumni relations for the benefit of all. For more information, email alumni@linfield.edu.

Calendar of events

Wednesday, April 18 – Brittney Corrigan poetry reading, 7:30 p.m., Nicholson Library
Monday, April 23 – Wallace J. Nichols, “Get Your BLUEMiND On,” 8 p.m., Ted Wilson Gym
Tuesday, April 24 – Spring Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., Ice Auditorium
Tuesday, April 24 – David Price, “Weaponizing Anthropology,” 7 p.m., 201 Riley Hall
Thursday, April 26 – Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium, Eric Maskin (pictured left), 7:30 p.m., Ice Auditorium
Monday, April 30 – Mac Reads, Molly Gloss “The Jump-Off Creek,” 7:30 p.m., Nicholson Library
Tuesday, May 1 – Scott Burns, “The Mystery of Terroir in Oregon: The Relationship of Geology, Soil and Climate to Wine,” T.J. Day Hall
Friday, May 4 – Linfield Chamber Orchestra, 8 p.m., McMinnville First Baptist Church
Friday and Saturday, May 4-5 – Dance Ensemble, May 4 at 8 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m., Ice Auditorium
Saturday, May 5 – Hawaiian Lu'au, 5:30 p.m., Ted Wilson Gym
Monday, May 7 – Josue Revas '13 reading, 7:30 p.m., Nicholson Library
Monday, May 7 – Susan McWilliams, "Redeeming Democracy in America," 2:30 p.m., Jonasson Hall

Seen on campus

The Easter Bunny ushered in plenty of sunshine and children for the annual egg hunt in the Oak Grove. See a photo slideshow at linfield.edu.