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} Faculty and Staff Highlights | Page 3
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June 2014
FACULTY & STAFF NEWS
Sharing a sense of adventure
BY WANDA LAUKKANEN | Chris
Wilkes and Cheleen Mahar have spent more
than half of their 35 years of married life at
Pacific University.
Wilkes, vice provost for research, and
Mahar, professor of anthropology, are
retiring this summer, and each has been
awarded professor emeritus status.
The two met in the graduate library
at Stanford University, where Wilkes was
studying for a doctorate on a Fulbright
Scholarship, and Mahar was doing research.
Their first conversation lasted two hours.
“We had similar interests, although we
grew up in different places,” Wilkes said.
Born in England, Wilkes earned
both undergraduate and master’s degrees
in New Zealand at Victoria University
Photo by Parrish Evans
Chris Wilkes and Cheleen Mahar, married for 35 years, are both retiring from Pacific University after long
careers in higher education.
and Canterbury University, studying in
physiology, genetics, American studies and
Colorado and a master’s degree in cultural
sociology. He taught high school science in
anthropology from the University of Illinois.
Memorial Church, then traveled to New
New Zealand before completing his master’s
“We had this very liberal, leftist view of
Zealand, where Wilkes had a job teaching
degree and being selected for the Fulbright
social science,” Wilkes said. “We were both
at Massey University in the city of
that took him to Stanford.
social scientists ... we had common interests
Palmerston North.
Mahar grew up in California and
in equality. We also loved jazz. After about
earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and
two hours discussion, we thought this
French from the University of Northern
common interest was worth investigating.”
They married in 1980 at Stanford
“It was a high adventure going to New
Zealand,” Mahar said.
See RETIRE, page 2
pacificu.edu/marcom/pacnews.cfm |
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UC refresh prompts summer adjustments
Work has begun on the summer refresh of the Washburne
University Center on the Forest Grove Campus.
The upper level of the University Center is now closed and will
remain closed until Aug. 11. The closure includes the upper level
lounges, information desk and dining areas.
The kitchen is remaining operational, however. Event groups in
June will be served meals in the Multipurpose Room (MPR) on the
lower level of the UC.
Pacific also will install tents in Parking Lot G, between Walter
and McCormick halls, during the second week of June. Meals for
event guests will be served in the tents from the end of June
through mid-August.
Einstein’s Bagels will be relocated to Scott Hall during the
construction period.
will include expanded dining and lounge areas with new interior
finishes, furniture, lighting and restrooms.
The ATM also will be moved, though the location has yet to
be determined.
A full-service Starbucks, as well as a Provisions on Demand
market, featuring grab-and-go dining choices, will be available.
The refresh project will be finished by the beginning of the Fall
2014 semester. At that time, the main level of the University Center
The Pacific University Bookstore also will move to the east side
of the University Center from its current off-campus location.
Retire: Wilkes, Mahar look forward to new opportunities
Continued from Page 1
Mahar felt she needed to return to the
United States.
“We made friends with people on farms
Wilkes and Mahar served as visiting
and took care of a sheep farm one summer
professors at Stanford University, then
for a couple of weeks,” she said.
eventually were hired by Pacific University
“Once the lead sheep realized she was in
charge, it worked quite well,” Wilkes added.
“Until that moment, it was difficult.”
­— Mahar in 1994 and Wilkes in 1996.
Both have enjoyed their tenure here.
“My major job is to advocate for the
and other institutions, along with Brian Hess,
senior director of development for corporate
and foundation relations, and Mark Johnson,
professor in the Office of Research.
Mahar, who was named a Distinguished
University Professor in 2011, has had six
students in anthropology earn Fulbrights.
She has been instrumental in growing the
research interests of the university ...
programs in anthropology and international
anthropology from Massey University. Her
encourage younger faculty to get research
studies, and initiating a minor in
two children from a previous marriage, ages
going, and support them as they develop
indigenous studies.
7 and 9 when they first arrived in New
their research plans,” Wilkes said.
Mahar earned a PhD in social
Zealand, lived with the couple.
His position also involved encouraging
“I just love the students here,” she said.
“They’re such a special group of young people,
undergraduates to continue their studies
and I never stop being amazed at their
children there,” Mahar said. “We didn’t
with Fulbright grants. Along with German
ingenuity and their generosity toward others.”
have a car for seven years. We all rode our
professor Lorely French, Wilkes has enabled
After Wilkes and Mahar leave Pacific,
bicycles everywhere.”
28 students to study overseas with Fulbright
the two have a variety of plans, including
awards over the past several years.
finishing books, seeing more of their
“It was peaceful and lovely to have young
By 1990, however, Mahar’s parents were
in declining health and the children were
in college.
He’s also involved in securing a wide
variety of grants from government agencies
grandchildren and living in Europe part of
each year.
pacificu.edu/marcom/pacnews.cfm |
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Faculty & staff highlights
DAVE BOERSEMA, Philosophy,
will present “The Philosophy of
Humor,” on Thursday, June 5, at
Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle. The
event is a Puget Sound PUB (Pacific
University Boxers) Night sponsored by
the Office of Alumni Relations.
MARTHA RAMPTON, History,
delivered the keynote speech,
Participation of Women in Political
and Social Life, at Giresun University
in Turkey at a gender symposium in
May. Rampton is director of the Pacific
University Center for Gender Equity.
HAROLD ROARK, Facilities, was
presented the Civilian Service Award
by Forest Grove Fire and Rescue at
Pacific University’s annual faculty
and staff award ceremony May 7. The
award recognized Roark’s commitment
of partnering with the department on
several safety initiatives and ensuring
that new construction on campus met
high safety standards. Roark recently
retired from Pacific.
TODD SCHULTZ, Psychology,
participated in a discussion, “The
Artist as Influencer,” at the Los Angeles
Times’ Festival of Books conference in
April. Schultz is the author of Torment
Saint: The Life of Elliott Smith, a
biography of a singer-songwriter who
suffered depression, was involved with
psychiatric drugs and ultimately took
his own life.
SHARE YOUR NEWS | Send your ideas to
news@pacificu.edu
Faculty & Staff Awards, 2013
DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY
PROFESSOR AWARD
Conner Principe, assistant professor of psychology,
School of Social Sciences
Larry Lipin, professor of history,
School of Social Sciences
Eva Guggemos, archives and special
collections librarian, Library
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
TO THE UNIVERSITY AWARD
STORY-DONDERO AWARD FOR THE
STUDY OF POLITICS AND THE ECONOMY
John Monahan, director of clinical operations,
School of Professional Psychology
Jules Boykoff, associate professor,
School of Social Sciences
Patty Larkins, administrative assistant,
School of Natural Sciences
BOXER SPIRIT AWARD
Nicette Quintero, optician, College of
Optometry
FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Kieran Bennett, assistant director,
Graduate and Professional Admissions
Ted Krupicka, associate chief information officer,
University Information Services
William Todd Schultz, professor of psychology,
School of Social Sciences
Michelle Lawrence, gift records coordinator, and
Sarah Thomas, advancement records coordinator,
University Advancement
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
IN PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD
Kris Marcus, associate professor of pharmacy,
School of Pharmacy
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN
UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING
Dawn Bregel, assistant professor of chemistry,
School of Natural Sciences
JUNIOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Sean Roush, assistant professor,
School of Occupational Therapy
Eric Pitkanen, head athletic trainer, Athletics
Jerry Rice, supervising safety officer,
Campus Public Safety
UNIVERSITY SERVICE AWARD
Nancy Connolly, accounts payable manager,
Business Office
SPLENDID AUDACITY AWARD
Tawny Flores, coordinator of academic programs,
School of Professional Psychology
HARVEY CLARK AWARD
Richard and Doreen Stenson
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Forest Grove Rotary Club
DEDICATION TO STUDENTS AWARD
Melodye MacApline, director of graduate
and professional student services
Ben Bateman, student account coordinator,
Business Office
Diane Watkins, associate director of graduate
and professional admissions
FACULTY EMERITI
Ed Alkaslassy
Patricia Cheyne
Pam Lopez
Cheleen Mahar
Rob Rosenow
Chris Wilkes
CREIGHTON HONORED RETIREES
Bruce Hepler, Facilities and Safety Management
RETIREES
Tim Hill, softball coach, Athletics
Harold Roark, director of Facilities and Safety
Management
Tressa Rodriguez, financial assistant,
College of Optometry
pacificu.edu/marcom/pacnews.cfm |
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May Birthdays
June
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Sarah Creedican
Robert Yohn
Yasutaka Maruki
June Dressler
Bridget Bradley
Thomas Doherty J
Adam Furchner
Diane Clark
Rachel Jensen
William Sullivan
Tom Beck
Anita McClain
Kevin Johnson
Richard Jobs
Ian Besse
Donna Fogg
James Kundart
Verna Ourada
Laura Castien
Diane Buckiewicz
Julie Christerson
Scott Tuomi
Terry Bostwick
Tim Thompson
47%
of Pacific faculty
and staff gave to
Pacific so far in the
2013 fiscal year, as
of May 19. Your
gift supports the
8 Carmen Hinckley
8 Mike Steele
8 Anita Cservenka
8 Joseph Kasik
8 Tammy Spencer
9 Robert Nee
9 Rose Dahl
9 Markham Hyde
9 Sheryl Hiefield
10 Patrick Cougill
10 Eva Gold
10 Anne Herman
11 Laurie Blakely
11 Marty Lozano
11 Victoria Keetay
11 Taylor Doren
11 Becky Harmon
12 Michael Johnson
12 Alayn Waldorf
13 Melissa Parkhurst
13Meredith
Brynteson
13 Dijana Ihas
13 Anna Forsyth
13 Jim Sheedy
13 James Wright
14 Katherine Parker
14 Isaac Ciula
14 Krystal Kneeland
14 Brian Gulka
15Matthew
Lengwenus
15 Dewayne Smith
16 Juli Peters
16 Ann Barr-Gillespie
16 Douglas Martin
17 Cynthia Parker
17 Jeffrey Engle
17 Andrea Lybarger
18 Larry Davis
19 Marcus Welsh
19 Justin McRobert
20 Matthew Leunen
20Scott
Wiesenmeyer
21 Bret Andre
21 Joanne Leijon
21 John Miller III
PUB NIGHT FEATURES PROFESSOR
JUNE 2014
Office of Marketing
& Communications
Editor | Jenni Luckett
Associate Editor |
Wanda Laukkanen
Send your news to
news@pacificu.edu
The first session, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., will
Todd Schultz, Psychology, will talk about the history,
be at the University Center. Lunch will be served from
theory and true efficacy of antidepressant drugs at the
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and afternoon sessions will
next installment of the Pacific University Boxers (PUB)
begin at 12:30 p.m. Staff members will receive an email
Night at 6 p.m. Friday, June 27, at the Lucky Lab Brew
from Human Resources with more details.
Pub, 1945 NW Quimby St., Portland. Cost for the
event is $25 and includes dinner. To register, contact
the Office of Alumni Relations.
students. Consider
ALL-STAFF CONFERENCE SLATED
JUNE 2 ON FOREST GROVE CAMPUS
a gift or a payroll
All Pacific University staff members are invited to the
deduction today.
annual All-Staff Conference on Thursday, June 12, on
pacificu.edu/giving
the Forest Grove Campus. Keynote speaker will be Lisa
university and our
23 Brianne De Graff
23 Alicia Bermejo
24 Fawzy Elbarbry
25 Richard Boudreau
25 Lori Copilevitz
25 Cathy Moonshine
26 Nicette Quintero
26 Bill Breslin
26 Deborah Ferguson
27 Isaac Gilman
27 Stacie Englund
27 Shelly Knight
27 Amy Ryan
27 Rebecca Reisch
27 Anita Mitchell
27 Aurelia Echeverria
28 Matthew Walsh
28 Roger Herbert
28 Anna Tresidder
28 Nancy Connolly
30 Jennifer Hardacker
30 Angela Arena
30 Stephanie Miller
Mitchell, senior consultant at Cascade Centers.
NEW STAFF SENATORS SELECTED
Nine people have been chosen in the recent
elections for the Staff Senate. Each will serve a
two-year term. Newly elected are Tom Andrews,
Abby Boardman, Shesna Calkins, Stacie Englund,
Yashica Island, Tamarra Mellick, Derek Naegeli, Greg
Orlowsky and Angela Skjeie. The next meeting is at 3
p.m. June 18 in Berglund 200, Forest Grove Campus.
pacificu.edu/marcom/pacnews.cfm |
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