Author Archives: Eric Howald

First Camas Fest comes to Linfield

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Camas wildflowers.The community is invited to learn more and celebrate one of the area’s unique wildflowers — the camas — at the inaugural Camas Festival, hosted by Linfield University, celebrating the flower and the food the bulbs provide.

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 6 on the Linfield campus. The festival is a collaborative project of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, Greater Yamhill Watershed Council (GYWC), and the university. The Oak Grove is located on the northwest corner of the university’s campus.

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Annual Lu’au & Ho’ike draws nearly 1,000 attendees

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Linfield University's Hui O Lōkahi Club held its 49th Annual Lu'au & Ho'ike Saturday, April 30.Months of rehearsals and planning led to the 49th Annual Lu’au & Ho’ike Saturday, April 30. For Puna Padayhag-Himalaya, co-chair of the event presented by the Hui O Lōkahi Club, it was all worth it.

“I think for every one of our dancers, last night held a special place in their hearts. Just being back in the gym … there is something about the stage, lighting and decorations that really creates this unique ambiance that really sets the tone,” Padayhag-Himalaya said. “In the end, it was truly a special moment as a senior and closing off with one last performance on the center stage.”

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Linfield hosting candidate forum for Yamhill County Board of Commissioners

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Linfield will host a candidate forum for two open positions on the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners May 9.

Linfield University will host a Yamhill County Board of Commissioners candidate forum at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 9. The event, which will be held in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium inside Melrose Hall on the McMinnville campus, is free and open to the public. Parking is available along Blaine Street or the Blaine Street parking lot.

Position 1 primary candidates Kit Johnston, Bob Luoto, Harry Noah and Beth Wytoski, and Position 3 candidates Mary Starrett and Doris Towery  are expected to participate.

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Mente Summit returns as in-person event April 29

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Attendees of the last in-person Mente Summit, in March 2020, take a break from a packed day of lectures, mentoring and workshop sessions.

On Friday, April 29, Linfield University will host the annual Mente Summit, which connects young Latino males with speakers and mentors to address the inequities and barriers to their success.

The summit begins at 9 a.m. with a keynote address by Rolando Cruz, a product line manager at Nike. Cruz led the largest Latino youth soccer program in Oregon before joining Nike where he supervises a team of designers and product developers that creates soccer apparel for clubs in Latin America and Europe.

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How to “go WILD” for Linfield students on seventh annual giving day

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One Wild Day, a fundraising campaign, returns May 4.

Since 2016, Linfield’s alumni, donors, employees and friends have gone WILD in their generous support of Linfield University students during its annual giving day. Contributions each year have exceeded pre-set goals, and 2022 aims to be no different.

Linfield’s One Wild Day starts May 4 at 7 a.m. Organizers hope to beat last year’s total amount raised – $526,456 – during the fundraising campaign. Donations made on giving day help unlock matching funds from the Linfield University Board of Trustees – up to $250,000.

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The Oak & Vine Society hosts annual Spring Tasting Reception

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The Oak & Vine Society held its Spring Tasting Reception Sunday, April 24. The Oak & Vine Society, one of Oregon’s premier wine clubs, held its annual Spring Tasting Reception Sunday, April 24, at McMinnville’s Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Nearly 100 attendees sampled the offerings of nine local wineries, fine food and live music by Dave Ferry. Oak & Vine Society is part of Linfield University‘s Evenstad Center for Wine Education.

“An electric atmosphere at the reception capped a year of growth for the Oak & Vine Society,” said Tim Matz, director of Evenstad Center. “In the past 90 days, we’ve doubled Oak & Vine membership. Those memberships directly support student scholarships at Linfield and will lead to more expansive benefits for members.”

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POSTPONED: Urrea visit postponed until fall

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Author and poet Luis Alberto Urrea will visit Linfield University in May.Update May 1, 2022:  Unfortunately, the visit from Luis Alberto Urrea has been postponed until fall. More information will come when a new schedule is confirmed.

Critically acclaimed and award-winning author Luis Alberto Urrea will read from and discuss his work on the Linfield University McMinnville Campus at 5:30 p.m. May 3 in the Jereld R. Nicholson Library.

Urrea’s visit is part of the Mac Reads Series, a collaborative partnership between Linfield, the McMinnville Public Library and Third Street Books with the goal of inspiring community-wide conversations around a topic. Continue reading →

From folklorico to jazz – Linfield’s Spring Dance Showcase set to dazzle

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Linfield's Spring Dance showcase will be a two-evening affair, May 6 and 7.Linfield University‘s Department of Music and dance program will host the annual Spring Dance Showcase with performances May 6 and 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. each night.

Dancers will perform in a range of styles, including tap, modern, contemporary, musical theatre, jazz and folklorico. Tickets are $10 and available at the door of the Marshall Theatre in Ford Hall on Linfield’s McMinnville campus. K-12 students and university students with an ID get in free.

Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test are required for entry.

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2022 Built to Burn arrives April 22

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Built to Burn poster. Credit: Daniel Olson

The Department of Art at Linfield University will host the 14th Annual Built To Burn on Earth Day, Friday, April 22. The public is invited to attend for the first time since 2019.

We will gather under a waning gibbous moon at 7:30 p.m. in the field west of the Miller Fine Arts Center on Keck Drive behind Albertsons. The Burn will commence at dusk, rain or shine, followed by a marshmallow roast.

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Linfield University named a 2022-23 ‘College of Distinction’

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Colleges of Distinction badge.Linfield University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a well-known guide for college-bound students.

Linfield was named as a 2022-23 College of Distinction and an Oregon College of Distinction by the guide. Colleges and universities selected for honors by Colleges of Distinction are vetted through in-depth research and detailed interviews with the school’s administrators, accepting only those that adhere to four specific areas: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.

“All four areas that Colleges of Distinction wants to see are Linfield strengths,” said Scott Bernard Nelson, the university’s associate vice president for strategic communications. “We have small classes with deeply involved faculty and students, and the result is that our alumni every year report some of the highest salaries and best outcomes of any college or university in the west.”

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