Bruin Notes

Activist group met with grace

A bus filled with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans gender rights activists rolled onto the George Fox Newberg campus this spring to protest the university’s policy on homosexuality. Beyond a small flurry of media attention, the April 5 visit passed with little drama as administrators, faculty, and students hosted the two dozen activists for a day of civil dialogs.

The George Fox visit was one stop on a national bus tour of 32 religious colleges organized by the Soulforce Equality Ride. While some schools barred the group — resulting in more than 100 trespassing arrests during the two-month tour —most of George Fox’s sister schools in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities agreed to meet with the riders.

Dana Miller, vice president of marketing and advancement, said the university was clear about its orthodox Christian view of homosexuality and also treated the riders with respect and hospitality. “We were able to express the love of Christ to a group that has not always been met with grace.” equalityride.georgefox.edu

Faith at Work

David Sherwood, professor of social work, received a Distinguished Service to Christianity and Social Work award. Given by the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, the award honors his leadership in developing and accrediting social work programs in Christian colleges and universities.

Sherwood’s career in social work education spans more than 30 years. Since 1982, he has been editor of Social Work & Christianity, the refereed journal of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work. He regularly contributes literature on the ethical integration of Christian faith and professional social work practice. The award was given at the organization’s 57th annual convention and training conference in Dallas. Sherwood led two workshops and delivered an address, “Moral, Believing Social Workers: Philosophical and Theological Foundations of Social Work Ethics,” at the plenary session.