Matz stepping down as chair of wine studies

Tim MatzAfter more than two years of innovative leadership, Tim Matz has announced he will retire as head of Linfield University’s wine studies programs at the end of the year.

Under Matz’s leadership, Linfield introduced new courses of study, including the Master of Science in business specializing in wine business leadership and new events such as the BIPOC Wine Symposium, which attracted national speakers in its inaugural year. The Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, a student-run tasting room on McMinnville’s Third Street, opened in September.
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Interim president selection committee appointed

Presidential Medallions in a display case

The medallion, a symbol of office for the Linfield University president, is worn during ceremonial occasions.

Over the course of the Linfield University Board of Trustees meetings Nov. 10 and 11, 2023, an interim president selection committee was appointed and a process adopted for identifying and engaging an interim president. Nominations will be accepted from all sources. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply. The interim president will not be considered in the full presidential search to identify President Miles K. Davis’ longer term successor.

Nominations may be sent to presidentialsearch@linfield.edu. Candidates will be asked to provide a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their approach to leading Linfield through the consequential decisions and processes ahead. All candidates whose materials are submitted by Dec. 1 will be considered. Candidates may submit materials later, but consideration is not guaranteed after Dec. 1. Community updates will be shared via Linfield Ahead and at linfield.edu/presidentialsearch.

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Dec. 7: Jazz pianist Marcus Johnson ‘Live in Wine Country’ to benefit Linfield University

Marcus Johnson sitting at a pianoJazz pianist and winemaker Marcus Johnson will perform “Live in Wine Country” at the Stoller Experience Center on Dayton’s Stoller Family Estate on Thursday, Dec. 7. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Linfield University’s Department of Music to provide scholarships and instruments to students requiring financial assistance. Continue reading

President Davis to step down, citing family obligations

Portrait of Miles K. Davis.President Miles K. Davis has informed the Linfield University Board of Trustees that he intends to step down from his position once an interim president has been identified and there has been time for an adequate transition period, which is likely by early 2024. He cited family obligations on the east coast, and that he had determined it is not feasible or advisable to be a bi-coastal president traveling back and forth regularly. Continue reading

NW Media Fest 2023 provided “perfect opportunity” for students to connect with media pros

 

A photographer shows camera settings to a group of students

Celebrity photographer Joey Terrill was one of eight NW Media Fest guests offering student-only workshops and lectures.

Linfield University’s second NW Media Fest was longer and larger than the original, but still stayed true to its mission of giving Linfield students the chance to connect individually with journalists, musicians, entertainment executives and even the largest independent comic publisher in the country.   

Four days of programming kicked off Tuesday with a screening of silent horror classic “Nosferatu” accompanied live by organist Dean Lemire performing his original, at times improvisational, score. Between then and Friday night’s closer with Dark Horse Comics CEO Mike Richardson, there were more than a dozen events from this year’s eight featured guests Continue reading

Linfield hits two-thirds “New Majority” in fall 2023 census

Students walk under a Linfield University sign on the McMinnville campus

Linfield University’s fall 2023 census shows growth in the “New Majority” demographic, defined as students who are first in their family to earn a degree, receive a Pell Grant, are a U.S. student of color or are transfer students. This group now makes up 67% of Linfield’s student population, up from 61% for the 2022-23 school year.  

Linfield’s total enrollment is 1,726 students, with 1,672 undergraduates and 55 graduate students; there were 1,704 and 50, respectively, for the 2022-23 year.  

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Linfield University’s NW Media Fest returns and expands in its a second year

NW Media Fest logoNW Media Fest, a multi-day celebration of the wide-ranging media universe that debuted last year on Linfield’s McMinnville campus, returns Oct. 24-27.

Now expanded to four days, NW Media Fest features eight guests representing the worlds of journalism, music, streaming content, photography, comics and more. Continue reading

Linfield University embarks on partnership with Sias University in Zhengzhou, China

Dean VanBeek, Dean Madden, Provost Concepcion and two Sias University academic leaders stand behind a table where President Davis and Founder Shawn Chen are sitting. The table is strewn with flowers and a small American and Chinese flag.

A delegation of Linfield University leaders traveled to Sias University in Zhengzhou, China, in late September — and returned with a new partner in international education.

President Miles K. Davis, Provost Beth Concepción, and deans Gennie VanBeek and Jennifer Madden attended Sias’ 2023 opening ceremonies and held in-depth discussion on future collaboration between the two institutions.  Continue reading

Homecoming Weekend 2023 in photos and video

Mack the Wildcat, Linfield's mascot, runs onto the football field with a '67' jersey, signifying 67 consecutive winning seasons. Homecoming Weekend 2023 drew Linfield University alumni by the hundreds from around the country to McMinnville for three days of celebrations, sports, wine, science and memories. 

“It was a phenomenal Homecoming Weekend — the largest we’ve had since the pandemic,” said Debbie Harmon Ferry ’90, director of alumni and parent engagement. “We were thrilled to be able to share so many exciting new aspects of Linfield, like the Acorn to Oak Wine Experience and the new W.M. Keck Science Center, but also take time to just be together, eat, drink, celebrate and enjoy what makes Linfield so special.” Continue reading