20 terrific Linfield things from 2020
This was a difficult year for most people, but there were many bright moments for Linfield as well as our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
We became Linfield University
The world of higher education is changing, and Linfield continues to adapt to meet the needs of students. On February 15, 2020, President Miles K. Davis announced that the Board of Trustees had voted to change our name, which we’ve held for nearly a century, to Linfield University. The name became official on July 1, 2020, and with it came the new School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences, as well as new logos and a revamped linfield.edu.
Faculty and staff send encouraging messages to students
Linfield faculty and staff sent messages of hope, encouragement and solidarity to students prior to resuming the spring semester. Faculty, students and staff worked and learned almost exclusively online from March 30 through the end of the spring semester.
W.M. Keck Foundation announces $10 million gift toward a new science facility 🔬
The W.M. Keck Foundation committed a substantial gift to support a new science facility on the McMinnville campus. The $10 million gift marks the largest single donation in Linfield’s history. Once built, the facility will be known as the W.M. Keck Science Center.
Finding creative ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 🎓
Restrictions on large gatherings as a result of the pandemic meant cancelling the traditional commencement and nursing pinning ceremonies.
But, Linfield adapted.
A “drive through” diploma distribution event was held for the graduates. Linfield also created a virtual online celebration for the Class of 2020, three virtual pinning ceremonies (May, August and December), a virtual performance of the alma mater (with help from alumni), a virtual Grad Finale and virtual senior awards.
Students “Pack the House” to watch Linfield win the NWC title 🏀
Ted Wilson Gymnasium was the place to be in late February. Students turned out in droves to watch the Wildcats beat Whitman and Whitworth to earn a share of the Northwest Conference title. It was men’s basketball’s first conference championship since the 2000–01 season.
New Portland campus takes shape
Construction on our new campus in NE Portland began this summer, and the first phase is nearly complete. The School of Nursing is scheduled to begin in-person classes at the new location on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021.
The show must go on!
All in-person arts performances were cancelled this semester as a result of the pandemic, but creative people find unique ways to showcase their talents. That is exactly what Linfield’s music and theatre departments did this fall. Both departments streamed performances on YouTube. Theatre broadcasted “Democratically Speaking” on two nights in October, and music presented “Unity: A Recital Highlighting Marginalized Voices” (link above).
Alumna Heather Nelson ’09 wins on “Jeopardy!”
Heather Nelson ’09 was never selected for the game show’s college edition as an undergraduate at Linfield, but the call came twelve years later. She appeared and won during the Jan. 24, 2020 episode of the popular game show hosted by the late Alex Trebek.
A safe place for important conversations
The athletic department led the way in proving a platform for students, employees, alumni and close members of our community to have open discussions regarding systemic racism and other important topics. Groups of people gathered on Zoom every Friday at noon from June through November to discuss a variety of issue at the Wildcat Community Impact CatChats (later named WildX). The Zoom calls were facilitated by faculty and staff representing multiple areas of the athletic department.
Two new deans join the Linfield community
Linfield hired Jennifer R. Madden (left) as the inaugural dean of the School of Business and Joe Wilferth (right) as the inaugural dean of the College of Arts and Sciences this fall. Wilferth recently shared his opinion in the Portland Business Journal on why he believes Oregon universities are doing an extraordinary job of preparing students for their careers.
You’re going to Linfield!
Say it loud, and say it proud, “I’m Linfield bound!” Future college students publicly declared their intent to attend Linfield on May 1, 2020 (College Decision Day). Many of the 392 first-year students were celebrated on Linfield’s social media channels.
Let’s play nine
McMinnville’s newest course is in the Oak Grove, but leave your irons and wedges at home. The Associated Students of Linfield University (ASLU) and the Wildcat Events Board (WEB) collaborated on a nine-hole disc golf course to provide a socially-distant activity for McMinnville campus students during the fall semester. The baskets are down while students are home for the holidays, but they’ll return in the spring!
First in supporting First Generation students
Linfield is now home to the state of Oregon’s first chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (or Tri-Alpha), a national honor society for first-generation college students. Linfield’s Tri-Alpha — Beta Pi chapter is one of more than 60 across the nation at institutions ranging from community colleges to state universities.
Cheers to champions! 🍷
For the second time in three years, Linfield has claimed the overall Grand Prize in the Intercollegiate Wine Business Invitational. Six students collaborated to create Pandomônio Cellars, a 60–40 blend of a pinot noir and Castelão, a Portuguese variety.
Record amount raised during Linfield Gives
Nearly 1,000 donors stepped up and raised more than $565,000 in support of students during the fifth annual Linfield Gives. This year’s fundraising campaign included a special COVID-19 Student Aid Fund to support students adversely affected by the pandemic.
School of nursing gives PPE to a local medical clinic
Personal protective equipment (PPE) was in short-supply in some places at the start of the pandemic. The Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing had few students using the school’s equipment last spring as many were learning online. So, the school donated 450 gowns, 240 N95 masks, and 350 surgical masks to the Virginia Garcia Health Center.
Donors upgrade Wildcat athletic facilities
The largest video board in NCAA Division III now resides at Linfield University. That, and a new all-weather turf field for soccer and lacrosse were two completely donor-funded projects that took place this fall. The facilities will be ready when the Wildcats restart competition in the spring of 2021.
President Davis featured by USAA and CNN on Veterans Day
President Miles K. Davis is a proud veteran of the United States Navy. He, alumnus Dan Davis ’15 and Linfield University were the subject of a CNN branded-content video, “Small Town Heroes: Creating Support For Veterans In Higher Education.”
Biology department donates a freezer for COVID-19 vaccine storage
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has reached the state of Oregon, and it’s being distributed to healthcare workers. People in Yamhill County who receive the vaccine may get it right from an ultra-cold freezer from our biology department. Linfield is partnering with the county and the Oregon Health Authority to aid in the storage and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the state.
Superheroes reside on our campuses
Last, but certainly not least is our appreciation for all student leaders across our two campuses. Students in areas like Fraternity and Sorority Life, ASLU/ASLU-PC, WEB, and Residence Life played heroic roles in keeping students engaged and safe this past semester. They were honored during Student Leader Appreciation Day in October.
Thank you to our students and everyone else who played a part in preserving face-to-face education this past semester.
