To the Editor,

Tremendous thanks to the Linfield community for coming out in such strength to support the Choir’s homecoming concert Friday night. As a member of the Concert Choir, I know that the music we prepared and the experiences we had on tour were meaningful in an abiding and personal way. I was blown away by the number of students, faculty and community members who took the time and effort to share with us the music that had brought us so much joy.

The idea that each member of the ensemble had so much support from so many facets of their life is inspiring and a reminder of what I love most about Linfield: the constant opportunity to honor the accomplishments and character of each member of the community. The choir experience itself has been about finding a sense of unity as an ensemble, even as we individually strive to develop
our personal relationships to music and to each other. In a parallel way, sharing our music with the greater Linfield campus was about presenting ourselves as a collective to the community to which we belong as much as it was about receiving love from the people who came to support individuals in the choir.

The concert was a reminder of how meaningful the simplest shows of support can be. It has motivated me to more actively attend the functions of my peers and to remember that I am always a part of the Linfield community.

Thank you,
Sophomore, Caitlyn Olson

To the Editor,

Being a previous Linfield Review editor-in-chief and a Linfield senator, I am extremely pleased to read about the changes President Colin Jones proposed (and which were approved by the student body) to the structure of the ASLC Senate. I commend him and whomever worked with him to make the Senate a working, productive balance to the ASLC Cabinet, rather than a miasma of hand-raising, aye-saying rubber stamps. As has been the case for quite some time, more was not better when it came to Senate, and thinning down the ranks is a step in the right direction. This was something I wanted to see when I worked for the Review, and I’m glad to see that Jones had the foresight to put forth the suggestions needed. I look forward to reading about next year’s Senate in future issues of the Review, and I wish it and Vice President-elect Bradley Keliinoi the best of luck.

Dominic Baez
Class of ’10, 2009-10 Linfield
Review editor-in-chief

Matt Olson’s recent column entitled “Abstract painting in fML does not suit location” expressed a set of judgments concerning a painting of mine displayed in the Fred Meyer Lounge. He went on to demand its immediate removal. Lacking research, the article didn’t identify me by name, much less the title of the work. Matt is of course entitled to his opinion, but as a columnist one would think facts and a more robust appreciation of art might inform and hopefully nuance his writing.

Shortly after the Fred Meyer Lounge was inaugurated under President Charles Walker, I was asked to provide a piece for the space over the mantle. I donated the piece in question. Other gifted works of mine on campus include the “Rampant Arch” canvas outside Ice Auditorium and murals in the Spanish classroom. As the legal property of Linfield College, all such work is shown as the administration sees fit.

The 1988 piece that apparently makes Matt cringe is entitled “Phaedrus,” inspired by a key Platonic dialog. In this particular work, I explored existential issues concerning the occasional sense of feeling alien vis-a-vis equally unknown, sometimes dark landscapes that are, nevertheless, the ground of our being. It is not a light theme, I agree, but the central abstract form is luminous and is, I contend, relevant and hopeful to students working their way into life and the larger world — provided they look and contemplate, rather than expect to be entertained lightly — very lightly — if the writer has his way.

I invite columnist Matt Olson to have coffee with me to discuss his reading of my work. Given his apparent sensitivity to art, I might also suggest that he take a course or two in Visual Culture, aesthetics and, oh yes, journalism.

Professor Ron Mills/Art and Visual Culture

To the Editor,

On behalf of Theta Chi Fraternity, I wanted to personally thank The Linfield Review for covering our Theta Chi 12 Days of Christmas event in The Linfield Review. The story was great, and it helped us get the word out to students, faculty and the community.

During the 12 Days of Christmas event, we received all kinds of donations such as a total of 100 books and 10 bags of assorted clothing items, such as clothes, gloves, scarves and jackets. Other donations included various stuffed animals and toys. We received over 120 items of non-perishable food. Lastly, $120 in cash donations were collected and used to support our adopted family of four that was given to us by YCAP. The proceeds of the 2010 Theta Chi 12 Days of Christmas were delivered to YCAP for distribution to the families of McMinnville.

Thanks to the campus, community, The Linfield Review, Sodexo services and the men of Theta Chi, the 12 Days of Christmas event was successful once again.

Sincerely,
Beau Slayton
Senior, president of Theta Chi Fraternity

While I feel The Linfield Review article “Student, alumna injured in crash” lacked important information, such as the 0.2 intoxication level of the driver who brutally crashed into my daughter Justine Pillar over Homecoming weekend, I would like to send thanks to the members of the Linfield community for their support during and since the accident.
Thank you to every Linfield student who rushed to aid Justine, called 9-1-1, gathered in prayer and made sure she was kept from moving. For those of you who witnessed my daughter (as Granum described) looking like “a ragdoll,” “grotesque” and moaning, “help” before she lost consciousness and was put upon the helicopter, I hope this incident stays with you for life and you will warn your own friends and loved ones of the dangers of drinking and driving. Thank you to the many 2010 Linfield alumni and junior Ryan Cook, who rushed to the hospital in the night, supporting Justine, each other, and our family during a very scary time. My appreciation and thanks also to the wonderful Linfield College staff, Accounting Department professors, and members of Alpha Phi Sorority for being so kind in sending love, cards, gifts, prayers and wishes for Justine’s recovery.
Wildcats, please go easy on your parents and/or loved ones who remind you to be careful. I hope you all are lucky enough to avoid the next drunken driver, and most importantly are bright enough to never ever be the drunken driver.

Best wishes,

- Kirk Pillar

My daughter Justine Pillar, Class of 2010, is the young woman who was struck by a drunken driver over Homecoming weekend as she crossed Davis Street and had to be life-flighted to Portland. I am very disappointed the article “Student, alumna injured in crash” that was published in The Linfield Review, which seems to place blame on the two victims of the crash, even though the driver that hit them, Daniel Algeo, was quite intoxicated.
In the article, Aaron Granum, stated that “the girls came out onto the road suddenly.” I would first like to point out that the author failed to take into account any other eyewitness or police statements and did not report that Justine and Celeste Wilson were walking across the street not alone, but in a group of four people when they were hit. In addition, the women had to cross one full lane on the street before reaching the lane the driver should have been in. Granum stated in the article that Algeo “did not seem intoxicated,” and he believes, “the accident was not caused by Algeo’s intoxication.” It was not mentioned that Algeo did not pass his field sobriety test, was not able to stand on one leg and blew a 0.2 (2 ½ times over the legal limit for driving in Oregon) when he hit the victims. I have to wonder, was Granum’s perception of the incident the eyewitness account of a sober student?

Sincerly,

-Robbie West Pillar

In regards to the October 9 article “Grade-point average causes job termination” by Septembre Russell regarding the termination of a music coordinator by ASLC representatives, I found the writing in general extremely biased and offensive to the representatives — in particular LAB vice president of programming Nicole Bond. Throughout the article Bond is continually harassed about the termination of Alyssa Hood, as if she personally was responsible for Hood’s termination and hardship. By the end of the second page, the author’s writing goes from slightly journalistic in style, to blatantly spiteful “she said/she said” writing. Reading the article in its entirety was painful: I felt as if I was reading a note some catty 15 year old would pass in class, not a college newspaper.
Journalism is supposed to be as unbiased as possible, and this piececlearly fails to meet that requirement.
Secondly, the very content of the article isn’t suitable for print, let alone a prime spot on the front page that could have been taken up by a worthwhile story regarding an issue pertinent to Linfield students. Clearly, this article was inspired by a bitter former employee, desperate to make someone pay for her own lack of ability to meet job requirements. The matter should have been settled between Hood and ASLC representatives, rather than shoved at the student population in hopes that…what? There would be a public outcry for Ms. Hood’s job to be returned? Sorry guys, The only action this article should inspire is an apology from Hood and Russell to Bond for all the mudslinging done throughout.
The Linfield Review has been a respectable college newspaper in the past, and everyone on staff has big shoes to fill. One sincerely hopes that this sort of article is an isolated mistake that will not be tolerated or repeated in the future.

-Shauna Litts, junior

About 20 years ago, I was involved in the design of the entrance signage for the college. The charge was to develop the entrance with a welcoming sign that identified the college by name and at the same time presented the public with a sense of permanence and elegance. The horizontal, curved structure of concrete and brick implied a foundational architecture for the college’s identity. The simple “LINFIELD” (block letters) was chosen to suggest that our identity was solid — well known by the singular name. As Harvard is known, for example and others with traditional and long lineage. It was designed to require minimal maintenance with materials resisting the effects of time.
I have no quarrel with the “new look,” as it represents us and is used for letterheads, cards, e-mails and the website, but superimposed on the existing entrances is silly and frankly lazy. We are ill-served by this easy “solution.” Offered as it is in one of our basic design classes the grade would warrant a “C”— at best. And that is with grade inflation.
I am disappointed and cringe each time I am confronted with thiscartoon. It can only be described as commercial graffiti, appliquéd on the original surface with no regard for design continuity. A facile, lightweight lettering suggesting a greeting card garnished with a garish, tinseled red acorn now decorates all the entrances to our campus. It effectively erodes any concept of permanence and seems more appropriate as a letterhead or business card—its origin, in fact. It was expensive, poorly conceived—garish, absurd. I am chagrined that this decision was made as it is now permanently installed and will remain for years to come, requiring, I fear, annual maintenance and repeated facelifts.

- Nils Lou, professor of art

To many of you, Fred Ross is nothing more than the name of the Assistant to the President. But come this summer, Linfield College will be losing much more than some administrator, as Dr. Fred Ross officially retires, again.

Dr. Ross has served the college in many roles for many years. I had the pleasure of learning how to teach from a master teacher. As an education professor, Dr. Ross not only talked about teaching but modeled the strategies being described. I looked up to a man with a tremendous work ethic, who spent countless hours planning, preparing and then executing his duties as professor, student teacher supervisor, and credential expert. He took the time to get to know me personally as an advisor and invested time and energy into my success.

I worked side by side on various councils with a person who cared about the institution of Linfield.

In 2007, I had the honor of reading some brief notes about Dr. Ross as he retired, the first time. Dr. Ross accepted a position as assistant to the president when asked. The college as a whole has benefitted from his continued servant leadership, his hard work, his caring for the students and his commitment to success for the institution and every student and faculty member that call Linfield home.

So as he retires again, I wish Dr. Ross all the best in retirement. Enjoy your travels, your time with family and in the garden and thank you for your contributions to my career and to this wonderful place called Linfield.

Patrick Miller

Class of 2007, degree in Spanish, secondary education certificate, student center director 2007.