News Clippings – May 2012

Chemeketa Community College: College, Yes You Can
Middle school students and their families are invited to attend “College: Yes You Can,” a free, bilingual informational event aimed at exploring students’ college and career options.

Chemeketa Community College: Free Speech Zones Attract Attention
Students are allowed free speech opportunities anywhere on campus, but organizations and community members must use the Free Speech Zone. Peter Starr, Chemeketa’s civic engagement coordinator, said, “I think it is important that we as an educational institution embrace controversial issues and try to have a scholarly, objective conversation about them on campus.”

Chemeketa- Spring into Giving Campaign Hopes to End Hunger
Skye Hibbard, Chemeketa’s AmeriCorps VISTA food relief coordinator, organized a campus-wide food drive. She said, “We have had to double the space devoted to the food pantry in the Office of Student Retention and College Life, and the shelves are full. Even as items were coming in waves, they were being taken home by students in bags to feed themselves and their families. So thank you for your generosity. It is much needed and much appreciated.”

Concordia University 2012 Grads Define Success by Service
Graduates from the class of 2012 are more geographically diverse than ever before, hailing from 41 states and five countries. Rigorous coursework and service learning continue to be emphasized throughout the university’s curriculum and programs as an expression of its Lutheran identity.

George Fox University: GFU Ranks Among Top 40 Study-Abroad Schools
With more than half of the university’s traditional undergraduates experiencing an overseas study experience before graduation, George Fox ranks among the top 40 schools in the nation in the percentage of students who study abroad. George Fox also was among the top five Christian colleges in study abroad participation.

Lane Community College: Students Oppose Tuition Hike
From 1982 to 2007, the cost of college has increased 439 percent (National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education). In response, Senator Ron Wyden has said, “Students are fearful in a way that I’ve never seen before.” Learn more about Lane students’ concerns and what they’re doing to advocate for affordable education.

Lewis & Clark: Fulbright Program Honors Eight from Lewis & Clark
Lewis & Clark College is one of the top producers of Fulbright award winners in the country, demonstrating a sustained commitment to international education and engagement. This year, eight Lewis & Clark students have been selected for this prestigious award.

Lewis & Clark: President’s Student Engagement Scholarship Winners Announced
The president honored two sophomores for their exemplary engagement with liberal arts inside and outside the classroom. President Glassner explained that the sophomore year is a time when college students are sometimes tempted to disengage. The award is meant to recognize students who are especially vigorous in their engagement with the full liberal arts experience and to encourage them in their continued devotion to that endeavor.

Linfield College: College is Possible for Latino Youth
100 Latino high school students traveled to Linfield for their first taste of college. “Many Latino youth don’t see themselves going to college” said the event organizer, Eloina Franco. “They’re not comfortable with the idea, but when you bring them to a college campus, they meet other students who look just like themselves. They don’t believe it’s possible until they see it can become a reality. Knowledge is power.”

Linfield, Afghani Student Debate via Skype
Rachel Mills, 2011 Linfield graduate, has been helping organize Skype debates between students in McMinnville and students in Afghanistan. Learn how students are utilizing technology to connect cultures.

Portland Community College- National Science Foundation gives PCC nearly $600,000 for STEM Scholarships
The National Science Foundation has awarded Portland Community College a four-year grant award of $599,384 for scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related programs. The aim is to continue to boost the number of educated and skilled technology workers who are women and minorities in these related career fields.

Portland State University: Oregon’s Nonprofits are a $13 Billion Industry
Portland State University released a new report that confirms what the local nonprofit world has known for some time; they’re a major contributor to Oregon’s economy. “We had an idea it was that big, but this report confirmed it in a more scientific way,” says Carrie Hoops, executive director of the nonprofit association. Find out what this means in Oregon.

Princeton Review Names Oregon Schools Among List of Greenest Colleges
Congratulations to Linfield College, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon, and the University of Portland.

Southern Oregon University: Deepens Commitment to Sustainability
SOU is now a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). “Becoming a member institution of AASHE is the next step forward, providing students, staff, and faculty access to valuable resources to further foster sustainability efforts on campus and in the community.” said Roxane Beigel-Coryell, SOU’s new Sustainability and Recycling Coordinator.

Southern Oregon University Begins Largest Construction Project in City’s History
The university broke ground on a $40 million student housing project that is expected to provide the city a major economic boost. City officials say the project will provide as many as 200 jobs for local contractors and draw more students.

Southern Oregon University: Student Wins “Conservationist of the Year” Award
Misty Munoz launched a campus-wide waste management program last September through her Environmental Studies’ capstone project. She launched a program that implemented a recycling center on campus, indoor and outdoor recycling bins in every building, a full-time recycling coordinator, and student assistants. “Hopefully this will put SOU on the path to having zero waste in five years,” said Munoz.

University of Oregon: ASUO President-elect Promises Student Leaders More Opportunities
ASUO President-elect, Laura Hinman, is planning a restructuring of the ASUO Executive for her term in office. She intends to add more positions in order to create more opportunities for student leaders. “Most of the purpose behind this change is to create more transparency and clarity,” Hinman said. Check out what this will mean for the campus.

University of Portland: Hall of Fame Football Coach Delivers Commencement Speech
Legendary football coach, Lou Holtz, delivered commencement to 803 undergraduates. Holtz offered the graduates humor, inspiration, and advice, “You want to be happy for an hour, eat a steak. You want to be happy for a day, play golf. You want to be happy for a week, go on a cruise – going on a cruise is like being in jail except you have the chance to drown. You want to be happy for a month buy a new car. You want to be happy for a year, win the lottery. You want to be happy for a lifetime, make sure you add value to other people’s lives.”

University of Portland: Six Seniors Awarded Fulbrights
Six UP seniors will go abroad this fall to teach, study, and conduct research through grants they received from the Fulbright Commission. Meet the graduates, where they’re going, and what they’re excited about.

Warner Pacific College: Supporting Portland’s Emerging Entrepreneurs
Warner Pacific College is proud to partner with the Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter High School (LÊP High) to host Start-Up PDX, a conference for emerging entrepreneurs. The city-wide event will be held on June 23, 2012 at Warner Pacific College and is designed to educate, empower, and support new and aspiring small-business owners in Portland, Oregon.

Warner Pacific College: Warner Gives City a Lesson in Neighborly Skills
Warner is on the rise. The campus is celebrating booming enrollment, diverse students, cooperation with the community, and more. The president of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities tips his hat to the President of Warner, Andrea Cook for her “sensational leadership”. Read more to learn what the buzz is about.

Willamette: Campus Life Honors and Awards Ceremony
The annual event celebrated a variety of achievements, including intramural athlete of the year, leadership and the most outstanding programs and events hosted by campus organizations. ORCC’s 2011-2012 Student Advisory Board Member, Kaitlin Greene was honored for her “Outstanding Leadership” within community service learning. Congratulations Kaitlin!

President’s Interfaith and Community Service Challenge

President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge

The White House has launched a second year of the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge with a special invitation to a national convening for all higher education institutions committed to advancing interfaith cooperation on campus. Please save the date on July 9-10, 2012 when colleges and universities will come together to celebrate the successes of the inaugural year and to formally launch the second year of the President’s Challenge. To indicate your campus’ interest in the second year of the President’s Challenge and receive more information about the July 9-10 gathering, please fill out this form and submit it to edpartners@ed.gov.